241 



Wire netting, trenched in the ground to a depth of six 

 inches, is c.irric-d up the posts and curved over an iron bracket. 

 One or two top wires complete the fence. When the 'possum runs up 

 the post, he limls himself confronted by the curved wire netting. 

 So far as I know, this kind of fence has not been tested, and there 

 are several objections to it, though it has in theory much to recom- 

 mend it. It is expensive and would be easily damaged by stock, 

 and I am inclined to think its possible effectiveness might be 

 improved by substituting barbed wire on the curve for wire netting 

 and offering inducements at intervals for the 'possum to climb. The 

 'possum will always run up a stick set at an angle in preference to 

 a perpendicular post, and at intervals of a chain or so apart I would 

 place sloping sticks against the fencing posts leading nearly to the 

 top, and over the top of the post make with wire netting an alley 

 leading down on the other side into a trap into which the 'possum 

 must go or stay out of the orchard altogether. Perhaps some 

 enterprising orchardist who suffers from the depredations of 

 opossums may bz induced to try this kind of fence, and put these 

 suggestions to a practical test. 



It is a difficult matter in putting on wire netting to stretch it so 

 as to take out the bagginess. Ordinarily this fencing is slack and 

 very untidy. It needs to be thoroughly stretched. To do this the 

 plan shown in ^^^ arranged on 



the sketch fiU one side to 



hold the roll 

 firmly and to 

 stretch each 

 section as it is 

 unrolled. A 



sketch 

 may be used to 

 advantage. A 

 strip of board 

 has four or 

 hooks 



more 



pulley attached to the following post draws the netting tightly past 

 the preceding post, where it is secured firmly with staples and the 

 work advanced to the next post. 



Gates are a most important feature in a fence, and where 

 paddocks have to be protected they are absolutely necessary. The 



