90 FORESTRY WORK 



The posts for the four-hole fence should be at least 

 5 feet 6 inches long for stiff soils and 6 feet for looser ones, 

 and 5 inches by 3 inches in section. 



Holes are morticed for rails 9 feet 6 inches by 4 inchee 

 by 1| inches at the following distances: 



The centre of the top mortice 5 inches from the top of 

 the post. No. 2 mortice 18 inches from the top; No. 3, 

 29 inches; No. 4, 40 inches. This leaves 9 inches between 

 the two top rails, 7 inches between the others, and 6 inches 

 between the bottom rail and ground. This makes a 

 fence 45 inches to the top of the rail. 



Corner posts must be morticed both ways. 



The end of the rails are slanted so that they overlap 

 one another in the morticed hole, forming a sphoe. 



In setting the fence, a narrow hole is dug deep enough 

 to leave the fence the required height, and wide enough 

 only, after the post is in, to admit of the use of a rammer 

 to firm the soU. 



The next hole is dug 3 yards away (allowing 6 inches for 

 the overlapping of the raUs in the mortice), the post placed 

 in (but not firmed), and the rails fitted in. The post is 

 then firmed up. This procedure is continued until the 

 length of fencing is finished. 



Two middleheads, or pegs — i.e., light posts 5 feet 6 inches 

 by 3 inches by 1| inches — are driven in at 3 feet apart 

 between each two posts on the side away from stock and 

 the rails securely nailed to them. 



Sometimes nails are driven into the big posts to secure 

 the rails, but if these are fitted properly there should be 

 no need of this. 



