FENCING 69 



Government quarter-section, which he has " home- 

 steaded " in the orthodox manner, and is preparing 

 to farm. 



You next take a crow-bar along the line marked 

 out by the stakes, and punch holes H feet deep at 

 a distance of 20 feet apart. (The corner post-holes 

 should be 2 feet deep, at least.) This is called a 

 " panel " of fence, and, although shorter ones are 

 really better for general purposes, this will be found 

 a safe length. This done, the posts are cut and 

 chopped to a uniform size of 8 feet long (care 

 being taken to select those that have the straightest 

 growth), pointed at the thick end with the axe, and 

 sawn off flat at the other. Load up the waggon 

 with these and drive round the field, placing the 

 posts into the holes already prepared for them ; after 

 which a second journey round must be made with 

 the sledge-hammer and, while standing on the 

 waggon, knock the posts firmly down into the 

 ground, taking care that they stand straight. Two 

 strands of wire are all that is necessary in order to 

 confine horses, and the top one should be fastened 

 to the posts at the same distance from the ground 

 as used for cattle, while the lower one should be 

 \\ to 2 feet below it. For cattle, three strands are 

 necessary, and the top wire should be fixed so that 

 it comes level with the eyes of a full-grown cow. and 



11 



