282 FARM IMPROVEMENTS 



space in a forty-acre field inclosed with a common zigzag rail 

 fence that can be saved by means of a Ferguson fence. Have 

 them estimate also the value of this ground if planted in corn 

 or the staple crop of the neighborhood. 



For posts, white oak, black locust, and catalpa trees are gener- 

 ally used. Whenever possible, the bottom ends of the posts 

 should be dipped in coal tar or pitch, as this protects them against 

 decay. 



In prairie countries wire fences are the most economical and 

 for that reason are in general use. For fencing up cattle the com- 

 mon barbed wire is preferred, while for hogs or poultry various 

 forms of woven wire fences are used. Where timber is hard to 

 obtain, concrete or metal posts have been tried and found satis- 

 factory. For lawns and yards, close-woven wire fences and iron 

 pickets produce a good, effect, but are somewhat expensive. 



In mountainous sections stone fences are often built up from 

 the loose stone gathered on the fields and prove very durable and 

 satisfactory. 



Some years ago there was a great deal of enthusiasm over the 

 so-called live fences or hedges. There are a number of plants that 

 are serviceable for this purpose, but the Osage orange stands 

 at the head of the list for many sections. When kept properly 

 trimmed, it makes a very effective fence against marauding people 

 as well as against stock. Other plants that are sometimes util- 

 ized for hedges are the buckthorn, hawthorn, and the honey 

 locust. The chief objection to live fences is that the plants are 

 frequently allowed to grow too large, and the extensive network of 

 roots on both sides of the fence saps the life and nourishment of 

 the soil to such an extent that no kind of cultivated plant can .be 

 grown within twenty or thirty feet of the fence. Besides, the high- 

 grown hedge shuts out the free circulation of the air in the field 

 and makes plowing oppressive to the team as well as to the work- 

 man. Since 1885 the enthusiasm for live fences on farms has 

 been on the wane, and they are now becoming very scarce, so far 

 as their use for general farming purposes is concerned. 



Since 1870 many States have passed stock laws requiring every 

 man to fence in his own stock instead of fencing out those belong- 

 ing to his neighbors. The result has been a great saving to farm- 



