Fencing Plantations 267 



larch, oak or Spanish chestnut poles, 1 ft. high, and about 

 2J in. diameter at small end. Thread these on wires by 

 boring holes in the poles at 2 ft. and 5 ft. from the butt end, 

 keeping each couple separate by 3 in. -long pieces of the same 

 size of pole, also threaded on the wires. These can be 

 formed on the level, and when sufficient to embrace the tree 

 have been got together, the whole may be lifted up and 

 placed in position closely around the trunk. Another 

 method is to bind the poles together with fencing wire, 

 giving a double twist between each to keep them at a suit- 

 able distance apart. 



When a more elaborate fence or guard is required, four 

 posts 1 ft. long, 4 in. square, and sawn from crooked oak 

 branches are used. The posts are quite straight for 5 ft. 

 in length, the upper 2 ft. being inclined outwards, which 

 not only gives the guard a neat appearance, but is a great 

 preventive against the encroachments of farm stock. The 

 posts are inserted nearly 2 ft. in the ground, and so as to 

 form a square around the stem of 4j ft. to the side, four 

 bars, each 3 in. by 1 in., are nailed horizontally on the 

 straight portions of the posts, and at equal distances apart 

 from where the angle occurs downwards ; upwards from 

 that three hoop-iron rails are nailed in a similar manner, the 

 top one being one inch below the level of the crown of the 

 posts. Iron has a light and neat appearance when used 

 for the top bars, but wood is often substituted. Another 

 cheap and neat tree guard for using with the rarer trees, to 

 which horses and cattle have not access, is made as follows : 

 Pales 3 ft. long, 2 in. wide, by |- in. thick, are sawn out and 

 pointed. They are driven into the ground round the tree 

 to be protected, the tops sloping outwards and 1 J in. apart. 

 Stout tying wire is then interlaced at two heights from the 

 ground. 



Oak or chestnut bark placed loosely around clean-stemmed 

 young trees will prevent damage by ground game, and is 

 cheap and looks unobtrusive. 



