278 GENERAL ECONOMY OF THE FARM. 



now in good condition, as long as possible in that state; and, 

 in the construction of new ones, to exercise economy, by 

 having them erected, of whatever materials, in a most substan- 

 tial and durable manner. The saving of a few dollars in the 

 outlay, is only apparent not real. We must not be under- 

 stood as advocating extravagance in this or any other depart- 

 ment of rural affairs; but we do maintain, that what is worth 

 doing at all, is worth doing well, and that therefore, in the 

 erection offences, the besi and most durable materials should 

 be selected; and the whole put together in a solid, substantial, 

 and workmanlike manner. 



Almost every individual has an idea that he fully under- 

 stands the process of making rail fence, which is a simple 

 process, and yet perhaps not more than one in twenty has any 

 established system or fixed rules by which their operations are 

 to be controlled in this essential and important department of 

 farm labour. A writer in the Genesee Farmer, says that no 

 sight is to him more pleasing than a well made rail fence. 

 His system of construction is briefly as follows: 



"To ascertain when a sufficient number of rails have been drawn for a given 

 distance of fence 1. If the fence is to be seven rails high, and twelve feet 

 long, place them in piles of ten each, in a continuous line, touching each other. 

 2. Place in range, stakes or poles at intervals to designate the line; prepare a 

 pole seven or eight feet long, well sharpened at one end; (the end ought by all 

 means to be pointed with iron;) at about eighteen inches from the pointed 

 end, fasten a rod at right angles with the pole, and extending thence from three 

 feet, two, four, or six inches, according as the fence is exposed to winds. Put 

 down this pole in a range with the poles designating the line, and the end of 

 the rod will show the place for the corner. Place then, for a foundation, a 

 good sized flat stone, and you are ready to commence operations. 3. The 

 bottom rail should be straight place the largest end forward on the stone, and 

 the other end crossing the preceding rail at the end of the rod of the ranging 

 pole, so that the corners on each side be in exact line. 4. Let the five follow- 

 ing rails be placed the smallest end forward, and notched, if necessary, to make 

 them lie steadily. 5. Let the top rail be heavy and well notched, the largest 

 end placed forward, which completes the work, leaving your fence level and of 

 equal height throughout." 



Various substitutes have been proposed for the common post 

 and rail fence, the most prominent of which will be hereafter 

 noticed. Notwithstanding the great scarcity of timber in the 

 Atlantic states, which is a matter of great solicitude, in view of 

 obtaining in future a supply of timber suitable for fencing 

 alone, .the system of post and rail fences, with proper manage- 

 ment on the part of farmers, may be easily and advantageously 

 perpetuated. JAMES WORTH, Esq., of Sharon, near Newton, 

 Bucks county, Penna. , a gentleman who has devoted much of 

 his time, talents, and fortune in promoting the general inter- 

 ests of agriculture, after a minute and careful examination of 

 the claims of all the varieties offences used and recommended 

 throughout the country, came to the conclusion that the post 



