342 HOME LIFE IN FLORIDA. 



Every body likes an all-wire fence, but heretofore it has 

 been beyond the reach of people of small means. Now, 

 however, thanks to Mr. Hulbert, it is placed within the 

 grasp of every one. 



It is scarcely needful to remark that the netting can be 

 made coarse, if only cattle are to be fenced, or fine enough 

 to turn rabbits, poultry, gophers, or other such "small 

 game," and with a barbed wire at the top from post to post, 

 will effectually turn the "small boy " also. It is well worth 

 while to send for a circular, and find out all about it, and 

 about every other kind of iron fence as well. 



In making ordinary farm-gates it is a frequent fault to 

 make them too heavy. Where an ordinary board fence is 

 used, boards five inches wide, top and bottom, are quite 

 strong for a ten-foot gate ; for the ends use the same, one 

 on each side, well secured with screw-bolts ; on these nail 

 four or five slats according to the height of the gate ; and 

 last, but not least, nail on the brace from the upper hinge 

 to the toe of the gate, just exactly the reverse way from 

 the common custom. It is a curious fact that so simple a 

 thing as this is so seldom done right, when it is just as 

 easy as to do it wrong. Then, to finish up, put on three 

 perpendicular slats on the opposite side from the brace, and 

 you will have a gate that will endure for years upon years. 



The directions for the brace, from ujjper hinge to toe, 

 and the vertical pieces opposite, also hold good for the 

 wire and picket and netting fence gates. 



Another important point : A gate that will open but one 

 way is only half a gate ; it ought to swing freely both 

 ways; look out for this in getting your hinges. 



And still another point : No one wants gates that sag or 

 swing sideways, yet nearly every one has them so. There 

 is no necessity for it, and here is how to avoid it. 



There is little use in expending extra labor on the gate- 



