FORMATION OF PLANTATIONS. 



while in districts where slate abounds excellent fences of 

 this kind may be erected at a cheap cost. 



Tuil walls and ditches are sometimes formed as planta- 

 tion boundaries, but unless with a great amount of looking 

 after they are rarely very successful. 



Stone and turf walls are, however, now almost entirely 

 superseded by iron fencing, it being not only readily 

 conveyed to any desired point, but quickly erected and 

 moderately cheap. 



To recommend any particular system of wire fencing 

 would be out of place, for amongst the numerous kinds now 

 offered almost any desired pattern can be obtained. 



In any case the fence need not exceed 3 ft. 6 in. in height, 

 with seven-strand wires, two No. 6 and five No. 7 ; and, as 

 this is placed in position at so much per mile by the makers, 

 it is always well, so as to avoid bad erection and keep down 

 expense, to have it so put up. Where an abundance of 

 larch fencing-posts are to be found on the estate, it would, 

 perhaps, be unwise to employ iron, but in the majority of 

 cases it will be found cheapest in the end to have the fences 

 erected wholly of iron and wire. Where home-made fences 

 are in use, both the posts and strainers may be of wood 

 grown on the estate. 



The straining-posts should be of good, well-seasoned larch or 

 oak, and 7 ft. long by 6 in. square, or if round 7 in. in diameter. 



The intermediate posts are usually of larch, 5^ ft. long 

 by 3J in., by 3 in., or if round, not less than 3| in. 

 diameter at small end. 



Usually the straining-posts are placed in the ground at 

 150 yds. apart, with an additional strong post at every 

 angle or curve that occurs in the line of fence. The inter- 

 mediate posts are pointed and driven into the ground along 

 the line of fence at 6 ft. apart. 



So as to make a fence proof against the inroads of sheep 

 and cattle not less than six wires should be erected, and 

 galvanised strand wire is preferable. The total height of 

 the fence need not exceed 3 ft. 6 in., and the top wires 

 should be placed further apart than those lower down. 



In tightening the wires a straining machine is usually 



