RABBIT FENCES 59 



2 feet ij inch mesh. Such netting is often made; but, if 

 there be any difficulty in procuring it, the manufacturers will 

 thread together two 2 feet widths (of I and ii inch mesh); 

 and this will be very much cheaper than having a single 

 4-foot width of i inch mesh. When two widths are thus 

 threaded together, the i| inch mesh netting should be No. 

 17 gauge, otherwise it would be liable to tear. Before the 

 netting is unrolled, it should be dipped in black varnish, 

 taken out, and allowed to dry ; such a precaution will double 

 the life of the netting, for otherwise its coating of zinc soon 

 becomes defective in places. 



Such netting will cost about 193. per roll of 50 yards. 



The wooden posts or stakes should be 5 feet 3 inches 

 long, and, by preference, may be split out of Oak, Spanish 

 Chestnut, or Larch, with an average cross-section of about 

 5 by 3 (like an arris rail). Some smaller, intermediate stakes, 

 should also be used, in order to cheapen the cost. These 

 stakes and posts should be sharpened or pointed, and all 

 bark stripped off, and, by preference, they should be 

 creosoted ; but, failing that, they should be charred at 

 ground level, and the charred portion should be painted 

 over, whilst still hot, with boiling tar. However, it would be 

 a great mistake to tar unseasoned stakes; for that would 

 only hasten their destruction. Whether creosoted or not, all 

 posts should be barked. 



The bigger stakes would be worth about ?d. each, and 

 the smaller stakes 3d. each, sharpened and creosoted. 



The top wire should be No. 5 (or 6) 7-ply galvanised 

 wire. No 5 costs about 155. a cwt., and there are about 392 

 yards of it in I cwt. 



Small straining posts, each with a strut, must be fixed 

 about every 230 yards. In erecting the fence, it is very 

 advisable to have the netting sloping from the ground 

 outwards, away from the ground to be planted, as this will 

 prevent rabbits from climbing over. The netting must also 

 be let into the ground and turned outwards away from the 

 land to be planted ; for this will prevent the rabbits from 

 burrowing under. 



