60 PLANTING 



The posts should be driven into the ground, holes being 

 made with a crowbar if necessary. They should be 10 feet 

 apart (to 12 feet), and a small one should alternate with a 

 big one. The row of wire should pass freely through 

 staples at the top of the posts, and should only be rigidly 

 fastened to the straining posts. Sometimes the staples are 

 driven " home " and the wire thus pinched on to each post ; 

 in that case, the straining posts may be dispensed with ; but 

 the former is the better method ; and when no longer 

 required, the fence is easily moved without injury. 



The netting should be fastened only to the top wire, to 

 which it should be tied with wire. The top of the netting 

 should be 3 feet 2 inches to 3 feet 3 inches from the ground, 

 the remaining portion being turned under the ground. If it 

 be desired to fasten the netting by staples to the posts, it will 

 be necessary to drive the posts in a slanting direction ; but, 

 in no case must the staples be driven " home," or the netting 

 will be much torn when it is finally removed. 



For the sake of economy, the top wire is often dispensed 

 with ; in that case, of course, the netting must be fastened 

 direct to the posts ; but such a fence is easily torn down. 



The cost of such a fence may be estimated as follows : 



For 250 yards. Posts 1 1 feet apart 



34 posts, 5 inches by 3 inches (arris section), creosoted, 



at 7d. each . . . . . . ^o 19 10 



34 stout stakes, creosoted, at 3d. each . . 086 



i small straining post and strut, creosoted . .046 



i straining bolt, nut, and washer . . .0010 



68 staples at is. 3d. per 100 . . . .0010 



5 rolls of netting, i inch and i^ inch mesh, and 



Nos. 18 and 17 gauge, at 195. . . .4150 



250 yards No. 5, 7-ply gal. wire, at 155. per cwt. . 096 

 Labour of erecting, haulage, dipping netting in black 

 varnish, nails for strut, tying wire, supervision, 

 etc. . . . . . . .150 



Total for 250 yards . .^840 



Equals nearly 8d. per yard run. 



A stepping-stile should always be made at various places 



