fe:nxes axd gates. 



Pann Fenfe*. — In the following list of farm fences we have endeavored 

 to illustrate and describe only those that are of practical valne and in actnal 

 use by many farmers. They illustrate the various modes of arrangiug rails 

 for the turning of stock and indicating the boundary line of farms. In many 

 sections of the country the common crooked, zig-zag (sometimes called the 

 Virginia or worm) rail fence Is extensively used, and, in consequence of tho 

 scarcity of tlie desired material, cannot be immediately replaced by tlie im- 

 proved board, jxist and rail, iron or stone fence. As commonly constructed, 

 with wide-spreading stakes at each comer, it occupies a sUip of ground 

 nearly a rod in width, which is far worse than useless, affording a harboring 

 place for noxious weeds, 

 etc. 



Fig. 1 represents a section 

 of a straight rail fence. The 

 stakes are first driven in 

 the soil from four to six 

 inches asunder, snfl'iciont to 

 admit of a rail of mtdiuni 

 size; a stone or block of 

 wood a few inches in height 

 is placed between the 

 stakes, upon which are 

 properly placed two or three 

 rails; a piece of annealed wire is then placed around both stages, the cudd 

 being well twisted together, uj)on which are placed rails until within a few 

 inches of the top, when another bit of wire, a wooden pin, or a wooden cap, 

 as most convenient, is attached. 



In building this class of fence, it vr\\\ be necessary to cut away with an axe 

 a ix)rtion of each end of many rails, that they may fit closely within the stakes. 

 In this, as well as other rail fences, the largest and heaviest rails should be 

 reserved for the top, rendering their removal by nnmly 8t<x>k and high 

 wind* less easy. Keep the crooked ones in a panel by themselves, and if 

 they are very crooked it is poUcy to use them for stakes, or consign them to 

 tlie flames; for to have a fence to please and not to provoke the intrusion of 

 stock, use none but straigid rails. 



When economy of rails is desired, immediately after setting tho stakes 

 cast up a ridge of earth by plowing two furrows on each side, throwing up 

 the second furrow with a shovel, making a ridge a fix)t or more in height, 

 and not less than a foot in breadth at the top; proceed as alx)ve in the con- 

 struction of the fence; sow grass seed upon the ridge. ITiis plan saves two 

 rails to a panel, renders the stakes more firm and less lialilo to heave by the 

 aetion of the frost, and unruly cattle do not have the same advantage in 

 attempting to get through or over it. In situations not liabl* to the preva- 

 lence of high winds, this is the fence that should be used, occupying leeu 



FARM FEXOES. 



