FENCING. 



167 



at lower end, are usually malleted in to about one-third of their 

 length, so as to stand at the height needed. All the stobs 

 between two straining-posts having been put in proper posi- 

 tion in a straight line, the wires are strained and stapled on 

 the stobs at their proper distances apart ; then the droppers 

 are also fixed with staples to help to keep the wires in 

 place. 



A post-and-wire fence to resist horses, cattle, and sheep 

 should be about 3 ft. 9 in. to 4 ft. high, and should have six 

 strands of wire ; and it is more 

 effective if the top strand 

 consist of barb -wire. Such 

 a fence (with well creosoted 

 posts) lasts for about twenty 

 years, and costs little to main- 

 tain. If the fence is only 

 against sheep, a 3 to 3J ft. 

 fence, with four to five wires, 

 is sufficient ; and it is more 

 effective if the third and the 

 top wires are barbed. 



A good creosoted fence of the 

 above description, 3 ft. 9 in. 

 to 4 ft. high, with six wires 

 (five smooth, and top barbed), 



base of sole 



A 7-foot Straining-pout at end of a 

 six -wired fence, ^feet high. 



usually costs lOd. to Is. per 

 running yard ; while a lighter 

 fence against sheep only can be put up for 6d. to 8d. But the 

 cost varies with the height of the fence, and the size and 

 number of wires used ; and the larger the area, the smaller is 

 the cost per acre for fencing. If plantations were made in 

 squares, the cost would only increase twofold while the enclosed 

 area extended fourfold ; so that, if only light fencing were 



