168 



THE PROTECTION OF WOODLANDS. 



needed at an average cost of 6d. a running yard, the cost 

 per acre would vary as follows : 



As plantations are seldom made with straight-line boundaries, 

 the acreage enclosed gives no idea of the number of yards of 

 fencing needed, which can only be known by measuring on a 

 map, or on the ground. The difference in cost is often great, 

 as 1 square mile of plantation (640) acres in a square needs 

 4 miles or 7040 yards of fencing, and at 6d. a-yard costs 176, 

 or 5s. 6d. an acre ; while the same area as a rectangle twice as 

 long as it is broad, needs 5 miles or 8800 yards of fencing, 

 amounting to 220, or 6s. 10|d. per acre ; but if thrice as 

 long as broad, it needs 6| miles or 11,733 yards of fencing, 

 costing 293, or 9s. IJd. per acre. It is therefore economical 

 to make plantations as large and square or compact as possible. 



The cheapest form of fence against Highland cattle and sheep known to 

 me is one erected in 1908, in the Lome district of Argyllshire, with un- 

 creosoted Larch thinnings, and intended to last for about twelve years. 

 Formed of five strands of No. 8 galvanised wire (with 5 J, 5 J, 6^, and 7 5 in. 

 between the wires), and a top-strand of 4-barbed wire (8^ in. above), it 

 stands 39 in. high, has a total length of 2850 yards, encloses 97| acres, and 

 cost in all 53, 7s. 2d., or 4d. per running yard, and 11s. per acre en- 

 closed. The straining- posts and stobs were of young undressed and 

 uncreosoted Larch thinnings, and the droppers (2x1 in.) were cut from 

 Larch slabs. No special outlay was incurred for carting, done at odd 

 times when the cart and horse were not otherwise employed. The details 

 of cost were as follows : 



