CHAP. ii. GATES. 803 



VII. GATES are of various kinds and denominations, according to the 

 form and materials of which they are constructed. 1 The principle, in 

 all of them, is to combine strength with lightness and cheapness. The 

 kinds of wood usually employed for this object are oak, larch, beech, 

 and other solid timber; though the Dutch willow, and some lighter 

 varieties, may be usefully applied to the same purpose. When putting 

 up gates, the chief points demanding attention are, the fixing of the 

 post, so that it may resist the shocks that often accompany the forcible 

 swinging of the gate, and the hanging of the gate itself, in order that 

 it may shut easily and truly, without dragging on the ground. 



With regard to the gate-post, where timber is used, it should be that 

 of the oak or the larch, and that part which is to be buried in the earth 

 should be prepared either by tar or pitch, or by charring, or, better 

 still, by creosoting. Respecting this last-named process, Messrs. 

 Armstrong, Addison & Co., Sunderland, state that after over twenty 

 years' experience, they are satisfied that large-sized timber cannot be 

 thoroughly preserved with less than two-thirds of a gallon of creosote 

 oil to the cubic foot, and, in smaller scantlings, where there is a great 

 deal of surface, their rule is to inject fully one gallon to every cubic 

 foot of wood. Care is taken that the timber is in a fit condition to 

 undergo the process, and further, that the creosote oil used is of the 

 best quality for the purpose. They add that the timber should not be 

 cut after being preserved. The denser and more valuable portion of 

 the preservative is near the surface, and this should not be disturbed 

 if it can be avoided. 



Such preserved posts should always be firmly and deeply fixed, about 

 four feet being let into the ground. All the upper part, that which 

 is exposed to the air, should be covered with one or two coatings of 

 oil-paint, which will be attended with comparatively little expense, 

 while the advantage thence derived, in point of durability, is very con- 

 siderable. Gate-posts are more durable if their natural position is 

 reversed, that is, if their top is buried in the soil, and that part which 

 was nearest to the root is out of the ground. No reason has hitherto 

 been assigned to satisfactorily account for this fact ; but it cannot be 

 too extensively known where timber is used for gate-posts. Larch fir 

 posts should have the bark stripped off, as it harbours insects and 

 moisture. It is curious that, contrary to what is usually the case, the 

 sap-wood of larch fir is heavier, tougher, and stronger than the heart- 

 wood, and usually lasts longer. Stone gate-posts, however, are always 

 preferable to wood, where they can be obtained, unless the stone be too 

 brittle. Iron is often used for ornamental gates, and some forms are 

 very elegant, lasting a long time if painted yearly. 



In his paper on "Estate Fencing" (see "Transactions of the 

 Surveyors' Institution," 1890 91), Mr. Arthur Vernon gives the 

 following approximate estimates as to the durability of fences : 



Small fir fencing in the round with the bark on, 12 or 15 years. 



1 An instructive paper on " Field Gates " appeared in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural 

 Society, 3rd series, voL iv., 1893, p. 37. 



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