FIELD FENCES. 75 



other active watercourse, materially contribute to fertility, 

 by their use as drains. And the filling up field ditches, 

 which was recommended when underground drainage was 

 first practised, and which was largely carried out many 

 years ago, has since been found bad policy. 



Dead Fences. These are of various kinds, depending 

 to some extent on the materials at command. In wcod- 

 land districts where underwood is plentiful and of small 

 value, a most useful and a tolerably durable fence can be 

 constructed at a moderate cost. The best material is mixed 

 underwood of from 8 to 12 years' growth; hazel, black 

 willow, ash suckers, birch, alder, or blackthorn are the 

 most suitable. The wood must be cut before the sap 

 begins to flow, the strongest are selected for stakes ; 

 these do not exceed 3 inches in diameter at the butt end 

 or 1J to 2 inches at the top. They are cut in lengths of 4 

 feet 6 inches. Shaped to a point at the thick end, with 

 the hatchet, the line of fence is ranged on the ground by 

 setting up sighting poles ; holes are made with an iron 

 crowbar 2 feet apart along the line, and the stakes driven 

 home to a sufficient depth 12 inches or more. These 

 form the framework ; the materials are then woven in 

 basket fashion ; the straightest and most pliable of a uni- 

 form thickness being carefully selected, trimmed, and used 

 as binders. The stability and neat finish of the work is 

 due in great measure to the skill displayed in the binding ; 

 when skilfully executed it forms a selvage equally adapted 

 to its special purpose as is that of the weaver's art. 

 The sides are trimmed free of loose ends with a hook or 

 light hand-chopper. The tops of the stakes are all cut of a 

 uniform height about two inches above the binders ; this 



