76 THE EQUIPMENT OF THE FARM. 



is cleverly accomplished by the hedger, who selects a round 

 piece of wood about 3 inches in diameter and 2 feet long. 

 Grasping one end with his left hand, he places it sideways 

 against the head of the stakes whilst with his right hand 

 he wields a hand bill, one blow from which severs the top of 

 the stake. The blow is delivered in a sloping direction 

 with an angle of about 45 degrees : every stake is cut 

 from the same side; and this not only gives a finished 

 appearance to the work but it also allows the rain to run 

 off, which would otherwise soak into the wood, inducing 

 premature decay. When finished, the height of the fence 

 is usually about 3 J feet, and with present prices the cost of 

 making it is 2s. 6d. per chain ; and when well made from 

 good materials it will last from 6 to 8 years. There is 

 no better protection for the rearing of live fences. "When 

 placed on either side they form both a shelter and pro- 

 tection from the inroads of game and other vermin. 

 Another description of dead fence is made of thorns. 

 A narrow rut is cut in the soil, the thorns placed on 

 end and the soil firmly rammed in on each side, and the 

 top is chopped off level. This is only of a very temporary 

 character, and of little use except against sheep. 



Post afcd Rail Oak posts and larch rails make a ser- 

 viceable fence against all kinds of stock ; but the scarcity of 

 the material on most estates has interfered with its adoption. 

 The most durable kind of post and rail fence is com- 

 posed of oak posts and cleft oak-rails ; when skilfully con- 

 structed a fence of this kind will last from 12 to 15 years. 

 At the present time the cheapest wooden fence is creosoted 

 pitch-pine posts and rails. For permanent enclosures, such 

 as fences round deer parks, pitch pine paling 5ft. Gin. 



