FIELD FENCES. 87 



provided with a loosely hinged T-piece at its extremity 

 which once passed through the staple hangs horizontally 

 and cannot be withdrawn except by a somewhat skilful 

 manipulation; beyond the ability of even the cleverest of 

 fence-breaking ponies. 



Now that steam-engines and threshing-machines and 

 steam-ploughs find their way into our fields, a gate of more 

 than 9J feet length is required ; and the 11-foot gate 

 which has become necessary is better made in two parts, 

 each half 5J feet long, hanging to its post and meeting 

 on a stud in the ground midway between the posts, to which 

 they can be fixed by a bolt dropping into a slot, or a catch 

 holding on to a staple ; and, above, the two end uprights can 

 be held together by a ferule hinging on one and dropping 

 over the other. In this case 6-inch posts are sufficient, and 

 the dimensions generally may be reduced. Outside yard- 

 gates should be boarded over properly constructed frames, 

 hinging flush with the outside wall, so that they can be 

 opened outwards, flat against the wall; and there should 

 always be a catch fixed in the wall at the proper place to 

 hold it open while constant cart-work is proceeding, as 

 during the removal of manure. Gates in the inner dividing 

 fences of large yards should be hung high enough to allow 

 of being opened to and fro when the yard is full of manure. 



In the Appendix will be found further specifications 

 relating to this subject. 



