May, 1937] Agricultural Research in N. H., 1936 21 



It was found difficult to enclose goats unless three strands of wire 

 were employed, and this was deemed impractical. In all tests made the 

 total length of wire was somewhat less than 1/2 mile. It was found par- 

 ticularly essential to see that the wires were properly insulated on the 

 posts and protected from shorting to the ground. 



Farmers are warned to use electric fencing only with controlling de- 

 vices of approved design, and in no case to attempt to build their own, 

 or to place the usual household electric current directly on any exposed 

 wires. The work was done by W. T. Ackerman and H. N. Colby. 

 (State Fund) 



Alarm System on Poultry Fencing 



The burglar alarm systems, described in Extension Circular No. 171, 

 presuppose that the poultry is housed. M&ny poultrymen, especially 

 turkey growers, have found they were losing birds from well fenced 

 ranges. Tests were made by G. M. Foulkrod to determine the practi- 

 cability of connecting the range fence into the conventional alann 

 circuit. 



The turkey range at the University Poultry Plant was wired by 

 stretching a single strand of No. 28 enameled wire around the entire 

 fence line. The wire was fastened by taking a single turn about all 

 metal posts and stapling to the wooden ones, keeping it about two to 

 three inches above the top of the woven wire. The ends of this loop 

 were connected through a transformer to the closed circuit alarm panel 

 already installed. The ends of this loop were connected in series to 

 the conventional closed circuit alarm system already in place. 



If the wire is broken by prowlers climbing the fence, the alarai op- 

 erates in the same manner as if any door or window were opened in 

 the buildings. 



The gates were wired by fastening a single strand of insulated wire 

 across the gate. The bare end of this wire is slipped into a spring clip 

 on the post connected to wire along above the fence to complete the 

 circuit, when the gate is closed. 



If the range needs protection during the day when the building alarm 

 is not needed, a switching device must be installed allowing the build- 

 ing circuit to be shorted and thus connecting the range loop directly 

 to the panel. 



If bare copper wire is used and the side of the transformers connected 

 to the panel is grounded, the alann will ring when the wire is pushed 

 against the fence and grounded. This has been advocated by some 

 State Agricultural Engineers, but the trouble of insulating from the 

 posts and stretching the wire so it will not blow against the fence and 

 ring the alarm needlessly, really makes the installation quite a prob- 

 lem. (State Fund) 



Rural Electrification 



Through the agency of the State Rural Electrification Committee, on 

 which is representation from the electric utilities. Farm Bureau and 

 Agricultural Engineering Department of the University, cooperation 

 with the Public Service Commission was obtained which resulted in 



