94 FOKESTKY WOKK 



spade are almost useless for the deep and narrow holes 

 needed for posts. After the hole has been dug to the 

 proper depth, the post is set in place and the soil filled in, 

 every layer of 3 or 4 inches being well rammed. Each 

 post must be set upright and stayed on the side from 

 which the strain will come. Corner posts need staying in 

 both directions. 



Posts in the middle of a long, straight stretch do not 

 need a permanent stay, a temporary one being used when 

 straining on the first side; afterwards the strain of these 

 wires will hold the post when the wires on the other side 

 are strained. The stays should be 7 feet long, fitted into 

 a notch in the post between the top and second wires, 

 and well secured by nails. The lower end should be sunk 

 in the ground about 1 foot and fitted with a sole board 

 or braced against a flat stone. 



The stays are often fitted underground, but the extra 

 work entailed is not repaid by any superiority in strength, 

 as so much soil is taken out that it cannot be replaced as 

 firmly as it formerly was. The posts should be bored with 

 holes at the distance apart at which the wires are to be. 

 For a six-wire fence, the top wire should be 2 inches from 

 the top of the post and the spaces between the wires 

 10 inches, 9 inches, 8 inches, 6 inches, 6 inches, leaving 

 6 inches between the bottom wire and the ground. This 

 makes the fence 3 feet 9 inches high. 



The bottom wire should then be stretched tight between 

 the strainers, to serve as a guide when driving in the 

 intermediate posts. These are driven in 6 or 7 feet apart 

 if droppers are not to be used, otherwise they may be 



