150 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



seldom attempt to get over it, and if they do, the wire fence throws them 

 back. The following is a description of such a fence, fig. 22 : 



It is built in the way already described for the other kind of wall, 

 excepting that it does not receive an overhanging copestone. It is built 

 to a height of four feet, and the top stones are closely packed and bedded 

 with lime, arranging them so as to have good large through-band stones 



FIQ. 22. 



every nine feet in length to receive the posts for the wire. The posts used 

 are iron, and are put in one at every nine feet in length of the wall ; 

 they are fixed into the stones with lead, and iron straining-posts are in- 

 serted at the rate of one to every hundred yards in the fence. The posts 

 when put in stand twenty-four inches above the wall, and are one and a 

 quarter inch broad by a quarter inch thick. 

 This kind of fence has cost me as follows : 



Quarrying stone, I 2 



Building wall, . . . . . . 036 



Cartage of stone and lime a quarter of a mile, 026 



Preparing foundation, . . . . 003 



Cost of lime, 003 



Cost of material for wire fence, . . . 030 



Fixing wire fence, 016 



Total, 12 2 



The above shows the cost per rood of seven yards. 



SECTION 2. Wire Fences. 



Wire fences are very useful when no artificial shelter is required, and 

 where a light fence may be wanted not to be much seen or obstruct a 

 view. They make admirable fences for home parks. I have also used 

 them extensively in fencing plantations. One objection to them in 

 some parts of the country is that they are dangerous to those who follow 

 fox-hunting, as accidents have often taken place with them in horse- 

 leaping. The wires are so light that a horse does not see them sufficiently 

 to take a high enough leap to clear the top wires, and the consequence is 

 that sometimes the animal's feet get entangled in the wire, and the rider 



