152 



THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



FIG. 24. 



and eight inches diameter. The post is fixed into a piece of timber called 

 the " sole/' as shown at a, the dimensions of which are seven feet long 



and seven to eight inches on the side of 

 the square. Between the post and sole, 

 and fixed by mortising into each, is a 

 " stay " six feet long, and made from any 

 piece of strong timber from six to eight 

 inches diameter, as shown on sketch at I. 

 These straining-posts are fixed firmly in 

 the ground, deep enough to cover the top 

 of the stay. From the bottom of the sole, 

 at c on sketch, to the surface of the 

 ground, should not be less than from three feet six inches to four feet ; 

 and from that point to the lowest wire, 



No. 6 on sketch, is 5 inches. 

 From 6 to 5 5 



5 to 4 6 



4 to 3 8 



3 to 2 10 



2 to 1 11 



and from No. 1 to the top of the post should not be less than- three 

 inches ; thus making a fence, when complete, three feet nine inches high. 

 The intermediate posts should not be put in at less than five feet 

 apart. I have often observed them erected at from seven to eight feet 

 apart, but this never makes so secure a fence as when they are put in 

 closer. These intermediate posts are cut six feet long, and should not 



be less than three and a half 

 inches diameter at the small 

 end if round, or four inches 

 by two inches if cut from 

 broad timber. The galvan- 

 ised cable wire is the best 

 for general purposes, and is, 

 withal, cheap in its first cost. 

 It is simple to erect, is strong and durable, and neat in its appearance, 



and being of an elastic nature, it is 

 rarely injured by cattle or horses. 



When wooden straining-posts are 

 used, a straining-screw is required; 

 and where the common wire is used, a 

 wire-straightening machine is also re- 

 quired. Fig. 25 is the sketch of a screw, and fig. 26 is a sketch of a wire- 



FIQ. 25. 



Fio. 26. 



