154 



THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



apparatus is shown at a on the sketch. The crank round which the 

 wire is worked is shown at &. The shaft and base are made in one 

 solid casting. The base is of such a form as makes 

 the pillar easily made firm in the ground. They 

 are powerful strainers, and are very efficient for the 

 purpose. 



There is another straining-pillar just come into 

 use, which is a very powerful machine for straining 

 a great length of wire, and also strains on two sides 

 at once. It is called Sam's double-action straining- 

 pillar, and is manufactured by Messrs Benjamin 

 Eeid & Co. of Bon Accord Works, Aberdeen. It 

 has been extensively used in the erection of long 

 lengths of wire fencing in the north of Scotland, 

 in the formation of high fences for deer, and fences 

 required for new plantations. 



The representation of the pillar, fig. 29, shows 

 the wires as being strained from both sides. It 

 is made wholly of iron, and will strain from five 

 hundred to one thousand yards on each side, accord- 

 ing as the line may be straight or otherwise. - 



The principle of the double action is shown by 

 the two following sketches, figs. 30 and 31. 

 1 One spindle answers for the two rollers, and yet 

 the rollers work independently of each other. In 

 proceeding to work with the pillar, the operator 

 passes the ends of the wire through the holes in the 

 rollers, and then winds it up with a key as shown 

 in fig. 30, and thus tightens the wire to any degree 

 ^ of tenacity required ; and when it is thus tightened, 

 3 a pin is passed through a hole in the side frame, and 

 also one into a hole in the flange of the roller, which is thus held secure. 

 The stays of this pillar are small in comparison to its size ; but large 

 stays are not required, as the wires, pulling from both sides, keep it in 

 position. 



The price of a pillar of the kind described, and suitable for an ordinary- 

 wire fence with six wires, and standing three feet nine inches high, 

 will be 19s. 6d. 



Another form of iron fencing which is coming more into use, is that 

 of the wrought-iron continuous fencing. Although an expensive fence 

 to begin with, it is peculiarly adapted for being easily removed when 

 required. It is very durable, and although it may be removed from place 



