

FENCING. 167 



SECTION 6. Fences made from Underwood. 



On some estates where there is a large quantity of hazel and other 

 copsewood, it is often the practice to convert a portion of it into fences. 

 The chief mode of doing so is to have it made in the form of basket- 

 work. In proceeding to make this kind of fence, stakes about the size 

 of broom-handles are taken from the strongest part of the underwood, 

 and are driven into the soil in the line of fence about fifteen inches 

 apart, and to such a depth as will make them stand up firmly. If the 

 stakes are cut five feet six inches long, this will admit of eighteen inches 

 being driven into the earth, leaving four feet for the height of the 

 fence. Having secured the stakes in a line, the process is to take the 

 longest and most elastic shoots of the underwood and work them along 

 the line of the stakes, putting it behind the first stake and in front of 

 next, behind the third and in front of the fourth, and so on alternately. 

 This " yeather," as it is called, is pushed down to the bottom of the 

 stakes ; and the next yeather is put on in the same way, with the 

 exception that it is put in front of the first stake, behind the second, 

 and so on, putting each yeather in an alternate position, one after the 

 other, until the desired height is obtained ; and the small end of every 

 fourth yeather is twisted round the outside to keep it fast. 



I have used this kind of fence in enclosing specimen trees planted 

 along the side of drives in plantations. It is ornajnental, gives a large 

 amount of shelter, and is rabbit-proof. It will last from four to five 

 years, but if coated over with tar, will last from six to seven years. A 

 fence of this description, and made four feet high, costs 3|d. per yard ; 

 this does not include the value of the copse, which varies much in dif- 

 ferent districts. 



SECTION 7. Gates. 



Gates for farms and plantation fences are made either of iron or 

 wood. Wooden gates are more generally in use for general estate pur- 

 poses ; they are much lighter than those made of iron, and therefore 

 more likely to keep in order for a greater length of time than the latter. 

 The great point in making gates is to have strength combined with 

 as little weight as possible. The following sketch, fig. 45, gives a 

 view of the kind of gate which I have put up on this estate for some 

 years. 



