FENCING. 



171 



catch always swings to that side. A block of wood is firmly nailed on 

 to the gate-post, on which is a notch for the catch to slip into when the 

 gate shuts. 



Iron gates are much in use on some estates. I have erected a few on 

 and about the pleasure-grounds of estates. They have the advantage of 

 being lighter in appearance where a wire fence is put up, and obstruct the 

 view as little as possible. Fig. 52 is a sketch of an iron gate made by 



FIG. 52. 



Messrs A. & J. Main & Co. of Glasgow. Although it has a light appear- 

 ance, it is strong. They are made nine feet wide and four feet high. 

 They are supplied with iron mountings for stone or wood posts at 

 1, Is. each. 



There are often footpaths crossing the line of fences on estates. Where 

 it is not desirable to have gates, and where, if gates were placed, they 

 would be apt to be left open, and thus allow stock to get from one field 

 to another, and most probably cause damage to crops, means should be 

 taken to have a way for foot-travellers without allowing them to injure 

 the fence. I have often seen wire fences much injured in this way. 

 The frequent heavy weight of people stepping over wire fences causes 

 them to slacken very much in time, and the same applies to other fences. 

 We often see large gaps made in 

 hedges from this cause, where footpaths 

 are allowed, which could easily be 

 avoided by having small steps over 

 the fence, or a turnstile fixed in. The 

 form of steps I have used are accord- 

 ing to the form in fig. 53. These may 

 be made of wood, and cost from 4s. 6d. 

 to 5s. each, not including the value of 

 the timber. Iron steps are made by many manufacturing firms, which 

 have a lighter appearance and look lighter than wood, and are sup- 



Fm. 53. 



