53 



" The accompanying diagram will indicate a fence which it has 

 been suggested to me will prove 'possum proof : 



GROUND 



" Wire netting, trenched into the ground to a depth of six 

 inches, is carried up the posts and curved over an iron bracket. 

 Two top wires complete the fence. When the 'possum runs up the 

 post, he finds himself confronted by the curved wire netting. So 

 far as I know this kind of fence has not been tested, and there are 

 several objections to it, though it has in theory much to recommend 

 it. It is expensive, and would be easily damaged by stock, and I 

 am inclined to think its possible effectiveness might be improved by 

 substituting barbed wire on the curve for wire netting, and offering 

 inducements at intervals for the 'possum to climb. The 'possum 

 will always run up a stick set at an angle in preference to a 

 perpendicular post, and at intervals of a chain or so apart I would 

 place sloping sticks against the fencing posts leading nearly to the 

 top, and over the top of the post make with wire netting an alley 

 leading down on the other side into a trap, into which the 'possum 

 must go or stay out of the orchard altogether. Perhaps some 

 enterprising orchardist who suffers from the depredations of 

 opossums may be induced to try this kind of fence, and put these 

 suggestions to a practical test. 



" It is a difficult matter in putting on wire netting to stretch 

 it so as to take out the bagginess. Ordinarily this fencing is slack 

 and very untidy. It needs to be thoroughly stretched. To do this 



the plan shown in the sketch 

 may be used to advantage. 

 A strip of board has four or 

 more hooks arranged on one 

 side to hold the roll firmly 

 and to stretch each section 

 as it is unrolled. A pulley 



