cost of fencing in north central states. 7 



They are not the original fences, however, but are made from the 

 serviceable timber that has survived the numerous rebuildings. Rail 

 fences are blown down by the wind when they are placed in unpro- 

 tected places and. they are sometimes pushed over by stock. They 

 have to be rebuilt on an average of once every 12 to 15 years. Each 

 time they are rebuilt some of the bad rails have to be discarded. The 

 rails now in use are about worn out, and it will be a matter of but a 

 short time when there will be no rail fences in use in these States. 

 Both timber and labor are too expensive at the present time to permit 

 making new rails. Rails that were split from 25 to 40 years ago cost 

 then $1.50 per hundred, and such of them as are still serviceable sell 



Fig. 3. — The distribution of narrow woven wire. 



to-day for from $2 to $3 per hundred. Many old rail fences have 

 brought enough for firewood to replace themselves with good woven 

 wire. 



The picket fence is a type which came into use following the worm 

 rail. It made a good fence for all kinds of stock but like other types 

 of wooden fence it has become obsolete with the diminishing timber 

 supply and the introduction of wire fence. The picket fence is very 

 expensive to keep in repair, as the pickets are heavy, especially when 

 wet, and cause the fence to sag. 



Hoard fences still remain in use to a limited extent. They are 

 excellent for some purposes, as the protection of a barnyard from 

 heavy winds. As commonly built, they are comparatively short lived, 



