COST OF FENCING IN NOETH CENTBAL STATES. 25 



STEEL POSTS. 



Among the qualities possessed by steel posts the one that perhaps 

 appeals to the average fence builder with greatest force is the fact 

 that they are so easily handled, and that fences may be erected in a 

 much shorter time when they are used. Where conditions are right 

 for driving posts, two men should be able to drive 500 steel posts' in 

 a day. These posts do not heave, as more bulky ones often do. It is 

 claimed that they form a protection for stock in that they ground 

 currents of electricity carried by the fence during electric storms. 

 For this same reason they should prolong the life of the fence, as 

 the disintegration of wire is partially brought about through electro- 

 lytic action. The unfavorable criticism of steel posts is that they 

 are bent by heavy stock rubbing against them. This may be avoided 

 in two ways : First, if the fence is properly constructed, it should be 

 tight enough that when pressure is brought to bear on the fence the 

 strain will be transmitted to the end posts and the intermediate line 

 posts, and thus not brought to bear on any one post alone ; second, by 

 the use of heavier posts. 



CONCRETE POSTS. 



The one point in the concrete post that appeals to the fence builder 

 is its supposed durability. To secure a durable concrete post much 

 care must be exercised in the selection of materials and in the con- 

 struction of the post. Gravel or crushed rock should be used which 

 does not exceed one-half inch or run under one-fourth inch in 

 diameter. The sand used should be clean and sharp. To secure 

 the best results a very rich mixture must be made and should run 

 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, and 3 parts gravel. It does not pay to 

 stint the quantity of cement used, for a very slight reduction in cost 

 caused by the use of less cement will make a very big difference in 

 the quality of the post. It is important that the mixing of the 

 materials be done very thoroughly. The reinforcement should be 

 placed near the surface of the post, but not nearer than three-fourths 

 of an inch. There should be enough reinforcing wires so that when a 

 force is applied to the post from any direction at least one wire will 

 be in tension. It has been found that when smooth cold-drawn wire 

 is used for reinforcement purposes, the bond between the wire and the 

 concrete is not strong enough; when a strain is placed on the post 

 such a wire will slip in the concrete. This may be overcome by 

 cleaning the wire with a strong caustic solution and washing with 

 water, or the same result may be gotten by slightly rusting the wires 

 with ;t diluted solution of sal ammoniac. Homemade wooden forms 

 may be used in the construction of the posts, but better results can 

 be obtained by the use of steel forms. Whether steel or wooden forms 

 are used they should be thoroughly cleaned and oiled before using. 

 The besf time to clean the molds is just after the green posts are re- 

 moved from them and before there is time for particles of concrete 



