128 COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



netting, after it is hung, will sag between the posts in spite of 

 every effort to remedy it. 



There is one exception to this rule, which will explain the prin- 

 ciple of it : If a fence is to be erected on ground which is rolling, 

 and the contour of the ground is such that the highest ground is 

 in the center of the curve, grading away uniformly on both sides, 

 it is quite likely that this curve will conform to the curve in the 

 netting, in which case the wire may be hung with the longest 

 edge uppermost. 



Top Rails. — A poultry yard should never be constructed with 

 a rail at the top, unless the top is to be covered with netting also, 

 or unless the fence is to be built very high for a particular breed. 

 To build rails only invites the birds to fly and alight on them. 

 Fowls are not so apt to attempt to fly over plain wire, though now 

 and again the more venturesome members of a flock will try to 

 elude the mysterious barrier by climbing up and over it. 



If a rail is necessary at the top of a fence, as over gateways, 

 it is well to erect a piece of netting over the top of the rail, which 

 will baffle and discourage those who attempt an aerial escape. 



Base boards 12 inches wide, securely nailed to the fence posts, 

 make the best bottom for a poultry fence, and assist greatly in 

 stretching the netting, but they are also expensive if large areas 

 are to be inclosed. They are not absolutely essential; in fact, 

 equally good results can be obtained without them, for which a 

 method is herewith described. 



The fence posts should be well planted in the ground, from 10 

 to 12 feet apart, and braced at the corners, or in way of gates, to 

 take the strain of stretching the wire. Then, commencing at a 

 corner, unroll the bale of netting on the ground for its entire 

 length, ascertain if it is straight, and decide which is the best 

 edge for the top. 



Start to hang the netting by the top selvage at the proper 

 height from the ground, driving one staple — no more — in each 

 post, until the entire length is hung, all the while stretching the 

 selvage away from the starting point. Be careful not to walk on 

 the netting unnecessarily, or to handle it in such a way that it 



