94 PLAlfTING. 



At this stage the proprietor had to satisfy himself 

 fully as to the position of the fence, &c. The ground 

 was next measured, and a rough plan of it made to 

 a scale one-eighth of an inch to the chain, showing 

 the extent of moss ground — parts requiring drainage — 

 those suitable for larch, spruce, pine, &c. This plan, 

 though neither finely got up nor finished, was yet 

 found of great advantage in many ways. 



Fencing. — The fence consists of 6747 yards of wire 

 fence, 488 yards four-bar post and rail common pal- 

 ing, and 154 yards of turf dyke with a two-bar pal- 

 ing on top. The dyke was not built for the enclosure, 

 it being a field fence, but now a field and plantation 

 fence combined. 



The whole of the wood (both rails and posts) was 

 of superior quality of native Scots pine, which lasts 

 equally well with the best quality of larch. 



The straining-posts were *J\ feet long, 7 J by 7| 

 inches square, and put into the ground fully 3 feet, 

 and at distances apart varying from 50 to 100 yards, 

 or at an average distance of 75 yards. Each post 

 was secured by means of underground braces, each 

 3 J feet long, and 6 by 3 inches. The intermediate 

 posts were 6 feet long, 5 J by 2\ inches, and sharped 

 for driving into the ground at 6 feet apart; but this 

 particular distance was not strictly adhered to, in 

 consequence of large boulder-stones interfering both 

 below and above the surface. A number of braces 

 were also required for sustaining the pressure upon 

 the intermediate posts at curves in the fence, which 

 were from 5 to 6 feet long, 3 J by 1^ inch. The 

 wire used was No. 4 for the two uppermost. No. 5 

 for the two middle, and No. 6 for the two lower. 

 The staples were machine-made, and have this advan- 



