84 
Report on the Exhibition of Implements at 
Improving Farms." My limits, which, I fear, have already 
extended farther than will be approved of, only permit of a 
brief notice of some of the more remarkable exhibits. S. W. 
Hall, of Elmira, New York, showed a Universal Fencing 
Machine, a most valuable invention, not only rendering the 
operation of fence-making more rapid and economical, but 
turning out a more perfect fence than could be made by hand. 
Fig. 66. — Hall and Co.'s Universal Fencing Machine. 
A. Circular saw. B. Reducing and tenoning machine. C. Augers. 
D. Screws for holding posts whilst being bored. E. Adjusting-screw. 
Those only who have travelled in the States, and noticed the 
frequent absence of live fences (the Osago orange being the 
only fence-plant I met with, and this is but a poor substitute for 
our whitethorn), and have also remarked the extreme roughness 
of the ordinary fencing, will properly appreciate the importance 
of Mr. Hall's invention, which is, as far as fencing is con- 
cerned, a complete joiner. It combines a circular saw, a reducing 
and tenoning arrangement, by which the rails are prepared for 
insertion in the posts, and a series of augers by which the holes 
are bored and countersunk. After one set of holes are bored, 
the position of the post is altered, and a second set of holes, 
occupying intermediate spaces on the opposite side, are made. 
This completes the operations, and all that remains is to set the 
posts and drive home the rails. Two different kinds of fences 
can be made by this machine, both set in zigzag form. No. 1 is 
described as the rough-and-ready fence, and its advantages over 
other fences are thus described. Increased strength, derived 
from its large and uniform bearings and stiff connections in the 
post (the rails fit exactly into the holes) ; increased durability 
from a more perfect seasoning of timber, from boring, and a 
sheltered or countersunk bearing ; increased value from its in- 
terchangeable features ; that it is more portable (and more 
durably portable) than any other fence equally strong, and may 
