COST OF FEN-CING IN NORTH CENTEAL STATES. 
27 
few of the more common types in use. Points to be borne m mind 
when setting wooden end or corner posts are: First, the posts used 
should be large enough to give sufficient strength. Second, they 
should be set deep enough not to heave by the action of frost. 
Wooden end or corner posts should be put into the ground to the depth 
of 4J feet, and the brace post should be set 4 feet deep. Third, the 
brace post should not be set so close to the end post as to require the 
placing of the brace at an abrupt incline, for this tends to force the 
end post out of the ground (it is generally considered that 10 feet 
apart is about the right distance). This arrangement would require 
a brace 12 feet long, and it is usually inserted in a mortise on the 
brace post 12 inches from the ground line. The brace should be large 
enough to remain perfectly rigid. 
The manufacturers of steel posts issue instructions regarding the 
placement of their end and corner posts. These posts are set in con- 
crete, and if properly placed are very solid. 
Concrete end and corner posts are made in various styles and 
shapes. It is essential that they be made of a good grade of concrete 
and thoroughly reinforced. They may be reinforced with scrap iron, 
such as wagon tires, axles, etc., and the reinforcement should be 
placed so that the strain caused from the pull of the fence will bear 
against it. These posts should be allowed time to season thoroughly 
before the fence is attached to them. 
End, corner, and line posts should be placed so that the ground 
will have time to settle and harden around them before the fence is 
strung. It is more essential that the end and corner posts be placed 
sometime previous to the stringing of the wire. The best time of the 
year to set posts is in the spring after the frost is out and when the 
ground is soft. It will thoroughly settle soon after the frost leaves 
and will leave the posts solid. The wire can then be strung when- 
ever there is time for this work. Whether the posts are set or driven 
they should be kept in a straight line with the ends of the fence. If 
there is a curve in the fence the posts may be set so as to make a 
slight angle, and the post at the apex of the angle should be thor- 
oughly braced in both directions. WTien steel posts are used they 
may follow the line of the curve, but in such a case they should be 
set in concrete and be anchored against the direction of the pull on 
the fence by using a brace set in concrete, or by the use of a deadman. 
When the fence is being built over a hilly country, or where there 
are depressions in the fence row, the posts that are placed in the 
depressions should be anchored down so that the upward pull of the 
fence will not tend to draw them out of the ground. This may be 
accomplished by spiking 2 by 4 crosspieces on the bottoms of the 
wooden posts before settling them in the ground. If steel posts are 
used they may be set in concrete. 
The distance apart line posts should be set depends on the location 
of the fence and the number and kinds of stock to be turned. The 
