COST OF FENCING IN NORTH CENTRAL 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 durabilit}^ 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 a 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. T\^iether steel or wooden forms 
are used they should be thoroughly cleaned and oiled before using. 
The best 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 
