18 BULLETIN 321^ U. S. DEPAETMEXT OF AGRICULTURE. 
The first step in the construction of a fence is to select the kind 
best adapted to the purpose for which a fence is needed. The condi- 
tions to which the different types of fence are adapted have been 
briefly discussed imder the heading, " Local requirements and adapta- 
tion,*' but it may be well to review and supplement them here. As 
there stated, barbed wire, when used to inclose extensive pastures and 
where only cattle are to be restrained, makes a satisfactory fence. 
Generally speaking, however, its use alone as a fencing material is 
not desirable. Woven- wire fencing is fast replacing the other types 
in use on the general farm where several kinds of stock are to be 
pastured. Fifty-one per cent of the total fencing used in the area 
covered by this study is woven wire, and the percentage is rapidly 
increasing. This woven-wire fencing is made up in many different 
styles as regards height, spacing of the wires, and size of wire. 
Each style is constructed so as to be adapted to meet certain conditions. 
LIFE OF AND TEST FOR WIRE FENCING. 
The cost and the life of the various styles of woven-wire fencing 
differ greatly. Many purchasers consider the first cost of the various 
kinds to such an extent that they lose sight of the difference in their 
length of service, which is the controlling factor of their ultimate 
cost. Table 5 has been computed from the experience of a large 
number of farmers with the use of the different styles of fencing and 
shows the relative durability of the different weights and heights of 
woven wire. 
Table 5. — Relative amount of service given hy different iceiglits of woven-tvire 
fabric. 
Size of wire. 
No. 9 throughout 
No. 7 top, No. 9 bottom, later- 
als and stays No. 11 or 
No. 12 
No. 9 top and bottom, No. 10 
laterals and stays 
No. 9 top and bottom. No. 11 
laterals and stays 
No. 9 top and bottom, No. 12 
laterals and stays 
Number 
of esti- 
mates. 
637 
35 
73 
490 
349 
Average 
life. 
Years. 
21.1 
20.3 
18.9 
17.5 
17.4 
Size of wire. 
No. 9 top and bottom, No. 11 
laterals. No. 12 stays 
No. 10 top and bottom, No. 11 
laterals and stays 
No. 11 top and bottom, No. 12 
laterals and stays 
No. 12 top and bottom. No. 14 
laterals and stays 
Number 
of esti- 
mates. 
Average 
life. 
Years. 
17.7 
16.7 
14.6 
12.7 
Relative amount of service in years given ty different icidths of woven-wire 
fabric. 
Height offence, inches 
26 
32 
36 
39 
42 
47 
55 
Number of estimates 
206 
214 
19 
247 
42 
865 
156 
Life of wire, years 
17.2 
17 
18.3 
18.8 
19.9 
18.9 
21.7 
It is becoming generally recognized that the heavier styles of 
woven-wire fencing are more economical to use. The initial cost 
of the heavy wire is greater, but it lasts more than enough longer 
to offset the additional cost. It costs practically as much to con- 
