COST PF FENCmO m NOETH CENTEAL STATES. 
7 
They are not the original fences, however, but are made from the 
serviceable timber that has survived the numerous rebuildings. Eail 
fences are blown down by the wind when they are placed in unpro- 
tected places and they are sometimes pushed over by stock. They 
have to be rebuilt on an average of once every 12 to 15 years. Each 
time they are rebuilt some of the bad rails have to be discarded. The 
rails now in use are about worn out, and it will be a matter of but a 
short time when there will be no rail fences in use in these States. 
Both timber and labor are too expensive at the present time to permit 
making new rails. Rails that were split from 25 to 40 years ago cost 
then $1.50 per hundred, and such of them as are still serviceable sell 
Fig. 3. — The distribution of narrow woven wire. 
to-day for from $2 to $3 per hundred. Many old rail fences have 
brought enough for firewood to replace themselves with good woven 
wire. 
The picket fence is a type which came into use following the worm 
rail. It made a good fence for all kinds of stock but like other types 
of wooden fence it has become obsolete with the diminishing timber 
supply and the introduction of wire fence. The picket fence is very 
expensive to keep in repair, as the pickets are heavy, especially when 
wet, and cause the fence to sag. 
Board fences still remain in use to a limited extent. They are 
excellent for some purposes, as the protection of a barnyard from 
heavy winds. As commonly built, they are comparatively short lived, 
