Cement and Concrete Fence Posts. 15 
means by which the cement may cling firmly to the wire, it is best 
to twist two small wires together instead of using one large one. 
If the twisted wire can be bought, cut to the right length and 
packed in bundles in the same way as bailing wire, it is best to pro¬ 
cure it in this way. In case the twisted wire comes in rolls, it be¬ 
comes necessary to straighten each piece before it can be used. In 
this case, it is best to purchase common smooth wire of the desired 
size and twist it on the farm. The twisting is easily done by tieing 
one end of each wire to the opposite spoke of the fiy wheel of some 
machine; a corn sheller or hand cider mill will serve the* purpose 
very well. By tieing the other ends of the wires to a weight which 
may drag along upon the ground, from 100 to 200 feet of wire 
may be twisted in a very few minutes. 
In case a small engine is available the twisting becomes still 
easier. The advantage of the home twisted wire over twisted wire 
which is bought in rolls, lies in the fact that the former is straight 
at the end of the twisting process, while the latter is bent and must 
be straightened. 
The cutting of the wire is best accomplished as follows: Set 
a cold chisel (with the edge up) in a low, rough bench, and at a 
distance exactly equal to the length of the reinforcement wire from 
the edge of the chisel, nail a block to the bench. Take a light ham¬ 
mer in the right hand and seize the twisted wire with the left. Then 
drag the wire over the chisel until the end of it strikes the block, 
when a light blow directly over the chisel easily cuts the wire. The 
piece which is cut off is now laid to one side and the end of the 
main wire is drawn to the block and another piece cut off. 
SPECIAL REINEORCEMENT. 
Some have suggested that a piece of wood be placed in the 
center of the post as a reinforcement. This must be considered a 
failure, as the wood shrinks and expands by differences in moisture 
conditions. When it absorbs water, it is likely to swell and burst 
the post, and again when it dries it will shrink away from the 
cement. 
Gas pipe has also been suggested as one of the best materials 
to use as a reinforcement. In case plenty of strong second hand 
pipe is at hand, this may be true. As the pipe is placed in the center 
of the post, it is not in position to act to the best advantage as a 
reinforcement, and for this reason it should be strong enough to 
withstand almost all the strain. New pipe would make the posts al¬ 
together too expensive. 
Crimped wire is also claimed, by some, to be superior to that 
which has been twisted, but as the pull comes upon the wire there is 
a tendency to straighten the crimps. When the wires happen to b^ 
