Tools for Fencing
Wire Fences.—These may be erected either with iron or wooden standards and straining-posts. The form most commonly in use for enclosing woods is that with wooden posts and strainers, these being made of mature and thoroughly seasoned larch or oak. The strainers are 7 ft. long and 6 in. square, or, if round, about 7 in. in diameter, while the intermediate posts are 5½ ft. long, and 3½ in. by 3 in., or, if round, 3½ in. diameter at smallest end. The strainers should be fitted into the ground at 150 yards apart, and the posts driven firmly at 6 ft. from each other. At every sharp curve along the line of fence a stout post, say 5 in. in diameter, should be used. In order to make a stout fence proof against cattle and sheep, six wires should be used, the two top No. 6, and the others No. 7 gauge, the distances between each pair, beginning at the top, being 8, 7, 6, 5½ and 5 in., the lower being 5 in. from the ground. Brackets for straining the wires should be attached to each of the strainers, these having this advantage over the older system of using the straining machine, that the wires can be loosened or tightened at will, when repairs are found necessary. The tops of the posts should be rounded off or sawn on angle so as to prevent the lodgment of water. Iron and wire fences combined are now commonly in use, and there are so many excellent systems that it would be invidious to recommend one kind more than another.
Iron box fencing, which consists of standards with double pronged feet for fixing in the ground and round or flat horizontal bars run through them, has been largely used and looks neat, being also, if properly erected, very efficient. Wrought-iron hurdles are sometimes used for fencing park clumps, and they possess at least this advantage, that they can be lifted at any time and re-erected should it be found necessary to remove them from one place to another.
Unclimbable iron fencing, usually in hurdles 7 ft. long, are now much in use for park fencing, but for general plantation purposes this class of fencing is too expensive.
Tree Guards.—These may either be erected of wood or iron; the former is, however, preferred on most large estates where timber is plentiful, and will receive first attention. For large trees whose branches sweep the greensward an elaborate structure is required, which may take the form of almost any of those described under wooden fencing. That entirely formed of oak is to be recommended, or split larch for uprights, with oak posts and rails may be considered more rustic in appearance. In any case the guard should be sufficiently high and wide to prevent cattle and horses reaching over to damage the branches.