Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-03-16
AgrtruIturaI.
Wire Fence.


Messrs Editors Having lately complei-
ed ~ rods Of wire fence, aud knowing that
many farmers intend building such fence if
it is found to answer good purpose, am
induced TO give a detailed account OF il,
that others may prof, by my experience.
In the 6rst place would premise that
this fence extends from my house (which is
situated on considerable elevation TO he
highway, and is therefore more expensive
than ordinary fences upon the farm. Al
each end OF the fence set large cedar
post three feet in the ground. and brace il
firmly in the direction Of the fence. The
brace is about eight feet long, and extends
from the top Of the post to large stone
placed firmly in the ground. Two other
cedar posts are placed at unequal distances
between the outside posts, on account OF
the irregular descent Of the ground All
the other posts are Of band iron Ia inch
thick, and placed I rod apart. In,ermedi-
ale posts are placed between these, EXTEND
ing only to the fifth wire, and made Of half
inch band iron. All Of these posts are
punched with holes for the wires 10 pass
through. The long posts pass through
large fiat stones and are clinched on the
under side. These stones are firmly bed
ded in the ground. The posts should be
fastened in these stones by pouring around
them melted lead or birthstone.
The wire used are Nos. 10 and ~, aud
am confident these are the best sizes where
strong fence is required. In building,
commence by running the upper wire thro'
first, which is four feet from the ground
The second wire is ten inches below the
upper, both Of which are No 10 wire. The
third wire is eight inches below the second
and Of No. ~ wire. The fourth wire is six
inches below the third and OF No. ~ wire,
and so alternating the two sizes Of wire to
the bottom. The distances Of the remain.
ing lower wires apart are 5, 5, 4, 4, 4,
inches. The wires, after passing through
the lower post, are fastened firmly, which ]
did by passing them through piece ofiron
and coiling the ends.
| don't know that ! can describe the
manner OF siraining the wires intelligibly
but | will try. At the upper end of the
fence, after the wires have passed through
the post, they also pass through plank o
the same width aud height. Each wire i
then passed through roller l-2 inches il
diameter and six inches long, having on,
tenanled for a crank A board Of th'
length and width Of the plank is place.
upon these rollers. Alief each wire il
strained by turning the rollers, a pin i
passed through the board and roller int
the plank, which fastens Them firmly. Th'
wires will contract some in cold weather
I - -. Ia G.
As to the expense. cannot be as def
mite as could wish, as some Of the wir
purchased was TOO small have USE
about ITO lbs of wire. costing $3.50
Twenty iron posts at cts. each, VI ,25
90 short posts at 3 cts each, 60 cts. 4 CO
dar posts. 81. making -; painting 81
. making an amount Of $685..
Since the fence was completed hay
! had it broken through once by an OK racin
r with horseman. have found that III
! wires break only where ends are Topped Il
. gether. | have since joined them by IA
# issing tho ends, laying them together az
q winding them for four inches with sma
wire. This is the manner Of joining the
at the Niagara Suspension Bridge. tt
wires Of this bridge are boiled in linses
oil, which forms an inpervious coating, at
probably toughens the wire.
s. As 10 the strength Of the fence. | think
$ sufficient TO Withstand any ordinary pressur
y Wires Of the same size al the Suspense
:. Bridge are each strained 10 a tension Of IL
or lbs The great objection TO this fence,
Il. the minds Of many people, is its being
visible. This is why like il. as il do
y mi mar the heautv of the landscape