Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-02-29
AGRICULTURAL.
HINTS On Wire Rences.


feet. The first Or corner post md every
fortieth post, should be larger than the
rest, and be firmly set in the ground, to
depth Of three or four feet. according
to compactness Of soil, and be thor
oughly braced. The braces should not
be less than twelve feet long. The inter
mediate posta may be driven in the
ground, which IS preferable when the
ground is not too hard. In driving the
posts, machine similar to pile driver
may be used. The machine is quite
light. To use the machine, we let one
end of the bed pieces of the machine rest
on the hindermost axle Of a wagon, the
other end has supports 50 braced that
the bed Of the machine may keep nearly
horizontal position. The wagon load
ed with posts is driven rs nearly over
the line Of the fence as possible.
Should tie driver Of the machine not
be directly over the line in which
the post is to be driven, it may be
brought in line by moving to tho right
or left, ~ one end Of the machine does
not rest on the wagon. BY this method
two men and a team can distribute and
set as many posts per day, as six men
can in any other method with which
the writer is acquainted.
The posts should be driven until they
are at the required height, which is read
lily asccrtained by fence pattern carried
by one Of the men.
The posts are pierced for the wires
after setting. OF course they should be
set so that the wire will pass through
the least diameter or thickness, as this
saves boring. The boring should be
through the heart wood when practi-
bic never through tho sap wood when
it can be avoided. A convenient pat
tern is made thus: take board ! inch
in thickness, D to inches wide, and
as long as the height of the fence. Plane
it smooth, rounding the corners. Mark
orc end "bottom," and then measure off
upon it, points corresponding with the
height Of the several wires from the
ground. At each of these points make
a plain mark around the pattern, num-
bering each point /, 8, etc, from the
ground upward The marking is best
done with hot iron. Also cut at each
point hole or mort'se, little larger
than the bit to be used in the wire, ex-
tend the mortise crosswise say inch,
OF inch side of the centre. Make a
round ! inch hole a foot or so down
from the top. This is to hang it by
upon large cut or wrought nail driven
slightly into the post. The pattern then
swings down, so as to bring the mortise
holes perpendiculary over each other,
along the flat side of the post. The
wire holes are then bored in the proper
places by inserting the bit through each
of the mortised holes in the pattern.
For wire, that which is anncalcd, and
Of the best quality only should be used.
Many think No. . to be strong enough;
but it is liable to be broken. The wri-
ter in putting up some two miles Of fence
the past fall, used No. g. The coils may
be placed loosely upon reel, or rod and
be unwound from it, Tho wire is first
passed through the straining post, then
on through each intermediate post to
the next straining post. About foot
OF the wire is left projecting through
each straining post.
To tighten the wires, tho following
method has the advantage of simplicity,
and is effective. Cut for each end of
the several wires a short roller, say six
inches long and two inches in diameter,
and bore inch hole near each end,
making the two holes at right angles to
each other. Fasten the end of the wire
to the middle Of the roller with staple
Tor by thrusting it through small hole
ard clinching the points. ED.) The
wires are then wound upon the rollers,
first at ono end, and then at the other.
A couple of iron rods inserted in the
holes give sufficient lever power to
tighten the wire to any required degree
of tension. The holes in the rollers be-
ing at right angles, one iron bar turns
the roller quarter around and holds it,
while the other is moved. When the
tightening is accomplished, to ho.d the
rollers from turning back, wooden pins
are put into the lever holes, and left to
rest against the posts. A wire being
loose at any time, can be frightened by
applying the iron bar and shifting the
pin.
Boring the posts is preferable to fas-
tening the wire to their sides with sta
plies, for unruly cattle will break through
by tearing out the staples. A fence
built after the manner described above
will answer all necessary conditions for
continuing cattle and horses. There
should be not loss than five wires. The
wire fence is not completed until three
or four plow burrows are turned up
against each side.-M. Dor. 1m. Ay-
riculturalist.
SEED.-Secure full supply from re-
liable sources. Change occasionally
for that raised in distant locality. Test
small parcels of corn and other grain
before using largely.
PorAToEs.-Secure early for home
use. Get best varieties. Try new kinds
sparingly.
EH- 1t is bad policy TO allow cattle to
roam over grass lands in Spring. They
undoubtedly enjoy the freedom, and rel
ish the first tender bits of the fresh
grass, and it is . pleasant sight to see
them in tho fields again; but they do
more harm to tho grass than they get Of
| naoJ T., ,,aolnu. thaf hovo harO,ua