Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1861-12-12
farHl anu Garaen.
FENCES.

desired TO shut III or eXciuue.--
Without this quality it is worse
than useless. In the second place, i
it must be SO cheap that its cost
will not exceed, to say the least,
the profit to be derived from its
existence. Thirdly, it must not
require too frequent renewal. 1T
is desirable, also, that it occupy !
little space, and that it does not
present an msightly appearance.
The best fence, therefore, for any
given place and time, is the one
which combines most perfectly all
these qualities. In one place this
may be stone fence, in another one
of posts and rails, In a third live
hedge, etc. In one period of a
century's history it may be made
Of logs, in another of rails, in a
third of growing Usage orange or
holly, and in fourth of wire.
u.-vARIoUs KINDS OF FENCE.
/. Stone Fence.-Wherever
there is plenty of stone, and es-
pecially where loose stone abound,
and must be removed before the
land can be properly cultivated,
stone fences are the best and most
economical that can be construct
ed. When well built, broad and
high, they are perfectly efficient
and very permanent. In an es-
thetic point of view they are far
less offensive to the eye of taste
than our wooden fences, even of
the least Objectionable form. AT
ter few years, as we Judge from
the sober livery of moss with
which she decks them, Nature
adopts these structures as her own,
and they become legitimate por-
ton of the landscape.
Where stone is not very album
dant. a combination of stone and
rail fence is often economically con-
structed. A substantial founda-
ton of stones is laid, reaching two
or two and half feet above ground
in which posts are placed at a
proper distances, with two or three
bar holes above the wall, for the
insertion of an equal number OF
rails, which for convenience
should be put in when the posts
are set.
9. The Zig-zag or Worm Fence.
in large portions of our country,
where there is a superabundance
of timber, and economy of space
is of little Importance, the common
zig-zag or worm fence Of the West
and South is probably the most
economical that can be erected
When we'll built it is firm and du.
rable, but unsightly and inconven-
lent, occupying q great deal ofspace.
harboring vermin, and encouraging
the growth of weeds and bushes.
5: Rost-and-Raa FeaceS.-As
timber becomes somewhat more
valuable, it ceases to be economi
cal to use it is so lavishly as the
the worm fence requires, and the
post-and-rail fence takes its place
This is, In many respects, the best
Of all the wooden farm fences.
''The posts" Allen says, should
be placed from two and a half tc
three feet below the surface, in the
center of a large hole and surroun-
ded by fine stone which must be
well pounded down by heavy,
iron-shod hammer, as they are
filled in. The post will not stand
so firmly at first as if surrounded
by dirt: but it will last much Ion
ger. The lower end should be
pointed, which prevents its heav-
ing with the frost. If the posi-
ton of the post while in the tree
be reversed, or the upper end OF
the split section of the trunk
which is used for post, be placed
in the earth, it will be more du-
rable. Charring or partially burn
ing the part of the post which is
buried, will add to its duration.
So also will unfolding it in ashes
lime, charcoal, or clay; or it may
be bored at the surface with a
large auger, diagonally downward
and nearly through, then filled
with salt, and closely plugged.
"The best timber for posts, in
the order of its durability, is red
cedar, yellow locust, white oak
and chestnut, for the Northern and
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