The Grenada gazette., 1888-01-07
FENCE.RAiL TALK,
Practical Advice Regarding the selectIoD
and Preparation Of Timber.

l IboNthC0h nuvicc sheKSTuUS tue SeA6cti0D
and Preparation of Timber.
Hickory. and other woods Nkely to b.
eaten by worms, should be cut when
the bark will peel of; other woods,
particularly the oaks, should be cut in,
winter AS a general rule trees which
have died do not make SO durable rails
as those cut when alive. 1t scarcely
pays TO make rails of dead pin oak,
though it makes good rails if cut alive.
Timber from very rich soil makes less
durable rails than that from poor soil.
Also timber from northern slope
makes more durable rails than from a
southern slope. This comparison refers
to trees of the same sort, as hickory
with hickory, for the best rail timber
does not grow at all on barren land.
The heart-wood lasts longer than the
sap-wood, and the best plan is SO to
split the log as to distribute the two as
near as may be among the rails. The
all-sapwood rail will last only short
time; if put near the top Of the fence it
may be replaced with little trouble
when it gives out II the rail, half or
more of heart-wood, be laid in tho
fence with the heart-wood up, its dur
ability will be measured by the dur
ability of the heart-wood. Men who
do not understand the art of making
rails, quarter logs, then split y rail from
the heart-wood Of each quarter, and
then half or third the remaining part.
This makes from each quarter rail all
of heart-wood and two or three mostly
of sap-a bad arrangement. 1t would
be better to make four rails by splitting
altogether through from the bark to the
heart, though the rails would not be oi
so neat form.
When very large logs are split, how
ever, it is necessary to take out heart
rail; and these rails are to be put in the
bottom of the fence. When log is
halyed, it may be casierto split the rails
of one by one; the wedge is first driven
in at the middle of the rail; then q wedge
ON either side, midway between it and
the ends of the log. These wedges must
be set little back of the desired margin
of the rail, as the crack will not follow
the grain of the wood, but tend toward
the edge. Better rails are made with
less work by using more and smaller
wedges. 1t is easier to drive two wedges
than one large enough to do the same
work. 1t is impossible to have rails Of
the same thickness throughout. Those
largest at the ends should be put in the
bottom, for there the ends are the first
to give way; while those largest.n the
middle should be placed near the top Of
the fence, as there the greatest strain is
on the middle of the rails If the rails
IRE for post-and-rail fence, in which
lemons are cut on the ends Of the rails,
ivoid knots on the ends. for knots
weaken. 1t is folly to put rails of some
Kinds OF timber on the ground in u.
Virginia wormfence, or next to the h
ground in post-and-rail fence. Thus
ed elm makes very durable rail for
If the ground but few will decay
ooner on the ground.
This must be taken into account in
making the rails, for. in the Virginia
vorm-fencc, for example. the bottom
md top rails should be the largest, the
rails smaller and gradu--
lily increasing in size toward the top,
# the fence. Hence in splitting timber,
hat lasts well on the ground. enough.
arge rails should be made for the bot
ON course and the remainder small,
or the courses just above; while Of
imber that soon rots on the ground
make enough large rails for the top,
iders and the rest somewhat smaller,
Or the courses just below Some logs
'ill so split that there will be many
livers on the surfaces of the rails.
'hese slivers should be cut off, not only
nat the rails may be more agreeable,
, handle, but also because the air and
IN do not get under the slivers and as
result the wood rots there and worms
ide in these places Some men cut of
mbs an inch or more from the trunk,
'aving pieces that make the rails dis
greeablc to handle. 1t is just as easy
} cut off branch close up to the trunk.
there is snow on the ground, lay two.
more large limbs for the tree to fall
\. If your wedges won't draw make,
fire and heat them. A heavy maui is.
ore economical Of your strength than
light one, results considered. Have
le handle so large that it will not
amp the hands, and yet not perfectly
gid. Some ilexibility lessons the re-
Ill. Stack up the rails on stump 10
ason until needed. .--Jotn a. StatL iH
y Tribune.
Sanitary Desserts.