The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-01-03
ECONOMY IN THE
USE OF FENCE POSTS
CAREFUL. SELECTION OF THE WOOD AND PRESERvAl1"E IhIAA
MENT SAVES TIME AND MONEY.

II has been estimated by the u. S.
Department Of Agriculture that the
farmers of the single State Of Iowa
use every year 81, 400 600 worth OF new
fence posts, which cost the equivalent
of 5000 0O for setting them IN the
ground. Without doubt a part of this
xpenditur might be saved
The opportunity for economy is
fond, first, in using the kinds Of posts
which, taking into account both cost
and durability, are cheapest in the long
run, and, secondly, by treating the
posts to prevent decay. When a far
mer sets a post which will have a
comparatively short life, he loses not
only through having to buy a new post,
but also because of the additional Ia
Dor involved in setting it. 1t is true
that in both cases no money outlay
may be involved, for he may set the
posts himself, after getting them from
his own woodlot. OF the posts used
last year in Iowa, seventy per cent. it
is estimated, were grown on the farms
where they were used, or We're OBJ
tanned from other farmers or woodlot
owners, and only thirty per cent. were
bought from lumber dealers. Never
theless, the farmer is out his labor
and the part of the product Of his
woodlot which is used up, even though
he does not pay out any cash.
The average life of a fence post is
stated to be fourteen years, and the
average cost 1917 cents. There is.
however, great difference in the last
ing properties of different woods.
Usage orange lasts more than five
times as long as willow, and for length
of service it heads the list Of most
timbers in the State. The comparative
life of other posts is shown in the
following list, ranging from the long
est period to the shortest: Red cedar,
lOcllSf UhIta r0aI nnrfhaTp white
cedar Cor arbor vitae), catalpa, black
walnut, butternut, red oak, and willow.
The average cost of posts varies
Tor different woods, and for the same
woods iii different localities. Red
cedar is most expensive, at an average
OF 26 81 cents each, and willow the
cheapest, at 6 cents.
Taking into consideration the time a
post will last, and the cost of buying
1t and setting it in the ground, the
conclusion must be drawn that the
Usage orange post is the most
zeal in Iowa, followed by white oak,
locust, catalpa, red cedar, black wal
nut, b~utternut, willow, white cedar,
ana red oak, in the order named.
Comparatively few posts of some of
these woods are used. Catalpa and
butternut together do not constitute
one per cent, while white oak exceeds
forty per cent. From white oak. the
ghe the numbers used range down
IN the following order: White cedar,
Usage orange, red cedar, willow, black
walnut, locust, butternut, and catalpa.
"A lew posts are cut from other woods.
P~reserVative treatment increases the
lie OF all wooden posts and more than
doubles the period Of usefulness Of
those which are mostly sapwood. The
Two million dollars spent yearly by
iowa farmers IN buying and setting
fence posts might be materially les
sened by putting into practice the we'll
known methods of wood preservation.
IT costs much less to treat a post than
10 BUY a new one and set it in the
ground and in addition much wood
could be saved for other purposes.
the Department of Agriculture has
made a special study of practical meth
ods OF preserving farm timbers. SO
mat It IS able to inform interested
'1qulrers now to do this for them