The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-05-07
Maize of Timber That Brings
High Prices.
Once Used All Over Country-lm-
mense Oaks With Large Straight
Trunks Were Chopped Down and
Split Into Heavy Rails.

In this age of rapid progress, with
all sorts of new methods and mate
rails, many of the old modes are be-
ing discarded, and will soon be mere
memories. says an exchange.
Very few of our young people, for In
stance. have ever seen the old fash
toned rail fence, which was once used
all over this country by thousands
of farmers. The native forests were
abundant, and immense oaks, with
large, straight trunks that would have
been excellent for manufacturing what
is known as quarter-sawed lumber for
fine furniture, were chopped down and
split into heavy rails that went to
make worm" fences.
In many sections, especially in Penn
sylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Ken
lucky, where the black walnut grew SO
abundantly in the early days of the
country, the trees were not considered
of any more value than the ordinary
forest timber, and they were often
cut and split into rails which were
light in. weight, but were very durable,
sometimes being rsed in rail fence
construction for the greater part of
century In certain localities some of
these old walnut rails are to be found
yet. Such trees as were used in max
ing them would bring large sums at
the present time One farmer in east
ern Ohio recently sold 25 large black
walnut trees to dealer in fancy tim
Der for $4,000.
Chestnut is wood that splits cas-
fly, and in many localities these trees
were cut and made into rails. Now
the chestnut is valuable timber for
many uses.
The old style rail fence, which most
of our grandparents were familiar
with, was, when properly erected, a
very substantial structure
The rails were IL feet in length,
usually being split SO as to have three
sides. The corners were sharp, and
when properly laid up would make a
solid fence. Heavy chunks were often
used at the corners and the fence built
from eight to ten rails high, laid at an
angle, one on top of the other. When
the fence was finished, except the top
rail, stout stakes or rails were set up
at each bend in the fence, one on
either side. in such a manner that they
rested in the angles and crossed to
hold the top rail, or rider" as 1t was
called.
r. hui laaf
was known as the post and rail-
fence. The posts we're square, or a lit
tie broader one way than the other,
and five or six oblong holes were NOR
tised through the portion that stood
above the ground, and the ends of the
rails sharpened and the points stuck
through the posts This method
enabled the person to build fairly
straight tense, and it was possible to
cultivate more of the land.
Soon after the new method of build
ing rail fence was tried, the trees
were sawed into boards, and post and
board fences were all the rage; but in
d few more years the factories turned
out great quantities of wire, and the
wire fence has taken the place of al
most every other form of Enclosure.
During the period when rails were
extensively used shingles were split
from short lengths of the straightest-
grained oak timber, and houses and
barns were rooted with these. When
properly put on, such roof would last
for more than half century.
Now the roofing is nearly all done
with slate or metal, or some form of
pulp, woven and pressed into sheets
that are treated with paints of various
kinds to make them durable. The old
fashioned roof has disappeared from
many sections entirely.