Imperial Valley press., 1922-03-08

First impressions are lasting The
reputation of n farm is often guaged
by the quality of its fences by the
pnsscrby A farmer cannot raise live
stock TO advantage until he has his land
cross fenced into fields that are suit
ably connected with each other by
means Of well fenced lanes, with good
gate at the entrance to each field.
a good rule is to use square mesh
wire fencing for the fields. and wooden
fences for the barnyards and corrals
Wooden gates, IL well made, are the
best for both the fields and the yards.
Where large animals are kept, the gates
should be heavy, and at least five feet
high They should be hung to large,
solid posts, With hinges made by "a
manufacturer or blacksmith who under
stands farm needs.
The making Of good farm fence is
both an art and a mechanical problem
of considerable Importance.
The fright of way for the fence
should be carefully cleared of all
trash and other distractions and a
straight furrow run, with the land
side of the furrow rs the face of the
fence. The post holes are bored in the
bottom of the furfow. The holes should
be lined to n wire stretched along the
bottom furrow. Another wire should
be stretched directly over the lower
wire and five feet above it. This upper
wire is the line for the top of the posts.
1t gives both the height and the line
of the fence.
1t is easier and quicker TO lower
or raise each post than to saw if off
after setting. But if the posts are to
be crt. the tops should be cut before
the holes are bored 1t is better 10
slant the cptback rather than to cut
the top end equare, aud the fence looks
better, especially if the posts are paint
ed
The lire wires should reach the whole
can then 5e lined into graceful curves,
seen in farm fences.
To plumb a fence post take q round
iron rod five feet long; bcrc ? small
hole through the top end, foI a wire
hook, to suspend the plumb rod from
the upper wire, This gives both the
plumb and the height OF the fence.
without stopping to measure each post
The upper wire should be- supported
at intervals of % or 30 feet. according
to the cyenncss of the ground. The
posts viii not be al the same length
above ground on uneven land. but the
fence viii look better when finished
When making a fence in this way, YOU
work from the top down. The furrow
provides a few inches for adjustment.
After the posts are all set, the woven
wire is hung, and is stapled at the top,
say one inche from the tops of the
posts. The first staples are driven
slack to permit the wire to slide for
stretching. The stretcher is used to
straighten the fenee before stappling
the bottom, because woxen wire fenc-
ing must be stretched from top to
bottom, as well rs length wise. After
the fencing is stretched down and
loosely stapled at the bottom, more
power shouid be applied by the stretch
er. The two. operations must be work
ed together TO make "A smooth fence
without buekling.
When the fencing hangs straight and
smooth il is ready for stapling. The
staples should be of the right length TO
drive solidiy.. The size of the staples
depends upon the hardness of the
posts. A short staple, well driven. is
better than a longer one, bent over.
Not every nail hammer is suitable for
driving fence staples.
to the tops of the posts than to make