Paul, Norwich; and Messrs A. & J. Main & Co., Glasgow. But the general principle of supporting and strengthening standards will easily be seen from Fig. 161.

(3.) Stays or Struts.-Stays (see Figs. 158, 159, and 160) may be of wood or wrought-iron, and are required to prevent the strainingpillars from being drawn off the perpendicular by the tension put upon the wires. Iron stays are made double for straining-pillars, and single for standards, and are batted into stones or driven into wooden blocks; or they may have flat blocks attached.

(4.) Wires.-The wires are placed parallel, and at suitable distances from each other. They are passed through holes bored in the iron standards, or are fixed with staples to the wooden ones, and are kept at a proper tension by the straining-pillars. To a person not familiar with the usages of trade, there is often a difficulty experienced in choosing the proper kind of wire. There are two processes of making wire-rolling and drawing. The former is the cheaper method of manufacture; because an inferior quality of metal can be used in it as compared with the latter, which is a more tedious process, involving a greater strain on the metal. In purchasing wire, the best kind can always be known from its being in long lengths, while the inferior quality is in comparatively short lengths. Of course, wire in short lengths can always be bought at a cheaper rate than in long lengths; but, when wire of good quality is wanted, a fair price should be given for it, in order to have it of long lengths. In erecting wire-fences, it is of great importance to have them made of the best kinds of wire. Although it may cost more at the time, yet it will certainly be found much cheaper in the end, as the workmen's time lost over an inferior quality of wire is frequently of more value than the wire itself.

Wire for fences is sold under the following names:—

1. Bright Wire.-This quality is what is called cold drawn, and is very hard. If the fence is to be rendered elastic, and capable of resisting pressure without yielding, this kind should be preferred. It is difficult to knot; hence it is only to be recommended when experienced workmen are employed in the erection of the fence.

2. Annealed Wire. This quality is also cold drawn, but is afterwards annealed, whereby it is softened, and therefore rendered more pliable and easier to knot; it can therefore be more easily used by inexperienced workmen.

3. Black Wire. This quality is rolled, and is not sold in such long lengths as the preceding. It is soft, and not elastic; but it knots easily, and is therefore well adapted for ordinary purposes where cheapness is a consideration.

4. Galvanised Wire. This is the annealed drawn wire galvanised. The advantage of this kind is its freedom from rust, indepen

dent of paint or oil; but the process of galvanising renders it more brittle than the other kinds of wire.

5. Bessemer Steel Wire.-This description of wire can be had

bright and annealed.

It bears a higher strain than iron wire, can be

depended upon, and will tie cold without breaking.

There are various sizes of solid wire used in fencing, each thick

ness being known by a certain number, so that when any particular size is wanted, it is merely referred to by its distinguishing number.

Fig. 162 shows the exact size of each kind of wire sold, together with their numbers, and to each is added the distance to which 1 cwt. will usually run.

Besides the solid kinds of wire just referred to, there is also the Galvanised Strand or Rope Wire. It is composed of seven or of three small galvanised wires or strands, twisted together like a hempen

rope. It bears a much greater strain than solid wire, and contains a greater number of yards to the cwt. than the corresponding numbers of solid wire. Of course, the seven-ply wire or strand is the strongest, and is now much in use in this country for general fencing purposes. It is soft and pliable, and is generally made in much longer lengths than the solid wires. Fig. 163 shows the various sizes of the sevenply wire, together with the

number of yards to the cwt. of each.

I. Wire-Fences Strained on Wooden Posts.-Figs. 164 and 165 represent the extreme ends of a wire-fence upon wooden posts 3 ft. 9 in. high, and adapted to resist sheep and cattle.

Fig. 165.

The exact line for a wire-fence being fixed on, have the first post or straining-pillar, a, Fig. 164, made as there represented (see also Fig. 158). Have it made of the best Larch timber, taken from a fullgrown tree, the wood of which may be considered matured and full of resin, and not of the wood of a young tree, as is too often done; for, although apparently as good, timber of the latter class will not endure nearly so long as the well-matured wood of a full-grown tree.

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dent of paint or oil; but the process of galvanising renders it more brittle than the other kinds of wire.

5. Bessemer Steel Wire.-This description of wire can be had

bright and annealed.

376

479

573

It bears a higher strain than iron wire, can be

depended upon, and will tie cold without breaking.

There are various sizes of solid wire used in fencing, each thick

ness being known by a certain number, so that when any particular size is wanted, it is merely referred to by its distinguishing number.

Fig. 162 shows the exact size of each kind of wire sold, together with their numbers, and to each is added the distance to which 1 cwt. will usually run.

Besides the solid kinds of wire just referred to, there is also the Galvanised Strand or Rope Wire. It is composed of seven or of three small galvanised wires or strands, twisted together like a hempen

rope. It bears a much greater strain than solid wire, and contains a greater number of yards to the cwt. than the corresponding numbers of solid wire. Of course, the seven-ply wire or strand is the strongest, and is now much in use in this country for general fencing purposes. It is soft and pliable, and is generally made in much longer lengths than the solid wires. Fig. 163 shows the various sizes of the sevenply wire, together with the

number of yards to the cwt. of each.

I. Wire-Fences Strained on Wooden Posts.-Figs. 164 and 165 represent the extreme ends of a wire-fence upon wooden posts 3 ft. 9 in. high, and adapted to resist sheep and cattle.

Fig. 165.

The exact line for a wire-fence being fixed on, have the first post or straining-pillar, a, Fig. 164, made as there represented (see also Fig. 158). Have it made of the best Larch timber, taken from a fullgrown tree, the wood of which may be considered matured and full of resin, and not of the wood of a young tree, as is too often done; for, although apparently as good, timber of the latter class will not endure nearly so long as the well-matured wood of a full-grown tree.

VOL. II.

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