Fig. 57.—Fence Of Wire And Pickets.
The fence shown in [figure 57] has been introduced in some sections, and is becoming more popular every year. The posts are set ten feet apart, and are so placed that they will come on the right and left side of the fence, alternately. The pickets are split from oak, or any other hard wood, and are four or five feet long, and an inch and a half or two inches wide. When the posts are set, brace the one at the end of the line, and fasten the ends of two number nine, unannealed wires to it. Stretch the wires along to the other end of the line, and a few feet beyond the last post. One pair is to be stretched near the top of the posts and one near the ground. When the wires are stretched taut, fasten them to some posts or other weight that will drag on the ground; the upper and lower wires should be fastened to separate weights, and these should be heavy enough to keep the wires at a great tension. Having done this, you are ready to commence building the fence. One man spreads the strands, while another places the picket between them; the other end of the picket is then raised up and placed between the upper wires, and then driven up with an axe or mallet. In inserting the pickets, the wires are to be crossed alternately, as shown in the engraving. The pickets should be dry and should be about three inches apart. It takes two persons to build this fence successfully, but it can be built more rapidly by three; one to spread the wires, one to place the picket in position, and one to drive it home. This is especially adapted, for a line or other fence which is not required to be often moved. It is fastened to the post by nailing one of the pickets to it with common fencing nails. Fences of this kind are also made with straight, round limbs of willow or other trees in place of the split pickets. Several different machines have been patented for making this style of fence.
CHAPTER V.
BARB-WIRE FENCE.
The invention of barb wire was the most important event in the solution of the fence problem. The question of providing fencing material had become serious, even in the timbered portions of the country, while the great prairie region was almost wholly without resource, save the slow and expensive process of hedging. At this juncture came barb wire, which was at once seen to make a cheap, effective, and durable fence, rapidly built and easily moved. The original patent for barb wire was taken out in 1868, but it was not until six years later that an attempt was made to introduce it into general use, and more than ten years elapsed before the industry attained any considerable magnitude. The rapidity and extent of its subsequent growth will be seen by the following table, showing the estimated amount of barb wire manufactured and in use during the years named, the estimated length being in miles of single strand:
| Year. | Tons. | Miles. |
| Totals | 716,805 | 1,433,610 |
| 1874 | 5 | 10 |
| 1875 | 300 | 600 |
| 1876 | 1,500 | 3,000 |
| 1877 | 7,000 | 14,000 |
| 1878 | 13,000 | 26,000 |
| 1879 | 25,000 | 50,000 |
| 1880 | 40,000 | 80,000 |
| 1881 | 60,000 | 120,000 |
| 1882 | 80,000 | 160,000 |
| 1883 | 100,000 | 200,000 |
| 1884 | 125,000 | 250,000 |
| 1885 | 130,000 | 260,000 |
| 1886 | 135,000 | 270,000 |
There are now fifty establishments engaged in the manufacture, and the output for 1887 is estimated at 140,000 tons.
Fig. 58.—The Kelly Barb Wire.