The Utility Fence

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 10, 6 March 1924, Page 45

The Utility Fence

. . .• i v > ,;V r — (Contributed.) ■3 SETTING UP THE "JINNY." To set up the "jinny" an even-surfaced spot near the ew! of the proposed fence line should bo chosen. Lay down, first, the 12in x 9in surface board, then on top of it the circular piece which acts as a large wooden washer or collar. These two pieces should have been planed, so that they may work or run the more easily. On top of these pieces lay down the 4in x 2in cross, on top of that the wire coil, and then the lighter cross. Now put the round bar through the lot and pin the whole contrivance to the ground firmly. See that the two marked arms of the crosspieces are directly over each other. Note here that the iron bar must always have free running-play, and therefore must be at least one-eighth of an inch less in thickness than the size of-: the holes through which it is driven. The proper end of the wire coil should also he sought out before it is placed on the "jinny."- .; Finally, -4 short sticks about nine inches long, of thickness that may-be easily inserted in the holes prepared in the cross-arms, are first, pushed through the .lighter upper

cross and then into the lower oneone in each armthe corresponding holes nearest to the inside of the wire-coil being chosen, in order to keep the coil from rocking or shifting about when the."jinny" is running. If the end of the wire be taken in the hand now, the coil will run out to the very end. • , For the 4 short sticks mentioned above, dry osier willows will serve capitally. The reason for not boring the holes through the lower t cross will now be evident—to prevent catching. - A piece of suet or grease placed between the two lower boards of the "jinny" will cause it to run more easily. The object in having 3 holes in each arm of the crosspieces is to allow of the sticks being shifted to suit coils of different sizes. ANOTHER KIND OF "JINNY." A rougher though simpler style of "jinny" than the above, made much in the same way as the one just described, is sometimes used. It is composed of one cross only, in which 4 stout pegs are fixed, the coil being slipped over the tops of them when placing it in position. This style has the disadvantage of allowing the wire to occasionally slip over the tops of some of the pegs when the "jinny" . overruns itself or the wire meets with a sharp jerk through kinks or some other cause. The fencer running out the wire is speedily held up" when this occurs, time is lost in returning to the "jinny" to rectify matters, and should this occur frequently much annoyance is caused by the running to and fro. This is all obviated by the use of the double cross-pieces, where the wire coil is so secured in position that there is no chance of its fouling the pegs when running out.Wire run out by a "jinny" comes out freer from kinks than when rolled out. This not only gives it a better appearance but often effects saving in time and trouble. ERECTION. \ We will presume we have chosen our line. In previous remarks the most practical manner of doing this has been suggested. In this case we will suppose that we are about to fence a line running partly across flat, partly across .hilly ground; also that we have to adhere to.two boundary pegs, a rise being between them—on the hilly portion—so that we cannot see from one to the other. Again, to demonstrate the best method of putting up and straining wire, around an angle post we will place an angle in the middle of the line running across the flat. We will put. up a straining post at one end and an anchor at the other," so that the mode of erecting strainer and angle post, as well as..the- method of putting down anchors, may" be fully demonstrated. The length of the line we will suppose is 40 chains, of which 20 chains are flat, the balance being hilly. The first thing to do if the line does not run across clear country is to clear it, A track 3ft wide, at least on either side of, the fence, should be cleared to allow the free passage of stock, etc. (To be continued.)