The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Fences

A GOOD looking modern farm gate made out of 2 x 4's with a sensible kind of iron latch of stout design. Because of its lightness the unusual bracing adds considerably to its strength, and lessens the likelihood of its sagging. The wire brace from the left gate post to an adjoining post assures the added solidarity of the gate post itself. The wire brace is of heavy gauge, and is tightened by inserting and rotating a stick between the two wires until all slack has been taken up. The weight of wire is such that it will not unwind, and the hardwood stick or metal rod is then removed. Should the gate or post sag at a later date the wire brace can be tightened further, as required.

THIS sawhorse style of gate should be both light and strong. The fencing on either side of it is taken for granted. Its main feature is, of course, its lack of latch and hinges. To move the gate one merely lifted and slid it either way until one end was clear of the grooves. The main drawback then occurred when one had to carry the whole gate out of the way and lean it against the fence. Such a ten-foot board gate weighed considerable, and would be hard on the women folk and children.

OUT of old England come these two ideas for gates. The upper drawing of a "Warwickshire Clapper" is fairly complicated, as can be seen. On the right-hand gate post a grooved wooden member was planted, in which rode the loose right ends of the gate. Each wooden bar of the gate was then hinged by a bolt through a stout upright, as shown. The left vertical gate bar or board was cut, and each section bound to insure against splintering. In effect this was a stile which had to be pressed down and walked or climbed over. It appeared impassable both to vehicles and livestock, and its name doubtless arose from the merry clapping sound it made in its operation.