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

Fences

ANOTHER type of log fence, including thick supporting posts, and wired in some places. The logs are of different lengths so that the bays or panels vary from thirty to forty feet. It looks sturdy, but the wiring is a weakness in that it is hard to secure properly, and it rusts out so quickly. If joggled much, the wire eats into the wood and the logs then loosen. As you can see, the variety of log fence construction was very considerable, dependent on the materials available, their availability to the site, their value, and the thoroughness and enthusiasm of the builder.

ONE of the early Canadian fences most popular in the east was the snake rail fence. It can still be seen here and there in the rural sections. It was built in a variety of forms, as the following illustrations will show. It was made from poles, or split rails, the latter being usually of white cedar. If made from poles then black ash, hickory, oak and pine were favourites because they were tough and lasting. In rolling and broken country it was a prime favourite because of its adaptability.

A TYPICAL six rail snake fence, of split rails and narrow logs of varying length, but approaching uniformity, with their ends resting on each other, and without stakes. The difference in the rail lengths made an insecure barrier, as the intersection of the rails assumed an incline instead of an upright centre of weight. The top rails, of course, were forever getting knocked off, with the inevitable result that in time the livestock moved in on someone else's crops.