During the 1930s, the tobacco company W.D and H.O.Wills gave away colourful and entertaining collectors ‘cigarette trade cards’ in packets of their cigarettes. ‘Household hints’ was issued several times, in slightly different editions from 1930 to 1939. Some of the ideas look antiquated and redundant but occasionally there are forgotten gems that are pertinent today. I am sharing this series as a historical glimpse into yesterday’s home maintenance and the occasional addition to solutions for the modern home.
12. Erecting a Fence
“The supporting posts should stand about six feet apart, and each should have about one fifth of its total height in the ground. When the hole for a post has been dug and squared off, ram the earth at the bottom well down, put in a layer of small stones for drainage, and well secure the post with concrete, A. Before erecting post, notches should be cut as shown is side view B, so that the wedge shaped, horizontal bar, C fits flush when nailed to D. The relative widths of palings and spaces may , of course be varied as required; in all cases, a ground clearance of 2-3 inches is advisable.”
There is nothing to put the wind up your neighbours like the appearance of long stakes being pounded into your boundary line. Unless you are just partitioning off an acres or two on your estate, it might be ‘neighbourly’ to make sure your posts are positioning inside your property line. A friendly word of agreement before you start will enable years of over-the-fence banter once you have finished. Unless you are claiming succession enclosing yourself in a compound.
Today’s posts are pre-treated with a wood preserver so always wear good breathing protection of you are cutting into it. ‘Good’ means a mask with changeable filters fitted snugly over your face – not just holding your breath while looking the other way.
