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From The
American Agriculturist, 1867
To make rail fences comparatively permanent, you must have
self-supporting stakes, that is, stakes that will firmly support
themselves, and also the weight of the fence and waters. To make a
stake self-supporting, it must have roots to enable it to retain a
firm hold of the earth. The willow, white, or yellow, is for this
purpose about as near being "the right thing in the right place,"
as any tree we can find. It grows without trouble, and is a
natural denizen of wet, marshy grounds; therefore it is well
adapted for stakes through bottom lands. The stakes may be cut
from three to ten feet in length, and from three inches to a foot
in diameter. They may be set in holes made with a post auger,
about two feet deep, firmly ramming the earth around them; or they
may be pointed, and driven into the ground. In one season they
will be well rooted, thrifty trees, well able to resist, and hold
the fence against, the impetuosity of the rushing water.
The willow grows easily from cuttings, and when properly pruned,
makes a beautiful tree. From its rapid growth it is rendered
valuable as a shade tree for pasture lands. It grows almost as
well on the hill top as in the valley, unless the former be very
dry or rocky.
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