The Rural Voice, 1993-05, Page 32An old stump is a reminder of the white
possible.
many well-preserved snake fences
which are still being used near
Magnetawan, Ontario. One such
fence attracted my attention because
the cedar stump, from which this
cedar trees that made these fences
fence was probably hewn, still
nestled between the intersecting rails.
As I have already illustrated, the
snake fence had its limitations.
When cattle knocked down the top
FALCONER'S
of Goderich
84 Kingston Street, Goderich, Ontario N7A 3K4
Phone/Fax: (519) 524-9671
CHAIN
Grade 30, 3/16" to 1/2"
CABLE
• Galvanized Aircraft Cable 1/16" to 3/8"
• Wire Rope 3/8" to 3/4"
• Stainless Steel Cable 1/4"
• Clear Coated Cable 1/8" - 3/16"
ROPE
• Polypropylene — 1/4" to 1/2"
• Nylon 1/4", 1/2", 5/8", 1"
• Hemp 1/2", 3/4", 7/8", 1"
Wide range of thimbles, shackles, cable clamps, etc.
Above are stock items
Other sizes and grades available by order
519-524-9671
VANGUARD STEEL LTA
28 THE RURAL VOICE
rail, farmers adapted the style by
leaning an additional rail into each
intersection. Or if wire were
available, it was used to tie the
intersecting rails together. Where
rocks were handy, two could be
wired together and hung over the
intersection. These add-ons in
construction not only helped prevent
cattle -pushover but also wind blow -
over.
Another disadvantage to the
zigzag fence was the land it took up
that otherwise could have been
cultivated. (One mile of snake fence
took up one acre of land and left
another acre unproductive.)
This fence also required an almost
unlimited supply of cedar trees
because the rails were typically piled
six high and each was 11 feet long.
Since stability required that they
overlap at an angle of at least 60
degrees, the rails covered only eight
feet in a straight line. Sticklers for
precision were quick to point out that
these fences did not follow the
boundary exactly.
The work involved in felling,
cutting, splitting, hauling and
building this fence, ensures that few
are built today. Even more critical,
the necessary stands of white cedar
no longer remain.
Other factors intervened as well.
Agriculture took on a new look which
eventually made fences largely
redundant. Because barriers of any
kind interfered with mechanized
farming, many were removed.
Where fences were needed as
enclosures for cattle, electrified ones
sufficed.
Admittedly, the zigzag fence is not
practical today, although some are
still being used. Many of these are
lovingly maintained. Furthermore,
the attractiveness of its lines has
made it the most photographed and
most copied fence of all time.
Photographers and artists have for
generations admired the visual beauty
of this fence and used it as inspiration
in their work. Undoubtedly, they will
continue to do so.
Although I doubt farm youth are
sent out today with cellular phones
and ATVs to retrieve errant cattle
which have gotten through one of
these fences, the snake fence remains
one of the most beautiful links with
our farm ancestors.0
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519-524-9671
VANGUARD STEEL LTA
28 THE RURAL VOICE
rail, farmers adapted the style by
leaning an additional rail into each
intersection. Or if wire were
available, it was used to tie the
intersecting rails together. Where
rocks were handy, two could be
wired together and hung over the
intersection. These add-ons in
construction not only helped prevent
cattle -pushover but also wind blow -
over.
Another disadvantage to the
zigzag fence was the land it took up
that otherwise could have been
cultivated. (One mile of snake fence
took up one acre of land and left
another acre unproductive.)
This fence also required an almost
unlimited supply of cedar trees
because the rails were typically piled
six high and each was 11 feet long.
Since stability required that they
overlap at an angle of at least 60
degrees, the rails covered only eight
feet in a straight line. Sticklers for
precision were quick to point out that
these fences did not follow the
boundary exactly.
The work involved in felling,
cutting, splitting, hauling and
building this fence, ensures that few
are built today. Even more critical,
the necessary stands of white cedar
no longer remain.
Other factors intervened as well.
Agriculture took on a new look which
eventually made fences largely
redundant. Because barriers of any
kind interfered with mechanized
farming, many were removed.
Where fences were needed as
enclosures for cattle, electrified ones
sufficed.
Admittedly, the zigzag fence is not
practical today, although some are
still being used. Many of these are
lovingly maintained. Furthermore,
the attractiveness of its lines has
made it the most photographed and
most copied fence of all time.
Photographers and artists have for
generations admired the visual beauty
of this fence and used it as inspiration
in their work. Undoubtedly, they will
continue to do so.
Although I doubt farm youth are
sent out today with cellular phones
and ATVs to retrieve errant cattle
which have gotten through one of
these fences, the snake fence remains
one of the most beautiful links with
our farm ancestors.0