Field surveys of farm fences show that many are in poor condition. The end construction is a critical factor in the successful performance of a fence. The study herein described was undertaken to find the causes for failure, to appraise the relative value of common construction methods and to attempt to devise better ones. Particular attention has be.en given to labor saving in the hope that knowledge of improved methods would result in more satisfactory construction on the farm.

A field study disclosed the factors responsible for failure, gave some information on loadings to be expected and some suggestions for assemblies which might be built with a minimum of materials and labor and still be expected to give satisfactory service. The experimental work included observations of loads which might be imposed on the fence end or corner by wire fencing, and a study of forces necessary to destroy ends and corners fabricated in a variety of ways. A test was made to show the effect of time and temperature on the tension in wire fencing and the ability of two types of fence ends to resist such factors. Field tests were made in one soil type only and under approximately similar soil moisture conditions. In most cases, replications have not been possible.