es planted in fence
rows and in the interior of permanent pastures and the need for a more
satisfactory cattle guard to protect the trees during their period of
establishment.

[Illustration: Nut Easy Tree to Guard Install]

The writer has for several years studied various types of cattle guards
and in 1946 suggested the possible use of an electric guard along
permanent fence lines. This set-up worked fairly well during the first
growing season, but it was found that a considerable amount of
maintenance is necessary and therefore electric guards may not be
practicable over a period of years.

During the summer of 1947 a prominent wire fence manufacturing company
was contacted concerning the availability of a welded wire fabric which
might be used as a substantial yet economical tree guard. The company
made available for test purposes two 150-foot rolls 72 inches high. One
roll was galvanized, 11 gauge wire, with 2 x 4 inch staves, while the
other was ungalvanized 10 gauge, with 4 x 4 inch spacing between the
staves. These rolls were cut into lengths of 13.7 feet, resulting in a
circular guard 4.36 feet in diameter (shown in picture). The guards were
installed along a permanent fence on the pasture research farm of the
Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station at Wooster during the summer of
1947. Observations made during July, 1948, indicate that these guards
have not been damaged in any way by the dairy cattle on this farm during
the current season, and that the trees are being adequately protected.
No guards have as yet been installed in the interior of the pasture, but
it would seem that only one standard fence post would be required to
support such a guard.

The wire company was not able to give the exact cost of this material to
the farmer, but suggested a quotation of $3.90 per hundred square feet
for the galvanized wire, 2 x 4 inch spacing, 11 gauge, as compared to
$3.00 per hundred square feet for the ungalvanized wire, 4 x 4 inch
spacing, 10 gauge.

Assuming that the ungalvanized wire would serve the purpose for a
period of ten years, the cost would be approximately $2.50 per guard if
it were attached to a line fence; If placed in the interior of a field,
the cost of a standard fence post would have to be added. While this
cost may appear to be rather high, it is believed that it will compare
favorably with another type guard which will provide equal service. The
chief advantages of this guard seem to be its a