Fences, Gates and Bridges [Paperback]

George A. Martin (Author), Castle Freeman (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 2005

“The author, George A. Martin, knows his subject, not only fence building but the farm and its requirements. He knows the stock: the unconfinable pig, the dexterous cow. He knows his materials, especially wood. I count twenty-one species of tree in the text, each especially suited for a particular application. He knows the value of work well done, done to last, and he aims to give value himself, in authorship as in the building of simple necessary structures.”
from the Foreword by Castle Freeman

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

These facsimiles of the original 1900 editions present detailed instructions for building out of wood just about anything that would be useful on a farm. Though dated, the plans and materials are simple, and many of the items could still be of great use to homeowners. These volumes are also great pieces of Americana.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Scientific American

Putting up fences becomes less difficult, if one understands the principles and procedures, as explained in this book, first published in 1887. The illustrations aid in comprehension. Included are primitive fences, stone and sod fences, board fences, picket fences, barbed wire fence and many other fence types and appurtenances.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: "Hood, Alan C. & Company, Inc." (March 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0911469087
• ISBN-13: 978-0911469080
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,461,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book can Build a Relationship, March 24, 2000

By 

Beau Thurnauer "Beau" (Coventry, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fences, Gates and Bridges (Paperback)

We do a lot of family stuff. We read together, hike, vacation; we even eat our meals together. But being a close emotional foursome [mom, dad, son age 12 and daughter age 10] we are always looking for a new way to share our time.

Pick up this book and pick a project. We started with a new gate to the pool but decided it was too easy. What is great about this book is that it not only gives great construction guidelines it is a building block (no pun intended) to other projects.

We finally decided to build a bridge across Ash Brook which passes through our property about 100 yards behind the house. At first we thought we could span 30 feet, but later decided 15 was a better idea. Well, the bridge in the book and our final product did not resemble each other. Who cares. The basics were supplied and we went our own way.

Great ideas and pictures. Use it as a guide or a technical manual. It doesn't matter. Everything works.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really comes in handy, November 16, 2008

By 

Great Mama "goddess" (western maine) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fences, Gates and Bridges (Paperback)

We always need some type of enclosure on our organic dairy farm but didn't always have the skills needed to build or fix the necessary items. This book has been invaluable, at least for ideas. Our carpentry skills are improving. Would be very helpful no matter where you live