When the early settlers made fence posts, they charred the end that went into the ground.What did this do?
Question:I read in a book the early settlers used to char the fence posts before putting them in the ground. How did they do it?
Answers:
It was common practice at the time because dried wood was not as likely to rot in wet soil. They would usually lay one end of a post into the fire for several minutes. The Charred end was then set into the ground.
This might have been done because they usually did not have time for the freshly cut timber to be properly milled and prepared for use as fence posts, especially if settlers used the trees on their property to build fences as they went along.
http://www.undergroundhousing.com/primer...
about half way down it say by roasting them over a fire, although it's not the old days.
Probably to seal the wood so it wouldn't rot.I know my Grandfather soaked his posts in criso oil before he buried them.We lived in La. where it is wet,they are still up where he set them...
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