The latest edition has extended the coverage to vine trellising, dry stone walling and pet enclosures. It remains the best handbook on fencing of all kinds for the property owner, handyman and for the builder who wants to extend knowledge of an important aspect of life in rural and suburban areas.

It is aimed solidly at the Do-It-Yourself renovator, hobby farmer and weekend workshop.

Covering some of the history of fencing in Australia — information to enthral the new fence builder — it quickly gets into the solid information which applies today.

For the rural fence builder there are guides which help decide just what a fence has to do, how tall and strong it has to be, and which fencing materials will do the necessary job at minimum cost. Fencing needs for various animals are specified — horses, sheep, cattle, pigs, goats — and what is needed to keep pests out.

For the suburban fence builder, there are many ideas for something different, from pickets to stone, from wire to wrought iron, and more. How does the home owner keep control when a fencing contractor is employed? How do you make sure you’ll get a good job? What materials suit what purposes? What are the special requirements for pools and pets?

There is much information here, but there is also a guide to where to find out more.