A “Virginia” fence.
1817. An elegant improvement, is a cabin of rude logs, and a few acres with the trees cut down to the height of three feet, and surrounded by a worm-fence or zig-zag railing.—M. Birkbeck, ‘Journey in America,’ p. 152 (Phila.).
1823. [He] has only dead fences and no quicks, or green hedges; all woven fences.—W. Faux, ‘Memorable Days in America,’ p. 134 (Lond.).
1823. All the land, which conducts to the city of Lexington, is rich, cultivated, cleared, and well settled or located; and, with the exception of wooden worm fences, looks much like the best districts of old England, only that the soil of Kentucky is better.—Id., p. 190.
1829. She thinks no more of a ditch or a moderate worm-fence, than she does of a demi-semi-quaver. She goes over them singing.—John P. Kennedy, ‘Swallow Barn,’ p. 90 (N.Y., 1851).
1835. The worm fences and arcadian scenery of the south are combinations undreamed of in my philosophy.—Ingraham, ‘The South-West,’ ii. 108.
1836. When I had got fairly through, my poetry looked as zigzag as a worm fence; the lines wouldn’t tally, no how.—‘Col. Crockett in Texas,’ p. 31 (Phila.).
1842. In regard to persons who are architecturally inclined, it is not polite to say, “Jim’s been making a worm fence,” but “James is laying out a new Court-House.”—Phila. Spirit of the Times, Feb. 1. [Compare with this VIRGINIA FENCE, 1745.]
1853. The fellow still [stood] inside of his worm fence.—Daily Morning Herald, St. Louis, Feb. 16.
1867. The enemy began to unstrap the rifles from their saddles, with the intention of getting behind the worm fence hard by.—J. M. Crawford, ‘Mosby and his Men,’ p. 108.
