_Gabion Making._—A _gabion_ is a cylindrical basket with open ends, made of brush woven on pickets or stakes as described for hurdles. The usual size is 2 feet outside diameter and 2 feet 9 inches height of wattling. On account of the sharp curvature somewhat better brush is required for gabions than will do for hurdles. The _gabion form_ is made of wood, 21 inches diameter, with equidistant notches around the circumference, equal in number to the number of pickets to be used, usually eight to fourteen; less if the brush is large and stiff, more if small and pliable. The notches should be of such depth that the pickets will project to 1 inch outside the circle. The pickets should be 1-1/2 to 2 inches in diameter, 3 feet 6 inches long, sharpened, half at the small and half at the large end. [Illustration: PLATE 35.] _To Make a Gabion._—The form is placed on the ground. The pickets are driven vertically in the ground, large and small ends down, alternately. The form is then raised a foot and held by placing a lashing around outside the pickets, tightened with a rack stick. (See Plate 36.) [Illustration: PLATE 36.—Forming the gabion supports.] The wattling is randed or slewed from the form up. The form is then dropped down, the gabion inverted, and the wattling completed. If the brush is small, uniform, and pliable, pairing will make a better wattling than randing. If not for immediate use, the gabion must be sewed as described for hurdles, the same quantity of wire being required. The gabion, when wattled and sewed, is completed by cutting off the tops of the pickets, 1 inch from the web, the bottom 3 inches. The latter are sharpened after cutting and driving a pairing picket through the middle of its length and a little to one side of the axis. Three men should make a gabion in an hour. Gabions may be made without the forms, but the work is slower and not so good. The circle is struck on the ground and the pickets driven at the proper points. The weaving is done from the ground up. The entire time of one man is required to keep the pickets in their proper positions. If brush is scarce, gabions may be made with 6 inches of wattling at each end, the middle being left open. In filling, the open parts may be lined with straw, grass, brush, or grain sacks to keep the earth from running out. [Illustration: PLATE 37.—Methods of use of gabion.] _Gabion Revetment._—The use of gabions in revetment is illustrated in Plate 37. If more than two tiers are used, the separating fascines should be anchored back. Gabion revetment should be crowned with sod or sandbag.