When Tom Sawyer got Huckleberry Finn to paint his fence he forgot the most important part. Today, in part II of our series on fences, you'll learn how to be certain the entire fence gets painted -- so it will last for years. Here's how: When folks paint, stain or finish off a fence picket, the most commonly overlooked part is the bottom and the unfinished end. Grain on a picket sucks up water like a straw. If you doubt this, check out an old fence that's coming apart. Chances are the pickets are rotting out from the bottom. To make sure ends are properly coated, hold a small inspection mirror underneath. Had Tom Sawyer taught this trick to Huck, they would have had more time for fishing. And that's the On The House tip for today.