The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1854-08-10
For TIE Gazette.
FENCES.
Mr.. EDITOR:

61NS6c4
Mr. EDITOR:
In country like Iowa,
where material is 50 scarce and where the
soil is 50 prolific, the subject o. fences is
one ,ha; becomes OF paramount consider
alton to the landhullsss and asriculturists.
Few men WIN have not thought en- the
subject realize the great oppression which
being compelled TO fence is upon men. es-
pecially the poor Indeed few men are
Nicholas B:diie, i'll an address before al
Agricultural Society Of Philadelphia, esti
mated the cost of fences IN that State at
SIoG 900 900, and the annual expense OF
keeping them in repair ct Slo,oae,o oe.
This is much more than the entire tax-ays.
fire fold. Burnap, writer Of much celeb
rity on the subject Of National Wealth, thus
speaks in regard TO fences: Strange as il
may seem, the greatest investment in this
country, the most costly production OF hu-
man industry, is the common fence which
divides the fields from the highways and
separates them one from another. No man
dreams tha. when compared with the outlay
FOR these unpretending monuments of art,
cur cities and our towns with all their
wealth are left far behind"
Every farmer can estimate their cost for
himself, and when if is done he viii think il
strange that the fence oppression is not
abolished Were it not for the enslayement
to which old ideas and gray beard practices
subject the mind. i, would be a subject from
which society would easily rid itself-an in
cubus that would be quickly thrown off.
Progress is slow when il has to encounter
in lis march idaas and practices which many
regard as sanctifed b. time. Honest and
sensible men are often found who scarcely
dare to think or act differently from their
( fathers.
/ The United States and Great Britain are
\ the only countries where men are obliged
70 fence to protect th.ir crops from their
neighbours stock. France, Italy and Ger
many have no fences, or are not compe He'd
10 fence. Every one from a few moments
reflection can see that it is very grieyous
oppression in this country, where material
/ for fencing are go scarce and high. to be
under the necessity Of fencing against the
! dcpredations of the neighbors' cattle
VIVA; right have they thus to tax himl
/ When thIs country was but spaFseiy set
tied and timber was abundant for all who
were here, then the nee essity for abolishing
fences was not so pressing Now when the
whole country is required for settlement
and cultivation, the matter is felt and il is
only question Of time when the law dis
pensing with fences shall be adopted. II
may be deferred, but to this complexion it
VIII come a; last, and wisdom would dictate
its immediate adoption, The .fence oRpfss-
stoa must give way.
Ia the fact that in many localities hogs
and sheep are no longer commoHers, we be-
bold the march Of improvement. This is
one step gained and the matter will extend
s,ill farther until every man who owns
stock is compelled to take care Of it himself.
( II IS but simple justice. This country would
double It's already rapid strides Of improve
ment by the adoption ofthe policy advocated.
4 Many who come here are not able TO fence
aud many are prevented from coming be-
cause of their inability TO fence. The grea,
amount Of tiGbcr demanded for fencing
enhances the price Of fuel and building ma.
;erial5 and Expresses the poor in that way.
The fencing o. land costs not less than So
per acre. In this county we have perhaps
I NJ. less than 100000 acres yet to fence.
1 This will cost 100000. Ii the fence op-
preston were done away with. the waste
lands would be- enhanced in price nj the
rate Of s. per acre, 20 that every man who
owns $50 acres Of wild land has direct AM
immediate interest Of $500 in this matter
Should you be pleased to give our views a
place we win follow the subject farther in
7 some succeeding numbers. PH!Lo.
I Davenport, Aug. 7th, 1854.