Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-08-04
AGRICULTURAL.
From tie NJ G. Plaster.
Fencing.

Fencing.
Mr.. PLANTER: 1t seems 10 me that this
subject has been too much neglected, by the
farmers and law.makcrs Of our State. The
present system oC fencing in the crops, and
turning out the stock, RS pursued in n. O.,
has cost the State an enormous amount that
might have bcea avoided by fencing in the
stock inbtead Of the crops. As proof of my
statement | will make a calculation of the
cost, Of the present system, to the small
county Of Person which is but 20 miles
square, making 400 square miles. If we al
low two and u half yards to each PANEL,
there will be required to build a fence one
mile long, ten rails high with stakes and ri
ders, 9l52 rails which valued at one and a
half cents each, including trouble Of making
and keeping the fence in good repair,
amounts to $l3J -.
doubt not, that it will be admitted, that
q well regulated farm Of ono mile square, or
$50 acres, will require { miles of fence. "A
Of outside and 3 of cross iencing.) But the
outside fence being generally made to en-
close farms Oh either side Of it, will reduce
this to about 5 miles to each $40 acres.-
And as the county might be divided into 400
tracts Of this size, it will be found necessary
to keep 1000 miles Of fence ; which multi
Piled by Sl37 Is, makes 1914, $50. Now
suppose it necessary to keep one third, or
IS, 1888 acres Of this land out Of cultivation,
to supply rail timber; this valued at IS per
acre, gives SG32, 6Gt to which add cost of
building fehce, and wo have ms the whole
cost 1857 ,224.
We will from this deduct such expenses
as would he necessary, if the system were SO
changed that each farmer be required to keep
up his stock. Should there be proper attend
ton paid to raIsing Glove or and grass, | I'M
agine une.ffth Oi the fence now in use, would
be amply sufficient To make all the necessary
pasture fences fer stock. THIS, then, would
leave us 400 miles OF fence still to be kept
up, at au expense Of $j4, 0l2. Notwithstaud-
ing We now have n Use for but one. fifth the
rail timber we formerly did, l will allow one
third, or 2S,444 acres Of the land now in
woods to remain, 10 supply tue farm with
timber this at IS per acre, amounts to
1927 .552, to which aud expense Of making
fence, and we have as the cost Of the plan
that 1 propose, $685. AGA, which deducted
from the cost Of the plan now pursued, will
show Il nett saving Of $674, $50 to the county
Of Person. And il must be borne in mind,
that at each succeeding time that it becomes
necessary to renew tic fence, the enormous
taxor $780, 46 viii be again hoaped upon us
this being the difference IN the cost Of build
ing fences under the two systems. And there
- ....l L.. - GD7 10E 80 .n ~.
land that you are now unable to bring int
cultivation. Perhaps there is not more thar
half the quantity of fence kept up in tn
county, that | have supposed should he, bu
this does not affect the calculation at all
the position | have assumed be correct,
should he built without delay for every ma
Who has any experience in farming, know
IL is much more profitable to cultivate Ian
that is well fenced, than that which is NO
~ the damage done your crops by stoc
would far Uverbalauce the cost Of buildir
che fence.
Some may oppose this new plan becau
thew prefer turning their stock upon I
woods rang. (llere let me ask, is it 20
own woods you wish to turn your stock in
or your nCighbOrs y If it is your own a
YOU prefer that your stock run IN the WOO,
We raise no objection but would advise y
M q matter Of economy, to fence in W
woods for pasturage your timber is at
place YOU want the fence, and there wol
be no loss Of time in hauling it several mil
as YOU would have to do were you to fence
your farm, nor would there be any use in
woods for cross fences, which would b
clear saving Of no iuconsiderable amount
Neither would your stock, tbeing confr
BY your fenee) continue to 20 astray, 9
tempt the vagabOnds Of our land who
too lazy to woik for an honest living, to Il
them into quarters. But if you have
wood land, | ask in the name of mora
and honesty, what right have you to t
your stock upon other peoples land, to
come a pest TO the community.
But ! think there is q much better plai
keeping stock, than in the woods, and at
trouble and expense. If you will inc
two lots Of ten acres each, and SOW Il
down in grass and clever. i think l
safely say, tho stock raised on those two
will be worth at the end Of two years,
per cent more than what you now raise
500 acres Of woodland.
A few days ago one Of my %neighbors
me that ON mn enclosure Of II Or Is a,
there we're "A or 3 acres well stuck
clover, upon which about 40 hogs, &c