Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1863-10-24
Garmet 8 Uolnmu,
FENCING.
.nad renees make Bad Neirhbors,,-old sapire


.Bad Fences make Bad Neighbors"-old Sdgirg
Being larmer, and living surrounded
by others of like occupation, have been
enabled to see and experience some of the
unpleasant consequences and trials, as
we'll as pleasures and comforts, Of the til
ler OF the soil. But [ am led to conclude
that many OF the farmers difficulties and
yexations may be attributed to his own
carelessness and thoughtessness' One
great source of loss and vexation in every
neighborhood arises from cattle, sheep and
hogs breaking into the enclosures, and
eating and destroying the crops that the
farmer has been at so much labor and ex
pense to raise. II the stock performing
these mischievous tricks are his own, he
is apt to give thom a severe whipping (if
he can each them and then complain Of
his i'll luck and blighted prospects If
they belong to his neighbor, the cones
uuences often are the laming or other in
jury TO the depredators, harsh language,
quarrclling, lawsuits, and permanencc en-
nifty between neighbors, and unnecessary
breaking up Of the peace of communities.
am not surprised at this state of things
when / look around and see how these
things are brought about. A man clears
piece of woods on the edge Of his farm,
he does not think it worth while to put
permanent fencn around it, SO he cuts
down few bushes and trees around the
edge of it, and calls it bush fence
While the leaves stay on and it can scarce
ly be seen through, it appears to be a Sc
cure protection to the crop, and perhaps it
answers the purpose while the first crop is
growing; but presently the leaves fall off
and the brush rots or settles down, and
then holes or low places are found, inyit.
ing the entrance of any animal that may
happen to be about; they at once destroy
the crop, and are taught to scramble, and
jump and steal, whenever they have an
opportunity. Another is building per-
manent fence perhaps uses crooked rails
near the bottom, leaving the spaces too
wide bet tween them, encouraging every
hog to insert his nose and secure anything
that may be growing near, each time fore
ing his head further and further, till the
hole becomes large enough for his en-
trance; or the rail is broken in the at
tempt, when in he goes followed by all.
grunters, great and small, in the vicinity,
and the result may be better imagined
than described. Another in putting NY a
worm fence is very careful to build it
close and neat, but in setting the stakes
don't but them deep enough in the ground,
and the first strong wind that rises, or
person that climbs over; the stakes fly
up, and the riders, and probably half the
rallies, fall down, leaving the field open to
every depredator. Another has his fen.
ees strong aud close, and supposes evory-
thing secure, but allows weeds and bushes
to grow along them. Cattle are thereby
induced to reach over or through them to
get few bites, in doing which the whole
weight of the beast is thrown on the fence
TO enable it to reach as far as possible
(and how few fences are able to support
the weight ofa large OK or cow,) down
comes the fence and in walks the animal,
TINS learning it to throw or break down
any barrier that may be placed between
it and good feed, and making that best
to the community, Oreachy beast.
In places where timber is plentiful, log
fences are sometimes made, affording no
protection against sheep, who can easily
jump on to the logs and then down the
other side. Sometimes for the least troub-
lie, farmer will put up worm fence
made of green hard wood poles, these in
about four years will become completely
rotten, exposing the crops, and making ii
necessary to build new fence altogether.
Others lay out garden patch, manure,
till, and plant it with the greatest care,se-
curing it with good rail or board fence,
expecting to supply their table with its
delicacies. Everything seems to favor
their prospects when, 10! their own or
their neighbors chickens, turkeys, ducks,
or geese, walk (or rather ay) in and ap.
Dropriate all to their own use. Now it is
welll known that picked fence is neces,
sary to keep out fowls. These are few
ofthe many mistakes made in enclosing
our grounds, by which we suffer much
loss and Disappointment. The remedies
are simple. Whether your fences are
brush, logs, slab-worm, post and rail,