Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-07-29
A RIOULTU RAJ
Fences and Fencing.

Though this is not the season Of the year for
building fences, yet it is the time when farmers
are most reminded of the necessity for good
enclosures. When stock breaks int field
where the corn or eats are 1uxuriant, or wheat
or the barley is ripening for the harvest, the
farmers is painfully reminded that little ad-
ditional precautiou would have saved the L.
Dor Of weeks or months.
One thing connected with fencing is in time
now, viz all timber for rails or posts should
be cut during this or next month while the
sap is flowing freely. Little time can q oW be
spared, it is true, but little time only is re-
quired to merely fell the trees.
Another suggestion we make, that it does not
pay TO keep money invested in from twenty
to ffty acres Of wood land merely for fuel and
fencing, especially Whsrs the land is worth Gf-
ty dollars per acre, as it is 10 many portions
of these central States. Thirty acres sink
$3.50 dollars per year beside the taxes that are
annually paid amounting usually to from twenty
10 thirty dollars on that amount Of land.
But you say you must have rail timber and
fuel. As to fuel there are many phases where
coal can be had at low rate and wherever
it can be obtained within twenty-five cents
per bushsl, the cost is light in contrast with
the expense Of keeping wood land for the pur-
pose. The expense Of cutting the wood
amounts to nearly as much as coal would at
twenty-five cents a bushe -
Few have any idea of the economy OF coal
fuel when all things are taken into considera.
ton. 1t is, to be sure, more pleasant to burn
wood in a cooking stove, but for this a small
wood lot would be sufficient. These remarks.
of course, do not apply to regions whSre land
is comparatively cheap, timber of little value,
and clearing still gsiDg on. .
Then. as to fencing, we are fully Of the opiu-
ion that in regions where land is of great val.
ue and timber profitable, the old fashioned
worm fence is tee expensive to be tolerated af-
ter the present supply of rails shall have been
exhausted. We recommend boards for all
new fences. IF you cut your timber at ihe
right time and set good sound, well seasoned
posts Of fine grained oak, with the top end
down, they will last until you can grow locusts
of sufficient size for posts which will enduie
for a lifetime Plant five acres with locust
seed, and in twenty-five years you will have
posts enough for yeur own use, and derive a
large annual profit from their sale, provided
laud owners generally do not raise them
You will get posts sooner than that, but for
the greatest prsft it were best to let then
grow for that length of time. The locust grove
will then furnish all the limb that may be
needed for your kitchen. With these data you
could easily count up the profit Of clearing aP
your wood land, selling the timber, cultiva-
ting your land, planting your locusts and buil-
ding board fence. Your timber will fur
nish all the lumber needed, and leave the prin-
cipal portion for market. ual.a. 44
If you have plenty Of farming land outside
of your wood lot, you can sell Sf some of II,
increase the number of people ia your nSigh-
borhoOd, improve your social and educational
advantages therby, and make money at it b.
side ...
We would not advise any one to slash down
his beautiful grsve with vandal hand. There
is nothing more agreeable than natural
grove near a house. II you have such, reserve
several acres for the adornment of the home
stead and shelter. II your woodland Il far
away, plant grove Of all sorts Of trees near
your buildings, and If you do not live to ses .
forest your children may or il you or they
wish to sell, the value Of your farm would Os
enhanced. =