Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-07-02
Horticultural.
rwr;,,s0 FOR the Lewiston Journal. ]


Fencing f1sttsres--DttfdsHgs tttoS--H e'"'
ing Mdtertal-StoSes-LogS and Poles
Iron and Pockets Posi- and Board
WIIlotc Stakes-Ditch and Hedge.
Fencing is an important subject for the
consideration of farmers. There is avast |
outlay in Maine, annually, on fences. 1t
is shown from the census Of 1860 that
there were about "a, 900 farms in the State
containing 20 or more acres of land.
These farms, by estimate. contain some
500 rods of fence each, which gives about
100000 rods. To build these fences
anew at $50 per rod, would require an
outlay of at least S40,000,00O. This would
be tax 10 which the farmers could mol
submit. The repairs on this vast amount
of fence is large tax annually-is quite
burden. At ten cents per roc, it
amounts to S2,7OO,000. To save one half
of this sum is worthy reconsideration.
The subject Of fenciag divides itselfinto
two parts; first, the amount; secondly.
the material of fencing. In trcating these
subjects the minds eve must rest on con-
dtionS. as no general rules wiz apply to
individual cases. Ii NAV, however. be
laid down rs general rule that all
grazing lands in this State must DC fenced.
Your herds are not so large rs towarrant
the expense of herdsman. Without
fence or herdSman our cattle would be
found Just where we should not like 70
find them, if found at al.
We find in some parts of our State fields
not fenced, even on the roads. This
preSuppoSes that the community are all
quiet, peaecable, law-abiding citizens,
who secure their own rights by respecting
the rights of others But We should sleep
more secure with fields well fenced on
the road, than to trust orr own, or =
neighbor's boy TO latch the barn yard gate
or pin the bars. Farms should be fenced
on the roads, rs the fall feed would not
be available, unless horses were turned
in common after crops were harvested.
If the farmer does not partition his
tillage and NOW land, be has not that
security as though partitioned. Cattle
breaking into a large field are at once in
his corn or grain. If partitioued into
several fields, the chance is they might
not reach his more valuable crops
If fields are not partitioued, he cannot
feed his NOW land until his titled crops
are harvested If he has plenty ofpaStur
age or green fodder, he can forego his
fall iced 10 the great beuerment Of his
grass lands; As they are frequently in
jured and sometimes nearly ruined 10y
excessive feeding. We have seena farm
reduced to one-fourth its usual hay, in
one year, by droves Of sheep gnawingthe
grass into the roots. He who can save
his fall feed 70 clothe the ground Is wise
The usual and more convenient method
is to divide tillage lands into several fields,
from the considerations above mentioned.
The size of these fields must dependupon
the cheapneSs or dearneSs of fencing
material. 1.-THE farmer Is blessed with
stones to wall into -four, six or eight lots,
let be done If he have plenty ofcedar
on his land, if he can chvaply procure it,
he can fence his land into lots 70 suit his
convenience. II he have neither We
advise that his fields DC larger.
Fencing Material above provided,
abounds in a good par. ofour State. Let
It be used. Stone fen, lg is the cheapest
and most enduring ma 'risl that can lie
used
Some object TO stone 'a'ls Is taking too
much land and as a h.rbOr for weeds.
Every fence has it, border. and the extra
incumbrance i DO more than two or three
feet. Nature, in giving this endowment
of rock. foresaw this, and kindly gave
little more land in rural districts, Weeds
will accumulate about all fences. but no
longer than they are needed for the barn
ward and for melching If they be moved
in having time, or soon after, they will
die in a few years. Weeds about fences
are plague spot which the trig farmer
will dispose Of.
If the soil be moist where wall is
required. dig trench and all it with
small stones. This Will drain the land
and give a sure foundation. The thick
ness OF the wall, and whether single or
double, will depend on the amount and
size of stones. Double walls are, gener-
ally, built too steep or perpendicular.
They stand better with more slope. Walls
are built too high for profit and strength.
One four feet high will stop common
cattle ard horses. No wall viii stop
rowing sheep, unless tcp-poled. Sheei',
however. are being discarded in the long
settled portions of the State. The soil is
becoming too old, and other stock Is
required as more profitable.
The farmer who has abundance of this
stone material upon his land, and will not
remove it from contact with the pillow,
harrow, hoe and scythe, is sluggard,
and does not deserve the dignided appel
lation, farmer He is unworthy of our
friendship. For this significant reason
We have some few less friends. One addi'
tional reason in favor ofstone wallsis, the
facility it affords for planting fruit trees.
Fruit trees upon the east or south side OF
stone wall will do bettertha else situated,
other conditions being equal.