The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1873-01-29
Farm, Garden and Household.
From the Coiumbia Carel.niar. -
Something for Farmers.
"FENCING STOCK VS.. FENCING
CROPS"

Nr. Ealtor.-There is perhaps no
subject deserving more considera-
tlon by the law makers Of this State,
than that of our system of fencing
the fence laws. It is we'll wor-
thy, also, Of the earnest attention
of-our agriculturists. For the
first time ID the history the
State, there is likely to be a. effec-
tive organization Of this interest,
through the Patrons ofHusbandry,
the courtyard State societies, and
neighborhood clubs, and there is a
prospect, also, of our taking step
forward in this vastly important
department Of industry.
1t has always been a matter of
surprise to me that planters and
farmers could never be induced
actharmoniousis. Agriculture
has been and is still the very fouu-
dation stone Of our prosperity or
poverty ir proportion as it is intel
hgently or otherwise conducted.
And yet it has been impossible,
heretofore 10 secure that co-opera-
tive action among agriculturists
so essential to successful develop
ment.
Lawyers and doctors have their
'associations" for the advancement
Of scientific knowledge, and the
regulation of fee bills and a proper
standard Of ethics in their protes-
sions. The mechanics have their
''unlons" for the mutual protection
of their individual and collective
interests. Manufacturers, brokers
bankers, factors, and merchants
have their boards of trades, cham
bers Of commerce and exchanges
for the effective execution of what
ever will best promote their re-
spective wants. Rail roads oper-
ate through corporations and CO.
operate with each other ia the
regulations. Of tariffs. schedules,
and other things which coaduce to
the protection Of the whole.
Whereas, Agriculturists, the back
bone ofthem all, l,strugglein eindividual-
against these strong combinations,
and consequently have been little
more than "hewers of wood and
drawers .of~water" for them~all.e !
Thissis allswrong. The existence
ofslavery at the South prominent
ly developed the Individuality of
the master. He was strong and
independent, and could act effec-
lively alone, but with the destruc-
tion Of this institution, this isolat-
ed strength Of individuals was
partly paralyzed for seperate ac-
tion.E : - r - I
1t has, nevertheless, endeavored |
to maintain itself against the con-
solldating combination, co-opera-
tive tendency Of age, and by no
Set OF men more than the. farmers
and planters. Accustomed to per-
independence, not only Of each
other, but Of the rest ofthe world;
they acknowledge the pressure of
the "new regime with difficulty
they find it hard to get their con-
semitic acc with anybody, to con-.
suit or defer to anybody, in the
matter Of promoting the general
welfare and progress ofagriculture
as a whole.
Nothing is more natural. Ev-
cry manwho has owned slaves and
worked them feels it; but he who at
te,npts to pursue the policy it agri-
culture which belonged to the
regime Of slavery is beating the
air with idle strokes. He must
now unite with bis neighbors, and
there must pulling together of
the agricultural interests. 50 that
when the cotton spectators Of
Nall-strect combine 10 "bear" the
price of their product. below its
table value, he must be prepared
With his neigbbors to combine to
keep it off the market. until its
proper market value is.recognized.
And when the rail road com bina-
tion proceeds to charge him two
dollars bale, when one would be 4
fair rate for the transportation Of
his cotton, he must be in a condition
t. combine against this injustice,
and either withhold the freight or
provide other means Of transporta- !
.iou-and so on. -
In other words, if the brain, cap ]
tai. tact and energy Of the State
ire seversto be made progressive :
and effective, it must be united
and harmonized, as we'll in agri-
:ulture as anything else. DO the r
FRANCES, organized under the aus
'ices Of the Patrons Of Husbandry, ,
propose to accomplish this? Can
hey do SO? Ifyes; then a great
york has been accomplished by
hem. Among other important
uh.iects which should occupy their +
ttentlon, none there is, perhaps, y
5 | have remarked, which is more '<
worthy Of earnest consideration Il
han Our system of fencing ia ia
\ hen We come to calculate the Ell
expenses of "these unproductive .
Monuments Of art" we become p
tartled at their extravagant pro- g
OrtiOns IN