Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1877-07-05
Tie renee n.a,y. ,

There nre' few questions but lihre two sides
to them, but wo rarely moet enc with moro
clearly defined opposing parts than that of
fence or no fence. A great deal can bc said
on both sides, but not enough on either to
satisfy many cautious men that it is advisable
to make 80 great change as tho fencing of
stock would introduce in the agricultural
pursuits of the County. We all know fencing
is expensive, but we know, too, it is expon-
slve to feed stock during tho entire summer.
We all know that splitting rails is hard work.
but is it not hard work to plough and hoe
cradle and NOW to get something to feed your
CATTLE &C., during the summer months? 1t is
idle for mon to allegc that the pasturage in
this County is Of little value, for there are
fow sections in which dry cattle do not become
fino beef on tho range by tho lst Of July. In
1873 the returns Of real estate showed there
was Of arabic or plow lands in the County
$4,000 acres, and Of wood, uncultiyated and
marsh lands, 428 ,295 acres, showing yast
area for free range and m almost inexbausti-
BILE supply Of timber.
It may be contended that if township
should yoto that there shall bo no fences for
the crops, then the people can save feeding
their stock by enclosing pastures for them
Will limited area of pasture land furnish as
good support for stock as the wido expanse
OF uncnltivatsd land? Ir go, this would prove
a practical illustration that q piece of loaf
was more valuable than whole one. Iflarge
pastures DO enclosed for stock, how much less
would tho cost Of enclosing these pastures be
than the cost of enclosing the tllablo londsp
Would not the enclosed PASTURE cos! as much
or moro than fsnoing the crops, and would
not the pasture be less extensive and less
valuable than tho open foresta These are
questions for tho farmers.
We may theorize about grasses and improved
stock, about COW peas and yellow buttor but
the question OF fencing stock is a practical
ono, involving the highest interests of this
community, and should be thoroughly oonsid.
orod before any change is made It is oasy
to figure out thecost Of fencing and alloge that
the fencing in South Carolina costs moro than
oil tho stock in the State: Generally in such
casos fencing is put at tho highest price and
our stock is valued as for taxation at cash
prices when money'is schrto: Besides, fen
cling is and con be done at idle moments
greatly reduoingit otSt.' II is also serious
question whether with the thange less fenping
will be necessary. Wo greatly fear theori-
zing upon questions involving such moment
ons consequences rs the change Of oaf fence
Jaws. We remember too we'll tho specious
arguments by which the usury law was re !.
'poaled in 1866, and how utterly falaoious
experience has proved them to be. We
launched out upon nero theory 10 opposi-.
tion to the experience of centuries and tho
then and prcsoht usagerof our sister Statos.
The result has been disastrous TO our farming
int interests and genera! ptaspority. Tie pro.
posed fonoo laWis bolsterod up on bpeoulation,
is 'n opposition to the usage Of centuries aud
e 70 the present system IN force ID nearly Sli
tic States IN aohSform, and that, too, while