The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-06-28
/. ANSWER TO ..yARENNEs.n

must be seen before any man can make
wise and just decision, and as "Varennes'
has presented his ides. of the effect of the
stock law, propose to give him mine,
whichiis not theory, but practice, for eight
years past. Since that time 1 have kept
upon my little farm generally two COWS and
calves, two hogs, some times three, and two
good mules. During this time with ordi-
nary scrub stock, have been able to- supply
at all times q family of six with milk and
butter ir abundance, and at all times plenty
to sell at remunerative price; and in these
eight years experience not one single time
have ever lost milking by cows not being
at homeat night, and very little time lost
by either myself or hired men in getting
the cowsin their stalls ready for the milk
pail. Again, my COWS have never trespassed
upon any mans land, and should they by
accidentget through the fence, my crop was
the first to suffer, and hence good fence.
The stock law has enabled me at all times to
make suficiency of pork to supply my
family, tile smallest hog killed weighing 346
pounds, the largest SIG pounds; these each
year being purchased wherever could buy
them. The secret of this is all attributable
to fencing my stock, where they could re-
cciye regular attention at all times. 1t is
the nature of both COWS and hogs to roam,
and though they may be turned into clover
field containing fifty or more acres they will
see all sides of it each day. The result Of
such course is, that the food that should
be applied 70 the making of butter and milk
is consumed in keeping up the system.
Much moro is this the situation of COWS all
over the country, where they are allowed to
roam at will. Again, the loss of milk and
butter in this county, by COWS staying out
over night, and time spent in search of them
by the owners, is full enough each year to
keep our county fence in good repair, and
am almost ready to say build it, too.
"Varenne," says that it will oppress the
poor, some f them have no water on their
farms, other, have to go amilc twice each
day to feed, and last, il will cause them to
maui rails. An instance of oppression is
before me. 4 neighbor (and by the by a
"Varennes") )who rents small farm of one
hundred and fifty acres, which is enclosed,
and upon Which this season he says he has
split, hauled and put UP $500 rails for the
use of twenty acres of land. Can it be de-
MED that thisis oppression, to make poor
! man do that amount OF work, free of cost to
the owner? specially 30 when I tell you
that his stock consists of one COW and calf,
one mule and three or four shoats, and
nothing to feGl on in June. This law pro-
poses to assist this poor man by relieving
him, first, of splitting this enormous pile of
rails, and secondly, by allowing him to cul-
tivate this twenty acre. scattered here and
there, with perfect safety, knowing that not
only his but eyerybodys stock is fenced in,
and there is no danger.
Next, how many farmers are there in this
county who have not water on their farms
Abouttwo hundred, I suppose, in all. There
is only one in this neighborhood, as far as I
am informed, aud have endeavored to in
form myself. 3hequestion is, then, should
this small handful Of men prevent five
thousand men rom CT lying so good law?
The next hardship proposed is, this poor
man walks long distance Zone milc) to feed
each day. How many poor men are there
who own such possessions? In my eyes he
cannot be classed as poor, and should he be
q renter there will be a general pasture
for all stock. Inside Of this, there will be
division fence to separate sheep and goats,
and there will be no difficulty in that way.
This fence, instead of new, as "Varenncs"
suggested, will bs built of the old rails now
in usc of which there are sutTiciency to
last for the nextten years, without splitting
new ones. But should the old system re-
main, probablythe land owner might fence
all his land, and the greater portion of these
rails be made by the renter for the use of
the land.
But aside from all this, are we not in duty
bound as farmers to keep pace with the
world? Stop this suicidal plan of telling
the timber of orr forests, leaving none for
succeeding generations, and allowing our
selves to be pulled along in the old rut our
fathers travelled, be satisfied with dozen or
more shabby COWS and hogs, sticking close
to the rail fence for shelter from the cold
winters rains and Winds, instead of taking
pride in knowing that we have few, the
quality of each being satisfactory, and that
they are amply provided with food and a
warm shelter in all stormy weather.
Further, to provide ourselves with all ncccs-
sary labor-saving implements as fast as our
purse will warrant These things will never
be done so long as we have whole territory
enclosed at heavy tax, for the use Of a
little. PENDLETON.