The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-12-12
COMMUNICATION.
Mr.. EDITOR

!, | Mr.. EDIroR-
1t is a noteworthy fact that the
subject of Fences is engaging the
attention of our planters, and it will
be an especially noteworthy event 70,
them, when intelligent legislation
shall come to their aid, and relieve
them from the burdens of a system
which, while it taxes to the utmost
their abilities to comply with it, af.
fords in return no substantial relief.
This system is the relic of past
age, of a past which has little in
common with the conditions existing
at present, and about the only argu-
ment which it's advocates can advance
in its favor is the antiquity of the
practlce-"We've always had fences
and can't get along without them"
In the earlier history of every
country, the great trouble expert
enced by the farmers is due to the
superabundance Of timber. TIL e
earth is covered with the growth of a
primeval forest. The art of clearing
away this growth is the great diff
Guilty. That of fencing offers none,
as the material is at hand, and must
be disposed of in that way, or burnt.
Being the most convenient, it will be
easily understood, that the farmer of
that period would prefer to fence in
bis crops, and allow his stock to
roam at will. AS the breadth of
cleared land increased, and the scar
city of timber became greater, the
benefits of this practice would de-
crease, until finally the same argu.
ments, convenience and profit which
caused its adoption, would urge its
abandonment.
Advocating, as do, the complete
abandonment of the present system,
it is incumbent on me to show that
another can be adopted, not only
better adapted to the condition of
our agriculturists, but more profit
able in its results. 1t is this: Let
each planter, making an estimate of
the ano n, of bis stock, set apart
suitable land, convenient to water.
which shall be devoted exclusively
to pasturage. This land should be
we'll fenced, and divided, if thought
proper, into suitable lots, for the con-
of the various kinds of
stock. Let this land be sown with
grasses of the most approved varie-
lies, and further, if deemed necessa-
", let it be sub-divided, so that the
several lots could be alternately pas.
;ured. With the exception of neces.
'ary roadside fences, DO away with
all other plantation fences. This is
The plan. What are it's advantages?
l. The present cumbersome and
expensive system of plantation fen
ling can be entirely dispensed with.
2. Fuel could be made of all the
ails, except enough to enclose the
pasture lots.
3. The labor and expense Of fen ,
ing could then be turned to the i'm
'rovement of the soil, the purchase
If improved implements and to the s
and erection of ,
buildings.
4. By this system more attention
you'd be devoted to stock raising. !
took would be better provided tor.
nd consequently new and better
took would be raised. a
B. By this system, manure from S
he stock would be saved and con- {
entrated. In this way the poorest a
and could be enriched in short
me, and thus the value of the farm t
ould be gradually and surely e
lcreased. e
6. BY this system all the annoy- e.
noes and losses sustained by the 2
epre 'ations Of stock, annually =,
mounting to thousands of dollars, u
ould be saved. There would be
ore harmony among neighbors,
wer disputes among the negroes, II
I'd a great saving to the people in G.
le way of diminished taxes, be. a,
use the opportunities to commit J.,
lme would be greatly lessened, if ~ =
It entirel y done away with. CT
7. The lands in cultivation could Of
greatly improved by this system. ar
anters could safely SOW their fields h.
tn peas and other green crops, -.
'ich, if done now, is only Offering 'e
creased temptations to stock.
!nds would not, as now, be nearly <,>
med by the trampling of stock y
ring the winter and wet months. TO
That these advantages would in tit
itably follow the adoption of the CO
stem, | think no intelligent and H.
r-minded planter will deny. If -"
then, why should not stock law Az
passed, requiring every owner of b.
e stock to keep his stock upon his Sc!
n premises9 This done, any land
lder could adopt the system at
&c. Those who would not provide g.
% pasturage for their stock would III
We to abide the consequences, as on
~ do now; those who did other of
Sc would reap the benefits. no
Looking at the question abstractly, ~
1ple justice requires that every "
ner of stock should keep his stock
his own farm. Suppose A. and
own farms joining each other. to
owns no stock, or if he does, tbs
'ps them up, B. owns stock and Sts