The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-02-21
The Fence Law.

The Fence Law
We are pleased to learn that those who at hrst
were violently opposed to the new Fence Law
and expressed determination not to abide by +
its provisions, are beginning to think aHd net [
more reasonably and discrcetly in the niatter.1
Many of its opposers now tell us they are will
ing to give it fair trial, and then, If it is not
beneficial 10 the County they will unite in n |
call upon the Legislature to repeal it. This is
the right spirit and we believe it will become
general.
AS we have said before, no doubt the law will
work hardship to some. This expected,
rs it would be impossible TO frame any law to
suit all conditions of tho people. We have no
censure for those who oppose it now. All we
ask of them is TO give it trial; they may ind
il blessing in disguise.
Those who have pastures, either natural or
cultivated, should be liberal and accommodating
to those who have not these advantages, until
the latter are able to prepare their own pas
lures.
This new law, in our opinion, will bring
ahent p .asy and more profitable system of farm.
to diversity their farm products. Under its
operation the cereals, grasses and stock, will
receive more attention. These products will
make the farmers more independent and pros
porous, and expedite that desirable result which
even the all-cotton farmers acknowledge would be
the greatest blessing that could befal the cot
ton growing section, viz: make the farms pro-
duce oil the necessary food for man and beast,
leaving the cotton crop TO bring the profit in
cash.
The difficulty is in getting farmers to test n
new system. While large majority acknowl-
edge that the change would be beneficial but
few are willing to blaze the way. They don't
know how to commence, and are 10th to adopt
any plan that will not like cotton, close up
the years transactions by the lst of December,
and allow them to 'loaf around' from that
time till about the middle of March, leaving the
stock to take care of themselves and hunt their
own food from any ones land they can get up.
on. The result of the present system is, on,
farmers keep at the rate of five head of hal
starved cattle where. they should only keep ono
good one. In other words, by the present
system most of our farmers keep five times
as many cattle Us would DO necessary and
profitable if the stock was improved and prop
erly cared for.
All the preparation necessary TO meet the re
quiremcnts of the new law can be completed by
| next Fall in the mean time those who favo,
the law and have pastures should be lenient and
accommodating to those who have not pas
: lures and could not prepare them in prope,
time. We must not condemn and abuse those
who oppose the law, but rather lead them {,
respect it Inv ASSISTING them in prepurinu fn,
its requirements.
Every man has right to entertain and ex
press his opinion upon the good or bad effects
OF the law. 1t is an untried departure from tn,
teachings and customs of farming in which ever,
farmer in Union has been educated, and it i.
but natural that many believe it will be oppres
sive and an innovation upon certain rights ani
privileges which they have so long enjoyed
Experience alone will convince them that tn,
benefits to be derived from the law will greatly
outweigh its restrictions and disadvantages
Let us not abuse those who oppose it but encour
age them to join in and give the experiment {
iair trial If it is good thing they will b,
won over to its adoption, if it prov to be NOR,
injurious than gooi, we will go with them 70,
its repeal. The law is rs much in force as an,
other law upon the Statute books, and oil law
abiding citizens should, and we have no doub
will, respect it.