Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-12-03
Agricultural.


barbed wire Eehsss
We are not aware that the barbed wire
fence has. as yet, been used to any great ex-
tent in this part Of the state, but it is coming
largely into use in some sections, and, wher-
ever introduced il is condemned by some as
endangerng man and beast, and defended by
others as au effective and substantially harm
less fence. That animals attempting to
break through it are liable to cruel punish
ment for their offence is evident to any one
who has ever seen this fence, but il is claim
ed that most cattle have sufficient discretion
to perceive the consequences and govern
themselves accordingly. If a COW thinks she
knows better where she belongs than her
keeper, the barbed fence has a tendency to
correct her sell. concet. The world is still
governed somewhat by the punishment of
transgrcssors, though it shocks our humane
feelings to have them hurt. This question
has been discussed at length in the agricul-
tural papers, many writers denouncing the
.barbed wire fence as cruel and barbarous,
without meaning any pun, while as many
recommend il as cheap and effective barri-
er against cattle, not liable to seriously in
jure them.
This is a matter of especial interest at this
time, two bills having been introduced into
the legislature, one prohibiting the construc-
ton or maintenance of barbed wire fence on
the line of any highway, or railroad, or any line
between adjoining owners without mutual
consent and the other providing that who
ever has, or shall erect barbed wire fence,
either along the highway or between land
owned by different persons, shall fasten to
the top wire along its whole length, or ex-
tend from post to post and permanently
maintain in that position, a board not less
than four inches in width, for the purpose of
preventing domestic animals from injuring
themselves by running against the same.
At public hearing before both the House
and Senate committees, to whom these bills
were referred, Senator Dana of Addison said
that he wished to make some suggestion in
regard to House bill 2j9, which he knew
wonld meet the hearty appreciation of his
constituents some of whom had had valuable
horses injured by its use along highways.
Three had been very seriously injured in the
immediate neighborhood of his own residence
during the past summer, although there was
but little of it in use The legislature would
not probably interfere with the erection of
wire fence on a mans own land. or between
farmers, if both owners agreed but its use
ought to be prohibited along the lines of
highways
A large number of witnesses favorable to
this fence and opposed to any law restricting
its use were brought before the committees
Darius Horton of Mt. Holly testified that he
had several rods of the fence-some 80 or 60
rods between two pastures two wires high.
He liked it well, and so did the land owner
on the other side. 1t was safer than stone
wall. Cattle iumpeda stone wall he had and
got hurt, while they did not attempt 10 jump
the barbed fence. He had never seen cattle
or horses get through barbed wire fence.
The first he put up was some 60 rods of line
fence. He had some 40 head on his side, and
his neighbor had some 10 head Animals
never jumped it. 1t was cheap fence. He
had also 100 rods running through the wood,
and he used but few posts. He fastened it
on the trees. 1t didn't drift any where there
was barbed fence and the brush cut down.
Cattle got through the old-fashioned wire
fence and broke it down. The barbs gave the
fence its power. They were about an inch
long. The Washburn d Moen Company Of
Worcester was making the barbs shorter he
did not like that SO well. Ifhe couldn't have
the barb he didn't want the fence. For
sheep you have got to have two or three
more wires nearer the ground. In answer
to a question by Mr.. Strong of Ben
son, he said that it might do to use short
barbs and have them thicker than they are
now. part of his were three wires high
over four feetin height-and that made nice
fence. He would feel safer with this fence
between pastures for cattle and horses than il
there was q board fence or stone wall. II,
had a piece of stone wall between pastures
and he intended to put barbed wire fence
on top of it in the spring. He had no inter
est in the sale of the fence. In comparison
with spruce board fencing, the wire fence
three wires high through an open lot wher'
posts had to be set, was much cheaper. 1
cost about 80 cents a rod. Good board fenc,
costs about dollar q rod.
The barbed wire is coming to be used ex
tensively as a fencing material for railroads
1t was stated before the committee that NOR
than half the distance from Rutland to New
York was fenced with it. 1t has been useC
to fence railroads to some extent in this state
1t has been reported, we do not know by
what authority, that it is to be used to fenc
the Brattleboro & Whitehall railroad. W
believe there has been no proposal to max
the owner of such fence built on the high
way, or on the line between different owners
liable for injuries caused by the barbs, but
seems to us that, if there is to he any restric
ton put upon the use of such fence, thi
would be sufficient 1t may be questioned
perhaps, whether any legislation would b
necessary to make the owner of the fence Ii
able for damages in case of injury to anoth
er's property.