Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-11-24

there WAS no adverse Legislation. In his
own town there were some badly drifting
roads, and it had been proposed to induce
men TO use this fence in the worst spots.
He should advise towns to use it along
highways, 1t did not seem TO him to be
debatable question, that it was much safer
and more efficacions than any fence
known. Houses were the only animals he
had ever heal d of that ever got hurt, and
he considered it much safer than brush
fence or stone wall.
IF. Powers of Clarendon had used
the fence around his COW pasture. They
had some unruly cattle; took some barbed
wine; put up one strand against the old
fence, and had no more trouble. Ii was
AN absolute prevention against cattle
jumping, as he knew from personal ex-
perence. He knew of its scratching a
colt once. He was only hurt little, and
he never attempted to jump the fence
again. 1t was sefer for horses or cattle
than picket fence.
William G. Smith of Clarendon related
his experience with the btrbed wire fence.
1t kept cattle in their pastures and abso'
lu,ely prevented drifting, IL could be put
up quickly, and cost less than board
fence. If you put up hemiock posts
thirty or forty feet apart, three-wire
fence drawn tight would cost about fifty
cents II rod. With this fence he went TO
bed and slept easy, knowing that it
wouldn't he down in the morning, no
matter how severe the storm; and it
would last for many years, being galva
nized He had had it two years, all but
twenty-five rods Of it on the highway.
No cattle had been hurt on it yet, and
very frequently cattle were driven along
by it. Ii did not make much show, but
1t was very efficient.
W. G. Fish of Clarendon said that he
had used the barbed wire fence during the
past season. Daring the early part OF the
season his cattle had troubled him greatly
by getting out Of his pasture into his
nelghbor's. There is II river running
through the pasture, and he put two
wire fence over that and lhe cattle strayed
no more, and in another place the same
cxpedicnt worked admirably. 1t was
more efficient and cheaper than board
fence. If he was not prevented he would
bulid wire fence on his farm hereafter.
There was no comparison between wire
and board fences as to durability.
D NJ Tinkuam Of Ponlret, agricultur
al editor OF The GREEN MOUNTAIN FREE
MAN, said he had learned much of the
popularity Of the fence from his eXchan-
yes, especially western papers. He print
ed last week Il letter in favor OF its uSt
from Il correspondent of one of them
This letter was IN response to request OF
t,t.t Ia Ia
had used ii. There were in that number
four letters in favor of its use and one
tgalnsl it, The Ia ter from one who had not
used II, bu who had heard and believed
that il would inlure stock. In the west ht
believed 1t was now the popular fence
Unless lumber was very plenty, wire fence
was cheaper thtn board fence In answer
20 question of one of the committee ;ts
20 whether II board across the top wire
wouldn't leave The fence Just rs effective
he said yes, unless the animal jumped on
il. If there was board ON top OF the
.ence the animal would he more likely tc
jump over it than if there was not, but
less likely to un against it.
Henry n. Webb of Clarendon had put
up some of the fence two vines high, and
it had stopped the cattle. One big Dur
ham COW tried 10 get over it, but after
sticking her head through soon gave it up.
He had no timber on his farm, and hut
few stones, md he could put up Il birbed
wire fence much more cheaply than ii wall
or board fence. He should have no fears
of the barbs njuring cattle or horses. lie
had never seen or heard of any wire fence
with board on top of it, and should think
ii would not be as safe. Three wires were
needed for horses. Two wires would stop
yOungacattle, except calves.
Charles b. Stone of Hartford was the
next witness Ha had some of the barbed
wire In fence; some two, some three, some
four wire fence. He liked it and called it
the best fence he ever had. In his section
of the country, along the Connecticut
river, wood was scarce. and ii was often
diff to get fence materials. His barb
fence cost him fifty-one cents rod. 1t
would cost less to day. Part of his fence
was along run way for cattle and horses,
and none had ever been hurt. Its dura-
bility was apparent. Trees could be used
for posts, and that expense was saved. A,
II preventive of snowdrifts it was great
success, and there was no chance for
vermin to hide. He had had nice COW
killed on stump fence once. He gave an
Instance of II horse running with grea
force against wire fence, and it WASH I
hurt at all. He had "A son in Minnesota, 4
farmer, and he had stated to him that il
was The fence of the country. He shouldn'
want board on top of his wire fence. ]
would cost a good deal and would be of NJ
advantage. He had four wire fence alons
his sheep pasture, and no sheep had go
through or had been injured nor did it pull
out wool to any extent. Four wires wert
necessary for sheep.
Caleb Buffum of Rutland said that HI
had used some of the barbed wire fenc,
and liked it well. There was nothns
more efectual in stopping cattle than it
He had never seen nor heard of any BAG
results from it. His neighbors used i
and all spoke well of it. If he was 60
ing to build new fence he should use this
if the law allowed 1t was no NOR
dangerous than picket fence. He di,
not like the idea of putting board on lol
of the fence.
ii. N. Savage of White River Junction
had Il seven-acre lot intervale TWENTY-FIVE
rods on the highway. fenced with barbe,
fence. attached to maple trees, set tw,
years ago and tire trees had grown over it
lie dealt in cattle, and many droves o
cattle went along the highway past tn
fence. None of his cattle had ever go
out to the attic in the road, or Uice Uersd
and none OF them had got hurt. Befor
he mad the wire fence the cattle frequent
" broke down the fence and got lost,
was a Perfect preventive against cattl
stfaylng' and it was more than twice a
cheap. 1t cost him twenty seven cents
rod 1t would last rs long rs he wou
i've and then his oh ldren would take ii
lie also kept several rods of this wire on
reel Tor movable fence to put round hi
crops in order that he might let cattle int
his helds. 1t was protection agains
woodchucks, etc. If board had to b
put on top of his fence. there would hav
TO De more posts and it would not max
the wire fence rs safe. There was nc
enough to see of wire fence and cattl
would not try to jump it. They woul
try TO push through it; but board the
would try to jump.
f. G. Parker, member of the Hous
from Pownal. N. w. White of Hartford
A s. Cramton of Rutland, Willard John
son of Clarendon and w. H, H. Chapma