Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1881-12-07

Editor Claiborne Guardian:

trust it will not be cossidsred inoppor-
time, egotistic or presumptuous in me to
pen few thoughts for the consideration
Of the readers Of the Guardian.
While there is no political excitement,
no agitation or disturbance from any
cause, and while quictude and sober
thought possess the minds Of the people,
is 1t not a favorable time for meditation,
discussion, and interchange of thoughts
upon subjects Of vital interest to all the
people Of our parishi
In view Of this l would introduce the
subject Of Stock Law, as it is termed.
This implies the abolishment Of farm
fences, or rather a reversion OF the system
N regards the use of fences, and instead
Of fencing stock out, az is and has been
the custom, fence them in.
At first view this may startle few az
being new tangled project that will not
stand the test Of practical experiment.; il
80 do not pass judgment until you have
carefully investigated all the bearings up
ON the subject, pro and con, then favor The
plan that affords the greatest good to the
largest number.
The present condition Of most of the
fences throughout the parish is very bad
to say the least Of il. and probably would,
If reset all over the parish, fall short Of a
legal fence by fifty per cent, and it is get
ting worse every year; hence the increase
OF destruction to crops by the intrusion Of
stock which il natural consequence
This should be stopped, not by dispensing
with all stock. for il il absolutely TO the
interest of the farmer to rails, his own
supply Of meats.
Shall We then 60 to work TO build good
fencos! ] answer no for various reasons.
list In many places timber is getting
scarce, and rails would be to haul a long
and particularly along the
streams where the best and largest plan
tations are located. 2nd. There ar, mupv
large fields worn ont aud wonld not re-
for cultivation, yet there are in
them many spots Of u few acres In place
that is good, even rich and wonld Weld
abundant crops, besides there are many
hooks aud CORNERS of choice land thar
could be- cultivated proitably that would
not justify If they had TO he fenced. Bird I.
that the fences are all 10 be- /
made sufficiently good, and kept 80, all .
'ver the parish Ia prevent degradation by .
tock, and "A careful aud correct estimate
II cost OF the same Ia be made: then sell .
III the cattle, hogs, sheep aud goats in the
PARISH, would the proceed. of sale cover
he cost If fences! think NOT.
Each andcvcry farm, as general rule, il
Implied with stock in proportion to it's
izc. There are, however. exceptions TO this
nl"' for som" are over stocked, which is
nd policy.
There are more than rails enough on
very farm to inclosc pastures amply suff.
tent for the stock of the slnc Pence
Id fields, wood land. branch and creek
"ttoms aud meadow lands, turn Your
WI stock in, and keep them there. isolat.
i from Your neishbors' stock. BY this
leans yon can easily improve your stock
nd have immediate contrib of them all
he time. You will then have no use for
ild or scrub stock, which always cost
ore than their real value.
Any farmer can, with industry and a
tile economy, raise all the supplies need.
for the use of his family from v,ar =,
'ar; and after all, this is the secret of 7
cccss, and is the direct road 10 rrnspcri.
, happiness and independence.
II may he claimed that a Stock Law
hnld antasonizc the interests Of the
rodnIrn. Not at all. hut on the contra.
, 1t would be conducive To their interest
well ~ t" that of the whites. for any
rincr that wants the colorcd mans labor
'nld not object To hi' fencing pasture -,
his stock aud having the Use of the
me- ~ hong lis he remains and works ON
place. "
II" expense ut building aud keeping IN :.
III fences Is enormous and always has
'h heavy burden To the farmer, and
ght strictly bc termed AN annual rent
noticed recently an estimate Of the ..
It of building and repairing farm fences :.
tins state for the Year lS7g. The fr.
- stood sl,is2l lei Now divide this
10y -, the number Of parishes in the
t"' and we have the snug little sum Of -,
'o5'-a sum largely in excess of the =,
''sll taNes-pcrhaps two or three times
great. "'
an we not rid ourselves Of at least a !,
siderable portion of this unnecessary ~
'ense' and profit thereby think with ~