Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-03-06

SCARBoRo, March A Editor Mognanq NetcS:
AS the time is drawing near for our county to
cast its votes upon the all-absorbing question
of Fence or No Fence" will you permit me
through the columns OF your excellent journal
to speak word of warning to the many who
are urging this test at the polls. l am farm
er, having spent the greater portion Of mylife
near this pleasant little village,
And as we all take the NEWS
Everyone will see my views
1t is a well established fact that a good
farmer invariably has a good fence. 1t is alb
solutely necessary that he should have it, for
as a class good farmers generally have good
stock, and If they do not keep their fencing
repaired and in good condition. it would be dis
astrous to the various young crops. few
days since we had occasion to pass through
the plantation of one of our most successful
planters. We noticed that the corners of his
fences. on both SIDES. had recently been cleaned
of all rubbish On the inside of the field it was
broadcasted to fertiize the soil. and on the
out-ide little heap of it was made about two
feet distant, precaution against the fires that
are so common in our woods at this season of
the year. All decayed rails had been replaced
by new ones, and as it was early in the morn
ing the jubilant songs of the plowman
could be hea rd as he was preparing his land
for the planting season. Everything we saw
wore an aspect Of beauty and loveliness as an
evidence of the reward of thrift and industry.
This gentleman we know to be one OF the most
ardent advocates for the fence law In our
county.
About three miles further on and we arrived
at the place of another farmer who everybody
knows, but very few know where he lives or
rather stays We saw about twelve or
fifteen acres in an enclosure. close
investigation proved the fence to be
between six and seven rails high. 1t was
necessary to look closely, for the weeds grass,
bushes and briars, were so much higher than
the fence that it could scarcely be seen at ALI
Large holes were visible and we saw hogs Jump
ing Ia and out through them An old broken
plow was lying out in the field, evidently
it, resting place since last season.
We wished to see him on bu aness so we rode
10 In frost Of what had once been a neat resi-
dence, but now was nothing but q decayed
mass of debris. We at first saw no signs of
life at all except two or three old hens who
were making frantic efforts to provide for their
young broods whose pitiful cries Of hunger
could be distinctly heard. A poor dog growled
at me, but he was apparently too weak TO bark.
hailooed two or three times. and. finally, the
mo fence man" crawled forth from his hole
and began Rrumbling about the spurious COM
mercial fertilizers hat were being imposed
upon himself and friends.
You may think, Mr.. Editor. that we have
given you an exaggerated statement of the
differences between the two men, but if it was
only possible for you to remain few days in
our neighborhood and converse with our
farmers, you would at once unhesitatinglv
disabuse your mind of the thought You
would find unquestionable evidences on every
side corrohorating what we have said. You
would hnd the man who hangs around the
country stores on Saturday. and very often
the greater portion of the week is spent there.
begging credit whiting pine bark, and wait
ing for some one to ask him to take a drink, to
he Invariably a no nee man" He COM
plains of the drought says it is too dry to plow,
and he goes fl hing While on the other hand
you will find the successful farmer at home at
tending to his business if necessary at the
plow handles welding the hoe. It never
gets too dry for him to ,plow. for he knows
that it is by this means alone that the surface
can be made to retain tn moisture. II fertil-
izers are purchased they are judicouslY used,
and, despite the drought, rhe hail storm and
other cslamities to which the farm is subject
you will find at the end Of the season this mans
corn crib and meathOuse well stored with a
years supply, out of debt. happy and inde-
pendent, and strong supporter of the fence
law.
What is to become of our vast forest and
swsmp lands? the former affoTding magnifi-
cent pa turage during the spring and summer,
and the latter during the fall an0 winter. Are
they to grow up into thickets of Driars and
underbTuSh, suitable home for wild varmlntS
and reptiles OF every description, resembling
the forest or some unciviized country Wise
men have said that this is O. progressive age.
If this be true, the no fence law will surely
never be adopted, for If there is any progress
in any of the promises Of its advocates We
have failed to perceive it. Never have we
seen the motto, ''Ihe old way is the best" so
strikipgly Illustrated as In the present instance
to which it is certainly well suited
propose, fellow farmers. that we drop this
question OF fence or no fence; that we grasp
the maui by the hendle-build up our fences.
Keep tie corners well cleaned; the rails will
last many years longer, besides hundreds and
thousands will be saved that are annually con-
sumed by destructive coIfagratious in ouP
woods. Build up our churches establish high
schools, educ tte our sons and daughters, use
improved agricultural implements produce
onr own provisions and as much cotton as
practicable; consign our cotton 10 commission
merchants where we can Obtain the highegt
market prices. abandon This method of diSp s.
ing or 10 at the country stores, ard we will be-
come wiser. wealthier people: friendship
amlcsg PLEASANT inJef ch angling of views will
exist among u.s. we will love our neighbors as
ourselves, and God will love us ALL
EPHRAIM SMALL.