The Baltimore County union., 1882-04-29
THE BARpEp WIRE FENCE.

FroI The GsrmaHforH Telegraph.
The objections urged against the general Use Of
the barbel wire fence. 50 FAR a. our observations
extend. have very little weight and will exercise
very little influence against &c. Here and there
may be n case where horsc or y COW may be
somewhat scratched, bat IL IL doubtful Il the in
stances would be more numerous u the fences had
been stone wall or a post ani.rail fence. While
single occurrence of injury Of the kind would be
printed FAR and wide, 10 would not be considered
Of sufficient importance TO note nj all IL
by any other cause. We notice that while farmer
or owner Of land can employ anything he pisases
for his fences. there has been some opposition
made In one or two of the Eastern States, TO use
this fence along the highways. or as division
fences between different owners, without the con-
sent Of the adjoining owner. The matter has
even been before one or two Legislatures, but
nP"n 'ha:nsSh investigation q: Il, by testimony
drawn from many quarters, the opposition vas so
frivolous as 90 have had no influence upon those
bodies; white testimony in favor Of the fence from
those using IL. was general and overwhelming.
II was shown that while the barbed fence did no
injury 90 cattle. after several years Of using IT, IL
was sure protection against trespassing by beast
or man. lasted twice or thrice long. and u cost
At least one third less than wooden fences. I.
was shown that In sheep husbandiy alone the
fence was invaluable, as no dog ever ventured
over one Of four strands, and sheep would Craze
close up 20 one Of these fences with vicious dogs
directly on the opposite eide. In the State VI
Massaehusetts. in the year 1885. the number Of
sheep within its limits was 3Si,3i6. which, owing
20 the destructive depreda,ions Of dogs, had
dwindled down until at the last census the mum.
Der was only jS.753. Since the introduction Of
this fence, also. shcep. .husbandry had gradually
increased until IL was again giving signs Of be
coming one of the leading industries Of the State.
The value of the sheep, too. has been more than
doubled, making sheep raising a very profitable
LN.u uah .f g.. a.. .a-a-
is becoming enriched without the application oi
any other manure than the droppings Of these
animals.
In the wes; the case Is the same. Steadily
and 90 larger extent than elsewhere has this
fence been introduced; and We doubt IL an in.
stance can be produced where q farmer has
abandoned 10 after fair trial, In consequence ol
any damage u has done on the score Of On peass
IL is estimated that In the year 1874. when the
harbed wire fence was FIRST introduced, there wers
ten thousand pounds made and sold; in 1875 Il bad
increased TO GoO,OO0 pounds made and sold /; 10
1876 the quantity was 900 pounds; in 1877.
i2,sG3.00u pounds: Ia ISIS. 26,Gs5.OO0 pounds
ia 1879, So.337.O0 pounds; in iss0. 81. 500 .O0e
pounds; in lssl. 10000. 900 pounds. The whole
aggregates 293 600 pounds or 2O3 s0j miles oi
fencing Of three. strand fence.
As protection to farmers land from tres
passers generally. Il Is complete. We know oi
small places enclosed by this fence, showing that
for gardens its value can scarcely be computed.
farmer told usthe other day that his wire barbed
fence along the highway was perfect protection
even against dogs; but there was portion Of hi.
farm frontage not so protected. which offered .
fair opening for gunners and dogs. and that as
soon as the season opened he would substitute the
wire fence.
comparison Of the cost Of this fence with pine
board fencing isset down as follows: Three. board
or rail of 10 rods Of fencing would eos; s3llO or
80 cents per rod same extent for four boards OF
rails, sio.6j or 81 per rod. Three strands steel
barbed wire. same extent. would cost S23.3O or SO
cents per rod four strands do. $27.25 or IS cent,
per rod. The double twist wire 10 claimed TO be
strong and tight at all seasons, and that IL 10
easily handled and erected. From this its valu,
can be readily estimated; and few years more
as wood becomes searcer and dearer, the barbed
wire fence will not merely be matter Of neees.
'ity. but Of choice alike for its efficiency and I'd.
vantage.