The Cecil Whig., 1882-05-06
THE BARBEp WIRE FENCE.

from the GermdHt1sCH Telegraph.
The objections urged against the gen
eral use of the ban bed wire fence, SO far
aS our observations extend, have very lit
tie weight and will exercise very little
influence against it. Here and there
may be n case where 4 horse or Z cow
may be somewhat scratched, but it IS
doubtful if the instances would be more
numerous if the fences had been a stone
wall or a post-and-rail fence. While
single occurrence Of injury of the kim
would be printed far and wide, it woui
not be considered of sufficient impo...-
ance to note at all if occasioned by a1y
other cause. We notice that while
farmer OF owner of land can employ any
thing he pleases for his fences, there has
been some opposition made in one or two
of the Eastern States, 10 use this fence
along the highways, or as division fences
between different owners, without tho
consent of the adjoining owner. The
matter has even been before one or two
Legislatures, but upon thorough in
vestigatien of it. by testimony drawn
from many quarters. the opposition was
SO frivolous as to have had no influence
upon those bodies; while testimony in
favor of the fence from those using it,
was general and overwhelming. 1t was
shown that while the barbed fence did
no injury to cattle, after several years OF
using it. it WIS a sure protection against
trespassing by beast or man, lasted twice
Or thrice as long. and it cost at least one
third less than wooden fences. 1t was
shown that in sheep husbandry alone the
fence was invaluable, as no dog ever ven
tured over one of four strands, and sheep
wonla Craze close up to one of these
fences with vicious dogs directly upon
the opposite side. In the State of Mass
achusetts, in the year 1888, the number
"t sheep within its limits was 3Si 3l6,
ian. owing t, 1hu d. >tluctivc depreda-
tl,.ls {" dogs Ia ID Gwiurilrd down until
1T the ltsi census til" number was only
, 113 Sirce the introduction of this
NC. rl-", 81. ! iI,~n.uirS had gradu~
A.. lnct, as, Il unti. il was again giving
>l.n- "i bee mn Z "ue If the leading in-
';n.tIn- 4 IT. state. The value Of ti,s
-'.. p. f"' ''-> '',en more than doubled
n.a.''. -h' .rrt',.ng - very plotilah,e
a.auo.. D.. :a'IriI-. "Inl' at the same time
-, l."n Is becoming enriched withuut
III" application "t any other manure than
the dr"ppiugs Of these animals.
In the West the ease is the same. Stead
il, aud t" a larger extent than elsewhere
has this fence b, en- introduced; and Nc
d,hht if an instance can be produce3
where :. tanner has abandoned it aits- 2
ali t;iai. III consequence Of any damage
II has done or Old Ike score Ct expense.
it j, e>tiina;, Il that in the year 1874,
"h,M The baihed wire fence was first in
introduced, there were 10000 pound:
made aud soid; in 1916 the quantity was
2.S40OO0 pounds; in 1877, 12,SG3. 900
pounds; in ISIS. 2G Co 900 pounds; ir
1879. so 33,,. 600 pounds; in 1880. SO, 5OO,-
900 pounds: in 1881, 1870 600, 600 pounds
The whole aggregates 203, 500, 900 pounds
or 203, sos miles of fencing of three strand
fence.
As a protection to a farmers land fron,
trespassers generally, it is complete. We
know of small places enclosed by this
fence, showing that for gardens its value
can scarcely be computed. \ farmer to,l
us the other day that his wire barbe1
fence along the highway was perfect
protection even against dogs; but there
was portion of his 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 is set down as
follows: Three board or rail of 40 rods OF
fencing would cost s34 10, or s. cents per
rod; same extent for four boards or rails,
$40 Go or 81 per rod. Three strands steel
barbed wire, same extent, would cost
$3.50 or Sc cents per rod; four strands
do. $27.25 or GS cents per rod. The dou-
BILE twist wire is claimed to be strong ana
tight at all seasons, and that it is easily
banded and erected From this it,
value can be readily estimated; and few
years more as wood becomes scarcer anG
dearer, the barbed wire fence will not
merely be a matter Of necessity, but oE
choice. alike for its efficiency and al
vantage.