The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1883-03-23
Farm Fences.

1t is claimed by theorists, and also by
some practical farmers, that al fencing
to inclose cattle is a useless expense,
made necessary only by the costly
system of pasturage. That soiling or
the keeping of stock in the stable or
yard the year round may be profitable
under some circumstances is not
denied, but that it can be adopted in
general practice in our country, at least
in the Eastern States, is not to be ex-
pected, for few farms are in whole ara
BILE, adapted to plow and to moving;
hence, fences are a necessity and the
question is, what style IS most desira-
BILE. Taking into account cost, dura-
bilitv, and efficacy, none is equal to a
good stone wall and, in the long run,
none cheaper where material is availa-
BILE.
On many farms stones must be re-
moved for convenience of Gu tivation,
and If removed to where permanent
fences are wanted, such as line fences
or other permanent divisions, the ma
terlal for the best fences is there for all
time and the building of wall is no
more expensive than the material and
labor of any good wood fence, and if
we'll built will last fifty years or longer
with but little repairs, the material be-
ing always on the spot when rebuilding
becomes necessary. A stone wall stand
ing four and half feet high will turn
any animal that should be allowed to
run atpastUre, and if pigs are turned in
to CLEAN the grain stubbles there is no
danger of their getting through into
other fields. Cattle and horses that
Jump wood fence of the same height
will keep clear of stone wall
70 construct good stone fence the
surface should be taken off to the depth
of six inches or more, according to soil.
This can be done with pillow and scraper
at small expense, and the earth taken
out should be banked up to the wall
after it is built. The foundation should
be about three feet broad and the wall
tapered up on each side equally to one
foot on top, to be capped by one stone.
When the stones are small, as is usual
with field one. three or four courses
of fiat sticks should be laid across to
hold it from falling down by the action
of frost on the foundation. For this
purpose cedar timber is best, but any
timber that splits freely will do, and
even old slaves and refuse boards are
often used. Where field or quarry
stone are not found on the farm for
fencing, either wood or iron must be
used.
The best wood fence is the old Vir-
ginia worm" both as to durability
and cheapness, where timber is plenty
and suitable. Any lasting timber, such
as cedar, chestnut, white oak or black
ash, makes good rails for wood fence,
and when properly laid, with stakes and
wire support, makes We y efficient
and lasting fence against all domestic
animals. The oh ection that it occupies
too much space is true where land is
used for cultivation exclusively, but not
when used for pasturage. The corners
are quite liable to become filed with
briers and foul weeds. but the thorough
farmer will find time to destroy all such
unsightly and wasteful growth.
J The common post and board fence
has at least the merit of neatness when
new and in pc feet repair, but it is the
most expensive fence the farmer builds
conside ing its lacks of durability
from ten to fifteenyears icing about The
lifetime of such structures. On moist
soils the posts will be lifted by frosts
from year to year till the fence will
stand on legs and be twisted by the
winds, the boards torn of, and other
wise disfgured. Other styles of board
fence are constructed either in panels
TO movable purposes. or stayed on the
surface by diserent devices, but none
of them have come into common use
on the farm. Barbed wire will be but
little used when other material is con-
venient. On the western prairies, for
fencing against cattle only, it has con-
siderable merit.-Cor. N. 7. Tribune.