The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-02-23

sparsely settled, the owners of tracts
are careless about the establishment of
boundary lines. If they fence in
farm they are not particular to set the
fences on the exact lines. The length
OF the boards or other materials en-
Pioyed Tor making the fence will often
determine the position of one boundary.
The fence on the highway is hardly
ever in the exact position required for
the width of the road. A considerable
portion of the space claimed for high
way purposes is generally included in
the adjoining field. The first fences
erected in newly-settled place gener-
ally determine the position OF those put
up subsequently. The latter are placed
on about the same lines as the former.
1t is often the case that no surveyor is
employed to run lines for the purpose
OF locating fences till the ancient land
marks are all destroyed, and their po-
sition known only by tradition. 1t is
to be regretted that the corners of sec
tons are not marked by substantial
monuments of stone or metal. The
little mound of earth erected by the
government surveyors at section cor
ners soon becomes obliterated by the
tread OF animals and other causes. 1t
then becomes necessary to measure
from some spot where monument ex-
lists IN order to establish a boundary
line. Sometimes disputes arise in rela-
ton to the position of the corners of
sections. These might be prevented by
the erection of suitable monuments.
The cost of setting trees on the corners
n 10, Il. Al
would serve very useful purpose as
landmarks. They are not easy to dis
place, and will endure for generations.
They are better than short monuments,
as they can be seen long distances.
When land becomes valuable every
owner desires to have all that belongs
to him. II an owner thinks he has not
his full share he employs q competent
surveyor to run the lines. 1t is often
found that fences are long distance
from the proper place, and the cost and
trouble of moving them are great. In
some instances, as in a recent case in
the eastern part of this State, it is found
that wells dug and buildings erected by
one set of farmers are on land owned
by others. OF course great trouble
kind. Boundaries should be accurately
determined when a place is TO be inn
proved. 1t is easy to put the fences in
the right position in the first instance.
The longer the matter is delayed the
greater the difficulty will become. If
there is any question about the position
of boundary fences the farmers who are
interested should unite in having an &C
curate survey made. The expense to
each individual will in that way be
largely reduced. The present is an ex-
cellent time for making surveys. The
trees and bushes are deprived of foliage,
and the grass is killed by the frost. In
most places it is very short. The
weather is cool and farmers have COM
paratively little to do. If a survey
shows that it is necessary to remove
fences the work can be done in whole
or part before the frost interferes with
digging the ground. Having made the
survey, pains should be taken to plant
trees on the section corners, and, If de-
sirable on account of smaller divisions,
at the corners of the quarter sections.
Farmers will generally find it to their
advantage to have their permanent
fields and pastures run out. 1t is often
very desirable to know the exact con-
tents of an inclosure. 1t is quite a
satisfaction to know definitely how
much land is devoted to any kind of
crop. Knowing the exact amount of
land in field saves much bad guessing.
Having ascertained the exact boun-
daries of farm the owner would do
well to have the title examined and if
necessary perfected. There is as much
uncertainty about the title as about the
boundaries of many farms. Many buy
farms without first obtaining an abstract
of the title and without having an alb
stract examined by person competent
to pass on its merits. They take the
sellers word that the title is good. His
word may be good on most matters.
but the title to the land he conveys may
be very poor, and this without his
knowledge. Deeds are often mac
curately drawn and acknowledged by
incompetent persons and lead to great
trouble at some period. Mortgages are
often given and satisfied, but no evil
dence of their having been satisfied APP
pears on the county record. The time
has already come in cities when a
purchaser requires an abstract of title
to any property he buys. This time
will soon come in the country. People
will not pay large sums of money for
farming land unless they have con-
elusive evidence that the title is right
in every respect. Mistakes in the con-
veyance of property, releases of mort
cages that have been satisfied, and mis-
takes of any kind can be corrected or
adjusted during the life of the persons
who were parties to them with little
trouble or expense. The longer they
are delayed, however, the greater the
difficulty becomes. Every owner of
farming land should be able Ito read
his title clear" He should have his
chain of title drawn out by one COM
petent to do it, and examined by one
whose judgment is good in such mat
tiers. He should also preserve his deeds
and tax receipts. Our system of land