The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-11-14

in what way such fence shall be made, and
what kind or variety of wire shall be used,
etc, all without success. A large amount
of money has already been expended by
private individuals, railroad and other cor
porations in the erection OF barbed wire
fences, and, II it were practicable, it would
be manifestly unjust to require their re-
moval. Yet the writer Is of opinion that
standard should be fixed and that fences
made after the fixing of such standard
should be made to conform to it, as larger
quantities of this material will be used in
each succeeding year. Having conversed
with numerous members, both of house and
senate, and others, we are led to the follow
ing conclusions Q) That wire fence has
come to stay. 60 That the main question
is, barbed wire, or a like wire without
barbs, or twisted ribbon wire without cor
rugated edge, or both the last named Us.
the first. (3) That breeders of valuable
horses regard a barbed wire fence an UNI
mitigated nuisance. q) That many farm
ers who stock principally with cattle
hold that a wire fence without barbs
will not prove to be an effectual barrier.
(5) That numerous others claim to have
learned by experience that a properly-con-
structed wire fence without barbs will eff
feCtually restrain horses and cattle. In
some sections of the state well-made fences
consisting of four strands of plain twisted
wire, two threads to the strand, with posts
fifteen feet apart, others of plain twisted
ribbon wire, and others made partly of each
kind, are in common use; and these fences
when well made and kept in good repair
have proved sufficient, except for the
smaller animals, sheep, etc. House bill No
AS, introduced by Mr.. Phelps provides for
five strands of barbed wire, or four strands
with top-rail, pole or board, fence to be four
and one-half feet in height, and posts not
over twelve feet apart. Spaces in this fence
would be nearly eleven inches between the
nAu Ihn Of patn rial for mol
fence for each hundred rods, wire at So per
hundred STAPLES included) and one pound
per rod-each strand, as follows: 800 pounds
wire at five cents, $500 1873 posts at ten
cents, $3.50; total, $3.50. Fence of plain
twisted wire-or ribbon wire-six strands,
600 pounds at five cents $1,000; 165 posts at
ten cents, S16.50; total, S46.50. If a six
inch board is used in place of top wire $500
would cover additional expense, making in
all 5000. Spaces between wires in the
above would be nine inches, with board
eight inches, and posts ten feet apart. Adj
ditional strands in either of the above de-
scribed fences would be required to restrain
sheep and in many places strong rail or pole
might be used in place of the board-at less
expense. The committee to which was re-
ferred house bill 81 is of opinion that less
danger is to be feared from animals running
accidentally against a barbed wire fence
than from jumping upon and breaking top
pole and being torn on barbs below; or that
horses kept in contiguous pastures would
lin making acquaintance be more likely to
press against pole than "a strand of barbed
wire when noses come together, foot goes
through, and the leg is torn on the barbs.
AS combinations of material and style of
fence are many, it may be difficult to suf
ficiently harmonize ideas in the matter so as
to fix standard for the future building of
such fence. A good plain wire fence would
cost from six to twelve cents more per rod
than good fence of barbed wire; but if
such fence is an effectual barrier, is it not
better to incur the extra expense than take
the risks of using barbed wire? c.