The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-09-28
THE CECIL FARMERS CLUB.
The Regular September Meeting
at MIR. John z. Wilson's, near
SYlmar.

The Regular September Meeting
at MIR. John p. Wilson's, near
Sylmar.
The regular monthly meeting of the
Cecil Farmers Club which was held or
Wednesday at the attractive homestead
of Mr.. ]. p. Wilson, near Sylmar station
on the P. s. B. Central Railroad, al
though on account of the inclemency o.
the weather not as largely attended as il
generally is, was an unusually pleasant
and profitable one. The morning was
ing of any kind, but the results of the
farmers labor are contingent upon sc
many changeful phases Of wind and
weather, of sunshine and of storm, that
he has accustomed himself not to be dis
couraged by unexpected and unfavOrable
outdoor conditions. The Club was called
to order at later hour than usual, Mr.
Horace Duyckinck upon motion being
called to the chair in the absence of the
president, s. Rowland Carson, ESQ.,,
whose regular and punctual attendance
at the meetings has often been commented
upon so fiatteringly to him. The visitors
present by invitation were the Rev. j. r.
Milligan, Mr.. J. NJ C. Carhart and Mr..
Samuel Kirk. There being no reports OF
| experiments and no new business before
the Club, Mr.. Wilson submitted the fol-
| lowing paper upon
| FENCES.
In conformity with provision of our By
| Laws in furnishing something that may
prove a theme for discussion, submita few
suggestions on the above subject. The ques-
ton of fences without qualification is a
| broad one. 1t may be applied to the most
formidable structure, or to the most insignifi-
cant erection that forms barrier to the
| passage of stock from one enclosure to an
other. shall not attempt to state at what
period fences were first introduced. The
Ancients do not seem to have used them
save for the protection of their cities. herds
men being employed to tend their 1ocks,
the lines of different domains not being de-
scribed by 10 etes and bounds as in our day,
but were designated by natural boundaries,
rendering fences unnecessary. But in our
day, when the common heritage of man is
sub-divided into so many portions. and pro-
prietorship vested in so many, with sharply
defined lines, being a matter of record,
fences become necessity. We need fences
to confine our own stock within prescribed
limits. To keep them from trespassing on the
property of our neighbor, but not to prevent
our neighbors stock from trespassing on US,
the responsibility resting with their owner
ship with or without fence. In the dim
outline of the past we recall time when our
State Statute Books contained a law detin-
ing legal fence, TO be. one that was horse
high, hog tight, and bull strong. But more
than score of years has elapsed since this
law passed into oblivion. by the agency of
the Big Four that represented Cecil in the
Lower House of the Legislature thereby
earning the lasting gratitude of every far
mer. Recognizing the importance of fences
it becomes an important matter to farmers
to study economy in this as N other matters
pertaining to the farm. To enumerate the
many different kinds of fences and describe
them, is not within tue province of this
short article, but will only mention few
most ADAPTED to the uses of the farm. The
first we notice, is the well-known post and
rail which probably stands at the head,
with posts of we'll grown locust and cedar
rails, but too expensive for the average far
mer. The worm fence has its advantages,
is easily constructed, its location can be
changed with little trouble, the greatest OBJ
lection being the amount of ground occu-
pied by it. The Sweed fence is we think a
kind of make shift constructed of compare
lively little material, the rails laid with the
one end resting on the ground, the other
resting on stakes driven across the preced-
ing rail at an angle of 40 degrees. This costs
probably less than any other rail fence. The
Usage hedge has many advocates, it being if
properly managed barrier insurmountable
by man or beast, and with proper attention
will serve two or three generations, the
management of which on the plan of the
Cecil Hedge Company makes a very attrac-
tive and complete fence. The stone fence
much of which is to be seen in some parts
of upper Cecil, has the merit of durability if
the foundation has been secured against
frost, and lastly the wire fence, both plain
and barbed is rapidly rising in favor as an
effectual and cheap fence. In reviewing
these several kinds Of fences it is well to note
the probable or comparative cost of them,
as the fencing of farm is no small matter.
To enclose hundred acres in ten acre lots
it requires 17lS panels of post fence, II feet
to the panel, or 1155 rods of stone or hedge
Now 1718 panels of post fence as described,
with locust posts and rails of cedar would
cost at 81. 25 per panel, or 81, 1880 with a
proportionate decrease in cost as less valua-
BILE material is used. A hedge such as the
Cecil Hedge Company erects would cost
81, 717.50, not counting the labor of prepara-
ton of ground and tending the same until
fit for the wires. The stone fence am not
| able to approximate the cost, as it would
depend on the availability of the stone and
the surroundings. The cost of the ordinary
hedge not including the planting and tend
| ing until fit for fence will not exceed 80 cts.
| per rod. The wire fence from so to go Cts per
rod. Now as to merit of structure apart
from cost, the first or post fence is strong,
neat and durable, turns all kinds of stock,
and will last probably 80 years with little
attention. The hedge on the contrary must
be looked after and trimmed at least times
a year to look right. Another objection to
hedge is the roots exhaust the fertility OF
the soil for half rod on either side. The
tendency of rubbish and vines to gather
round the stone fence render it unsightly.
The wire fence being free from most of these
objections, is the cheapest, easily construct
ed and effectual in turning stock. The wind
does not blow it down. the wires are indie
structible. the posts are easily renewed al
small cost, and notwithstanding the antag
onism and vindctive epithets hurled against
it by its enemies. The barbed wire ha.
come to stay, stock Is fast becoming edu
Gated as to its impregnability, and rarely i
ever gets hurt if the fence is in proper condi
ton. For division fences we find thre'
wires as many as are desirable for an effect
ual fence for horses or horned stock. Allow
ing cattle to Craze under the fence keeping
it clean, it is well adapted to meadow lant
liable to flood, as the wire does not obstruc
the free flowing of the water and is seldom
affected by it, and in these times when far
mers must economize in outlay we must Sc