The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-10-15
IFAkN, FIELD AND GARDEN.
OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING EVERY
DAY MATTERS.
Tho Character and Cost of Temporary
Ecnces-Stono Fences - Live Fences of
I,cdre-Ibe Fence of the Future.

Ecnces-Stono Fences - Live Fences of
Various Shrubs - The Usage Orange
nedse-Tho Fence of the Future.
The following comprehensive chapter
on fences, past, present and future, by
the agricultural editor of The World, is
both interesting and instructive:
However much progress may be made
hereafter in diScartiing fences altogether.
or in fencing stock in rathe rthan in fcnc-
ing the public out, there can be no
doubt that the old time fences have had
their day and that at present all indica-
tions point to metal rs the chief consti-
tucnt Of the farm fence of the future
The first fence to be built was the brush
fence, as the cheapest one possible AS
the trees were fclied for the clearing the
brush, too green to burn readily, was
pied around the cleared margin or upon
logs laid along as foundation on which
the brush was placed This was the rude
primitive fence Of the first settlers Of a
large r0rtiOn Of the heavily wooded sec
tioms OF this country. Then followed the
rail or worm fence, so called, which held
It's sway alternately with the board fence
until from the dearness and scarcity Of
lumber both have quite generally given
way to other forms.
If we except stone fences found only
in localities where the surface Of the
ground was encountered with the mate
riul, and constructed with the double
purpose Of removing obslructiOns from
the soil and inclosing the field, the fences
OF the country have been Of temporary
character. and each renewal has been
more costly than the preceding fence.
This led to the experiment Of live fences
ot various shrubs. Among the most
common and popular is the Usage orange
ha"gc. mGucsticnah!y the best for ell
localities where it will endure the win
t"rs. Under highly favorable conditions
it makes a rapid growth, AMI fence
i.lni in 4 short time will turn most farm
animals. either large or small.
In III" prairie states hedges Of willow
have had quite 4 run, and the thorEs
and honey locust have been extensively
used for tho purpose in many sections Of
the country. Occasionally it las seemed
Is though tie live fence Of one or an
GG!:cr of these shrubs was to be the pre-
willing type. but time has shown ohicc-
liuus 10 them which there was general
disposition 10 ovCvlool; in the apparent
Success OF their first use. Against all
the hedges there is the serious objection
Ur cost IN keeping thcm in subi"c:!"n
Unless pruncd frequently and severely
tlicsrun riot and become nuisancrs. Iii
some sections where they have been
highly popular for a time they are fast
b"ing superseded BY the barb2d wire
fence. the planting of hedges EriHg dis
continued and many old oncs grubb2d Up.
The question has 0cen asked, how will
Il do 70 plant trees 10 serve as posts for
the b;:fJcd wire fences, and again, are
not the barhcd wires dangerous to ani-
mas? TO this it may he answered that
wilyvc Il row of trees along Il roaGJid" or
on i division line ,ctwrvn raYns is unob-
irctionai!c in itself, there is no reason
"'.l;. TIC wires Inay' no. Hc fastened u tic
trees, which may continue to be used a*
permanent posts. If planted for the par
pose the quickly grown white willows or
"utarnwoods are the ones TO be selected
Tor lncst sections.
As regards injury to stock, the in
stances arc comparatively y few. and those
that occur can often be charged to care
lrSsnrss. Animals soon learn to have q
respect for harbcd wire fences without
having received am serious injury from
them, and to persons who dislike the
barhc,i form the bright twisted ribbon
wire i; about rs rcpcIling and more
readily seen than the barbed wire. The
f%ct that in tho state of Iowa alone
tstated by goc,l authority there are
now 800. 900 miles OF barbcd wire fence
is sufficient 70 show that but little, if
any, danger is saDor"h"mdcd frUm It's use.
again. j. Is !.eIinvcd tha: horses aEl c"t-
Tie can sec Il wire fence 1T q greater dis
tancc than their owiIcrS can, either by
day or night.
The chcarncss Of the wire and the ra-
pidi:y with which the fence can be put
in place are among It's other recommend
atoms 4 dilapihatod wooden fence
HAY lie made effective against al the
IHrgcr ariIa".s by stapiing single wire
a!oHS it Oh t.Ic exposed side so l"HG rs
there is cnpHYh Of i; standing To ho.,l the
wire. 70: those who want durability ut
a somewhat increased expense, pests OF
icon are nuw made fcr the purpose.
Three lines OF wire make Gool surH;an.
tial fercc against all tic PRINCIPAL farm
animals.
The main posts should be strong and
firmly SCI to stand the stretching Of the
wire, for which strctchcrs can be bou:;ht
from those who deal in the wire. On
straight lines these main posts MAJ bc az
consi.iyrHa.a distances apart; the inter
vcninS posts for holding Up the wires
can be mr"h ishter, but should also he
firmly SIT il: IL" ground. The spool Of
wire i; most conveniently carried by two
men with . round iron rod through the
spool, TIE spool revolving OIL tic rod.
TI," wires should l2 firmly #,&p!,d 1t the
intermediate Is wc!i ~ at tic i&:gcr and
Go!nrr pn..,'.