The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1904-04-29
IN THE WOODS.
To the Editor of the ocala Banner.
Selah |!

CuSSlOA III" SOInS III ACSdIu W Oahul-
dates and the fence law.
Evidently some people think the
fence is the basis of our very exis-
tence. They Opine that to abolish the
present law in regard to fence must
essentially bring about the general
collapse of the human family, pre-
cisely as it unerrIngly and steadily
has brought about the destruction of
thousands of cattle aud hogs or rather
razor backs, by the slow process of
starvation. OF all states in the
Union our Sunny Florida is most
backward in the stock question.
Being compelled to wander about
in quest Of food, the animals are
driven to desperation through lack of
it, and in the very nature of their
brute instinct are nothing lOath to
trespass upon and depasture any
choice patch of corn or other vegeta-
ton where q vulnerable spot in the
fence affords them an opportunity.
We cannot hold the dumb creatures
responsible, for the pangs of hunger
naturally urges them TO seek susten-
ance in the most convenient and pro-
life places. Many people surmise
that to feed stock all that is necessary
is to compel his neighbOr to "keep up
your fence" This done the cattle are
shut out from succulent food and
compelled to subsist upon wire grass,
pine knots and moss.
There are two Or three months in
the year when stock cattle are said to
thrive and that is during the early
rains and young grass season.
During the remainder of the year
stock but fingers a miserable exist
ence and during this latter period the
most depredations are committed.
We contend that these depredatiOns
create more confusion, engender
more mOlice and produce more last
ing animOsities than any other ques-
ton or issue in the state of Florida.
The fact that stock is permitted to
roam is not sufficient to produce bet
ter and more healthy and profitable
animals. The reverse is true.
Two or three weeks since the Ban
ner published an article purPOrting
to be the opinion of a Mr.. Erwin.
Since that article appeared two other
correspondents have replied in not
very complimentary terms to the
opinion of Mr.. Erwin.
Now, Mr.. Erwin is certainly emit
tied to his notions whether they con-
fiict or coincide with the facts.
However, he forgot some very inn
pOrtant factors pertaining to this
fence question. The gentleman neg
Iected to state why so many carcasses
were lying we'll distributed
throughout the state, making the
atmosphere putrid with the effiuvia
exhaling from the decOmpOsed car
casses Of the once sanctified razor
back and righteous COW.
He repressed the necessary infor-
nation why these nOmadic clOven
hOofs could not, or would not, knock
down or jump fence for the purpose
of getting at something to eat as well
as to make dash for freedom.
He placed his rigid censorship on
everything material by Way of argu-
ment and exposed the fallacy of the
present law.
Our opinion is that Mr.. Erwin sim.
ply wrote that letter as a feeder"
The press of the state is perpetually
bowling for progression, but keeps
still very still as 10 the one great fac
tor in bringing about the desired
result.
A few progressive men are attempt
ing strenuous efforts to introduce and
distribute throughout the state, cat
tie and hogs that are or would be of
infinite benefit to us. Just as good
stock have most satisfactorily been
substituted for the scrubby cattle,
rail splitter and razor back in the
southern states just north of us.
u,h,ea stotaS hove one after tn