Year: 1872

More than thirty years ago the
writer OF paragraph in the Philadel-
| phia Public Ledger listened to an
agricultural address delivered by the
late Nicholss Biddle, at the annual
exhibition of the Philadelphia SOeie-
ty for the promotion of Agriculture.


We were particularly struck with
two things he then enunciated. One
was that fences were made to retain
cattle Dithin the particular premises
enclosed, and not TO shut them out
from such enclosed premises. The
idea, though seemingly a very simple
one, was new, and against the almost
universally received opinion of the
farmers and the public as TO the
purpose of fencing. 1t was believed,


up to that time, that the highways
were public pasture grounds, ON all of
which any one and every body were
free to Craze their stock at pleasure,
and, indeed, on the adjoining premi-
ses, unless the owner thought it fit to
protect them by legal fencing, for
statue law prescribed their height
and character. Even then a larger
privilege than his was accorded the
pastures of what used to be called
"the long farm, ," as the highways
were sometimes designated. Accident
or death resulting from the wander
ing of this stock at large was not at
the risk of the owners, but at the cost
of the railways whose tracks might
be invaded with damage to the rowing
herd. The price of the injured or
killed cattle was considered so equita-
BILE claim that il was paid invariably
without a question. From the date
of this memorable address, delivered


by Mr.. Biddle from q rude platform
of rough boards, to q company of in-
telligent, sunburnt farmers, the senti-
ments to which he then gave utter
anee have gradually spread, not only
all over this country, but all over the


world, and are now the recognized
law Of the courts as well as of the
highway. The cost of fencing Is not
to be borne to keep cattle trespassing
upon the public roads from tFespass-
ing also upon private property, nor is
the penalty upon the railway eOmpa-
MES when cattle roaming at large are
injured or killed. The loss is to the
owner, and in some instances the
courts have gone farther, and put
penalties on the owners of the stock
for the damage done TO the property
of the railway companies, and their
passengers, by throwing the train
from the track. 1t is a wholesome
and most equitable change, and we
can now but wonder that the old Gus
tom was so long endured. And vet
this great and important revolution
in public sentiment was first publicly
started by q man made eminent by
his learning and his position, it is true,
but before a comparatively few and
uninfiuential citizens. The other
startling fact made by Mr.. Biddle was
the very large proportion Of the farm
eris capital that was invested in his
fencing. In the State Of Pennsylva-
mia alone, he said, careful estimate
showed that at least hundred mil
lions of dollars was invested at that
time in fencing. Much attention has
since been given to this branch of the
then new thought, and great economy
has been effected; but still the amount
of capital Is greatly beyond the esti-
mate of any one who has not given
the matter special attention. Cheap
er material for fences has been found,
and movable fences for the necessary
division of fields are common In
addition to this, instead of laws
passed by the Legislature prescribing
the height of a fence to turn outside
cattle, we have now statutes which
protect the farmers premises in GER
tain localities from Invasion in the
absence Of all fencing. Fences. cost
enough in cities, but that cost bears
a small proportion to the charges for
them in the country at large. When
city people go into the country they
see little to admire in the post and
rail, the worm fence, the rough stone
walls, the slightly strung wire, or
even the white palings OF the villages.
The fence Is an American institution
and habit, and costly one it is. Illi-
nois is said to have ten times the
fencing of Germany, and DUtehess
county, New York, more than all
France. These marks show that
these brown and dingy division
marks, overgrOwn with briarS and
thistles, are an enormous tax on the
industry of the country, and all to
keep stock from trespassing. Some
of these days, under the careful till
age Of the old world, fences will dis
appear, and land boundaries will be
marked with fruit and shade trees, or
neat hedge rows, and the country will
present a much improved appearance.
Chester County (Pd.,) Republican.