SECRETARY'S REPORT. 23 



Resolved, That the completion of the geological survey is impera- 

 tively demanded by every department of industry, and we urge 

 that when resumed, it be prosecuted with special reference to its 

 bearing upon the agricultural and educational interests of the 

 State. 



The resolution passed unanimously. 



The committee on fourth topic reported as follows : 



"The committee to whom was given the resolve 'that the sub- 

 ject oi fencing demands the careful investigation of this Board,' have 

 had the same under consideration and report : 



That, in their opinion, the long established custom of this country 

 to surround the farm with a good substantial fence, and then to 

 divide it into small fields and pastures so that all may by turns be 

 occupied by the farm stock, has so fixed its importance upon the 

 minds of the farmers of Maine, that it will require much argument, 

 and considerable lapse of time before any other system can be ex- 

 pected to receive particular consideration. 



It is presumed that so long established a usage which has caused 

 such an extensive outlay, cannot be suddenly abrogated or even 

 materially changed, until the community shall have made that 

 careful investigation of the subject recommended to the Board by 

 the resolve under consideration. 



Although the opinion of a few might difi^er from the mass, and 

 the laws of the State might be in accordance with that opinion ; 

 yet it would be impracticable, we might almost say impossible, to 

 make the law available in this case till public opinion shall be so 

 changed, that a large majority shall favor an alteration of the sys- 

 tem and the laws by which it is regulated. 



If the present system of thus enclosing and dividing the farm, 

 cannot be materially altered or dispensed with to a considerable 

 extent, it would seem that little could be said for any practical 

 purpose, beyond recommending to farmers to study the cheapest 

 methods within their reach to erect substantial, durable, straight 

 fences, crossing at right angles when it can be conveniently done, 

 at the same time giving the fields as much length as practicable, 

 that tliey may be cultivated with as much ease and* little expense 

 as possible. And we will here suggest, whether the English cus- 

 tom of hedging, might not be in many localities profitably adopted, 

 and at the same time be ornamental to the farm. But notwith- 

 standing the long established custom, it is at least questionable, 

 whether the present expensive system of fencing, may not be mate- 



