SECRETARY'S REPORT, 25 



tion we are able to make, we cannot set down less than one hundred 

 and fifty thousand dollars for breaking through snow-drifts caused 

 by such fences, and we have the annual damage or cost of road 

 fences. Recapitulated as follows : 



Loss on road fences from yearly decay, $156,250 



Repairs and interest yearly at 12 per cent, 375,000 



For breaking roads annually in consequence offences, 150,000 



Annual cost of fencing the roads and damage, $681,250 



$681,250, which we may fairly set down as a yearly loss in labor 

 or cash to the farmer, leaving the many inconveniences he is sub- 

 jected to in consequence of such fences out of the account. 



We can readily imagine many conveniences which would be 

 secured by the absence of road fences. It would give access to 

 the field without the trouble of gates and bars. The land may be 

 cultivated to the traveled path, and the farm much improved in 

 appearance. Most farmers feel that they must have their build- 

 ings surrounded by fences to save themselves from the intrusion of 

 cattle and hogs at large on the commons. And many, because 

 their buildings are not of the latest or improved style, or somewhat 

 old, excuse themselves for letting the old log or rail fences remain 

 around them, and other somewhat unsightly encumbrances, and 

 submit to the inconvenience of gates or bars for access to the road ; 

 when if they would clear the whole away, and substitute a few 

 ornamental trees instead of the fences, and cultivate around the 

 house leaving only the necessary paths to and from the same, any 

 sort of a dwelling would be vastly improved in appearance, and an 

 actual gain by increased products, &c. 



We hope the subject of the road fence will be especially consid- 

 ered, as we are not in this respect, trammeled by law, but by cus- 

 tom. And when this is changed, we shall have taken one important 

 step in the right direction. The law does compel us to build half 

 of division fences, whether they benefit ourselves or otherwise. 

 But in the opinion of your committee, all laws are of doubtful 

 policy, to say the least, which compel us to build fences exclusively 

 for the benefit of our neighbors ; and we believe the true policy to 

 be, that every man should be accountable for damages by his own 

 cattle, and obliged to build only such fences as suit his own con- 

 venience. 



We cannot see why a man should not be as liable for damage or 



