WHAT I KNOW OF FARMING. 



and more equable climates, because our severe frosts 

 would heave and crumble their banks if nearly per- 

 pendicular, sloping them at length in places so that 

 animals might cross them at leisure. Nor have we, 

 so far north as this city, had much success with hedges, 

 for a like reason. There is scarcely a hedge-plant at 

 once efficient in stopping animals and so hardy as to 

 defy the severity, or rather the caprice, of our Winters. 

 I scarcely know a hedge which is not either inefficient 

 or too costly for the average fanner ; and then a hedge 

 is a fixture ; whereas we often need to move or demol- 

 ish our fences. 



Wire Fences are least obnoxious to this objection ; 

 they are very easily removed ; but a careless teams- 

 ter, a stupid animal, or a clumsy friend, easily makes 

 a breach in one, which is not so easily repaired. Of 

 the few Wire Fences within my knowledge, hardly 

 one has remained entire and efficient after standing 

 two or three years. 



Stone Walls, well built, on raised foundations of 

 dry earth, are enduring and quite effective, but very 

 costly. My best have cost me at least $5 per rod, 

 though the raw material was abundant and accessi- 

 ble. I doubt that any good wall is built, with labor at 

 present prices, for less than $3 per rod. Perhaps I 

 should account this costliness a merit, since it must 

 impel farmers to study how to make few fences serve 

 their turn. 



Rail Fences will be constructed only where timber 

 is very abundant, of little value, and easily split, 



