224 WHAT I KNOW OF FARMING. 



That a post set top-end down will last many years 

 longer than if set as it grew, I do firmly believe, 

 though I cannot attest it from personal observation. 

 I understand the reason to be this : Trees absorb or 

 suck up moisture from the earth; and the particles 

 which compose them are so combined and adjusted 

 as to facilitate this operation. Plant a post deeply 

 and firmly in the ground, but-end downward, and it 

 will continue to absorb moisture from the earth as it 

 did when alive ; and the post, thus moistened to-day 

 and dried by wind and sun to-morrow, is thereby 

 subjected to more rapid disintegration and decay than 

 when reversed. 



My general conclusion is, that the good farmer 

 will have fewer and better Fences than his thriftless 

 neighbor, and that he will study and plan to make 

 fewer and fewer rods of fence serve his needs, taking 

 care that all he retains shall be perfect and conclusive. 

 Breechy cattle are a sad affliction alike to their owner 

 and his neighbor; and shaky, rotting, tumble-down 

 fences, are justly responsible for their perverse edu- 

 cation. Let us each resolve to take good care that 

 his own cattle shall in no case afflict his neighbors, 

 and we shall all need fewer fences henceforth and 

 evermore. 



