MY VINEYARD. 27 



sable. The prevalent notions in regard to fencing, I think 

 altogether wrong. The capital invested in fences through- 

 ont the agricultural portions of the Union, is enormous ; 

 the interest on the investment and the expenses for re- 

 pairs being very large. One-half of this may be set down 

 as so much needless expense, which might be avoided by 

 a proper system of rotation and the substitution in many 

 localities of soiling for pasturage. I do not propose to 

 enter into a full discussion of this subject, but consider it 

 well worthy the attention of every one interested in agri- 

 cultural pursuits. 



BUYING STOCK. 



I found but little difficulty in purchasing such stock as 

 was needed. Before commencing work on the hovel, I 

 had bought a span of horses, having found one that suited 

 me after two or three half days' search. They were not 

 particularly elegant in appearance, or swift of foot, but 

 they were strong in build and kindly in disposition. My 

 success in this purchase was a mere matter of luck, my 

 judgment in regard to the qualities of horses being at 

 that time decidedly poor. Of one thing, however, — the 

 disposition of a horse — I could always judge with a con- 

 siderable degree of accurncy. A vicious man, or w^oman 

 either, for that matter, may sometimes disguise their 

 character under the mask of a pleasant smile, or a smooth 



