The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-08-02
FOR FARMERS.
Items From the Agricultural Col
lege of the State.
Suggestions to Farmers and
Others Who Desire 10 Lend
Assistance to the Instl-
tuition.

Gas this department was opened at the
beginning of the present school
year; and, as the work of the
experiment station lately established
here under the Hatch bill did not begin
till March last, the experiment al work OF
the department is necessarily in Its |
lncipient stages. 1t was thought best,
however, to make brief statement to the
public concerning the steps taken this
spring, and what is desired of those in
terested to make the department of
service and benefit to the general public.
The testing of varieties of fruits and
vegetables will be an important part Of
the horticultural work of this station, as
we desire to state that it will be so con-
Quoted as to be of service and value to
originators and to the public. We desire
to receive varieties from originators and
report on them from time to time.
Thus, originators will be aided IN
testing their productions, while the
public will have the advantage of
early knowledge concerning new varieties.
No variety is desired unless thought to
have special merit, as the station cannot
undertake long lists of seedlings for the
purpose of sitting out the undesirable
varieties for the benefit of Individuals. No
variety is wanted unless it is likely to be
disseminated, and thus become of public
interest. Care should be taken, in sending
new varieties, to label the packages dis
tinctly, name or number of variety, and
name of sender, together with postoffice
address. A letter or card should also be
sent at the same time, giving full particu-
lars as to origin and parentage, If known,
end such other facts as may be of IN
terest. In order the more quickly and
accurately to arrive at results,
some of the newer varieties of fruits aud
vegetables will be sent to growers In diff
ferent parts of the state for trial. Blanks
will be sent in each case in order to insure
uniformity and completeness in the re-
ports. 1t is not contem plated, however,
to send plants and seeds to applicants in
discriminatory. The desire is to secure
cooperation of specialists in the different
lines of fruit growing and vegetable cul-
ture, and to furnish facilities for the
thorough testing of special crops TO those
who are beat qualified for the work, or
have better adapted soil than is afforded
on the grounds here, and have desire to
undertake it. Those who wish to under
take work of his kind can learn what Is
required by correspondence with the stat
ton.
The work done this spring is of neces-
sity largely preparatory to future work,
by way of getting the soil in state of av-
erage fertility, dividing the grounds into
proper plots, locating orchards, vineyards
and small fruit testing grounds, etc In
the vineyard fifty flour varieties of grapes
have been planted with the view of testing
| ala 30 re in,r
whatever diseases that may appear, and
to apply the several modes of training to
ascertain which is the most profitable for
the several varieties We give the list be-
low in order to show what varieties are
not in our collection that may have origi-
mated in Texas, and Others that should be
added to the list this coming fall. We shall
make several additions by purchase this
fall but shall receive any varieties, new or
old, that anyone desires to have tested
under the limitation and directions given
above. The list of grapes below ere
given in families just as they are planted,
with proper room left for additions TO be
made to each. In the table, B stands for
black, A for amber and W for white.
Muscadine Family.-Vitis Rotundifolia,
Scuppernong, Flowers, Tenderpulp,
Thomas.
THE METEoRoL0GIsT.
Mr.. j. Fl, Kennedy, the meteorologist
in his report, says: In the department OF
meteorology we have not yet gotten to
work, but the station has just received all
the instruments necessary for making
observations on the weather, and they will
be set up and used in short time.
The instruments include barometer, a
: wet and dry bulb hygrCmeter, two sets OF
maximum and minimum thermometers
two rain gauges, two exposure thermome-
ters, a Robinson's thermometer, and q
. wind vane. A set of soil thermometers
will be obtained during the summer.
1t is hoped that the farmers throughout
the state will take an active interest in
this important department of the expert
ment station, and that some of them will
show their interest by becoming volun
tary observers for the station, and aid in
establishing a state weather service.
Each voluntary observer would be asked
to furnish himself with at least the fol-
, lowing instruments, viz:
One thermometer and one rain gauge
These instruments can be obtained at a
cost of from Sc to $40.
The duties of the voluntary observer
will be to take reading of the Their
mometer at a. m, p. m. and p. m. every
? day. At the same time he will make
note of the condition of the weather, land
if possible, the direction and approximate
= velocity of the wind; specifying whether
the wind is light, brisk, strong, very
{ strong, etc.
A record of these observations will bt
kept from day to day.
The date, duration and amount of each
rain fall should be kept. At the end Of
: the month complete copy of the record
must be sent to the head office, at College
station, where it will be worked up anC
E the results published.
The thermometer from which the read
/: ings for temperature are taken should be
placed in some position where it will be
sheltered from the direct rays eff the sun
8 but where the air will have free and easy
J. circulation about it. If placed on q
!: building it should be suspended on the
north side, and be several inches from the
0 wall. 1t should be covered by a hood &c
:, protect it from the rays of the sun.
l. The rain gauge should be placed on the
IT ground in clear open space, away from
= buildings or trees that might in any way