The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-02-14

midst of very interesting period in order
to hear a paper on 1.-THE Losses in Cotton
Culture" by Mr.. W. G.. Crockett, of Travis
county. Mr.. Crockett discussed the
anomalous disease of cotton known as
cotton blight" He exhibited specimens
of ''blighted" stalks containing a good
sized, healthy worm, but whether his
wormship is the cause or the result of the
disease Mr.. Crockett was not able to state.
Mr.. Crockett discussed, also, the "boll"
worm and other impediments to cotton
culture. entailing the loss of the
labor of thousands of men and teams.
An important part of the paper
was the discussion of seeds and the i'm
portance of saving the best and building
up valuable varieties.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Crockett's pa
per the institute adjourned till to-day
at 10 O'Clock.
There are on exhibition: Ensilage from
the Agricultural Experiment station and
from Mr.. W. A. CLARK, of Bell county;
creamery butter from the Agricultural
and Mechanical. college creamery, and su-
perior specimens of new and valuable va
rieties of turnips, radishes and carrots by
W. A. CLARK, the boss market gardener of
central Texas.
The general feeling among the
farmers was that the institute is
the thing they have been looking for,
and the way they asked questions. snapped
EXPERIENCES, listened to the papers and
took part in the proceedings thoroughly
demonstrates the fact that the institute
has come to stay in Texas, and has brought
"a mQ ic ri foo
Toned canpmeeting and Methodist love
feast put together. 1t is like the gospel
of Christ-free to all, independent of
previous conditions or qualifioa-
tions. The ladies are not to
be excluded, but will come
in for their share of discussions, essay
reading and exhibition of household
products.
The ensilage discussion was probably
the most interesting of yesterdays ses-
sion. Professor Gully and Captain Hill
were the leading speakers on the subject,
and they were piled with questions galore.
The samples of ensilage exhibited, both
of the enclosed and the stock sllo, we're in
state OF perfect preservation and shown
to be the angels food" of stock rations.
1t is good for cattle, horses, hogs and
chickens, and one economical young
member, who is newly married,
and has a saving eye on the future, wanted
to know ii it isn't good for childen, too.
1t has been safely predicted that the re-
suit of the discussion will be the building
of several silos in Travis county within
the next twelve months.
The attendance is large and enthusiast
tic, but, withal, earnest and conservative.
AS Bart Giles stated, the farmers must do
something, not merely to regain their lost
estate, but to hold what they now possess,
and they regard the institute as the means.
1t was stated by prominent members of
the Grange and Alliance that the insti-
tutes will have the hearty encouragement
of those organizations, and it was conclu-
sively shown that the institutes cannot
supplant any existing order, but will
stimulate and help them all. There are
farmers here from all parts of the state,
and they are here with their coats off, too.
Every right minded citizen wishes them
God speed in their work for the upbuild-
ing and prosperity of agriculture, for
upon that all of society depends.