The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-05-01

ready for rain. This is the time
to appreciate the value of checking
Checked corn and cotton can be
run through both ways with cultivation
or sweep, and the fullest advantages
taken OF short spell of dry weather
while those depending entirely on ho'
labor are struggling on slowly SnC
laboriously, and never able with the
force they command to fairly overtakC
their work. Those who took my ad
vice and put in plenty of cotton seeC
will have u stand that will allow the
crop to be checked with a sweep, anC
will be in great measure independ
cut OF hoe labor. Reduced cost o
production means increased profit OF
crop.
CASTOR BEAN AND BOIL WORM.
A writer in the Dallas Weekly Nows
relates his experience with the castor
bean and declares that it is q sure
preventive of damage by boil worm
He planted cotton where there had
been castor beans the previous year
and many volunteer plants grew up
in the cotton rows. He noticed that
the boil worm never attacked cotton
near a bean plant while that out a
distance was badly injured. He is not
decided as to just what there is about
the castor bean to give exemption to
the cotton, but suggests that the odor
of the plant may be offensive to the
moth, or if not so. that the moth de-
posits its eggs on the bean plant, which
is generally bigger than cotton, and
likely to attract the miller, and that
the worms are poisoned by the castor
oil not agreeing with their youthful
stomachs. The writer suggests the
planting of two rows of beans to four
OF cotton as a preventive of boil worms
AS the bean requires the same cult
walton as cotton, and is a profitable
crop, there could be no loss in testing
the theory.
DEHoRNING CATTLE.
To dehorn calves is a very simple
operation and attended With very lit
tie risk if dextrously performed.
Watch for the first appearance of the
ends of the horn, little horn button,
and take an ordinary chisel and pry it
out. Some would make no applica-
ton to the wound; others would
simply apply ordinary tar; while still
others would sere the wound over with
red-hot iron rod. We rather prefer
the latter course, as it most effectu.
ally prevents future growth. 1t may
cause trifle more pain but of short
duration and slight severity.
When you come to deal with older
cattle the operation becomes little
more difficult and it would pay to en-
ploy one who has had some expert
ence. The first requisite is a sharp,
fine saw, one that will cut off the horn
in the shortest possible time so that
the inevitable pain may not be pro-
longed. The animals head must be
by means of ropes, to pos
or stanchion so that it will be unable
to move its head. Then take the
saw and saw off the horns close to
the head, as quickly as possible.
There will be some pain as the saw
passes through the nerv pith, but
in the hands of an expert operator, it
will soon be over and cattle will gen.
orally go to eating or drinking as if
had happened.
We cannot say that the expediency
IF dehorning cattle has been fully |
demonstrated. II still has its oppo-
lents and its Jealous advocates In |
some places, societies for prevention
If cruelty to animals have evoked the
strong arm of the law 20 put stop to
t, but we think that such attempts
nave seldom proved successful. There
IAN be no doubt that the operation
,auses transient pain, but cattle in
nerds probably suffer a great deal
more from one another's horns than
hey would from skilful dehorning.
Then the human family is relieved
rom considerable liability to suffering
rom cattle's horns. Whoever has
zen much of cattle, in the field or in
he stable, has often had their indig
lation aroused by the readiness with
which they use their horns upon one
mother. There may be some butting
mong dehorned cattle, but their
apacity for inllicting pain is greatly
Some have raised the question of
he effect of dehorning upon the nerves
n affecting the secretion of milk or
ream, or even of affecting the potency
4 bulls, but we think they have failed
o make out case. But the younger
nimals can be dehorned, the less the
isk of Observation-Disclosures Rural
lone.
CURE FOR LICE ON SWINE.
/ will give IL. f. Korn and others
Tho need it much superior cure for
ce and nits on swine than the one
on gave him. Take one ounce of
Ommon sulphur and dissolve it in
gill of kerosene; then add ten gills
raw linseed oil. Apply to the hog
it'll mop or brush every two or three
lonths, and you will never have any
its or lice on hogs, as it kills both.
have used this remedy ever since
ngan to breed the small English ,
Orkshire hOgs-Oyer n wear. kero |