The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-11-27

There are great possibilities in that
direction, if full advantage is taken OF
scientific research and mechanical
appliances.
Scientific farming must eventually
take the place of the present "rule OF
thumb" system. The change is now
in progress and fast developing
through the agency of popular agri-
cultural literature, colleges, expe-
riment stations and farmers institutes.
The mysterious connection be-
tween the soil and vegetation is being
studied closely by practical scientists
and their observation and conclusions
are daily being put into practice with
benefit to all concerned. Such is the
result of practical science, but there
is variety that is not practical, and
Woe unto those that put it nto
practice
Beware of false prophets-was
warning to people of easy belief.
Beware of false teachers of agri-
cultural science, is warn
ing to progressive farmers. Not
all that is written is
worthy OF credit. Take for eXamale
the doctrine preached by Charles H.
Harris in Southern cultivation. That
scientist tells the farmer that his
whole method of cultivation must be
reversed. That instead OF stirring the
soil during the growth of plants and
keeping the surface loose and friable,
it should be packed and pounded
down and made as hard and compact
as a cement sidewalk. This is said to
have two very important effects on
the soil and crop. The hard, COM
pact surface prevents the evaporati, n
of the moisture in the soil and the
teaching out of its fertilizing consti-
constituents.
To effect this result he advocates
the abandonment of all soil stirring i'm
plements during plant growth, and
the use of q "drag" made of heavy
blocks of wood. This continuance has
to be dragged between and across the
corn and cotton rows every five or six
days till the surfaced is "as smooth
and haId as brick yard" to use his
own words.
Think of this We black land farmers
of Texas. How is it this grand discov.
cry should have been left for one who
"tilleth not the soil?" The discovery
reminds me of Carlyle's famous fable
which l commend to Mr.. Harris con-
sideration, "Once upon time
man, somewhat in drink belize,
raised dreadful cutlery at the cor
ner of the market place, that the
world was all turned topsy tur' Q
that the men and the cattle were all
walking with their feet uppermost;
that the houses and the earth at large
(if they did not mind it) would fall
into the sky; in short, that unless
prompt means were taken, things in
general were on the high road to the
devil"
AS the people only laughed at him
he cried louder and more vehemently,
nay, at least began objuring and i'm
precating, when a good-natured audi
tor, going up, took the orator by the
hannch' and, softly inverting his
position, set him down on his feet.
The which upon the man perceiving,
his mind was not staggered not a lit
tie. "Ha! deuce take it," cried he,
rubbing his eyes; $50 it was not the
world that was hanging by its feet
then, but | that was standing on my
headW
CHAMBERS.
Some months ago a report was pub
lished in the papers that CHAMBERS was
preyelant in Southwestern Texas
This statement was challenged by
"the authorities" of San Antonio,
who met and whereased and resolved
that they had never seen a case Of
CHAMBERS in all their tributary terri
tory, and consequently that any state
ments to contrary effect must
he malicious and mischievous false
hoods.
Now the evidence OF one credible
witness, who says he has seen GER
tain thing, is better proof of its ex-
istence than the sworn testimony OF
ten thousand that they never saw it,
is of its non-existence.
DR.. Folstetter of Dallas received in
structions from Secretary RusB to en-
quire fully into the matter and has
done so.
He states that he visited Cuero,
Dewitt county, and found that the
disease had been in that district for
four or five years. He made an ex-
animation OF many diseased horses
and atfirms that there can be 10 ques-
ton as to it's character. 1t is a case
of CHAMBERS and mostly Of the chronic
order. He had fifteen head killed, as
death is the only cure for the disease
and preventive of its spread.
Now there is no doubt that the
knowledge of tho fact that CHAMBERS
exists amongst the horses of West
Texas will injuriously affect the horse
market of San Antonio.
That is to be regretted, but it is
better that the truth should be known
SO that danger may be guarded
against. The disease is easily spread
and affects the human as we'll as the
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