The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-12-25

of johnson" faith must be stoutlv
backed up by work.
The farmer who works and uses
ordinary intelligence in its applica-
ton will get better return for his
labor In Texas than anywhere else on
the top of Gods green earth.
And now is good time to work, not
merely because the weather is
favorable, but because next sea-
sons crop depends largely on
the present treatment of soil. About
a week ago while l was blowing nv
corn land near the county road COL
ored brother stopped and looked at the
effect of my big three wheeled plow.
Yer Just a tearin' that land all to
pieces" said he. / admitted the
charge. What is you goin' to put in
darT When told that l intended to
plant corn he shook his head pityingly
and said; "Lemme tell you boss,
you'll Dever make no corn on dat
land. l you want to raise corn you
should should pillow yer land shaller
jist afore plantin' time"
thanked him for his advice and
asked him to accept mine, which was
to pillow early and pillow ueep for corn ;
but he told me that my plan WASN'T
good and he would stick TO his own.
There are Others besides this Eth
opean that believe-or act as if they
believed-in thu "shaller" and late
breaking. | am inclined to think their
action Is rather the result of laziness
and thouShtlessness than conviction,
for the most superficial observation
must have shown them that early and
deep blowing gives the best results
every time.
1t should be standing rule to have
all corn land plowed before Christmas
and if possible a month before.
Nearly every progressive farmer be-
tween my place and Austin, dis
lance of ten miles, has his corn and
much of his cotton land
turned over now, and can with clear
conscience lay off week and recre-
ate during the festive season. This is
the rule in this section, and if any
crops are made in the county this dis
trict always has its full share. Those
who do not practice this system would
do we'll to try it. 1t is 700 late now to
do anything before Christmas, but
the wise man will keep his plows run
ming constantly from now on till the
work is done.
FARMERS INSTITUTES.
1t is now scarcely two years since
the public spirited publishers of the
Texas Farm and Ranch inaugurated
a system of farmers Institutes for
Texas, in the city of Austin.
Many of my readers we'll remember
that institute and the interesting and
instructive programme then carried
out.
Since that time institutes have been
organized in nearly every agricultural
county in the state, and have beer at
tended by success and crowds of farm
ers and their fair wives and daugh-
tiers. Indeed, these Institutes have
come to be looked upon as in
situations essential to the development
of agriculture, and that is just what
they are. Experience has proven that
personal contact and oral statements
leave more vivid and lasting impress
sions of men and their thoughts
than the ablest written and printed
matter. That is why farmer gets
more benefit from an institute than
from reading his agricultural paper.
He has this further advantage, if state
ments are made he does not under.
stand, he can "talk back" or ask for
more light.
In many other states farmers insti-
tutes are maintained at government
expense and recognized as indis-
pensible state agencies.
AS agriculture'is the ground floor Of
national and state prosperity,
everything that tends to it's
highest development should
be encouraged. This principle
has been endorsed by the
federal and state governments in the
establishment OF experimental stations
and A. & M. colleges; and no sus-
picion of class legislation has ever at
tached to their action. These valu-
able institutions are doing good work,
but their light is hid under a bushel,
unless their professors and directors
can have an opportunity of coming
into personal correspondence with the
people. That can only be done at
meetings of farmers, or Institutes.
1t is to be hoped that the new legis-
lature will see the Importance of the
matter and make such an appropri
alton as will put these institutes on
sound basis. The interests of the
state demand it.
THE INAUGURAL BALL.