The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-05-29

the question permanently for or
against it as a substitute
for jute? Its comparative strength
can be easily tested and set
tied. The weight of fiber to a ton
OF stalks can be known without much
trouble. Now they have machine to
separate fiber from the woody part Of
the stalk and have worked the fiber
into cloth, they ought to know how
much yard this cloth will cost and
what it will do. This can all be settled
by manufacturers, planters and mer-
chants, and needs no labored speeches
or long chains or resolutions. Why
cannot tho Farmers Alliance settle
this question soon and permanently
and let the world know what they in
tend to do about it? 1t will be a great
triumph if southern farmers Can cover
their cotton crop 100000 bales or
more, with the fiber of cotton stalks,
and have the cloth all manufactured
in the SOUTH" Assuming that cotton
stalks furnish a perfect substitute
for jute bagging, it is doubtful
whether their utilization for that pur-
pose would be an unmlxed benefit to
the cotton raiser, even if it burst the
bagging trust and increased the value
OF the crop. 1t is well known that
land devoted to cotton, not only does
not deteriorate, but improves in sur
face fertility the longer it is used for
that crop. This is an exception to
almost every other rule of farming,
and is explained by the fact that cot
ton draws much of its substance from
a subterranean strata and not exclu-
sively from the surface, like the cereals.
But there is another and more potent
factor. The cotton seed and lint re-
moved from the soil form very small
proportion of the crop. The stalks,
leaves, squares and damaged bolls fall
to the ground and 60 to enrich the
surface soil, and their effect is seen on
any other crop that may succeed cot
ton. Now, if stalks have to be used
for bagging or other purposes, the soil
will be robbed Of its due and no sub
stitute applied. The result would be
rapid deterioration in the soil and
gradually lessening crops.
TO SHOE OR NOT TO SHOE.
Quite a controversy has taken
place lately in England as to the use
of horseshoes. The Pail Mall Budget
says: AS the public are being invited
to view a collection of horseshoes at
the Animals Institute, and series
of papers are being read on the art Of
borseshoeing, the question whether
our horses should be shod at all might
be raised OPPORTUNITY. Use and want
have so accustomed us to shoe horses
that it will appear to many to be as
absurd to discuss the practice as il
would be to begin contention as tt
the wearing of boots. But it is not
by any means the first time that the
wisdom of mailing an iron shoe on the
hoof of horses has been called in
question. Some years ago the matter
was holly debated, when the advo
Gates of the shoeless system came in
for the abuse usually awarded to the
pioneers in any reform. The Roya
Society for the prevention of cruelty
to animals also gave it out that they
would prosecute any man who rode o.
drove horse without shoes, being
convinced that it would be piece O
cruelty to do so. If they are still O
the same mind they need not lacl
subject for prosecution, as we know
of more than one owner of horses who
has converted theory into practice.
A doctor of considerable practice
in the north of London has been driv
ing one of his horses for nearly veal
past without shoes, and his experience
confirms in the fullest degree the views
of the Rev. j. j. Wood as set out ir
his book on "Horse and Man." pc
rusal of which induced him to make
the experiment. When the shoes
were first removed the hoofs were
soft, and in order that they nigh
harden and so return to their nat,lra
condition, the horse was kept on {
hard floor in the stable for three
months. That is costly but neces
sary preparation where shoes have
been used, but later economies will
more than balance the account. A
the close of the period named he wa'
put to work, and Notwithstanding thu
tear and wear in all weathers and or
hard and soft roads unfortunately
the hoofs are perfectly sound. Eros
makes no difference to the surefooted
ness of the unshod animal, and while
the horses OF brother practitioner
were confined to the stable owing Il
the slippery condition of the roads, HI
went his rounds with absolute safety
This is clear demonstration that {
horse can do traction work withou
shoes and with distinct advantage
both to the animal and the owner
and the Rev. ]. G. Wood contend
that it can do saddle work also bette
than when shod, on any description
road. Veterinary surgeons, farrier
and grooms may be sceptical, bu
practice is better than theory. Tn
following are the advantages whicl
one of the authors correspondent
sets out as the results of his persona
experience:
E;ya or civ ,,nI,ndo nor onnun