The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-07-10

Edgar of Duval, to whom all communica
tions should be addressed.l
WEATHER AND THE CROPS.
The weather of June has been the
driest and hottest since 1885, at least
in Travis county. On the It'll we had
a $50 rain which was just in time to
make early planted corn and nearly
all who were fortunate enough to have
corn planted before the 10th of March
can now congratulate themselves on
one of the best crops they have made
in ten wears, but late paintings, and
early paintings on wet land, needed
another rain two weeks ago, and not
receiving it, their crops will he light
The long continued dry weather allow
ed the oat crops to be secured in good
condition but the grain is light and
the acreage was small owning to kill.
ing frost of March LIST. AS the same
condition prevailed throughout every
grain growing section OF Texas and
the Northwest the oat crops of the
country will be very short and prices
must, or should, be good for the pro-
ducer.
This is a good time to hold on and
not rush grain into the market as soon
as it goes through the thresher.
Sorghum handled as hay has been
saved in prime condition and cattle
will be we'll provided for next winter
The rains of April and May put the
cotton farmer on his mettle. They
were so regular and frequent in their
visits that he never could get ahead
of his enemies, grass and weeds, and
the only rain in June being a root
soaker and trash floater, seemed to be
the proverbial "last straw" and des-
pair settled like pail on many a
brave heart that had struggled m an
fully against an unpropitious fate.
But "the longest lane has a turn
ing" and "every cloud a silver lining"
The weather since June has been all
that even a farmer could wish for the
cultivation of crops, and cotton fields
everywhere are clean and generally in
fine title.
The dry, hot weather of the past
two weeks has demonstrated the ad-
vantage of thoroughness and timely
ness in cultivation.
Where the soil has been we'll and
frequently stirred and consequently
kept loose and friable cotton has con.
tinued to grow without check, while
it is wilted and shedding its squares
and blooms on all imperfectly farmed
lands.
Crops in the latter condition are al
ready permanently damaged, but a
good rain within week will be in
time to save the large bulk of the
crop in this county; if delayed longer
even the most thoroughly cultivated
crops will suffer.
There is no cause for dependency,
however. Referring TO nay weather
record find that no rain fell on my
farm from May % to July l, 1885, and
yet l made over half a bale to the
acre. The needful rain came later,
and history is said to sometimes re-
peat itself.
The black land farmer can do Letter
with too little than with too much
rain, as cultivation affects to a great
extent the effect of drcuth, and his
prospects at this writing is better
than for the past two years. The cot
ton plant is more forward than usual
and land clean and ready to get the
full benefit of the rain, whereas in
1883 we had in June a rainfall of
1850 inches spread over twelve days,
as well as several showers less than a
twentieth of an inch, and in 1889 we
had 9.35 inches scattered over ten
days, keeping back development of
plant and hindering cultivation. With
timely rains during July and August
we will make too much cotton.
THE TRUIT CROP.
AS is now pretty well known the
peach crop of Texas is almost a total
failure. For sometime after the fatal
freeze of March many believed that
the late blooming varieties had escap-
ed damage and would make crop.
That illusion has long since been dis
PEELED as the most prolific trees in Or
binary years are absolutely barren.
The only grated peach in my orchard
bearing fruit this year is the Thurber,
a Seeding of the Chinese cling, and
its crop is very light. Strange as it
may appear a few Seeding trees that
were in bloom, and consequently in
full circulation of the sap, at the time
of the freeze have fair crop OF
peaches. I had feared that the trees
were permanently injured as they
were very late in leafing, but they |
have come out all right and show no |
evidence of bad treatment beyond the
absence of fruit. Probably years
rest may tend to a large crop
nextyear.
My plum, apricot, pear, cherry, fig
and Japan fruits have all made good
growth of wood. The Kelsey japan
plum is one OF the finest plum family.
Trees planted December 1887 are fruit
ing this year, and the plum is a mar
vel of size and beauty.
would strongly advise those think
ing of of setting out an orchard to
plant the Kelsey. 1t will grow where