The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-06-26
WHAT'S THE MATTER?

are not prosperous, that they have
more than fair share of the drudgery
of life and little less than an aver.
age of its comforts. II is amusing as
well as edifying to read the various
opinions of correspondents as to the
causes of the farmers troubles and
the remedies suggested for their re-
moval.
We are told that the farmers diff
culties are due to bad seasons, idle
ness, unthriftiness, bad management,
railroad rates, trusts, protective tariff,
the act OF universal religion and a
hundred other causes more or less
reasonable.
Discussing this vexed question the
Farm and Fireside which may be call
ed protective tariff agricultural paper
says: "Much has been written about
the causes of and remedies for agricul-
tural depression but the fact is there
would be much less cause for grum-
bling about hard times among farmers
if they had kept out of debt.
"The pay-as-you-go plan would have
kept them free, independent and con-
tented and free from being grumbling
slaves to debt"
Since over ninety per cent. Of the
men who 60 in business fail, it is little
wonder that so many farmers do not
realize what they expected from the
investment of borrowed capital.
Where ten men invest borrowed
money and succeed, ninety men fail,
and the ninety who fail are the ones
who rush recklessly into debt, and af-
forwards grumble at what was brought
about by their own lack of foresight
and business capacity"
Among the many causes OF agricul-
tural depression too much familiarity
with debt takes a forward place.
KEEPING IRISH POTATOES.
Potatoes can be as easily raised in
Texas as in any other State, but there
is difficulty in keeping them. All
sorts Of plans have been recommended
but none OF them have proved infall-
ible. The latest suggestion is to dig
the tubers when thoroughly ripe,
handle them carefully so as to avoid
bruises, and when thoroughly dry on
the exterior pack them away in boxes,
barrels OF in heaps in some cool, dry
place, sprinkling them in layers with
air slaked lime. 1t is claimed that the
lime kills the spores that cause decay
and that potatoes treated in this way
will keep in good condition from one
season to another. 1t is at least worth
= trial.
CROP PROSPECTS.
1t is many years since crops prom
ised so we'll at this date in Central
Texas. Except in few isolated cases
corn will be the biggest crop in past
ten years. This is a settled fact, as
the crop is already made. 1t is also
noticeable that the crop is free from
worms that usually do much damage.
Where cotton was cleaned out early
it is much an advance of last year, and
where only recently hoed it is gener-
ally strong and healthy and free from
insect pests, and with timely rains
during July and August the crop will
be too large. But as timely rains are
not to be expected the next best thing
should be substituted. There is an
old saying that two Civilizations are
equal to a good rain, bat while that is
only true where there is plenty of
moisture in the soil, it is fact that
a frequent stirring of the surface soil
discounts to large extent the effect
of drouth. The timely and we'll
distributed rains have been very bene.
fetal to grass and sorghum, and both
are luxurious and cattle are in fine
condition.
Altogether the farmer and stock
man have bright prospects ahead.
CORN CROP AND HOG FEEDING.
With the prospect of a large sur
plus of corn over and above home
consumption and local market re-
quirements farmers would do well to
make arrangements for hog feeding on
a larger scale than usual. The local
markets are easily glutted, but hogs OF
the right size and quality always find
a ready market in the North and in
the City Of Mexico. Hundreds of car
loads pass through Texas every year
en- route for Mexico. Texas has the
corn and can raise pork cheaper than
any other State. Why shouldn't the
worked down cotton planter try hogs
for change? Although situated next |
door to Mexico she cannot, owing to
railroad discrimination, get any adj
from her position, but in a
short time this will be changed by the |
railroad commission, and |
then we may get the right that is now
lenied us. The man who votes
against the commission amendment is
1 traitor to his State.
FARMERS AND THE LEGISLATURE.
While 1 am opposed to class legis-
alton of every type and variety l
strongly advocate farmers being more
argely represented in our legislative
nails, not that they may pass laws
avoring their class, but rather that
hey may prevent legislation inimical
% the agricultural interests. There
ire more farmers in the State than
INV other class and there are fewer