The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-10-16


as conclusive on these points, as they
each gave an indepedent verdict and
the samples of butter submitted to
their judgement had nothing about
them to give any hint as to the food
they came from.
Mr.. G. w. Curtis the director OF the
station is thorough farmer, scientific
and practical. He fully explains the var
ious tests made and the precautions
taken to secure reliable results and
there can be no reasonable doubt that
the conclusions arrived at are correct.
He has proved that cotton seed or its
product, cotton seed meal is value
able factor in the ration of the dairy
COW, that its use does not injuriously
affect the flavor of the butter but in
creases its tirmness, a matter OF i'm
portance in warm climate. tits ad-
mitted that cotton seed lightens the
color of butter in the proportion it
bears to the full ration and as the
popular taste demands high
colOred butter at every
season of the year, the dairy manor
maid-must continue to use the old,
we'll known, and approved method Of
giving their butter the tint required
by their customers.
NATIONAL CROP REPORT.
The government report for October,
issued on the 10th, was looked forward
to with unusual interest by all in any
way connected with the cotton crop
For some days prior to that date spec,
ulation had been checked, both buyer
and sellers being afraid TO operate till
they got hint as to condition and
prospect of the crop. The returns
show material decline in cotton
prospects. The September report
showed the average condition of the
crop to be 85.5, while the one under
notice shows it to be 80, falling off
of 5-5 points in a month, which is a
big decline.
The causes given for this decline are
excessive rains and atmospheric moist
ure and lack of sunshine, which re-
tard the maturing and opening of the
bolls. In many sections the seed is
sprouting in the hollis and the fiber
much discolored by the ABSORPTION of
the coloring matter in the hollis.
The ball worm and caterpillar have
also got in their work. The following
are the state averages:
Virginia 80, North Carolina 81,
South Carolina SO, Louisiana S3, Ten
nessee SO, Georgia 80, Florida 81,
Alabama 80, Arkansas so, Texas II,
Mississippi rs.
With Texas, the greatest of all the
cotton states, 3 points below the gen.
eral average, and the crop all in sight
and the usual proportion already sold,
the prospects for an early advance are
good. Those who have held their
cotton will certainly reap the advan-
tage.
The recei PTS of cotton at the ports
have all the season been in advance OF
last year, but every day they show a
falling off, and the balance will Ger
tainly be the other way long before
this month expires, and then prices
will begin to rise. r.
BLIND VS.. OPEN BRIDES.
This is a subject on which good
horsemen differ widely, each class of
bride having its staunch friends and
unwavering advocates. The fact is,
they are both best when properly
applied. The opponents of the
"blind" argue that horse is
safer and easier to drive
with an open briddle through which
he can see all round and be prepared
for the sudden appearance of objects
that would scare horse with re-
stricted vision. The advocates of the
"blind" affirm that is safer and better,
because it confines the horses atten-
ton to the road ahead and prevents
him from being distracted by things
that should not concern him.
My opinion is that all horses should
be trained to the open bride. but that
the blind she I'D be used in driving a
Highly nervous or very lazy horse.
A horse that is dangerous to drive
with an open bride is often perfectly
safe when driven in blinds.
The lazy horse will take advan tage
of the open bride and Soldier" when
ever the whip is in the socket, often
endangering the driver by making a
sudden jump whenever the hand goes
in the direction of the whip.
When the lazy horse has his "hind
sight" INSTRUCTED, his fore sight is
improved and he keeps on the move,
not knowing, day nor the hour, when
the whalebone will be applied. When
horse has been proved to be safe
and 60 we'll in an open bride it
should always be used, as the blind
never adds to the appearance of a
horse, but is an ugly appendage.
In this country of bright sunshine
defective sight is very common in
horses, and often exists when not sus-
pected. l have long thought there is
fortune waiting for some enterprising
harness manufacturer who will con.
struct and patent an eye shield that
will protect the eyes of the horse
from the downward rays CT the sun.
Such continuance could easily be
made, and of such an ornamental