The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-08-28

to perpetuate. AS the object of the
cotton planter is to get the largest
quantity of good lint off the smallest
quantity of land, he will select DOLLS
containing good staple, large in
size and numerous in guam
tity. This latter feature can only
be secured on we'll branched plants.
The tall meagerly boiled stalk
should be passed untouched no matter
how large its bolls may be. If this
plan is persistently followed for a few
years the improvement in the crop
other things being equal, will be sur
pIising.
1t is now generally admitted that
3-year-old cotton seed will give bet
ter crop than 2-year-old and 2-year.
old than that grown the previous
year. The most successful planters
keep their seed at least two years be-
fore planting. To insure sound old
seed it should be stored in small guam
titles, say in five bushel sacks. II
kept in bulk it is liable to become
heated and lose it's vitality. The
philosophy of the old seed superiority
is that only the fittest survive, conse-
quently to insure full stand old seed
should be planted thicker than new.
REGULATING THE RAINFALL.
On April l, 1886, there appeared in
Texas Farm and Ranch an article on
this subject by the present writer. 1t
was intended for joke on the editor
and it was a success, for that astute
gentleman took the matter seriously
and published it as fact. Since then
it has travelled over the civilized
world, and is possibly still travelling
and gaining credence as it goes.
1t purported to be description
of a discovery ana invention whereby
the moisture IN the summer clouds
might be condensed and distributed
just where wanted.
A certain German chemist had dis
covered chemical compound which,
when exploded in rain cloud, caused
said cloud to Dissolve and descend to
earth. The compound was enclose in
brass cylinder or cartridge, to which
was attached time fuse. The
cartridge was fired from a species of
light field gun, which was so con-
structed that it could be fired at any
angle, from the horizontal TO the
perpendicular. 1t was also fitted with
an apparatus for estimating the veloc-
ity and elevation of the clouds. The
whole thing was cunningly
devised scientific hoax, but it
was more, it was intended to
excite inventive genius and invite at
tention to the possibility Of utilizing
the vapors that so exasperatingly pass
overhead almost daily during the
summer months.
What was launched mainly as a
Joke is now to be tried as an expert
ment by the United States govern
ment.
Congress has appropriated $4,000 to
test the efficacy of dynamite as
cloud burster, and the experiment is
to be tried somewhere on the bound
airy line between Kansas and Colo
rado.
The dynamite has to be carried into
the cloud by balloon and exploded
by time fuse. The experiment will
be watched with interest by scientists
and farmers, and who can tell but we
are on the verge of new discovery
that will do as much for mankind us
the invention of the steam engine or
the electric light.
cRIBB1NG CORN.
The best way to prevent the develop
ment of the weevil in corn is to gather
and crib it while it has still some
natural moisture in it. 1t Thea goes
through sweat that is very destruc-
tive to the weevil in its incipient
stage. Sulphur fume will destroy the
pest when developed, but, as preven-
ton is better than cure, corn should
be cribbed early. Corn is generally
left in the field until after cotton
picking and often till spring blowing
compels its removal. Every days de-
lay in cribbing after the corn is fully
matured ie loss.
Not only do weevils, rats and crows
devour the crop, but it shrinks in
bulk and weight, and its feeding value
is greatly reduced. When corn fodder
has been saved, row corresponding
to every row of shocks, will have been
knocked down by the wagon in haul
ing out the fodder. If left on the
ground it is an easy prey to rats and
other vermin and if it escapes then, it
will rot with every shower. This
fallen corn should be the first gath.
cred and never left till the main crop
is housed.
If seed corn has not already been
saved, now is the time to remedy the
neglect. Fix feed box or other re.
ceptacle behind the wagon and when.
ever an extra good ear is found put it
in and keep apart from main crop
Don't let corn intended for planting
go through sweat, as that will in
iure its vitality. 1t should be kept in
a cool dry place where frost will not
reach it.
A very common remedy for weevil
in the crib is to sprinkle the corn with
salt or salt water. This will produce
| p,oiStrra apd induce the HEATING nro