The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-12-18
FARM NOTES.
SEASONABLE AND SENSIBLE ADVICE
ON SETTING OUT SHADE TREES.
Cows and Cow Pens-Alliance Demands
and the Grange Splits and Cot
ton Planting.

This column is edited by Mr.. John G.
Edgar of Duval, to whom all communica
tons should be addressed.l
1t is an encouraging yet sorrowfu
sight to see the efforts made by the
good people of Austin to beautify theil
streets and homes by the planting o.
trees. Their action shows they have
a wish to improve their surroundings
and add to the attractiveness OF the
city, but it also proves that they have
not given the subject the considera
ton necessary to success.
1t is within the mark to say that
80 per cent of the trees planted on the
margin of the sidewalks die almost as
soon as planted, while the remaining
10 per cent live such sickly and pre-
carious existence as to be valueless fol
the object in view. There are two
main causes for this failure; the kind
OF trees planted and the method OF
planting.
For some reason, never could find
out, there is fashion for the hack
berry, one of the slowest growing and
least beautiful of all our native trees.
But even the blackberry would make
a shade tree if given q reasonable
chance. Those having trees set out
don't seem to think they are getting
value for their money unless the sap
ling is from three to four inches in
diameter and eight or nine feet high.
This is a grand mistake. When a
tree has attained these proportions
the roots are widely spread, and as the
| feeding rootlets do not exist to any
extent at the trunk end of the roots,
but mainly toward their extremity,
they are cut off when the tree IS
moved from it's birthplace.
The smaller the tree the better the
chances of preserving these rootlets,
without which the tree must die.
When the conditions are favorable a
vigorous tree will renew its rootlets ;
but its chance Of life is much greater
when they are not disturbed. Trees
should not be more than an inch and
half to two inches in diameter for
planting and have all the fine roots
possible. Better pay double rates for
such trees than have the big ones for
nothing. A few days ago, when in
the city, l made close observation OF
six blackberry trees growing in front
of house l occupied ten years ago.
During that decade they have barely
increased two inches in diameter and
their spre ad of branches in even less
proportion. The sycamore will give
much better results. 1t is quick
grower, W live where the blackberry
will die, and is handkerchief tree.
OF equal Importance to variety o
tree, is the way it is treated. have
watched the city tree planter at work
and marvelled at his ignorance. He
digs a hole two or three feet deep and
of equal diameter. That is all right
but he regards not the geological form
nation. Whateveris taken out of the
hole is replaced there, round the ten
der young roots and as in most cases
"the soil" is composed of more or less
solid lime stone or gravel, it
will be seen that the odds
are heavy against the tree. Those
having trees planted should
make a contract to have only fine,
rich soil filled into the holes, and have
it well saturated with water to bring
it into close contact with the roots.
II these hints are acted on, citizens
will have the satisfaction OF seeing
something for their money that will
add to their pleasure and the attrac-
tiveness of The city.
THE CHANGERS SPLIT,
The "sub- treasury" demands of the
Alliance has emboldened the Changers
to formulate scheme for the advance
of government funds on real estate at
low rate of interest. This proposal
has the Endorsement of the National
Grange, but has met with strenuous op-
position from the Michigan State
Grange, which was in session last
week, and passed a strongly-worded
and ably-reasoned resolution against
the national organization.
The Michiganders assert that at
would lead to wild clamor for credit
Every intelligent person must admit
that no system could be devised or its
operation SO guarded as to prevent
partially and favoritism in its distri-
button, first to his personal friends,
next to his political associates.
Every thoughtful man must foresee
that it would create feeling of help.
lessness and dependence on the gen
eral government by those whom it
is especially designed to help.
thereby relaxing individual effort, de-
stroying their energy and self reliance
and rendering them helpless mendi-
cants OF government charity.