The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-07-31

any corn Is crlbbed, and when the
crop is all housed the fumigating
should be thorough, as it is difficult
for the fumes to penetrate to the in
te rior of close fitting shuck.
Twenty-four to thirty-six hours fu-
migation according to the capacity Of
the crib will be enough to annihilate
the last of the race,
This is a sure specific if faithfully
applied, and now is the time to test
it.
RAIN OR NO RAIN.
The Democratic convention just
adjourned was attended by farmers
from every section of the county.
They were fairly representative of
their class and easily recognized as
horny-handed tillers of the soil.
Their sunburnt cheeks and their
sturdy, independent gait betrayed
their occupation to the most casual
observer; but they differed widely in
one respect. Any amateur physiog-
nomist might have noticed that some
of these country representatives were
radiant with smiles, while others wore
facial expressions suggestive Of funeral
rites. A few minutes conversation
with them revealed the secret of their
varying emotions.
"Well, how are the crops out your
way, Phenger?" "The best I've seen
in the last ninety-nine years." Had
any rain out your way lately~ "You
bet; had big rain last week and an
other one yesterday, and 1 will now
make two bales to the acre. Come
and I'll treat"
"Say, Dillingham;, how are crops out
about the iron bridge?" "Crops, be
hanged I amt got no crops; amt
had half drop of rain since first week
in June and don't expect none
Won't make twenty pounds of cotton
to the acre. Had to come to town
today to try and get square meal
out of some of them fool candidates,
but they're all too blamed stingy.
Say, can you lend me a quarter"
Rain or no rain, that was
the secret of their Joy or
dependency. The tickle rain
regulator has poured out copiols
showers on one field and shut off the
supply before it crossed the fence into
another. There have been fine rains
in spots, and these spots when in
cotton will probably make very large
crops, but the unfavored sectors are
suffering badly, and will soon be be-
yond the help of rain.
The old adage saith: Everything
comes to him who waits" and doubt
less rain will come to the drouth-
stricken ones, but to be Of any value it
must come quickly. Till then keep
the harrow and sweep running along
the cotton rows to fill up the fast
opening cracks.
FREIGHTs AND FARMERS.
The question of a railroad commits
sion occupies the public mind at this
time to the exclusion of nearly every
thing else. That some wholesome re-
straint should be placed on the power
of railroads to levy freight charges is
universally admitted and the applica-
ton of wise laws to that end, would
doubtless be beneficial to the corpora
tions as well as the public.
But while the public are clamoring
for railroad reform and the cheapen-
ing of freight rates, they are liable to
overlook another kind of road that
levies much higher rates. l refer to
the country mud road.
If the farmer ships carload of pro-
duce, and pays the freight, he knows
just how much less than its value he
receives, but he seldom figures out the
cost of hauling in wagon over country
roads, to the railroad. No one knows
better than the farmer that "time is
money" it takes money to buy and
feed horses, that wagons are bought
with hard cash and soon wear out.
These facts are we'll known but don't
figure in the average account of farm
operations, when striking balance of
profit and loss. The railroads rapacity
never fails to be mathematical, while
the mud road with its Astounding
meanness goes unheaded or at worst
gets a passing grumble.
The cost of transportation over
country roads has been carefully con-
sidered by Prof. Ely and jerks and