The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-07-10

false.
On the 4th of June / ate apples of
of a tree that / planted on the 4th O
December 1885, or four aud ANAL
years ago. The frui was o.
medium size, of beautiful appearance
and fine texture and fiay3r. Unfor
turnately its name was loS IN ship
4 ment from the nursery. BrtGe sum
mer apple planted at same tine ls' also
fruiting, but will not ripen lor IAN
other month.
Red astrachan and Ben laws
planted December Is, 1887, have bStth
set small crop, showing them to Be
early bearers and adapted to the
climate. All these varieties have made
good growth and are healthy and Wig.
orous. am satisfied that apples can
be successfully and proitably raised
where the right varieties are planted
in the right soil. Soil and variety de-
termine the matter rather than
climate. My soil is the ordinary red
mountain loan bountifully mixed
with flint rocks, with red clay about
two feet below the surface. 1 think
the clay is the main secret of success,
and then variety. 1 have tried over
twenty varieties and only those named
have shown any disposition to sue
coed. Let anyone having a clay sub
soil similar to mine try the apples
have named and l think they will
thank me for my advice, as they will as
this year make crop when peaches
fail.
Grapes are bearing we'll, though
they were killed back by the frost.
find Herbemont, Goethe Triumph,
Black Spanish and Early Champion
the most vigorous vines, and the latter
is the earliest to ripen in my vineyard,
but its fruit is Of poor quality. 1t is
tough in skin and pulp, with large
seed and has rather an acid flavor,
which is not agreeable. Black Spanish
and Goethe are in every way superior.
The Delaware, said to be the finest of
all table grapes, is slow grower and
has not fruited with me. Every one
should have few grape vines round
their home, and if a proper selection
is made their cultivation will be botL
pleasurable and profitable.
THE COUNTY POOR FARM.
This institution is little understood
or appreciated by the farming COM
munity. They understand that it
exists and have vague idea that
somehow or other it is necessity and
one of the evils which, being incur
able, must be endured. l don't take
that view, but, on the other hand, l
think not only that there is no neces-
sity for it, but that it is one of the
greatest outrages ever perpetrated on
suffering people. Why the county
owns and runs farm 1 have never
been able to find out, and there can
be no more reason for its having
farm than Touring mill. lumber
yard, dry goods store or saloon. If
the farm is run for profit any of the
other enterprises would pay better. 1t
can not be conducted to find employ
ment for able-bodied paupers, as there
are none in the county and never
should lie, and the only person en-
titled to relief are the old and infrm
who are unfit for field labor.
AS a matter of fact, the farm is run
exclusively on paid labor, from the
superintendent to the picaninny cot
ton picker. Whether the operations
result in profit or loss l have never
been able to ascertsin from those who
ought to know, but if the facts could
be got at it would be safe to bet that
every year this noble institution leaves
a big deficiency to be made good by
taxes.
But, assuming that it does pay its
way and even leave balance to the
good, why in the name of all that is
honest and fair should the country
run farm to raise produce to COM
pete with the tax-paying farmer?
Hasn't he enough to bear from tariff,
trusts and other unrighteous combi-
that he should have to shout.
der this imposition?
What would the grocers and other
of Austin think, and think
aloud, if the county commissioners
decided to open a store for the sale OF |
general merchandise, or open brick |
or lumber yard at the cost of the |
Why of course they wouldn't stand
it for the sixtieth part of an hour.
But the farmers, except few living
near or having to pass the farm and
see the full extent Of its work, are
content to let things slide along in
the old groove. Farmers, inquire into
this poor farm business and you will
find how you are supporting scheme
that is of no value as a revenue pro-
Queer or utilizer of pauper labor, out
that your taxes 60 to raise corn, oats,
cotton or other produce to compete
with your own in the market.
What is the remedy? Abolish the.
farm, or at least all of it that is not
necessary to provide pasture and feed
for the COWS, hogs and horses needful
for the inmates. That is my remedy,
think it over, .alk it over with your
or would-he commits