The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-11-12

road. But, dump of black dirt
however we'll graded, flanked on
either side with a ditch, does not con-
stltute road. This is proved bv the
fact that nearly all travel is done in
the bitches instead Of on the grade, as
was Intended. The reason is that the
dltches have comparatively hard
bottom, while the newly graded road
IS soft and heavy pulling.n
Unless this important initial work
is followed up by the application of
properly crushed rock or gravel, and
thoroughly compacted with a heavy
roller before travel is allowed the
newly dpctored road will soon be in
as bad condition as before.
1T means all expenditure of money
but it is absolutely Indispensable
in this day of Uniform
gauge and narrow tired wheels
that roads shall be attended to after
every rain that pcnetrates the. sur
face.
The first vehicle that travels n
road alter such rain, forms a track,
that Is faithfully followed by every
otnef passing along the same route,
I'LL IL deVelopes into a deep rut, the
development of which is not long de-
layed.
Inc prevention Of these ruts should
be the object Of every road overseer
There are many ways of preventing
thein, ana they are prevented in many
0ther states and counties, and might
oe mere, Withoutexpense to the county,
IL anything approaching united ac-
ton was taken by the farmers.
Gut farmers organizations are too
busy handling political and national
affairs to give much attention to what
is practicable and belonging to the
precinct.
If heavy loads were hauled on
broader tired wagons, drawn by three
horses abreast, or, if the hind wheels
OF wagon were set two inches further
apart than the front ones, they would
break down any edge made by
the front wheels, and the two
different guages would tend to form
wide, firm track instead of a
narrow deep rut. 1t is the
constant pressure OF both narrow
wheels on the same surface that makes
and perpetrates the rut. Ifany driver
on a deeply rutted road will notice
where it takes an abrupt turn he will
see that the ruts have almost disap-
peared. That is explained by the
front and hind wheels travelling round
the corner On different tracks.
Until this new arrangement of
horses and wheels takes place the rut
forming can only be prevented by the
use Of machine designed for that
purpose. That machine should be
operated as soon as practicable after
rain, and the rough edges OF the ruts
cut off and forced into the depressions.
If this was done at the right Tune the
cost would be small and the benefit
great.
1t were as well to leave the roads
untouched by grader as to neglect
their proper completion and MAIN
tenance afterwards.
Chilli WHITE CEOVER.
A few weeks ago wrote about new
foreign plant called MelilGtus, or
Chilli white clover, which promises to
do as well on poor chalky ridges as
Alfalfa does en- tho deepest and rich
est soil.
It was described in Home and Farm
by E,i Shop perd, 9 we'll known agri
cultural writer, who kindly sent mo
package of the seed tor tri&l. 1t is de
scribed as mallinG u growth very liKt
Alfalfa and a hay equally nutritious
\ correspondents suggested that il
might be A lfi,ltt under aGEother uame
but it is rot, Cor, not only will Alfalfa
not grow on limestone rock, but it,
bloom is p r dc, while that of Nell
lOtuS is said so be white. But, be-
sides these differences, find the seed
entirely different. Under the micro
scope the Alfalfa seed resembles, III
shape, a kidney bean, while the Nell
lotus seed is comparatively round.
with slight lamentations. They may
be of the Same family of plants, but
widely different in character.
If this clover will grow here as it il
said to grow in Alabama it should
open up mines of wealth for the
portland farmer. Clover is the great
renovator and fertilizer, and if it
can be made to grow on our
cha!ky knobs and their WORKOUT
fields, these now despised spots, may
not "blossom like the rose" but grow
useful crops that will be more profit
able, if not so eSthetjc.
The only thing to be feared about
it's success is that it will make farm
ing so easy and profitable that the
poor, struggling city merchants and
bankers, who are now wearing out
their lives scratching for bare exist
enee, will migrate en- masse to the
country and run out present occupiers,
who will be reluctantly compelled to
take refuge in the deserted cities and
carry on the commercial and financial
affairs of the country.
WhileIhis might not be pleasant
change for the farmer, it is worth
risking. He might escape the inflc,
ton and find his lands greatly in
creased in value. would like several
farmers to test this clover on small
scale. mean to do so, and have or
dered more seed, through Mr.. Martin,
seed merchant of Austin, where it can
be had.
WED BLACK CHERRY.
NV attention has been drawn TO a
tree suitable for ornamental and use
full purposes. I am not aware that 1t
III 4aN