The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-12-10

mulch all fruit trees and grape vines
with it, taking care not to heap ii
against the trunks. The good effect
will be easily seen.
ASK and We shall receive" may be
a correct quotation from scripture; but
was never intended for universal
application, without conditions. 1t
would not be proper to have
every request gratitied. Man is
naturally selfish animal, and unless
under mental, moral or other restraint
might make many demands that
could not be fulfilled without injury
to others. For example, some farm
ers are asking for government loans
on their cotton and on their land, at a
very low rate ofinterest, besides many
other equally absurd privileges. II
their dem ands were granted they
would be in no better position and
other classes in worse. Where the
petition is foolish or against the right
full interests of maiOrities it should not
be granted.
Ii the subtreasury advocates would
cease clamoring for the impossible
and devote their energy to the ac-
quirement of the practical, they would
not only receive personal benefit, but
benefit their species.
There is one thing we can fairly ask
for and expect to receive, if we follow
the example of the importunate
widow, and that is free mail delivery
in country towns and thickly settled
country districts. Here is practical
matter that only requires to be pressed
on our lawmakers to become an ac-
complished fact. In other countries
the rural mail delivery and collection
is as regular and well performed as in
our largest cities, Every farmer,
unless living in some very remote and
inaccessible place, has daily connec-
ton with the mails. He is thus placed
in close communion with the outer
world and kept informed on its
daily events, instead of, as
in this country, living hermit's life
and reading only ancient history, sup
piled through the weekly or monthly
press, when his home duties al
low him to visit the postotfice, many
miles from his residence. \ free rural
delivery would be boon to the farmer
and one of the best educational move
ments ever attempted.
Experiments have been made. and
Postmaster Wanamaker states that
free delivery in farming districts has
proved that the increase Of revenue is
more than enough to pay the increased
expense.
Here is something we need and can
have by persistently asking. Those
desiring the change should write
their congressman to that effect.
To the rightly constituted being, ii
is more pleasant to compliment than
to condemn, but somehow the oppor-
are more frequent or readily |
avalled in the latter case. Public bodies |
fall in for large measure of censure !
for real or imaginary shortcomings. |
and seldom get full credit for the |
good they accomplish. This reflection
is the outcome of personal experience
and observation.
For some years | have condemned !
the system that compelled us to en-
dure such misery and loss on our
roads, by reason of their bad. |
ness; and 1 had almost begun to de-
spair of any improvement.
One set of county officers after an
other have had the control of our
roads and our taxes; but with unvary-
ing effect, till those now in office
took charge.
Every unprejudiced observer must
have noticed the beneficial action of
our commissioners during the past
year, on our county roads, |
and feel grateful therefor. If
the road making system |
they have inaugurated can be carried |
forward and completed, Travis county /
will have as good macadamized roads .
IN the worst black mud lands as can
be found in the country. \ few days .
ago | travelled over short length of /
road now being transformed from mud .
to macadam. and must say the work
Is of n most thorough character, and .
a credit to those having it in hand.
[ understand the rock is crushed by
and most of the labor per
Ormed by county convicts; this ought
o give maximum return Il, MIMI
mum cost. Said convicts have too
ong eaten the bread of idleness, sup
lied by the taxes of many having a
ara night for the support Of them
elves and families.
Or course everyone travelling bad .
Dads would Ike an early turn Of the
BAD making gang, but as only one
an be attended to at time, patience .
LouLd be exercised, l have no doubt .
be commissioners, who have shown
o much energy and interest in our
eeds, will deal fairly with every sec
ION.
return to the timely subject of tree
planting, and again urge those intend
ne to plant to do so at the earliest
\ young tree planted
low will practically have year start
f one planted in the spring The fall
tainted tree has the advantage of the
all and winter rains bringing the soil
nto contact with their roots and en-
their growth.
The heat and drouth of summer
ften comes before the spring planted
rec has had time to make root.
Those having certain varieties of
ears and plums can easily increase
heir orchards without cost by plant
Nc cuttings. If the cutting and
lanting is properly done a large per-