The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-10-22

years. ,o,.,
thing needed is Cred!t-giVing stores
for the accommodation OF farmers.
This implies that farmers take their
cotton to the small towns and villages
because they have been getting theF
supplies from Them on credit at these
points, and are therefore under COM
pulsion to sell their cotton there.
This may be true to small extent,
but to very small extent. Do doubt
there is in Travis, as in every other
county, class of farmers who con-
sumo their years crop before making
it, and who live in a chronic state OF
Indebtedness.
But they bear q very small proper
ton to the whole, and are not the
kind that demand the attention Oh
those preparing a scheme for the SAL
walton of Austin. The great majority
of Travis county farmers 40 tnelr gus
mess ON a cash basis, and take ChelI
cotton where it will bring the Dest
prices, and no amount of credlt-glVlnS
stores will make the slightest diner,
ence to them. Some of the "chronlcs"
might be caught, but their patronage
would not amount to much.
The farmer, and for that matter,
everybody else, has already too many
facilities for credit and that is the
secret of much of the poverty in
the country. Debt with it's
debasing ,enervating influence, makes
the poor poorer, and buries them so
deep, that they never mature ambition
enough to try to get out of it. Far
mers are the chief ready money Gus
toners of the Austin merchant and
yet it is fact that if a needy farmer
goes to that city for a short term OF
accommodation he stands first class
chance of being refused. This is
short sighted policy on the part of the
merchant, whose main business is
credit with city customers, many OF
whom are merely salaried clerks,
without homesteads, or anything To
fall back on. The farmer, it not more
honest than his city brother, is gener-
ally safer man to trust and has Det-
ter security to offer.
Before this appears in print the
committee of the National Butchers
association will have paid their prom
ised visit to Austin in their search for
q suitable location for the proposed
aDattOir.
TO my mind this is one of the best
and most practical enterprises yet
contemplated for Texas, and will be
mine of wealth for the community
procuring it. There will of necessity
be keen competition for the prize, but
Austin from her geographical position,
her direct connections north, south
and east, and fast opening out to the
west; the center Of one of the best cat
tie and hog raising countries in the
world, and blessed with an unlimited
supply of the purest water and healthy
air, can give all competitors points
and beat them if the people look
to it.
1t has been reported that the Butch
ers' Association propose investing
100000 in the business, and will en-
plOy about 500 men. Such an enter
prise would do more than anything
yet suggested to advertise the city,
and would be beneficial, not only to
the city, but to every farmer in the
county and every stockman in the
state.
If q bonus is needed TO secure this
abatto,r, subscribers should not be
confined to the city, but be sought
| throughout this and adjoining cOun-
ties, where it's influence would ex-
tend.
~
Last week / had something to say
about planting fruit trees, and would
now specially address my city and
bald prairie friends on the subject of
forest trees. By forest trees L mean
other than fruit trees, which are
nisnted for shade, ornament or wind
brenlx Now is the time to prepare
for planting: we'll pulverised land
will beat sod or hard pan. Forest
trees do not need muck cultivation, or
indeed any, if we'll mtlched. L
strongly advocate the planting OF
small trees of not more than an men
in diameter. The almost universal
failure of trees transplanted to the
city is due to their too great develop
ment. The roots are not in proportion
to the trunks and not qualified to sus-
tain growth. The hack berry is popular
in the city, and if properly trans
planted when young enough Will
make a fine and hardy shade tree.
The catalpa and paper mulberry are
quick growers and of beautiful form.
The sycamore and cottonwood will
also do well where they can reach
moisture.
The prairie planter has wider
range Of trees, and not being cramped
for space can call in art to assist ma
ture. In addition to the trees just
named, he can add as many as his
taste dictates and convert the barest
hill-tops or sides into perfect groves
The walnut, chestnut and pecan
should find place in every farm
grove.
These trees should always be
planted in the seed. as they form tap
roots that are injured by removal.
This is the time to put the nuts in the
ground. They should not be closer
than thirty feet. The soil sh> I'D be
kept stirred round young trees te'hey
are not mulched.
The chestnut is becoming very pop
ooI ,,,bnra II rrpWS 10 Uary