The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-05-21
IRISH POTATOES.

Ihave often insisted on the wisdom
of cultivating the potato on large
scale as a money crop, and would do SO
a gain,
With cotton at 7 1-2 cents it is time
the farmer was looking round for a
I substitute, and there is no crop suit
able for our soil and climate that
promises so we'll as the potato. With
suitable soil and location and intelli-
gent cultivation it is easier to make
800 an acre from potatoes than S25
from cotton. Two hundred bushels
to the acre is not more than
an average yield, without the aid
of fertilizers, and the market
would have to be unusually crowded
when the grower had to sell as low as
fifty cents. AS this crop can be raised
twice year, ii does not require one to
be gifted with abnormal ability to see
that potatoes will beat king Cotton
But the subjects of this monarch new
yer waver in their allegiance and will
stand by his standard though they
perish in the effort.
Cotton is a safe and valuable crop
for Texas, but it should not be raised
to the exclusion of others equally safe
and more profitable.
We do not need to raise any less cot
ton but more, if possible, on
half the acreage; and devote the
land thus saved to other
valuable crops. 1t is nothing short of
a. scandal that Texas has to import
over so per cent of all potatoes used for
food and 100 per cent for seed, when
we should be exporting. am fully
aware of the difficulty OF keeping the
tubers through both summer ana win
ter, having make first class failure
every time | have attempted it.
But there is no necessity to keep
them. They can be sold as soon as
ready for market and all loss avoided.
Until some plan has been devised for
safely storing potatoes through the
winter, we will have to depend upon
the North and East for seed for spring
is planted as soon as the first is har-
vested and the tubers are fully ma
tured, the fail crop will on an average
| of years beat the spring one.
| believe market can be found In
Texas for every bushel that farmers
will raise, while the markets OF the
north and east invite consigDments OF
the early crop and will pay remuner-
alive rates for them. This opinion,
long held, is supported by Mr.. Q. Jen-
zen of Long Island, New York, who
has Just bought farm near me and
intends growing potatoes on a
large scale for the New
York market. For many
Years he has been in the potato trade
aud thinks there is money in the bust
ness of growing them. l an sure
there is, if he will conduct his opera.
tions in harmony with our southern
ceived plan founded on his northern
experience.
The mistake most new corners make
is to stick slavishly to the methods
they have practiced in other states
and countries forgetiul of the changed
condition of soil and climate, Com
ing from countries where farming Is
carried out on scientific and business
principles they are Mortified at the slip
shod, slovenly system that prevails
here. They set out determined to
show a bright EXAMPLE to the benight'
ed Texan, and for time they do. But
their missionary efforts generally fail
of fruitful results to the native farmer,
and of profit to themselves.
After a few years of bootless struggle
they almost invariably abandon the
contest against the inevitable and fall
into line with those they so severely
pitied on there arrival. We are far
from knowing everything about farm
ing in Texas, but we do know that old
world and cold climate season meth
DDS of cultivation will not succeed
here without considerable moditica-
ton.
PEARS
write deliberately and affirm my be-
lief that a man can take 10 acres OF
suitable land and make more money
by raising potatoes and pears, than he
could on 100 of cotton, and play him
self half the time. / have given my
experience and figures on the potato
crop and they are reliable for anyone
similarly circumstanced. l have
now to Draw attention to the
pear. This fruit is always scarce and
high priced for the reason that few
are raised here. Just as every field
crop has been held as of no importance
compared to cotton: SO all fruits have
been neglected for the ubiquitary
peach.
Indeed, it is common belief that the
peach is the only fruit capable of profit
able cultivation.
My experience is quite the reverse.
On an average of years the peach crop
will fail oftener than any other, owing
to the late frosts; and when the crop
has not been injured and full yield
is had, everybody has plenty and they
cannot be given away.
Not so with apples, pears and
plums, and particularly the two
former. They are always in de-
mand and il the right kinds are
planted in the right soil they are a
safer crop than peaches. But variety,
soil and location as regards altitude,
must be well considered. They cannot