The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-10-08
FARM NOTES.
Edited by John C. Edgar, Duval to whom all
should be addressed.l

: SnOulu DE- addressed
WINTER PASTURE.
To the Agricultural Editor of The Statesman:
Which would you prefer as winter
pasture, rye or oats? l have twenty
one dairy cows, and wish to Craze
them on ten acres Of land during the
later winter. What is the name of u
good rye or oats? Please answer in
DAILY STATESMAN Respectfully,
j. b. ROGERS, JR., Austin.
L have no hesitation in recommends
ing oats for the purpose named, pro-
vided the land is tolerably dry natu-
rally, or well drained.
Rye will also require moderately
dry soil if sown in the fall, as it is
slow to terminate and is subject to
rot before termination.
AS a soiling crop rye is very in
teriOr to oats, and at no stage of its
existence equal to the latter as stock
feed. Rye while in the green, sappy
stage will be eaten by stock, but it is
not so attractive or nutritious as oats.
Rye straw is practically worthless for
feed, while oats are rich in flesh, bone
and milk producing qualities in any
stage. No green crop will produce a
richer or fuller flow of milk than oats,
and if the stock are not allowed to
tramp them to death, when the soil
is wet, and are taken off in reasonable
time, a profitable crop of grain may be
looked for.
If intended to be left for a grain
crop after grazing, would recon-
mend seeding pretty thicllly, say
from three to three and half bushels
to the acre, to compensate for the seed
that will be destroyed by tramping.
AS to variety of oats, don't know
any so safe as the Red Rust-proof.
Every other kind l have tried has
rusted, and often so badly as to ut
terly ruin the crop. This fall will
SOW new oat, called the Clay, just
originated in Tennessee; it is said to
be plump, heavy grain and quite
rust-proof, but as have tried so MANY
of similar reputation and met with
disappointment, 1 am not very sam
guine about my latest experiment.
-ED.
TREATMENT OF ORCHARD.
To the Agricultural Editor of The Statesman.
/ have been much interested in your
writings in STATESMAN, and if not
asking too much would you have the
kindness to give me some information.
/ have an orchard coming on, peaches
principally, and want to know how it
will do to SOW it down in "alfalfan or
California clover. Will it injure the
trees? When SOW? My soil is black
mesquite ridge with rotten lime stone
from eighteen inches to two feet at
bottom. j. s. SIMPSON.
Austin.
| would say alfalfa would be injuri-
GUS to the growth Of your trees until
at least they have got past the stage
requiring cultivation. All young trees
require clean and thorough cultiva-
ton, and the only crop admissible in
a young orchard is one calling for the
constant use of cultivator and hoe
A crop of alfalfa would be q good
preparation for new orchard, il
killed out before planting the trees,
as the clover forms thick, deep,
penetrating roots that when
decayed greatly enrich the soil, but
being of more vigorous growth than
young trees they monopolize both
moistures and plant food that should
go to the support of the trees. An
old alfalfa patch, thoroughly killed
out, would, other things being equal,
make an excellent orchard, as the
roots penetrate to great depth and
open wide field for tree food. Black
mesquite ridge should be very suita-
BILE for pears, and, if capable of irriga-
ton, figs also. The LeConte, Keiffer
and Duchess pears will thrive better
than any other kind in this section,
and especially the two first. They are
not strictly first class table pears, but
are very thrifty and prolific; large in
size and beautiful in appearance;
early in bearing and not subject to dis
ease. They do not ripen on the trees
but must be pulled while hard and
stored in a cool cellar till they mellow.
/ strongly urge the planting of LIE
Conte and Keiffer pears. They will
be found more profitable than any
other fruit. cannot give the name
of the best fig, but if you know any
one with good variety, get tome cut
tings and propagate for yourself.
They grow readily from cuttings, so
also do the pears l have named.
would also urge the planting of
Kelsey plums.-ED.
MAKING FARMING PAY.
Select your seed carefully.
Prepare your ground prayerfully.
Diversity your crops wisely.
Plant nut and fruit trees literally.
Reduce acreage in cotton boldly.
Save manure like miser and scat
terit like prince.
Care for your stock and children
faithfully.
Sell two poor cows and buy one
good one.
Put your farm implements under
cover.
Feed your farm and make you farm
feed you.
Envv M man hut imitata the waVs