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

achieve honor in other cou tries, but
only discredit here. The records of
the past, and the conclusions of me-
genealogical students are not safe
premises on which to build opinions
as to the weather of the future.
New corners from Northern states
and foreign countries almost invaria-
bly, delude themselves with the idea
that they can tell by atmospheric and
other signs what the weather of the
Immediate future will be. 1t does not.
however, take q long residence to
dispel the illusion and establish the
fact that "all signs fail ia Texas"
Our now weather prophet, w. l..
Foster, has given us some very inter-
esting reading, and in other states has
come very near hitting the mark on
many occasions during the past two
months; but his frost predictions
have been flrst-class failures, and
must shake the faith of the most
ardent admirers. He has kept on pre-
dieting and insisting, that we would
have the earliest and severest winter
for the past twenty years. He told us
that "the most important frost dates
would be about October 10th or 18th,
18th or 18th and November I'd or 3rd,
and that the last date would entirely
Kill the cotton plant. Now, if the cot
ton plant bad not cen mentioned, it
might have been reasoned that the
predictions were intended chiefly for
more northern ATTITUDES, but "cotton"
gives the prophet away.
One of the safest prophesies that can
be made, is for frost somewhere
about the middle Of October, and Of
cotton killing severity in Central
Texas, during the first week OF
November, but even this is subject to
exceptions. Dakota and q few corners
of the northwest had a little frost
about the middle Of October, but
Texas has enjoyed the warmest Octo-
Der and November, thus far, for the
past eleven years; and that is as far as
my record eX ends.
We almost invariably have cotton
killing frost during the first week Of
November, but in this year
temperature was So degrees, while the
thermometer showed 81 degrees at 3
p. m. of the 7th.
Mr.. Foster will act wisely to exclude
Texas from his prediction schedule.
This has been one of the driest falls
for many years, and farming and
stock interests are suffering greatly.
While the season has been very favor.
able for cotton harvesting it has been
too dry for every kind Of vegetation.
Where irrigation was not practicable
gardens are q total failure. Small
grain sOwed about the beginning Of
October had generally enough moist
ure in the soil to germiuate it, but moi
enough to maintain growth, and
much Of ii has died off, and even with
rain ia the near future will be Il poor
stand if not total failure and require
to be resown. 1t is late for re-seedmg,
rs with an average season severe frost
would kill ont the young plants.
But, as the weather prophet signals
a severe winter il may be wise to sow
as soon as th Q condition Of the soil will
permit.
Rain is badly needed for grass and
watpr holes as we'll as for fall blowing.
Can it be that this prolonged drouth
is due to the excessive precipitation in
Midland, caused by tho operations of
the scientific cloud burstt rs?
AUSTIN COTTON MARKET.
Is Austin going to do anything
about this falling Off in her cotton
trade? There can be no question
about tho falling Off and the conse-
auent curtailment of business. Every
merchant ia the city realizes the
change from previous years, and re-
nrets it: but | have not heard of any
action being contemplated to improve
matters. have spoken to many
merchants and urged them to get a
move on them; but they don't seem to
wish to take the lead, and are waiting
TO be led.
NV plan, suggested through these
columns some weeks ago, seems 10
meet with genera! favor. Very rev
merchants have any capacity or taSVe
for cotton buying, aud | believe the
majority would prefer such scheme
as the one I proposed; .
Tt is q reproach to the business men
Of Austin that they quietly allow
their legitimate trade to drift away TO
far distant little villages. when they
can keep it. On November D, while on
my way to Austin, ] met a procession
of wagons carrying from Sixty
to severity bales of cotton
to Round Rock from McElroy's
oin. which 10 about seven miles from
Austin and ten from Round Rock. L
called at the Alliance yard, and MI
CIond informed me that the top price
thcre that day was 6 IS cents. Next
dav learned from one of the farmers
who had hauled to Round Rock, thaT
there middling cotton sold for cents,
and Shat strict good middling sold Tor
Now if these prices could l.. he b, r ppiid id
in one market, they cou!d be p&ld N
another having better shipping ana
handling facilities ,.,,., ,,;,op
The Explanation sometimes ,.o Gl ~ ta
that these small town mefcha tls
Give mere than the actual value Vi t .,ae
cotton ia order to secure thep ess,,eS
for supplies furnished to tne ta ;ta eG
Iii ,,nt annlv to this case, as qul.e on