The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-05-28
THE AGRICULTURAL EDITOR
VISITS AUSTIN AND
HER DAM.
A PRACTICAL PROPOSITION
Proposed-General Rules Laid Down for
the Making of Good Butter-Other
Items of Interest and Value
to- Farmers.

This department is edited by Capt. John
@. Edgar of Duval, to whom all correspon.
dence should be addressed.
TOO MUCH DOCTOR.
To the Agricultural Editor Of the States
man.
Sir-You must have had my case in
your mind when you wrote that TOO
Much Doctor" article, because it fits
me to pop. Last year l paid just
$l25 for doctors visits and over $40 for
medicine, and yet no one in my fam
lily Of seven, all told, was really I'M
well.
live twelve miles from the nearest
doctor and fifteen from the one my
wife and mother-in law, who lives
with me. have confidence in. The
latter has always to be called first.
We are healthy family, as proved by
the consumption of bread, meat and
groceries that goes on with regularity
all the year round, but my wife and
mother.iu,law are, unfortunately.
easily alarmed, and if they or any OF
the children are in the least out of
order iusread Of applying some simple
remedy they require a doctor. If
dare to enter a p otest am upbraided
with want of feeling and a desire for
the death of the sutfering(O one. The
matter always ends one way-l saddle
"Charey' and run for the DOCTOR"
/ am not sure that an increased fee
would do me any good AS we would be
bound to have the doctor no matter
what it cost. No wonder so many
farmers are poor withso many burdens
to bear | know many in the same
fix as myself, but see no chance OF
relief till farmers, and especially their
wives, learn to treat their own trivial
ailments. A Poor FARMER.
THE DAM AND FACTORIES.
A few days ago l paid my first visit
to the dam site, and had the fortune
to see the first block of granite laid in
position for the foundation of the big
gest engineering job yet attempted in
Texas. Like every visitor, was struck
with the magnitude of the work, and
the self-evident adaptability of the
site for the object in view. When the
foundations of the earth were laid,
nature must have planned this spot for
such purpose. 1t Is seldom that
beauty and utility are found 30 init
mately blended. 1t needs no imagina.
ton to picture the glorious scene that
will gladden. the eye when the little
serpentine river shall have spread it.
self out to the proportions Of lake;
and it requires not the gift Of prophecy
to tell of the commercial advantages
that may be derived from wise appli-
cation of the surplus power after the
dam has fulfilled its primary mission.
That mission is water and light for the
city. Those who have figured it out,
tell us that the enterprise will be a
financial success for this purpose alone
but that should not prevent us from
utilizing to the full the advantages
nature and art have placed at our dis
posal. l am not the first to suggest
this idea; others have thought of it,
and talked about it. Factories have
been suggested, mills have been limited
at. Every now and then the readers
of THE STATESMAN are told that me-
gotiations are in progress with
Mr.. Whatsisname, of Big Hogwal-
low Cotton factory, Massachusetts,, or
Mr.. Diedinthewool of the Sheephead
Wooden mill, for the orgauiz alton of
companies to carry on the manufacture
of cotton and wooden fabrics.
According to these reports, which
give all the details of the cost and
working expenses, and even fix the
dividends payable to the fortunate
stockholders, the whole thing is a set
tied fact. But somehow or other the
schemes do not materiaize. 1t seems to
me we are as far off cotton or wooden
factory as we were twelve months ago.
1t may be said there is plenty of time
to secure these enterprises before the
power is ready for them. That may
he, but on the other hand, it is not too
soon to begin to get ready. 1t takes
time to build factories and fit up ma
chinery, and there is no reason why
spindles should not be running even
before the dam is built.
Why should the people of Travis
county not build the first mill and reap
the profit instead of thrusting it into
the pockets of outsidersH Now that we
have got a railway commission and
will have transportation rates regu-
lated 80 that Texas produce can COM
pete with that of other states, there
can be no doubt about the financial
success OF both cotton and wooden
mills at this point. With never failing
and cheap motive power and the cot
ton and wool staple raised at the door
of the factory we are in a position to
manufacture, and if necessary, under
sell all competitors in the home