The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-11-24

In every case the pneumatic tire and
ball bearing took the place of the old
iron hoop and rigid hub.
~ There can be no question that these
new appliances reduce the friction on
the axle and save distance in round
ing curves. Anything that reduces
friction lessons draft, and that disider-
atum is nowhere needed more than on
the farm. 1t has been suggested that
ball bearings would be valuable ad-
dition to the farm wagon, sulkey plow,
mower and other wheeled impleme nts,
but experts say that application is not
practicable. Professor Sweet says
that ball bearings are successful only
when the balls themselves are of the
highest quality and the shells
and axles are OF the best steel,
hardened and ground to the
highest perfection. The limit of error
in the best does not vary more than one
quarter of one thousandth of an inch
or one.fourth of the thickness of tissue
paper. Such perfection is very costly
and when it is necessary the least dirt
destroys the whole gain, for if the
balls are stopped by any impediment
they are soon ruined. Such accurate
work is not likely to be properly pro-
tected or properly cared for in farm
machinery.
The hope that was raised of loaded
wagons running as lightly as empty
ones, is thus rudely dispelled; and we
must still rely on axle grease and inn
proved roads for lessened draft.
ALFALFA ROOT ROT.
One of the difficulties in the way of
alfalfa cultivation on our prairie lands
is it's liability to die out. 1t will make
good level growth for perhaps two
years and promise well for the future,
but with the arrival of the third sum-
mer it will begin dying in spots
which rapidly increase in circumfer.
ence till they cover circle twenty to
thirty feet or more in diameter. These
dead spots grow in extent during
the hot dry season and stop
their extension as soon as
the cold weather arrives
only to renew their dimensions the
following year. 1t has been observed
that where cotton dies most that al
falfa is worst affected. To discover
the cause of this disease and remedy
for it has been the aim of Professor
Curtis of our experiment station, and
the result of his researches is given in
Bulletin No. %. just issued. In it we
are informed that the cause of alfalfa
dying is an attack from fungus ozon-
ium auricomun, which Professor Pam
mel says is the parasite which causes
root rot in cotton.
1t is interesting to know just what
is doing the mischief, but it would be
more interesting and profitable to
discover a remedy. That has not yet
been done. 1t is suggested that an
application of salt and kerosine might
produce the desired effect. 1t might,
but we know that what will kill one
form of vegetation is very liable to kill
another, and the cure may be worse
than the disease. Especially is this
to be feared when we are told that
"the quantity of salt necessary for ef-
fective killing we have found to be
large-enormous indeed if computed
for an entire acre of any
strong growing pirrennial. The
ground must be made thoroughly
white in appearance and the applica-
tion must be at time when the plant
is young and not too vigorous. SINH
lar conditions must govern the appli-
cation of coal oil, and the surface Of
the ground must be thoroughly
drenched in order to be effective"
Until some less drastic remedy can
be found it is to be feared that we
must bear the loss we now suffer.
THE ONE HORSE FARMER.
The one one horse farmer is sneered
at, laughed at and commisserated, aud
yet we have seen one horse farmers
with forty acres or less of land, who
could lend money to their more pre-
tentious four horse neighbors. By
thorough tillage, liberal fertilization
and systematic work they made one
acre do the work of three. They had
one horse, but he was a good one.
They kept but few COWS, but they
were choice thoroughbreds. They
raised plenty of fruit, all of the finest
quality, and their family got the
choicest samples. Not being burdened
with the care of troop of horses
they had time to make things
snug, tidy and attractive around the
house. The wife has as many labor
saving conveniences in the kitchen as
he has in the field and barn. Being
one horse farmers they did not have
any more implements and farm ma
chinery than they could take good
care of. There was shelter provid-
ed for everything, and everybody
knew where a tool could be found
when not in use. These one horse
farmers are not as plenty as they will
be by and by. They are scientific
product, and they work on this prin-
ciple: "Do what you can do thor
oughly and we'll. ."-Plowman.