The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-02-11

L
ship his chickens from Galveston and
other foreign markets to supply his
tables, when he would gladly pay
ticle, but it is not here, and seldom here.
This Importation of chickens goes on
all the year round. Now if it pays
elsewhere to raise chickens for market,
why not right here where a constant
demand exists. 1t looks as if there
would be money in the business for
the farmers wife and daughters,
without interfering with their do.
nestle duties. Spring chickens, that
is, we'll developed chicks, about two
months old, are worth about So so per
dozen, and that would leave margin
of profit that would beat what the
old man makes on his cotton crop.
This is the time to begin the business;
suppose those suffering from and COM
planning of hard times try the spring
chicken remedy.
Irish and sweet potatoes afford a
safe and profitable substitute for cot
ton as money crop. There is
practically unlimited demand for
both at profitable rates and our soil
and climate are we'll adapted for their
cultivation.
1t will pay to raise them and sell at
so cents per bushel, whereas the pres
ent supply and demand is such that
they will average something between
rs cents and 81 bushel the year
round. Some are deferred from plant
ing Irish potates because of fancied
risk and great cost of seed, but this
cannot be urged against the sweet po-
tato. At fifty cents bushel they
will beat cotton at six cents and for
stock feed they are specially valuable
For hog feed they are superior to corn,
as they not only fatten, but supply
health giving properties not found in
corn.
They are easily cultivated. Some
object to them on account of the
spreading vines, which prevent culti-
walton and allow the growth of nox-
ious weeds. To an extent this is true,
but there is variety known as the
Bunch Yam, which grows much in
the form of the Irish and admits of
cultivation all the growing season. 1t
is said to be as productive and Of as
good quality as any raised.
The free delivery of mail in the ru-
raj districts meets with almost the
unanimous approval of "our country
cousins"
There is, however, u small minority
who oppose the extension of free de-
livery. They do so from various rea-
sons, good, bad and otherwise. 1t is
urged that such extended postal tacil.
tiles would involve greatly increased
expense, which would have to be met
by increased taxation, and that the
advantages would not offset the out
lay. That while the daily delivery of
mail would be of much benefit to a
few high. toned citizens in the country
quite nine-tenths of the people who
would have to contribute to the cost
of the arrangement would get no ben
eft whatever. This argument,
though apparently based on common
fairness, cannot be applied in the. ex-
listing condition of our social system.
The same argument would be fair in
the case of the lawabiding citizen
were he object to police and penitenti-
airy taxes on the ground that he never
put the country or state to any eX
pense looking after or keeping him.
1.-THE illiterate and Indifferent deni'
zens of the country district don't make
use of the mails, it is no reason why
those of more intelligence and ambi'
tious should be deprived Of what they
are as we'll entitled to as residents in
the city.
The postmaster general thinks the
change can be made at little, if any
To- nrI1 nj
the increased use of the mails would
supply revenue which would cover
the costs. He has been experiment
ing, and should know better than out.
siders.
Some directors urge that we need
reduced postage rates more than ex-
tended free delivery, and that the in
auguration of the latter would in
definitely postpone the former. But,
if Wanamaker's statement is worth
anything, free delivery, being self,
supporting, should not have an effect
ON the rate of postage.
We are not informed as to the char
acter of the roads in the district eX-
perimented on by the postmaster, but
if of any kin to the black mud lanes OF
Travis county, then we may hope to
soon see free delivery general through
out the land.
The road question will be an I'M
portant factQr in the settlement of the
business.
One of the sights in the-city last week
was Messrs. Snyder's exhibit of Per-
cheron horses. There were five head,
fairly representative of that noble
race. While their massive frames did
not enthuse the devotee Of the race
track, they compelled the admiration
of every lover ofa fine horse for its
own sake. Though not adapted for
the race course or light vehicles on the
road, they fill place of usefulness,
that tighter framed animals can never
do.
Bred to mares Of their own race,
they produce animals stout enough for
the heaviest draft, bat their chief
value in Texas is for grading up from
the common small mares of the coun-
try. When pure bred sire is used,
the offspring of small ID or IA hand
mare will generally be Is or 10 -
hand horse, heavy enough for any
farm work aud yet active enough to
go a reasonable gait on the road. AS