The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-02-25

branches, but none more effective,
more easily executed than that OF
pruning the roots. This process is
thus described by William Saunders
of the United States department of
agriculture:
When the tree has reached fruit
bearing size and shows no symptoms
of fruit bearing disposition, but in
stead throws out vigorous branches,
root pruning is avery efficacious mode
of checking growth. In highly cul-
tivated gardens where trees are
planted and the roots have access to
the rich soil au immense crop of
branches will be produced and little,
if any, fruit.
Root pruning will check such
growths m )st effectually and render
the trees fruitful. The operation is
performed by digging out circular
trench at distance of from three to
six feet from the stem, according to
the size of the tree, and cutting
all the roots that are encountered or
can be reached. The soil is again
thrown back and the process is COM
pleted. If done in August the supply
of sap will Immediately be lessened,
the wood maturing principle acceler-
ated and fruit buds formed. The OPP
GRAFTON has been performed in spring
with very little benefit, but if done in
the fall cannot fail in producing the
desired results. Root pruning has
been successfully applied to young
evergreens which, in consequence of
growing late in the fall, are liable to
have the points of the shoots injured
by early frost. When growth is stop
ped by root pruning, the roots ma
ture sufficiently to withstand the
winter without being injured. A few
years Of such treatment when the
plant is young is found sufficient, as
the specimen will attain hardihood
with age.
JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES
A correspondent asks whether the
Jerusalem ArtichOke is worth cultiva-
ton for hog feed. According to high
authorities it is the cheapest and most
profitable of all cultivated crops for
hog feed. There is apopular delusion
among Texas farmers that corn is the
only hog food within their reach,
while in fact they can grow every
thing suitable for the best develop
ment of the animal. Corn alone will
never make hog worth the labor of
feeding, to say nothing of the cost of
food. AS finishing and fat produc-
ing diet it cannot be eXcelled; but it
is of no value in building up the frame
of the animal. The natural food of
the pig is grass, roots, nuts and fruit,
and without them, or some of them,
in sufficient quantity, the growth of
the same must be retarded. The ar
tichOke is one of most abundant of all
root plants and affords nutritious ele-
ments not found in combination in
other plants. 1t flourishes best OH a
rich, well drained but moist soil.
The cultivation is the same as given
to Irish potatoes, and should be con-
tinued as long as weeds and grass APP
pear. One acre ought to supply
enough for thirty hogs, which can be
turned into the patch in September to
do the gathering. The following year
a volunteer crop will save the trouble
of replanting.
GERMAN FARMERS.
Our German residents, who are en-
gagged in the business of farming, are
proverbially thrifty and successful.
We were led to reflect on the reason
of this when going through compar
atively new region that had been
largely settled up by them. The
fields to be sure were clean and well
cultivated, but not so strikingly diff
ferent from others in this respect as to
call for special comment; but every
farm possessed good barn. The
houses were small and cheap as a rule,
and no more money had been eXpend |
ed on them than was required to make
them serve the stern necessities of
life; but the barns were large and sub
stantial, and what is more, they were
utilized. The crops were housed in
them and not exposed in the fields. |
There was room for all the stock, so
that it could be kept clean, and
comfortable. We presume these
barns had been built only by
the most stringent self-denial;
perhaps money had been borrowed
and the farm mortgaged in order to
do it. If so, it was the part Of wis
dom, for it is just rs true that good |
barn will earn double the interest on
its cost each year, as it is true that
poor barn will make poor farmer
Farm and Fireside.
HOW TO HANDLE GUNS.
|. Empty or loaded, never point a
gun towards yourself or any other
any person.
.. When in a field, carry your gun
at the half cock. If in cover, let your
hand shield the hammers from whip.
ping twigs.
3. When riding from one shooting
ground to another, or whenever you
have your gun in any conveyance, re-
move the cartridges, if a breech- load
err, it being so easy to replace them.
If a muzzle-loader, remove the caps,
brush Off the nipples and place
a wad on nipple, letting
down the hammers on wads-simply |
removing caps sometimes leaves
a little illuminate on the nipple, and a
blow on the hammer when down dis
charge it.
A. Never draw gun towards you
by the barrels.
5. More care is necessary in the use
of q gun in a boat than elsewhere, the
limited space confined action and I'M
certain motion making it dangerous
at the best. If possible, no more than
two persons should occupy boat.