The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-10-20
FARM NOTES.

FARM NOTES.
Edited by John c. Edgar, Duval, to whom all
communications for this column should be ad-
dressed.
Inc see-saw motion of the cotton
market is in full swing. One week
prices are away down. They are now
down. Spectators affect to believe
that the crop is much better than re-
ported, and seem to think all they
have to do is to hang off little and
the greedy farmer will be obliged to
disgorge his boarded bales, at such
prices as they choose to pay. AS long
as they cling to that belief and reso-
luton, the farmer has no remedy, ex-
cept to hold anything left in his
hands.
In this county that will be very lit
tie, as not per cent of harvested cot
ton remains in the hands of the pro-
Queer, and not more than 10 per cent
remains in the field to be picked.
These facts, if applicable to other
sections of the state, 60 to indicate
that prices will advance considerab bly,,
long before the end of the season.
There is one thing to be feared will
result from any great advance in cot
ton, and that is that it will suggest
the idea of planting an increased acre
age next season.
1t would be better that prices keep
as they are or fall lower, now that cot
ton has lett the producers hands,
than that the enhanced price which
will go into the pockets of the specu
lator should cause an over production
next year, when prices would quickly
drop to the starvation point.
Wise farmers will not increase their
cotton acreage next year, but will di-
versify their crops, and aim at being
home supporting. We cannot afford
to quit cotton growing; within certain
limits and under certain conditions,
it is the safest and most profitable
crop we can raise on our rich Texas
black lands. But when these condi-
tions do not obtain, it is perhaps the
most improbable of any crop.
1t certainly will never pay the aver
age farmer to the exclusion of other
crops. AS the time is close at hand
for the preparation of the soil for the
next years. crops it will be we'll to
ponder this question of cotton area
and be in position to act wisely.
While they are having the earliest
and severest winter weather known
of the Northwest for many years, we
inghis God-favored South are enjoy
they ever experience at any season.
My kitchen garden is sight worth
seeing. Radishes, beans, peas, turn
Ups, winter cabbage, tomatoes and fall
potatoes are all growing splendidly,
and as we have no reason to expect
killing frost before the 10th of Novem-
Der, that garden will still furnish
good deal of home comfort ana whole
some food.
have never known peach trees to
shed their leaves so early.
With an early spell Of cold
weather this would be no
but with continIance
of mild weather aud moisture, the
will be bad for early peaches
next season. 1 notice my Alexander
trees are now beginning to bloom. AS
a frost will kill the bloom and the
fruit bud cannot be replaced till next
summer, the outlook for early peaches
is not hopeful. We can't have weather
of every kind at once, and should be
greatful to have it as it is.
GAMBLING IN PRODUCE.
Observing and thinking farmers in
known the mischief played on their
interests by culture" spectators in
cotton, wheat and other produce.
They have grumbled, protested and
kicked againt the evil practice OF
spectators, but with little effect till
now.
The wheat growers of the North
west have at last taken step that
promises to check, in degree, the ac-
ton of both "bullsn and "bearsn
AS is we'll known, when wheat is
threshed in the great grain region OF
the northwest it is either sold or stor-
ed in elevators in the chief CONNER
cial centers.
The commercial press, which is run
chiefly in the interest Of spectators,
has been in the habit of collecting
from the elevator companies weekly
statements of the grain stored, and
publishing the same to the world.
This gave all concerned the best
available information as to the extent
of grain still unsold, and put the spec
ulator in position to do safe bust
ness at the expense of the producer.
This grain, owned by the farmer, in
the elevator, is put down as Sin
sight" and buyers knowing there is
a sufficient supply can just buy from
hand to mouth till they can get the
whole lot at their own prices.
Upon this being strongly represent
ed to the elevator companies they
have agreed to withhold the figures
from the press and leave the grain
gamblers to get their information as
best they can from other sources.
But, although this is a long, firm
step in the direction of reform, it falls
considerably short of bursting up the
gambling in farm produce.
Perhaps the next best thing
hA 70 abolish the