The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-03-24


meet hardships and Disappointment
This is well established rule; but
nearly every rule is said to have an
exception. The farmer, fruit grower
and truck grower do noe form any ex-
ception. Under the most favorable
circumstances the pleasures and
profits of their occupation are heavily
handicapped with risks and fears of
failure, even after the most lavish ex-
penditure of forethought and labor.
They may have done all that mortal
could to command success, and may
have their souls gladdened with the
brightness of their prospects, and be
living in a heaven of hope today, and
tomorrow surrounded by wilderness
and stepped in despair, unless sup
ported by rigid vertebral column
and faith.
The farmer is not generally credited
with maay virtues, except by appreci-
alive candidates just before election
day, but 1 claim that no other class
can show better title to the posses
sion of the three graces. The number
must be enthusiastically small, who do
not have faith and hope, while charity
is a proverbial characteristic of the
bucolic mind. This proposition may
be disputed by some and doubted by
others, on the ground that mental
and moral qualities do not follow
trades and professions. Well, that is
another rule; but this time the farmer
does, to an extent, form an exception.
Without faith and hope he cannot be
a farmer. His occupation demands
both.
And never did farmers have more
need for the supporting influence Of
the graces than at this time. The
blighting blast which struck Texas
last week, was the worst at this
pariod of the season, experienced in
the past twelve years. Only once this
winter has the thermometer fallen
lower than on the morning of the
10th. The damage to fruit and
vegetables must be great, and unfor-
tunately it happens that the most
energetic and pushing agriculturists
\ will be the greatest sufferers. Inc
Yazy, and "plant by the sign" farmers,
who had Just finished planting corn,
which might have been done month
earlier with good prospect of success,
escaped damage and are more
than ever confirmed in their supersti-
tions. Corn will survive a slight
frost. 1t may be killed to the ground
when quite young, and "come again, u
if the attack is short and the succeed.
ing weather favorable; but it is to be
feared that this last spell was toe
severe and long continued to give
early corn living chance.
Potatoes, unless protected, would
be killed to the ground, but where the
seed pieces were large and had plu
rality of eyes, they will make fresh
growth, and with a favorable season,
nearly full crop.
Tomatoes are killed dead, except
where well protected, and the early
crop will be scarce. The same applles
to beans and some other truck, Some
fear that oats are killed, or seriously
injured, but think the damage will
be slight.
The peach crop, which promised Sc
we'll, will not exceed that of the pas
two years. The earliest varieties will
be total failure, and only the hard
lest kinds may be expected to pro
duce. Plums will also be cut very
= short. Apples will be uninjured, ant
/ think the Leconte and Keiffer pear
will not be fatally affected.
Nv
The one and only reason why Texa
cannot become the chief fruit grow
ing state is our mild winters and lat
frosts. The mean temperature TO
February at my place for $780, 81 ant
1872 was 81 degrees, So degrees and B
degrees respectively, and only OF
four days during these months il
three wears did the thermometer fal
to freezing point. This general hea
causes an early flow of sap and swell
ling of fruit buds, which are easil.
affected by frost, which rarely fails t.
visit us early in March. These condi
tions render fruit growing in thi
section of Texas very uncertain busl
ness. 1t is very discouraging to hav'
ones hopes and trees blighted thre
wears in succession.
This should suggest the wisdom o
searching for varieties of fruit tina
will stand these extreme climati
changes. For the past two years
when all surrounding trees Wer
without fruit, the Thurber peach,
Seeding OF the Chinese cling, had al
average crop. The peach ripens il
the beginning of July and is large
beautiful and we'll favored. viii
watch it with interest this season ant
if it gives crop will recommend
as stiron clad" for our climate.
EXCESS OF COTTON.
The March report Of the sta tisticia
of the department of agriculture, jus
issued, deals with the condition OF tn
smsll grain crops and the position
the cotton market. 1t shows that tn
production of the world exceeded cor
/ sumption more than 100000 bales i
1892. This further increases the ex
cess of 1891, Cutting the markets, an
increasing the visible stocks duri In
the past year more than 10000
bales. The price of middling in Liye1
pool has been reduced from IL
pence in January, 1890, to Is penc
I.nuoru 1900 The reDOrt state