The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-02-04

thrown on these boxes, and the bin
filled to it's utmost capacity.
The result of this experiment was
highly successful; what weevils were
admitted from the field were destroy
ed, and none further appeared. Thus
at cost of fifty cents, with very little
trouble, 1 effectually protected about
500 bushels Of corn against the
weevils. Another feature about this
experiment is, that l have noticed
neither mouse nor rat in the bin, nor
any traces of them, which was not the
case before, for in previous years they,
too, had done great damage to the
corn.
Let me recommend to farmers the
trial Of my remedy for 1 feel assured
it will be with gratifying results.
Yours respectfully,
G. p. HACHENBERG, NJ. D.,
Austin, Tex.
SALT AS A FERTILIZER.
Agricultural Editor of The Statesman.
SIR-Where organic manure is diff
ficult to obtain would you advise salt
as a fertilizer for fruit trees? How
much per acre and best time to SOW?
Soil, black mesquite ridge.
S. S. SIMPSON,
Austin, Tex.
would not advise the use of salt
under the conditions named, as its
value as a fertilizer depends mainly
on the presence of organic matter in
the soil. 1t is generally looked upon
as "poison" to all vegetation, and
so it is, if used excessively,
but when applied in small
quantities it assists in the decOmposi-
tiOn of animal and vegetable matter.
growers have found it a
valuable agent, when applied in
proper quantity, but it's excessive use
plants, but is believed to render the
soil sterile.
This belief dates back to time prior
to any records of agricultural science,
for we read in holy writ that a bim-
elech captured the city of Shechem,
land beat down the city and powder
ed it with saltn in order to destroy
the fertility Of the soil. Virgil disap-
proved of a salt soil and pliny, while
the giving of salt to
cattle, affirmed that it's application to
land rendered it barren. But these
ancient authorities did not live in
time of careful and scientific agricult-
ural experiment, and their opinions
about the injurious effect of salt were
doubtless based on an excessive APP
plication of it. ~
In the salt-bearing districts of
England, Cheshire and Cornwall
farmers use refuse salt as a fertilizer
with good effect. It's value depends
upon its proper application, but it is Il
difficult matter for the novice to de-
termine the necessity of his soil and
apply the proper quantity. 1t should
be used very cautiously and spar
ingly, if at all.
ROTATION OF CROPS.
The rotation of crops is funda-
mental principle in successful agricul-
ture and has been practiced from time
immemorial, by all who have observed
or awaited themselves of the observa-
tion of others. Rotation means the
of fertility. Nature prac-
tees rotation. One class of vegeta-
ton is succeeded by another totally
different in its constituents. The gen
orally accepted theory is that though
all plants require the same mineral
matter for the construction of root,
limb and leaf, that they differ widely
in the material used in forming their
seeds or fruits. The analysis of seeds
and fruits show they are composed OF
substances totally different from those
composing the body of the plant.
Our rich virgin soil has led many to
act as if its productiveness We're in
eXhaustable, but it is only question
of time and the richest soil will de-
teriorate if continually planted in the
same crop. Irish potatoes make
heavy demand on some food found in
the virgin soil, and for two years will
make good yield without aid, but
the third will show great falling off.
Deep roofing plants like cotton
and clover can be grown sue
cessively for longer time with
out deterioration than surface rOoters.
This is accounted for by the greater
area covered by the roots They also
have a tendency to increase the fer
tility of the surface soil. as the roots
are formed out of matter brought from
a great depth, they open the soil and
form their thickest growth at the sur
face, and when they decay supply
valuable food for surface feeders. For
this, amongst other reasons, perpen-
dicular roofing plants should be fol-
lowed by those making horizontal
roots. The more widely apart the
rotation of crops tie better. But there
are other reasons why rotation should
be practiced besides sustaining fer
ti,ity. Rotation prevents the develop
ment of parasites, injurious to plant
life. When one species of plant is
grown ON piece of land for many
years it encourages the growth of fun
gus and other destructive pests.
Every plant has some natural enemy,
and the longer it is cultivated on the
same spot the more vigorous does that
enemy's attack become. Thus oats
succumb to rust, corn to smut, onions
to the maggot. potatoes to rot and cot
ton to pouriddrie-or root rot.
1 have put this theory to practical