The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-11-30

nouo Jueo 30 CLOSE 10 Ile trunk or TO q
} side branch as to leave no dead pro-
J Jections, but not so close as to cause a
stoppage OF the ascending sap through
drying of the wood laid bare by the
cut. Yet another common fault is that
OF letting large wounds remain exposed
to the drying winter winds without
any protection of varnish or paint.
There is nothing cheaper, better or
easier to apply than common gas tar
for covering such wounds. 1t is bet
ter heated in cold weather, so it will
} flow nicely. Gas tar can be bought in
Austin at 20 cents per gallon in Ave
gallon lots.
1t is doubtless better to turn the
cattle into the stalk field and let them
get what they can of the fodder than
to have it go wholly to waste. But it
is not good farming to harvest so val
liable a crop in such a slipshod man.
Ter. We are glad to see that the
waste of cornfodder is becoming less
each year, but there is still more
chance for improvement.
In bulletin 20 of the Maryland Sta
ton very important paper is given
upon the curing of cornfodder as cat
tie food. The vast quantities of corn
grown in this country represents an
enormous waste in the use of cornfod-
der. Experiments at the station show
that nearly all parts of the corn plants
contain valuable food, and that there
is gradual tendency to cure the
stalks better, so that they may prove
more valuable in this respect. The
statistics given in the bulletin say that
go per cent of the digestible matter OF
the plants are contained in the stalks
and husks, the ears have 20 per cent
and the husks II per cent. 1t is esti-
mated that one acre OF corn
stalks properly cured and pre-
pared furnish as much digestible
matter as two tons Of timothy hay.
Furthermore, it is stated that there is
practically enough fodder in the corn.
stalks grown in the country nearly to
winter the whole number of cattle in
the United States. There is a big i'm
provement made by cutting and crush
ing the cornstalks and then mixing
meal, maize and other concentrated
foods with the mass. AS we cure and
feed the stalks now a large percentage
is wasted. Better methods are de-
manded and the time will come when
every part of the corn crop will be
utilized. Experiments in this line are
urged by farmers.
Experience has shown beyond a
doubt that grass may be fed or pas
tured in an orchard that has been
SPRAYED without the slightest danger
of injuring animals. The quantity
used of the Paris green is sosmall that a
horse could not eat enough grass under
a SPRAYED tree to hurt him unless the
spraying be done in the most excessive
manner. AS one pound of poison only
is used to 200 gallons of water and
quart of the water is enough for one
tree. The amount that reaches the
grass is not more than one fiive.hund-
reth part of one ounce for each tree,
which occupies fortieth part of an
acre, thus making less than 40 grains
to an acre.
When manure is fermented in the
heap, or "rotted.n it is not only re-
duced in bulk and rendered fine, but
the heating process destroys the vital
ity of all seeds contained in the heap,
thus Jesse ming the possibility of weeds
next season. To destroy the seeds,
however, the heap must reach
high temperature, and every portion
of the heap must be treated alike
This is an important work in winter.
To get the manure in proper condition
without loss of gaseous matter Is one
that requires knowledge and care.
The small farmer will be greater
factor in our agriculture during the
next generation than he has been in
the past. We are developing a wide
area of lands which will be cultivated
by irrigation. Irrigated land is too
valuable to handle carelessly or to de-
vote to any products except those
which will make large money return
an acre. Small farmers will settle upon
these lands, and taking a few acres
esch, make a garden farm OF their
holdings.
The reports of tests of new straw
berries and other fruits from the var
ious experiment stations and large
growers make it appear that what one
man praises most highly is utterly con-
demned by another. The fact is that
soil, climate, treatment, ETC., have so
much to do with the matter, that none
of these tests, considered slngly, is
worth much. 1t is the berry that gives
best results through a course OF years
under ordinary practical conditions
that we want.
Our present cotton seed oil pro-
duction is worth $4,000. 1000 a year.
the oil cake So 100000 more, the lint
and bulls another 100000. 1t is only
30 years ago that this whole seed crop
was thrown away as useless. There
are other products now considered as
wastes which future generation VIII
utilize perhaps with equal profit.
There are two methods of manur-
ing. one spreading it on the surface
and the other blowing or digging 1t In.
AS the result OF long experience 1t Is
found that much better results are
achieved by surface manuring than by
the other methods. In fruit trees
especially this has been found to be
the case. The top dressing should be
applied as soon in the spring as the
FROST is gone, or at least in time to get
the benefit of the spring rains, which
carry the fertilizing material a little
way beneath the surface OF the SOIL
The COW that has been bred for
milking purposes can be profitaoly
kent for that use until she is. years
old. If she does not remain good
e.. +bo+ lanOth of time her