The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-02
How the Seed Of Various Products Can Be
Saved.
IRISH POTATOES AND NICARAGUA WHEAT
A Wonderful Future iOr the Vast
Prairie of south Tcxas-Icnns,
Pens and Melons.

object Of this paper to show.
Irish potatoes are now being shipped
away In carload lots and otherwise, and
little thought Is being given to the fact
that in two months from now 1t will be
practical to replant and make fall crop.
Under those circumstances the part OF
prudence would be for the Irish potato
grower to save the seed. How this may
be best done and the fall crop duly planted,
will endeavor to explain In the hrst
place, It is impractical to cut an Irish
potato for replanting in the fall after the
manner of cutting In the spring. The tenn
perature is too high, and in nine cases
out OF ten the cut potato will perish. I'm
der these circumstances the best potato
growers save the small potatoes for seed
and dispose of the large ones only. II
is quite difficult 10 keep Irish potatoes in
stores, on wooden floors. or in barrels,
but they can be kept very easily ON the
cool ground under the house or barn. III
not convenient to put under the house or
barn prepare a shady place OF like char-
acter and there spread out the potatoes
A good sprinkling OF dry sand or dry sandy
loan is also beneficial, as in case potato
rots It will prevent the rot from spreading
to the others. Small potatoes managed in
this manner which have been dug in June
Will commence to show signs OF reaction
in August by the swelling OF the buds. 1t
may therefore be considered an established
fact that it takes sixty days time for the
dug potato 10 react or for the chemical
combination in the potato to so reform
that reaction sets in. In plain words, the
Irish potato rests sixty days and then
sprouts again.
II the potatoes, which are reserved for
planting. do not show signs or sprouting
early in August light sprintllng of water
viii assist them in doing so. and under
any circumstances it will be found hest to
replant only those which are sprouted In
the meantime the land on which the fall
crop is to be planted may be prepared by
blowing and narrowing. II showers occur, |
the weed seeds in the plowed ground VIII |
sprout and they can then be turned under |
This practice accomplishes two good pur- |
poses. 1t cleans the land OF weeds and
the green's turned under assist IN refertil- |
zng it, II the potato grower has any |
mustard seed now maturing he may gather |
and resow the same on this plowed land
to come up with the weeds and later be
turned under again with them. There is |
no better green fertilizer than mustard uf |
the spreading Southern variety, known as |
Creole mustard. AT tho same time bacon
and greens as dish for the tanle has q
very refreshing flavor in the month of An
gust.
In the good old times of the past |
we'll remember General Houston passing |
his plate up to the lady caterer of the
hotel at Cameron in Milan county, no less
than three times for q renewal of the bacon
and greens, which was the piece de re-
sstance of the table. This was when he
was making the canvas for governor OF the |
State Just forty years ago How times
have changed Bacon and greens and |
honesty were standard dishes IN Texas in
those days. Let US take them up again,
and then we can eXclaim with Burns:
"What tho on homely fare we dine,
Wear hoddln gray and a that:
Gives fools their silks and knayes their
wine
A mans man, for a that"
But old folks are garrulous and struggle |
away from their themes We viii go back
to tho potatoes. Having duly plowed the
weeds and mustard into the ground for a
fertilizer. harrow the surface, and then |
open burrows NJ three to four Inches apart
Fiji these burrows with corn stalks, old
hay. stable refuse, weeds leaves, etc, and
then drop a potato In the center at every
down over all, thus forming good ridge
to keep out the sun heat. Continue to
cultivate until the crop is laid by.
Last fall there was quite an inquiry and
demand for Nicaragua wheat, II it could |
have been obtained at reasonable prices
for sowing. This coming fan there Will
be an exceedingly increased demand. the
llshed of its perfect adaptability TO South
Texas
The fact Is Nicaragua wheat was IN
troduced into South Texas nearly forty
years ago by Colonel Munson of Bra2ora
and others. and its proper growth was
never questioned The trouble was, II
was of such flinty nature we had at that
date no mills that could grind it. Nov,
with deep water at Galveston, and assur-
ance OF its further extension to Houston.
the question OF grinding will cut no tig-
ure. That variety of wheat which is the
hardest to grind is the best for export
The fact Is, Nicaragua wheat is we'll
known ON the London corn exchange as
hrst-olass early shipping variety, and
1t Will always be In demand for that pur-
pose. as 1t Is one of the very FIRST va
rieties to mature. Every one knows the
very first product commands the fancy
price. l therefore venture TO assert that
Nicaragua wheat. Will. on account OF its
earlness. fetch dollar bushel at the
port OF embarkation. The palmiest days
OF the West were with wheat at dollar
bushel. In fact. a bushel of wheat was
the standard OF days labor in the field
This subject alone opens up wonderful
future for the vast prair!es OF South Texas
Wheat fields and white cottages filing the
landscape from here to the Rio Grande.
To bring about this condition Il is simply
necessary to save the seed for replanling.
Nicaragua wheat can then be readily
grown on the Wild ohapparel of South
west Texas, The winter rains will make
1t. as 1t natures before dry weather
| sets In.
Southwest Texas Is also the country for
the Japanese plum and probably many
other japan fruits
Peas and beans OF every variety and
description grow in this country with a
visor unknown elsewhere and samples Of
an should be saved for seed. Thousands
upon thousands OF barrels are annualIy
imported into Texas. There is a diiaeulty
70 contend with in exterminating the nes
meeVi, out this viii shortly disappear he
iore 'he march OF science. In The mean
'ine' IN order to arrive at a temnorarv
solution Will enumerate some ~ tha
melnods have adopted with success,
IN the tirst place. the germ or egg n,
.he weeyil needs to be DESTROYED i, a.