The Sun.
London, England, 1850-01-21 00:00:00

MONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 21, IP6O

and of the reighbovring States, proves that this elevated
prairie, land cannot be surpassed a 3 a wheat distr'ct.
OATS grow well in every county, but we saw but fea,
crops, and those looked healthy, but not very fine.
RASSES.— The Wire grass, almost exclusively, grows
upon tie prairies of Hopkins courity ; it is a narrow
leaf growing thrt e or four feet in height, and the world
cannot show cattle in finer condition than these roaming
uneared for over these splendid prairies. Cows of
600 Ib2. weight and steers of 1,000 lbs. are met with
everywhere. Steers of two years old universally
weigh 450 t) 550 lbs. No difference of opinion exists
amongst the se tiers of this, and adjoining counties,
as to the fact of this being the best stock-raising
country during the summer months. In July, the
settlers burn up the old and drying grass, after which,
young and tender shoots spring up, upon which the
sheep and cattle feed in the subst quent months. In the
winter, the cattle retire to the river bolt mcs and seek

the " hogwallow," plales on the prairies where grass
continur s gr. e❑ and nutritious during those months.
The Calamus grass alone, or mixed with tl.e wire,
and o ler eatural grasses, covers the prairies ( f the
block soil, where vegetation grows with a luxur'ance to
which northern countries c•ifers no parallel. These
prairies extend for hundreds of miles, conztituting
Goshen for the se tier.
VlNES.—Several varieties are indigenous to the
country, and two came under our notice. Toe one runs
up the trunks and twines amongst tl.e foliage, covering
the top; of trees 100 feet high with grapes of great s'ze
and sweetnfsr. We had no opportunity of tast,eg this
variety. The other grows on small bushes, two feet in
height, lying upon the ground, or supporting themselves
by cot vining their tendrils around branches of
shrubs. Upon these little bushes we counted twenty or
twenty-five bunches. It is believed that uo country sur-
passes Texas in the growth of the grape.
TOBACCO.—This production is not cultivated in N. E
Texas as an article c f exportation: for home consump-
tion it sells at Is. per lb. The Texa❑ tobacco produces
fine flavoured cigars and smoking tobacco; but the igno-
rance of the farmers as to the mode of curing the leaf
prevents them from converting it into manufactured t
bacco. This fact is well known in the States, and I
heard it mentioned by a planter of Tennessee, when
travelling down the Mississippi.
FLAX grows readily, but I did not ace it growing.
WooL.—Sheep are as yet scarce in the country. The
large- t flocks seen by us were on t..e praries of Hopkins
and Latrar counties. They are of the long-legged
Mexican breed, and in excellent condition. They are
shorn twice a year, the fleece weighing about 3} lbs, and
sells at is. to Is. 6d. per lb. The prairies being e!evated
and dry and the grass excellent, this part of Texas is
particularly adapted to sheep grazing. The rams are
small and ill-bred. The sheep are said to yean twice a
year, but since the rams run with the flock at all times,
it is nearer to the truth to say that there is scarcely a
fixed yeanisg season.
CATTLE.—In no state ha►e we found finer cattle than
in Texas. In the regions bordering on the Red River,
and in the woodland in general, the breed is small; but
on the prairies the cattle are exceedingly large, and al-
ways in prime condition. The Durham breed has been
introduced, and I think the stock on the prairies of
Texas is quite equal to the common stock of this coun-
try. Their steers are much superior to ours. Cows
u,ually have a calf at two years old, and never rasa a
year without an additional one.
HORSES.—The horses are of a superior quality, in
every state through which we have travelled; much more
so than the mass of horses in our country. The im-
proved breeds have been largely importei, and the horse
being well fed and lightly worked, the breed continues to
improve. They are of good size and of light build, and
by training become very fast walkers.
MULES are held in great esteem in all the southern
States, being more patient, steady, and enduring in
their labour than horses. Much care has been bestowed
upon the improvement of this stock, and a fine race,
laf hands high are commonly employed.
PIGS are very numerous, and find their food almost
exclusively in the woods and river bottoms. Upon and
near to the prairies, where food is more plentiful, the
breed is better, bearing some resemblance to the Berk-
shire breed, which has been introduced amongst them.
They are small and short-legged, and very fat, affording
excellent pork and bacon to the settler, without his
having expended one penny upon them.
SALTED MEATS will be a profitable exportation
when the internal communication of the country is im-
proved, and the supply of cattle exceeds the daily
demand.
HONEY AND WAX are collected in immense quanti-
ties, and are largely exported. We found virgin honey
on every table. At every step we found trees cut for
the purpose of finding honey.
GAME, of every variety, is in countless numbers over
the country. Deer, in herds, occupy every wood, and at
dawn of day and at night may be seen browsing on the
open prairie. Wild turkeys, weighing 301b5., frequently
crossed our path. Ducks and geese are said to be
innumerable. Partridges exist everywhere, and were
constantly running in front of our horses. The prairie
hen is very abundant, and is about the size of a common
fowl, but much more delicious.
Fics grow luxuriantly.
PEACHES are grown by every settler for the purpose of
making dried fruits, or for feeding swine.
VEGETABLES.—We saw every variety known to the
English gardensr growing luxuriantly.
The several varieties of the Mulberry grow univer-

ally, and the settlers say that tt‘e silles7eorm thrives
well. The climate of Texas resembles that of Italy, and
it is possible that the silkworm may be reared to great
Advanta-ze.
We saw the Castor Oil Plant and the Sarsaparilla
Plant growing luxuriantly.
The usual return from an acre of corn is 20 dolls.
One man and horse will cultivate thirty acres, besides
attending to other duties; inducing a return of 600 dullr.
par year for each hand.
MARKETS.—At the present time the market at the
settler's door demands all the grain and fodder which be
can raise, as also all the cows and calves and well-broke
steers. The fat cattle:in all parts of N. E. Texas are
purchase,' by dealers and driven to Shree‘e?ort, whence
they are shipped to New Orh ans.
When grain shall be grown in quantity too large for
home consumption, it will meet with a ready market
on Red River and the adjoining lakes. Corn may be
used for other purposes than that of food, as in the dis-
tillation of raw spirit, so extensively carried on in Illi-
nois and Ohio.

WATER.—Three very distinguishable kinds of water
are met with in N. E. Texas.
Ist. The tasteless water derived from the sandy strata.
It is common on all the sandy soil; is very excellent, and
very abundant in springs and creeks on the woodlands,
and in springs and wells on the prairies.
2d. The limestone water, which is found everywhere

on the black soil. When the quantity of impregnated
lime is very small, the water was not disagreeasle to us;
but, on other occasions, it had a flavour not agreeable to
the unitiated. This taste is precisely like that of the
%rater in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan,
and all the Western States. Those who are accustomed
to its use become very fond of it, and cannot be induced
to drink the sandstone water, which is too insipid for
their taste. The medical men and other settlers agree
in the opinion that it is very healthful, and in no rise
promotes the attacks of disease. This water is abundant
in springs and creeks, and from wells dug in the soft
limestone of the northern counties. The settlers in
Red River county prefer to cut cisterns in this soft
limestone.
These varieties of water are so deliciously soft that
we never use soap in washing ourselves.
Sulphur springs are met with in various parts of the
country; a valuable one is situated on Colonel Reiley's
land, on the spot where the town was proposed to be
located.
Salt springs.—There are several salt prairies in North-
Eastern Texas. One is situated in Vag Zsmpt county,
and is called Jordan's Saline. The prairie is of good
size, and an abundance of strong brine is procured from
wells dug twenty feet in depth. The works are small,
producing 500 bushels of salt per month, which meets
with a ready sale. There is also a Saline on the Sabine
which is said to be equally well supplied with salt.
MINERALS.—CoaI.—This mineral is undoubtedly
found in the western part of the State, where the
Spaniards and Mexicans formerly worked numerous
mines; but in N. E. Texas none has been sought for, so
far as we have heard.
Limestone is very universally distributed over Texas
and the Western Stat 2s.
LABOUR.—
In Titus county, labour costs Xl5 per mcntb.
„ Hopkins „ $8 to 12 „ and is plentiful.
„ Lamar „ 97 $8 to 10 „ ditto.
„ White Oak Settlement $l2 to 15 „ and is scarce.
A colony should import every kind of labour. Even
farm labourers would be useful, since the American
labourer is not accustomed tr, and will not bear, the
vigilant eye of an English employer to be always upon
him. Shepherds, who well understand their business,
smiths, wheelwrights, carpenters, bricklayers, tanners,
shoemakers, tailors, engineers, and practical chemists,
may be taken there with advantage.
MANUFACTURES.—Perhaps no country offers so many
advantages to manufacturers as does Texas. There the
great staple articles, cotton, wool, silk, and flax, grow
in perfection; whilst the mechanic would be surrounded
with the necessaries and comforts of life at a very small
cost. Those who are acquainted with Texas believe
that it will place itself in the first rank as a manufac-
turing as well as producing country. At present the
length,and breadth of the country is open to the manu-
facturer, and he would be welcomed with open arms by
every settler.
SECURITY.-Ist. As it respects men.
The most perfect security to lire and property reigns
throughout N. E. Texas, far more perfect than can
be found in the Eastern States, or in Europe,
or indeed in any well-peopled country. We
travelled alone by day and night, and never
received incivility or injury; and the only attempt to
impose upon us was by ,one of our own countrymen.
The inhabitants behaved very kindly to us, and on se-
veral occasions would not be paid for our board and
lodging. They are exceedingly desirous to receive
new settlers, knowing that the resources of their count)
will thus become developed, and their own property
ic-
creased in value; and therefore they are not likely, to
offer injury to those whom they. desire to receive
amongst them. They are too rich to render theft
worthy of their attention. Unprotected loaded wag-
gons, which have broken down on the high road, have
been known to remain unmolested for many days. They
boast of their admitted honesty in paying their debts,
and in a legal regard for the rights and property of
ethers.
The law of Texas forbids gambling, under a heavy
penalty, to be sued for by presentment of the grand jury,
a body which has far more power i❑ the United State.;
th:.n in our country.
The Indians are not met with in Texas, except in the
mountainous district of the north-test, and on the
prairies to the west of ;the cross timbers. The Cherc-
kees, Choctaws, and Chicasaws occupy the Indian terri-