The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-05-06
Cbe Graurllcr.
For The Cecil Wing
SKETCHES OF TEXAS.

After crossing the Angelina river, the coun-
try begins to improve, for ere that is reach
it has very little to recommend it to favor.
That portion of country lying between the
Angelina and Neches is very fertile and
productive region, with some of the best tim
Der that saw in the state.
A few cotton farms arc met with in this
portion of country, and the gigantic proper
tons of the cotton stalks, together with the
rank growth of cockle-burr, plainly indicated
the fertility of the soil. The greater portion
of the country, however, is uncultivatcd, and
presents wilderness appearance, warning
the traveller that he is drawing near the out
skirts of civilization.
Cotton and corn are the staples of this re-
gion, the climate being too dry and the sum-
mcrs too long and hot to produce small grain.
This part Of Texas is very hot, am Informed
by those residing here; the breeze in the tim
Der country being not so prevalent and re-
frcshing as in the prairie country.
Several small prairics are seen in the neigh
VI -NtO, SItidll l'N IL VII Ip't't IT.
tween the Angelina and Nccht river, studded
with clumps of black jack, and patches of
briers, and covered with broom or scdgc grass.
These prarics however are scarce worthy of
notice, save as being the first of that widely
famed region of country that meets the eye of
the traveller as he proceeds westward from the
Sabine.
After crossing the Neclcs, the country
again changes its aspect materially. Here
we meet with a country ofsand, all, however,
covered with that apparently intcrminabc
forest of black jack and pine timber, save in
the bottoms, along creeks and rivers, where
the land is subject to overflow. The tim
Der in this part of Texas is very poor; in the
bottoms there is some tolcrab!y good. h owcv-
er.
There is a poor range in this section for
stock, and consequently, but little is met with
until the Trinity is crossed, on the west bank
of which the vast region of prairie COM
menccs.
Through the portions of country which l
have passed land commands from Fifty cents
to ten dollars per acre. But much of what is
here called improved land''-whch consists
of a field or two cleared and fenced, with a
log cabin and some rude stabling attached
thcreunto-can be purchashed for from two
to five dollars per acre.
Grapes of several yarities, of excellent flaw
or, are found in great abundance in all parts
of Texas. A gentleman who resides in Grason
county, the North Eastern portion of Texas,
assured me that in the grape season, he could
easily go into the woods and gather cart
load of the finest grapes in short time
There are no apples in this part of the
State, but peaches grow abundantly, and ev-
cry house almost can boast ola peach orchard
Bees literally fill the woods, and honey in any
quantity can be procured. Every settler has
a row of bee gums in his yard. Their apiarics
are in sorry plight, and present a very unseen
ly appearance. Boxes made of rough boards
about three feet long and foot in diameter,
placed on board, which is laid on the ground
with no covering whatever, to shield them
from the intense rays of the sun, or inclemcn-
cy of the weather, serve as bee-hivcs, togcth-
CT with old barrels, gums, ETC., etc.
The bee moth, has made its appearance in
Texas and destroyed the bees very much last
season.
Tho bees flourish in this particular portion
of the State, and also in others which have
the same advantages, i. G. a plentiful supply
of good water and immense tracts of black.
jack, and post-oak timber, yet in general
sense, Texas is not the land of "milk and
honey that it has been represented. There
has been great deal of humbug and bonn
bast bruited through the country about Texas
1T has been represented as Incompatible in
fertility of soil, unsurpassed in climate, a land
of sunshine and flowers, Gland flowing with
milk and honey a perfect Paradise; the
greater part Of which is sheer humbug.
That there is as fertile lands in Texas as
ever plow was put into is true but this des-
crption of soil is confined to the river bottoms
principally, where it is just as sickly as it is
rich. On the other hand there is just as poor,
naturally barren, and unproductivc land in