Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-03-25
From the Nueces (Texas) Valley.
NIr. RusSell's Letter.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Feb, 2 so.
RoB'r HENN1NG Esq, Wilmington, N. c.
DEAR SIR: Your favor of the goth ut. enclosing q
letter of introduction from my brother, received to-day
will with pleasure reply to the questions you PROFOUND
relative to State and you rely upon the
given being the result of several years experience of
number of our respectable and intelligent rancho
Question How is the business of raising stock con-
ducted and what portion of Texas is best suited to the
business?
Answer.-The manner of conducting rancho is very
simple all that is necessary is, to build your corral
pen, employ competent man to superntend your stock,
and vuquerOs herders to remain with the
cattle during the day, and drive them to the pen at
night Mexicans are our best vaquerOs, and be
employed at from eight to ten dollars per month"; and
tons-a total cost of about one hundred and fifty dol
lars per annum each. The country between the Nue.
river and the Rio Grande is admitted by all to be
the best portion of Texas for stock raising Our stock
is fat all the year in fact until recently it not
sdered fit for anything but stock the experiments last
year. however have proven its adaptation to the culture
of Sea Island cotton and it attracting the atten
ton of agriculturalists we'll stock rasers Last
year the yield per from 500 to 1000 pounds of
seed cotton, valued in New York at 45c per pound,
giened.
Question I'm what does the profit consist in the
business of raising sheep? In the wool produced or in
the increase?
reply, both in the wool produced and the increase in
stock have conversed to-day with several gentlemen
upon whom can rely in regard to sheep, and find the
following to be the result with proper and atten
on the increase is double, one hundred per cent
gentleman who resides in this county, says his flock has
doubled the last two years. and netted him in wool ST
per head. THIS as improved stock Common Mexican
sheep can be purchased at from 81 % to 81 so per
head, and yield 70 to lbs. wool per annum-worth in
New York, unwashed, 1917 to IA cents. When I'M
proved, the habreeds produce about 81 to lbs wool
each-worth in New York. unwashed p to 81 cents.
Improved sheep worth from 50 to 81 per head but
difficult to get. Would advise persons DESTROYS of in
vestng this kind of stock to purchase Mexican Sheep
and bring with them some fine bEgeks-Southdown or
Merino-the latter preferable for wool, the former for
mutton Also, few blooded ones.
Question 3.-How much does it cost to stock ran
cho with | 900 or 800 head of cattle?
Answer.-Stock cattle are worth from Sc to 81 per
head. The cost of improvements would be in proper
ton of course to the improvement made. All that is
absolutely necessary for commencement your corral
and sufficient number of COW ponies tor your va
queros herders Probably $500 would be sufficient
outlay to rancho independent, of course of
your stock and land In regard to the quantity of land
necessary for 1000 head of CATTLE it is not material
suppose about 1000 acres would be fair proportion
but the country at present open and cattle Craze all
over it. would, however advise the purchase of as
much land as possible it is rapidly enhancing in value
and the investment would pay well. 1t can be pur-
chased from 81 to 81 per acre the latter price for
choice locations on the river. The country is rolling
PRAIRIE nterspersed with sufficient timber for farming
purposes and protection to your stock Soil very rich
The climate is superior to any have found-the
winters very mild and the breeZes during the sum-
mr months make it very pleasant thermometer during