Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1860-08-04
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Fer the Register.
M, KINNEY, Texas. Z
H., 1000

Inv regions" 60 this the more re dily
since have learned that many of my old
acquaintance from he "Old INTER- fed
are contemplating to visit Texas the con :
ing fall, anu they no doubt would wish 10
acquire all The information about this
country, they could arrive at, previous 10
that visit. As have been here so short
a time. shall have 10 be guided in
my compression" more by the experience
of others, than 10 rely upon my own
judgement, but will try mol TO exlenuate
aught or set aught down in malice "
The health Of country is The first
thing lha, should be taken into con>idrra-
ZION. aud shall so speak oil This country.
Texas comprises such vast extent OF
territory that will only speak of its gen
eral health.
From all can learn from others, as
well as my own observations, | should
call This one Of the most healthy States in
be Union. The air is so pure and so
dry thar ii is impossible for diseases 10
exist in ii. Vegetation does not decay
here. Ii cures or dries up and OF course
does NOT emit those poisonous vapors that
cause disease in other countries. No
doubt there are many localities within the
exiendrd limits Of The State that are very
sickly. In many places along The Gulf
Coast. along the Bayous, and river cour-
ses, summer, and autumnal diseases are
very prevalent, have not heard OF a
single case OF Chills and Fevers Of any
kind, or diseases Of any kind, since |
have been here. One Of the best critic
rons 10 Judge The health of country is
the appearance o. the inhabitants, where
you find The ladies rosy, plump. and 1.-The.
and the men strong, active and athletic,
you may safely say tina, country is a
healthy one. such is The case in Texas.
Ii is certainly very beautiful county.
| have nevei met with any one who did
not SO pronounce it. Ii is an undula!ing
prairie, just sufficiently rolling 10 drain il
and dotted with copses Of small timber
which add muck 10 lis beauty. This is
especially So in morning and evening, as
the ray of clear, siIvery light falling aslant
npon the prairies, covered with those cop
ses, green grass, and flowers, give II an
almost fairy appearance.
The soil is dark black loan, much
mixed with lime, which gives i, so stickey
a nature that it is called The black waxy
land. 1t is flom four TO fifteen feet deep.
and rest on bedrock Of white, soft lime
stone. This black land is particularly
the grain growing region of Texas, and is
decidedly the richest have seen any
where, and 20 luces the finest crops of
whatever is planted Oh it. Wheat grows
finely upon it, making from eighteen to
twenty-five bushels 10 the acre, and in
SOME years as much as from twenty five
to forty, weighing from xiyhve TO six.
~ eight pounds TO the bushel, and have
il from credible persons that they have
known il 10 weigh as much as seventy
two pounds. Wheat is not very eXten
sively raised here as yet, owing TO the
want of spoItailon, and there is no
market for il except what Is consumed al
home and by emigranls. There are two
railroads being built which will pass
through this section Of country and which
will afford, when completed, all necessary
porlaiion. Texas will then become
one OF the greatest al-growlng regions
in the world. Owing to an early harvest,
which is generally over in May,lhe wheat
raised here will be in market before that
1 OF more northern countries is harvested,
and will always command an extra price.
From this circumstance farmers will be
induced to cultivate all their lands in
wheat and as this wheat region compr
ses all the North estern counties TO
within probably one hundred miles Of the
Eastern boundary, as far South as the
Brazos, and as far West as the settlement
extends-how much farther am not able
Ito say. Ii will be impossible almost 10
imagine the amount Of wheat that will be
raised here. Com, don't think is a very
sure crop, though am assured by farmers
that they can raise from five TO seven bar
rels upon an acre any ordinary year, and
OF good season they can raise from ten
10 twelve barrels. NV own impression
lis that owing to the heat and drouth The
crop is very much shortened generally.
Oats grow finely, yielding from fifty 10
seventy.6ve bushels to the acie; and Bar
ley. which is used in place Of Rye. from
forty to sixty.
All kinds of vegetables grow finely
here, except The Irish potato. and | am
MOI sure but they will do well as an early
crop, but would be OF no accoun, if late
one. Sweet Potatoes are raised in grea,
abundance, and are substituted for the
IRISH ones, and are kept through the win.