The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1873-05-30
FROM TEXAS.

Correspondence Interior Journal.
MANSFIELD, TAREANT Co., Texas,
May II, 1873.
Travelled through the counties Of Grayson,
Collin, and Dallas, to this Poiot. When |
speak of "Texas," allude to the North-eas-
tern part, it being the only part was in. The
county Of Grayson borders on Red River, and
for a depth Of four to eight miles along the
river, the land is broken, with sandy soil and
thickly timbered-the remainder has fine soil
and beautiful country; and from what saw
and learned from the settlers, FROM eight or
nine counties contiguous, they are identical
in every respect. 1t Is without doubt rs pro-
ductive and beautiful a country as one need
to desire. The soil consists of black loan
with mixture OF sand, which makes it easy
Of cultivation. II has a clay bottom strongly
impregnated with limestone. saw in some
places where the ploughing was deep, such
quantities of lime a to look white all over
the field. They can pillow as deep as they de-
sire. with two horses, after the first breaking
up, as the soil is very mellow. Immediately
after a rain il is 40 tenacious as TO make tray-
cling very dihicult-they have TO stop fire.
quently 10 clean of the mud from the wheels,
but it soon dries, and pulverises easily. 1t
cannot be plowed when wet, We sec no clod-
dy land ON the farms, nor do we see any that
is tired and worn out, Those who have lived
there a long time, say il can be vigorously
cultivated for twenty year., and will be better
at the expiration of that time thas il was in
the beginning. cannot account for this us-
less il is attributable 10 the amount Of salt
combined with other ingredients Of the soil.
may here state that the stock on the prairies
have no need to be salted, as they have GER
tain resorts whore they set as much as they
want The citizens when scarce Of salt often
take their kettles in wagons to certain points,
dig holes in the earth and boil the water Ia
ken from them, and thereby supply their
wants. Fresh meat hung up where the air
has free access to il, will not faint for days.
which shows the atmosphere is impregnated
with this saline substance. The climate Is
pleasant, not very cold in winter. Last win
ter the ice was formed 10 the thickness Of one
and half niche, which is said to be very
rarely the case. The summers are not intense
ly hot, owing 10 tine breeze which modihes
il, especially from morning until evening.
The nights also are cool they do not have
the sultry weather which makes this climate
so oppressive The health Of the country is
good. Water is good, easily obtained by dig
ging wells to the depth Of from twenty to for
~ feet. Water for stock Is made plentiful by
making ponds, the clay bottom Of the soil
furnishing solid basin for retaining H.
saw plenty Of water standing in ditches along
the railroad and in small sinks in the prairies.
The climate is better adapted TO the raising
Of wheat than Kentuekyi they average MON
10 the acre, il grows thicker and heads bet
ter, though not 30 tall A. ours. They raise
an abundance Of corn Il does not grow 50
rank nor 80 heavy As in the strong lands Of
Kentucky, but Il natures early, especially in
the strong limestone land, with AN average
Of shaal Esfiy bushels 10 tho acre. Cotton
grows we'll in all kinds Of their soil-it grows
rank but Is not quite 70 subject To the rust
and other mishaps a in some Of The States