The Ottawa free trader., 1877-05-19
From Texas.
EX UNo.

RoBISsoSvILLE Texas, May 6, 1871
MEssRs. EDITORS: After giving few
outlines Of the appearance Of the country il
my last letter, ! will now try to give some
idea OF the climate and productions. The
state, owing to Its great amount of territory
and peculiar shape, has great variety OF
climate Occupying space of country
from 2G TO 3G degrees north latitude, it is
adapted to both tropical and northern
growths. So while we see apple trees -four
ish on the borders Of Red river, we haye
Ionly to turn 10 the coast see the orange
tree grow IN like perfection. The climate is
subject to very great and sudden changes,
more especially during winter. One day it
will be warm enough TO dress IN summer
clothing, while the next it may be so cold
as to sink the mercury in a thermometer
within few degrees OF zero. But these
northers, as the Texans term them, do not
continue long, often subsiding in "a to 49
hours, when warm spell follows. often see
consumptIves visiting Texas with the view OF
restoration, but nine out of ten make fatal
mistake, and only hasten the inevitable fate
which awaits them The sudden changes of
which speak are very hard on the lungs,
and if some care is not taken during these
hard winters, lung disease is frequently the
result. We have about three months wlrter,
commencing IN December and ending in
March. Stock make their living on the
grass during the time, and where the range
is good, fat beef is killed at any period.
The spring seasons are delightful and the
country certainly is the most beautiful in ap-
pearsnce of any in the world at that time
The nights during the summer are quite
pleasant, as there is & constant breeze blow
ing from the gulf, which cools everything to
a great extent. The rainy seasons are irregu
lar; have known it to go five months without
rain sufficient to wet the dust, and you can
Imagine how dry the ground would get be-
meath the burning suns Of July and August.
But these drouths generally come too late to
lDjure the farming interest very much, more
particularly the grain crop, as it is matured
early in the season
The high prairie lands being free from
malaria, are very healthy, except during ex-
treme wet years. But most all river lands
throughout the state are sickly, aboundlng in
different types of malarial diseases. Calves
ton, with several other maritime and inland
cities, have been subjected to yellow fever,
but 1t does not prevail TO an alarming extent
So after taking everything into consideration,
Texas is about as healthy as any state.
The leading staple article OF the country is
cotton, and ten years ago where one bale was
raised, twenty are now produced so great has
been the influx of enterprising people. The
average production OF prairie lands is three
tourths Of bale per acre, or 375 lbs, which is
sold on an average of 10 cents per pound !;
making gross income of $3.50 per acre.
One hand can cultivate very nearly as much
cotton as corn, which is 90 acres for this
country. But gathering it is the expensive
part, for it takes three hands to gather what
one produces. The river lands produce one
bale, or 800 lbs, and the producer depends ON
free negro labor to pick 1t out, which is very
inferior, as they handle the cotton so badly
that 1t grades to cents on the pound lower
than when handled by white labor. Raw
prairie land will frequently produce as much
as old lands If well broken. The average
yield Of corn on prairie lands is 30 bushels
per acre, while on river lands 49, with prices
ranging from so to 50 cents per bushel
Average yield of wheat is 10 bushels, and
average price, 81 per bushel; which will
yield gross income of $40 per acre. but ow
ing 10 rust, excessive rains during harvest,
and other mishaps, central Texas is not des
tined TO cause much Of revolution in the
wheat market, yet there is wheat raised
in sufficient quantities for home use. Oats
and barley do well, making 90 bushels per
market The fruit interest has been greatly
neglected, and It's only of late years We see
orchards where il has been thoroughly tested.
Peaches, plums, pears, grapes and variety
OF berries grow finely, while apples do little
or no good, the sun killing the trees Vcge-
tables of different kinds flourish well in the
spring; and fall gardens as well when the
rains commence carly enough. 1t must be
borne IN mind that good deal have said is !
applicable only 10 Central Texas.
LITTLE TEXAN.
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John Carter, only sen of laborcr in Essex