The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-08-26
COrresPOndenee--Ra Rains. Crops and SAL
walton.
To the Editor Daily STATESMAN:

To the Editor Daily STATESMAN:
PERDISALEs. August IA. 1850.
[ have just returned from a trip into
Mason through LlanO county, and per-
haps some items collected may he of in
terest to Your readers. since the trade OF
that section still belongs to Austin. The
small grain crop was almost an entire fail
ure in both counties. owing 10 the severe
freeze in March and the drought in the
spring. Corn will also be light. for the
latter reason. think Austin NAV safely
with -four and grain. if the trade is not
drawn to other points on the Interna-
tional by better roads than those leading
to the capital From the indifference
manifested by the business men and
prOperty-0wners, one would think they
possessed some information regardingthe
retention of this trade not accessible to
Others. | was assured by the leading
farmer and stOckraiser of Mason that il
san Marcos opened good road to the
northwest. cotton would be carried TO
that point, and supplies brought thence.
This Is the first year cotton raising has
been attempted on any scale in that Sec
ton, and the prospects for large yield
are splendid since the rain of two weeks
since. 1t will be remembered that cot
ton from Gillespie and Mason commands
from One-halfto one cent more per pound
than the ordinary staple brought to mar
ket. The quality is better for some rea-
son unknown to your non-agricultural
correspondent.
The rains spoken of were the heaviest
that have visited that region for years.
For four days there was little intermis-
sion between showers. and the streams
time. The writer had a sad experience
in that connection. In company with
Mr.. Ed. Bond, lately of this county, and
now of Mason, we lay before the raging
Llano four days, impatiently waiting for
the subsistence of the waters. Our only
shelter was n wagon sheet, with which
we imprOyised a tent. We were only
saved from that adherence of nature-a
vacuum in the gastric region-by the
kindness of German Methodist minister
of Castel. named Kern. who supplied us
with bread and coffee and was 10th to re-
ceive pay therefor. But that which hurt
us was worth thousands to the parched
country. The range is now covered with
the finest grass, and cattle are as fat as 1t
is possible to make them on grass.
In the Click Gap in Llano coun-
ty we saw yearlings as large as two
year-olds generally are, and fatter than /
ever saw cattle before on the range. The
Perdinales valley has been blessed, too,
this year. Last winter there were no
deaths among cattle from exposure, as this
is the best region for protection in the
state, and there is an abundance of live
oak thIckets. upon the leaves of which
cattle may live when grass is scarce.
Though wheat barely returned seed to
the planters, oats did very well The
corn crop Is very large, and cotton in a
fair way to pan out immensely. The
camp meeting on Fall creek, which was
inaugurated last Saturday, Revs. Brush
and Webb of Austin and Rev. Mr.. Bas-
sett of Fall creek present, has been tenn
porarily suspended, owing to the heavy
rain of yesterday and this morning. If
the weather is clear tomorrow the meet
ing will be renewed, and MIR. Black of
the NJ. L. Church South will probably as
sist Mr.. Bassett. There have been no
conversions as yet, but mourners go for
ward nightly and much interest is mani
tested in the meeting. j. +. d.