The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-04-21
THE STOCK INTERESTS OF TEXAS.

In answer 10 specinc inquiries from hDroh1
as to the capabilities of Texas as stock
country, its climate and its agricultural
qualities, we will submit few facts and
thoughts this morning. Texas is eminently
a pastoral country in its northwest, west and
southern sections. There are millions and
millions Of broad acres of prairie lands in
these regions covered NIL the year around
with rich, succulent grasses on which cattle,
horses and sheep keep fat the year through
There are numbers of gentlemen
in this state who own from 5000
10 100000 head of cattle on their
various ranches that are no
expense to them TO feed, and
in fact none at all save the monthly employ.
ment of a few hands to watch them and keep
them well in hand. The drive of cattle this
year from Texss TO supply the eastern markets
with as good beef as was ever eaten, to feed
the hungry thousands of the great c titles, is
estimated at $50, 900. and since the war ended
1t has seen no year less than $50 900, and has
reached as high as 100000 This does not
include the thousands of beeves annually
consumed in Texas, or those shipped in small
lots per rail or steamer to the nearer cities or
to Havana, nor the very many thousands
every year put up at the packeries along the
coast tf the state. We have not the census
reports before us at this moment, but it is
generally estimated that in Texas there are
100000 head Of cattle, over 100000 head
OF horses and soma 1900, 900 head of sheep.
These cattle are worth not less than $685.
100000, the horses SAC, 100000 and the sheep
say $40, ZOO, Woodstock cattle, which includes
drove or claim as it runs upon the praries,
from beef steers down to calves. A person
coming to Texas to engage in pastoral pur-
suits ought to have some capital ofcourse,
but an energetic, upright young man cal
come, and by obtaining employment with the
stock men and praclicing economy, will soon
have very pretty little foothold and start,
one indeed that with perseverance, and
close attention to business, will make him
rich in ten years. The stock interest
OF the state are gradually receding to the
westward before the developing processes of
railroads and agriculture, but when ii is
remembered that Texas has an area of
2N'856 square miles, is thirty-hve times rs
large as Massachusetts, and has only 1,60O,-
900 population, il will be seen that many
decades must pass before the agricultural
and commercial interests will seriously on.
croach upon the pastoral interests. Tho
state has several million acres of public
lands and school lands which can be
bought at low figures, and the railroad com.
panies, to all ofwhich royal bountes in lands
were granted by the state, have mil
lions and millions of acres for
disposal at prices ranging, we opine, from a
dollar to two dollars per acre. All these
lands are in the heart of the pastoral regions,
so there 10 no trouble TO get rancho al low
prices. As for climate in Texas, we who
live hero think 1t the most equable and
healthy TO be found on the globe. Our win.
tiers are mild, barring cold norther now and
then, our falls and springs are delightful,
and our summers on par with summer
weather anywhere, their heats being tenn
pered by our delicious prairie breezes. Sheen
are now considered the best paying of any
species Of stock. They are com
paratvely Of little trouble if
watched closely and are no expense except
for few herders. Texas wool, which il
improving every year in quality, always is
marketable and at good round figures. Such
thing as feeding stock in Texas in the
winter is unheard Of As for our seasons.
ono has but to look at the census reports to
500 that Texas, last year raised more cotton
than any state In the union, made all tho
corn that was needed, to say nothing of the
sugar and syrups, her vegetables and fruits,
her wheat and other small grain. If it was
not seasonabe in Texas, how could all these
things be produced. Along the Rio Grande,
tho border of Mexico, some little irrigating is
done, butonly for quite small farms and truck
patches. Dallas is in tho hear. of tho
'hiekly populated and agricultural region
of north Texas, therefore it is not in the
stock country. A TOW counties in tho west
and northwest Of Dallas county, however,
any amount Of cattle can DO found. The
principal section for sheep is in west and
southwest Texas. Tho stock interests of the
state are immense.and disposition is manifest
with tho stock mon to supply themselves
with large pastures aud, reducing tho sizes
Of their herds of cattle or flosks of sheep,
invest their means in timer animals, higher
grades. We believe that we have abou.
covered all the essential points necessary to
a clear comprehension Of what her stock of
all kinds are worth to Texas and how 70.
munerative It is.