The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-04-01


country wholly destitute Of water, and Of
lands so sterile as to produce nothing but
spanish dagger" or sage brush; and II per-
chance some hardy surveyor ventured the pre-
dlction that many miles of these lands would
one day become cultivated and produce in
abundance crops Of golden wheat or snowy
cotton, he was set down as either visionary,
or as one who having lands for sale was sim.
ply lying for the sake Of gain. The COW boys
knew that he was right, but were careful not
to say So because 1t was for their interest to
have these lands remain unfenced and free as
air, so that pasturage of their immense herds
could be had and they could range at will over
the millions OF acres without paying tribute
to any man.
Your correspondent, who, as you know, al
ways aims to get as near to bottom facts as
possible, has just returned from a somewhat
extended excursion to Western Texas, going
between 800 and $50 miles west OF Dallas,
making stoppages here and there and as care
fully and thoroughly as time would permit
and from the most reliable sources, obtaining,
or at least seeking to obtain, the truth.
There Is frequently found in this state u
shrub closely resembling in size and shape
the currant bush, and "a small tree looking
much like the peach tree, both bearing the
name Of mesquite (muskeet). All old Texans
with whom l conversed on the subject agreed
that, as a rule, "the mesquite never grows on
nnn fhpS md nd NIL
ing also for other induces of good lands con-
mon to all sections, kept careful watch of the
country as we proceeded as did also travellers
IN the same Car from half dozen other states,
and while we saw from time to time rocky,
hllly or sandy lands, especially IN portions of
Parker. Palo Pinto and Eastland counties, and
some poor soil in all of the counties through
which we passed, we also saw very much that
was excellent, with mile after mile OF mesquite
stretching out as far as the eye could reach
The conclusion was forced upon us all that
nowhere else in the United States is to be
found 50 large and wide an extent of unOccu.
pied fertile lands as can be seen today IN
Western Texas and we also thought that the
settlement of this vast extent of territory must
surely be rapid and permanent.
One very intelligent gentleman from Wash
ington Territory was particularly enthusiastic
and believing that California wheat and grapes
would thrive and do excellently we'll here,
stated to the writer that he should secure from
five to ten thousand acres and make the at
tempt giving his especial attention to grarc
culture, and have no doubt of his success.
OF course | cannot go into detail as to all
this country, but as something more than gen.
eralitles is desirable, | Will give you some
facts obtained at Baird. where I spent consid.
cradle time and made careful observations
The branch Office of the Land Department
of the T. & p r. II. CO. is located at Baird, ia
charge of Col. +. NJ Beckwith, gentleman
in every sense OF the word, who takes pleas.
ure in furnishing all Corners with maps and
descriptive circulars, as well as much reliable
and valuable information. The Company has
at this point large and commodious "lmmi.
grants House" for the free use ofimmlgrants,
furnishing everything necessary except food
and bedding tor the families of immigrants
when lands are being selected or dwellings
There is also an experimental farm near
Baritone of several along the line of the
road--where Is demonstrated by actual expert
ment the fact that the land is fit for tillage
contrary to the opinion OF stock men who
reckon 1t Is right nice for stock but of no &C
count tor farming" The farm is in charge of
Capt. ID. Richardson, (who is also always st
the service OF land seekers and understands
the country thoroughly and who has sown
and planted several varieties of grain and seeds
in two acre tracts and Will note tor publication
actual results, whatever they may be- Those
methods and implements that would be en-
ployed by intelligent farmers of moderate
meas, are the ones adopted here, 80 that the
success OF the company may not be considered
but only such as is within the
reach OF the class of farmers above referred to.
went over this farm, rule IN hand in CON-
pany with farmer from Colorado and anoth.
er from Nebraska, and the following are some
Of the measurements:
Nicaragua wheat stood from IL to 10 inches
high one stalk was 291a inches long; Med
wheat, 10 inches high, one stalk 2715
inches long; red wheat, 141 inches high, one
stalk 231ls inches long; Texas rye, II inches
high one stalk 33 inches long; barley, Is IN
ches high, one stalk % inches long; and it
should be noted that there had been nine head
of stock psstured on this grain, say IL acres,
all winter, to keep it down and prevent 1t from
heading too early.
The Land Department has since the first Of
December last had meteorological record
kept here, and the following figures copied
from their books:
n 400, .. .La.z.>..,o,o, 900