The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-25

I
etc.,
COLLIN COUNTY
Is separated from Red River. tn
north boundary line of the state, b
the county of GraySon. and its centr
IS on the meridian of 96 deg. 80 min
of longitude west from Greenwich
Area, 0S4 square miles.
Population in 1870. ..... l4.O1
Population in 1880 az per
cent celoreO. ........ 1888
Assessed value of taxable
property in 1870. ....... S4,II4l6
Assessed value of taxable
property in 1881 ........ 5,99O.47I
Assessed value of taxable
property in 1882. ....... 6,391 ,4S
Assessed value of live stock
in 1882. ........ 972,25(
Three-fourths of its area is rolling
prairie, in some portions rising int
hills of considerable elevation, il
others gently sloping down into wild,
valleys. The east fork of the Trinit,
river and its many tributaries, as theII
pursue their winding course, generally
in southeasterly direction, through
the county, are all fringed with belt:
of timber more or less wide, In many
portions the public highways are con
tlnuous lanes, with succession of wei
titled farms or enclosed pastures Oh
either hand. There is a sufficient
| quantity of timber for all ordinary
domestic purposes, posts, rails, Stats
wagon and farming implements, fuel
and the like, but not a great deal that
is suitable for lumber and building
The leading varieties are, post oak
red oak, pin oak, ash, elm, pecan, hack.
berry, and bois dare, the several
kinds of oak, ash, and bois dare being
| good, and bois dare especially plenti.
full and of excellent quality. Nine
tenthS of the entire area presents a
continuous surface of black waxy, ten
acious soil, without any admixture OF
sand, and from two to ten feet in
depth. 1t is very productive, and
possesses the quality of resisting the
effects of drOuth in an eminent de
gree. The mean annual rainfall is
thirty-eight inches, and, as a rule, is
so distributed throughout the year as
to render damage from drouth of ex-
ceptional occurrence. OF the half
million acres of strictly arabic land
not exceeding 10000 acres are in cul-
tiyation, in farms averaging eighty
acres. The usual yield per acre of the
principal crops, under favorable con-
ditions, is, of cotton, three-fourths of a
bale; corn, 30 bushels; wheat, 10; oats,
40; barley, 40; sorghum syrup, 100
gallons; Irish potatoes, 60 bushels;
sweet potatoes, 200; hay, ~ tons; mil
let, tons. The wheat grown in Col
lin county is found TO exceed the
standard weight by several pounds,
and repeated experiments are believed
to have demonstrated its superior Ca
pacity to bear long sea transportation
without serious damage. All Linds of
vegetables common to the latitude are
grown with success. Peaches, plums,
raSpberries and Strawberries are a
sure crop, and pplles c. Inc carly
kinds do moderately well. Improved
farming implements are extensively
used, both Tor cultivation and har-
vesting. Farms are generally fenced
with posts and rails or planks, the
cost being about $500 per mile. Lum-
Der is worth from $40 to S25 thou
sand feet. Hedging, however, is
growing in favor, and bois dare is
found to be the best plant for hedges,
being stout grower and Indigenous
to the soil.
Wild land is worth from SO to SIS
per acre, the highest priced being
prairie, for the reason that when
fenced it is ready for cultivation. I'M
proved farms with necessary build
ingS, range in price from $40 to $50
fn hn al Of IN
Improvements. Land is rented for
from SO to $3.50 per acre, and on
shares for one-fourth the cotton and
one-third OF other crops, OF, when
everything is furnished except family
supplies, for one-half the crop.
In exceptionally dry seasons the east
fork of the Trinity river, and the
many streams flowing into it, cease to
run, but their blue limestone beds al
ways hold an ample supply of water
for stock and general purposes. An
abundance of pure water for domestic
use is obtained from springs and
wells, but ciSterns are preferred, and
are in general use. These are dug in
the soft blue limestone that underlies
the entire surface Of the county, and
need no walling or cement.
The raising of live stock is generally
combined with agriculture. The
principal native grasses, sedge and mes
quite of the several varieties. supple
mented by the Bermuda, grow with a
luXuriance not equaled on less fertile
soil. The open range, however, is
rapidly giving way to the enclosed
pasture, and common stock of all
kinds to improved breeds, which are
yearly engaging increased attention,
The number of live stock in the coun-
ty is as follows: Horses and mules, &c.
651; cattle, 30,139; sheep, 2187; goats,
1877; hogs, 18,075. In the winter stock
require feeding, or winter paStur-
age provided for them. Work
horses are worth $65; mules, SS5; oxen,
$50 per yoke. In the local markets
beef retails at from to cents; NUT
ton, cents; pork, s cents; bacon, ~
cents; corn, 80 to Is cents per bushel;
flour, $3.50 to $4.OO per hundred.
Sheep are healthy, and the average
weight of fleece of common sheep is
3 pounds; of Cotswold, IL pounds.
The Houston and Texas Central
railway runs through the county
from south to north, and the East
Line and Red River from its eastern
line to the county seat, forming
a junction with the former
road. The stations on the former
road are, Mckinney the county seat,
population about 5000, estimated
aggregate trade 100000; Plano, 300,
trade 100000; and Allan, Richardson
and Melissa, the last three being vii
lagos with $50 to 200 inhabitants each,
with a good local trade. Farmersville,
on the East Line and Red River rail-
way, has about 20 inhabitants, and an
estimated trade of about 100000.
Freight to Galveston is 81 per bale on
cotton.
There are no minerals and no water
power in the county, and the only
manufacturing enterprises are steam
Touring mills, of which there are a
number steadily and profitably en-
ployed in preparing for home con-
sumption and market the abundant
harvests of wheat garnered from the
neighboring soil.
There is a small bonded debt for a
court house, but no floating debt, and
the county tax is thirty-five cents on
the 500. For a scholastic population
of 4615 there are ITO public free
schools, and also number of private
schools, with good average attend
ance. Good church buildings are
found in every part of the county, the
Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist,
Episcopal and Christian denomina-
tions all having organized churches.
Law and order prevail, and the moral