Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-06-21
naratiyelv. we have seen so little of the

| times the area of South CarOllna-and Is dl-
vided into 226 counties, of which ITO are Or
ganized, and Sc unorganized. Weare satis-
fed, however, from the information that we
have been able to obtain, that we passed
through some counties that, for farming pur-
poses, are equal to the best in the State, no.
tably, McLennan, Dallas and Collin. AS a
rule, when persons emigrate from one place
to another, it is with the expectation of be-
ing able to better their condition. With
the view of showing our readers the advan-
tages and disadvantages Of the three cOun-
ties, we propose to Ocomparethem with York
county, which is representative county Of
the Piedmont region of South Carolina.
In the counties mentioned above, the yield
proper tillage, without the use Of fertilizers
of any kind is, in McLennan, on uplands,
one-half bale, on bottom lands, three-fOurths
to one bale. In Dallas, from one-third ITO
three -fOurthS of q bale. In Collin, from
three-fourths to one bale.
Many of our readers know that, with the
use of commercial fertilizers, the yields
mentioned are EXCEEDED every year in York
county. Some one will be ready to suggest
that, in Texas, fertilizers are unnecessary,
and that the yields are obtained without
this expense. That is true; but in. York
county the usual p1ce for picking cotton is
from 40 to 60 cents per hundred pounds,
while in Texas the price ranges from one
dollar per hundred pounds, when cotton first
opens, to giving 0ne-half for picking the
other! We were Informed by number of
persons, that more cotton is picked on the
latter terms than any other. In consequence
of the expense of gathering cotton, we were
informed that Humber of persons in the
counties mentiondd, have entirely abandon
cd it's cultivation.
| 1IT:4l> r.ooI ,ol.o,, ,,r,,>n. t;1looro oyJ
good lands, without the use of fertilizers,
the yield of corn per acre, in McLennan
county, is from 25I to 40 bushels; in Dallas
and Collin, 30 bushels. We will just men,
tion here, that the crops of corn on our route
presented a much more uniformly fine ap-
pearance, than either cotton, wheat or oats.
In York county, on much of the bottom
land, the yield of corn, with good seasons,
equals these Texas counties, and as a gen.
eral thing can be sold at higher prices. On
the day we were in Dallas, corn was quoted
at from 45 to so cents per bushel.
On good lands, with favorable seasons
and proper cultivation, the yield per acre,
of wheat and oats, is as follows: In McLen-
nan county, wheat, Is to 20 bushels; oats,
is to 60. In Dallas, wheat, 15 to 20; oats,
40 to 60. In Collin, wheat, Is; oats, 40.
Many Of urreaders know that last year,
these yields were equaled on many farms
in York county, and frequently exceeded
1t is true, however, that last year the sea-
sons were unusually favorable but in the
Texas counties mentioned, the conditions
are attached that the yields reported depend
upon good land, proper tillage and favora-
| bic seasons.
Unimproved lands, suitable for farms, are
quoted in McLennan county, at from 50 to
$40 per acre in Dallas, at from S. to $50; IN
| Collin at from S3 tn S15
In this connection, we will mention that
the timbered uplands usually consists OF
patches of scrubby post oak, black-jac etc.,
varying in width from a few hundred yards
to several miles, on a soil of a light sandy
character, which is not very productive; at
least, the soils will not produce the quantities
of cotton, corn, wheat or oats, ascribed to
the counties of McLennan, Dallas and Col
lin. The bottom lands are timbered with a
growth suitable for firewood, fence posts and
mechanical purposes but unsuitable for the
purpose of building dwelling houses. The
soil of the bottoms is generally very rich, but
being low and fiat, is seldom susceptible of
drainage. AS a result, the vicinity is mala-
rious and unhealthy.
These considerations, therefore, render
the open prairies the most desirable for set
Elements and farms. The greater the dis
tance from the timber, the more trouble and
expense there is in procuring fuel, and the
cheaper land can be purchased. In healthy
situations, with timber reasonably near
three miles is considered in Texas as being
reasonably near-the land of fair, average
quality, the price is dearest, and Immigrants
may calculate with certainty, on paying the
highest prices mentioned for "unimproved
lands suitable for FARMS"
When you buy ''unimproved land suita-
BILE for farms" what do you get? A piece of
prairie land with possibly nota tree in sight
You must 60 to work and get house on it
for residence. Rough pine lumber in eth
er of the counties mentioned, will cost you,
at a railroad station, at least $50 per 1000
feet and the cost of your necessary build
ings is only limited by their number, size
and STYLE In the meantime, you must pro-
vide water for domestic purposes and the
use of your stock. This can usually be done
by digging we'll but if your land is rich,
the probability is that the water will be so
much impregnated with lime that you can
not drink it. If that is the case, you must
provide cistern to hold rain water that
being the only kind of palatable water that
we tasted while in the State. The next
thing to be done is to fence so much of the
land as you desire to cultivate and use for
pasturage The cost of fencing in the coun-
ties mentioned is quoted in McLennan at
from $135 to 5000 per mile in Dallas, at
1925; and in Collin atfrOm 5000 to $3.50. We
were told that in some of the counties of the
State, "StOrm-house" is deemed necessary,
in order to protect the lives Of persons
against the tOrnadOes and storms which
from time to time sweep over the prairies
This refuge is made by digging hole in the
ground. We did not see anything of the
kind but if such thing is necessary, it
must be provided. All these matters hav-
ing been attended to, you are ready to
"break up" your ground, put it in proper
condition, plant your crops, work them and
await results.
Persons in the older States, who contem-
plate emigrating to Texas with the view Of
buying good and cheap farms, will do well
| to consider the foregoing statements, or, at
any rate, going there and examining for
themselves before "breaking up" where
they are.
Improved tracts of land are quoted in
McLennan county at from So tOS3O per acre;
in Dallas, at from $15 Ito $50; in Collin,
at from $40 to $50. By improved tracts
of land," is meant that u portion Of the
land is under cultivation, fenced, supplied
with water for domestic. purposes and the
use of stock, dwelling house for the fam
lily, and other necessary buildings. The
the character Of the buildings and improve
ments, contribute to increasing or decreas
ing the value of a farm in Texas, in the
same ratio as in York county.
That there are wells and springs in Texas
which afford palatable drinking water, we
do not doubt; but it was our misfortune not
to drink of any such. All the water we
tasted except cistern water, was more or
1ass iInnrepnated with minerals. and in