Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-12-09
Farming in Texas.

To the Gazette,
Thinking YOU will allow space for
me to express a few words in regard
to agricultural pursuits OF Texas, |
viii write. So much is said of pre-
gress In Texss rs II relates 10 railroads,
mining and manufacturing, that one
Is led 10 suppose only Ia these depart
ments is there anything worth aticn-
ton. As striking has been the de-
velopment of mineral resources OF
Texas in connection with It's trans
porting and manufacturing interest,
we find II TO loo insignificant when
compared with the results of agricul-
turnl developments In tn last few
years. Before this, the chief product
was cotton, but now Texas raises
something besides cotton. IL has
turned it's attention 10 grain, TO grass,
to stock, early vegetables and fruits,
and the cotton crop of this year II
more an overplus than IL has ever
been before. Tho reason of this liz
that the farmer has bought less
supplies from their neighboring mer.
chant, who carries on n rigid credit
system, than heretofore. Instead of
paying for meat and bread with cotton,
they have raised corn and hogs, and
have nearly the entire cotton crop 10
buy implements of agriculture, TO pur-
chase better stock, TO improve their
dwelling houses and barns, to add
those comforts and convenicnees which
mark an advancement In n country's
history.
Being raised on farm and having
had all the advantage Of close OBJ
server, the writer finds there Is more
activity, more inquiry, more expert
ment and Investigation In Texas on
the farm than ever before. The farm
ersi capital has increased, the laborr
Is better satisfied, fewer debts are in
Cured and they nre enabled 10 remove
their old ones, which IL rapidly being
done Ignorance and Incidence siill
exist to some extent. but ARE rapidly
vanishing before the sturdy stroke OF
the farmers, who are turned In the
right direction. They nre CON
stantly studying the soil, the climate,
The market. They are im-
proving their lands instead
OF letting them become foul
with thorns and thistles. Those TINT
cultivate systematically VIII have
most Of their lands prepared by the
first of January each year for spring
sowing and planting. The yield Is
much larger by ~ doing and 1t places
their farms in "A better state OF oultiva'
ton thnn the year previous
Many changes are taking place IN
Texas. which attracts the attention OF
the Northern farmers. That which
seems TO have magnetic influence on
them Is the cheap lands in Texas.
Northern farmers find out they can
sell for tifty ors venty-iiye dollars per
mere aud come To Tex..s and buy ten
for one. They are also induced by the
genial climate of Texas, where stock IL
Kept on the grass through tho winter.
We notice that these Northern farm
ers are generally systematic In their
industrious habits, and understand
the hest method Of agriculture. Those
who use economy aud energy doubt
lessly find their capital increasing
from twenty-five to iifty per cent, an
nualIy. These Northern farmers,
knowing very little about cotton, at
first turn their attention TO grain, ~
vegetables and 10 the improvement Of
stock. which IL advantageous 10 them
selves and their neighbors.
One can hardly realize this new and
important element connected with The
growth OF the country. Its true that
they ARE taciturn In their nature, but
are quick 10 learn, aud IN a ahort time
they are familiar with the surround
sngs and know what Is best adapted TO
tho soil OF their farm. Not only the
Northern farmer deserves praise for
The domestic economy OF Texas We
readily claim the merits Of the Eastern
farmer to he az good even os the brohd
minded old Texan. whose locks nrc
silyered by the frosts OF many winters,
who but few years ago battled with
the tomahswk In the hands OF tie red
man, aud has now turi cd his httcn-
ton TO the development Of agriculture.
The battle-ax has fallen 10 tbeRround,
the war.wloop Is heard no more In the
distance. the bloody wounds and Tor
tured brands are healed; the cfles Of the
widow and orphan are hushedi thce
broad prairies where once roaiped
the Wild buffalo, are converted bur-
rledly into peaceful homes, aurronnd-
ed with all the comforts Of life, filled
with 10y and ecstasy for the farmer.