Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-08-03
A MODEL Farm.
Owned by the Texas Pacific Railway, Near
Baird-Its Productions Of Ceresls
and Fruits.

ttaHN-its VI ttf''sr
and Fruits.
Correspondence OF the Gazette.
Baird, Aug. l.--Brief mention has
been made from time to time Of the
governmental farm OF the Texas & Pa
road near this town. Since the atten-
ton of capitalists from all parts Of the
United States and Europe Is now de
rect. 4 to Texas and especially to North
west Texas, this farm becatne matter
Of general interest as Illustrative OF
the capacities ofthe soil, and 1t is due
TO the public that IL should be more
fully described. The farm is under
the control Of Mr. Richardson, an oil
Texan of 81 years residence, who has
been with the land department Of the
II. d T.. road for nearly seven years.
It's situation may be called picturesque,
lying as il does at the foot Of the range
OF hill. south OF Baird. The farm
house nesiies close at the base of these
hills. and has all that is incident TO the
farm houses in the older states, such
as the domestic fowls, etc. We noticed
some very fine fowls. There were
three varieties Of geese, specimens OF
the Touloure and Hong Kong species.
Distinguished among his fellows was "a
large white Hong Kong gander, which
strutted about as IL he was proud Of
himself. There were to he seen also
turkeys, ducks. chickens, guineas and
pigeons.
Near the house Mr.. Richardson has
a pond Of German carp in which he
takes great pride and interest. These
fish were forwarded from Washington
city about year ago. They now
measure from seven TO nine inches
,..f1I sf,h al. ,anf.,NA gnHh
They were OF course very small spec
linens when sent.
The writer, gathering inspiration
from the recollection OF delicious wa
termelon which Mr.. II. and himself
fully discussed under the shade OF
some mesquite trees. will endeavor u
give an idea of the products of the
soil. Here the watermelon gro IS in
great perfection. They are not ouly
large, but very SWEET as well. In this
and adjoining counties they grow to an
almost incredible size, some weighing
AS much as one hundred and ten
pounds. They are not, however, so
large this season, and the largest
which the writer observed would not
weigh more than sixty pounds. The
climate and soil seem peculiarly favor
able to the growth of melons and
everything that grows on vines, such
a. Inuskmellons, pumpkins, squashes
and cucnmbers. Tomatoes also grow
well. Sweet potatoes grow particu-
Larry fine. but Irish potatoes do not
seem to have done so well on this
place; some very fine ones. however,
have been produced in the county.
We were shown four varieties of In
dian corn. 1t has been persisteDtly as
4 .. Ia l.. "A
This section. but that such j. not the
case is here clearly demonstrated. We
were also shown four varieties OF cot
tol, eight va &c OF sorghum, Egyp-
tian and Hungarian niilet, twelve va
rietles OF wheat, turee varieties of Oats
one variety each of barley and rye, two
of peanuts, two of castor beans, four
of field peas, and Mexican, navy and
Texas beans; also butter beans aud
Lima beans, okra, hemp, flax and
rice, Johnson grass and alfalfa. All
these are growing In more or less per
lection. The rye harvested more than
forty bushels to the acre and Tho
wheat made from seven To thirty
six bushels. The best wheat was
Georgia red May, a large rel variety.
The red was premium wheat sent here
from the Atlanta exposition. 1t was
sowed early in November, on valley
land that had been plowed nine To ten
inches deep, and thoroughly narrowed
in with two .hoIse harrow. 1t pro
dueed little over thirty-eight bushels
To the acre. The corn will make from
thirty To forty bushels per acre. The
hemp was higher than we could reach.
The rice WAS failure. and probably
always will be without irrigation, as il
requires a very moist soil. There are
some promising peach, app e, plum
and cherry trees. These are youne
aud have not borne yet, except tn,
peach trees, which bore few very
good peaches this year. The peAcl
trees have shown wonderful growth
having grown six feet last year and
four feet this year up 10 date. There
are some grape vines also, and they are
doing well. There is scarcely any
doubt but that grapes can be made 4
success, rs the wild grape grows in
great abundance. Ceres has indeed
smiled upon us during the last two
years, and there are those who will say
TO you, wait till an unfavorable seat
son comes upon u.s. but it should be
remembered that this is new country
and the people who are farming are
but little acquainted with the climate
only be acquired by experience, will
more than counterbaiance advatn ages
of the favorable seasons OF the past wa
Years.
Just west of the farm Is q mineral
well which may prove of great value
To the community. 1t is already pat
ronized by great many who claim tC
have derived much benefit from It's
use. lfthere Is any thing in strength
and nastlness OF taste il will undonbt-
eddy he OF inestiniable value. The
water has been analyzed by the chem
ist Of the agricultural department al
Washington, and his report shows tho
following; Qualitative analysis shows
the presenos of a large amount OF sui
pilates and biearbOnates of iron, lime
magnesia and sodium; small amount
OF chlorides, also blumnia and silica,
and traces of phosphates aud potash
salts. Those who profess TO know
say this shows highly medical prop.
critics.
The emigrant house near by is kept
supplied with wood and water and
shelters prospecting free of charge.