San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-11-15

wheat 10 10 80, and sweet potatoes x
to $50 per acre, cotton half bale to I
balo, and sorghum always two crops, ant
all growing side by side in the sam'
field. Seldom can this be seen on the
continent except in Texas, and nc
where perhaps in greater perfection
than in this county. Then vegetables
of nearly all kinds do well. If Out
short. as they frequently arc, BY the
droughts Of summer. the fall and win
ter gardens. unknown to more Northern
climes, often mako ample compensation.
Fruits, such as figs. peaches, plums,
grapes and some kinds of wild fruits
also do tolerably we'll, and come think
that apples may by careful attention be
made TO succeed. But Western Texas
cannot be said to be first rate fruit
country, except where facilities for irri-
cation exist and are brought into use.
There is no doubt however, but that, by
the introduction of improved and early
varieties, fruit growing will become
much more successful than it has yet
proved.
AS stock country this region is un.
surpassed, having fine grass, pure water
and short winters. All stock does we'll,
and is usually healthy, and much atten-
ton is given to the introduction and
improvement ofall kinds Of good stock.
In fact, the old style of stock raising as
it prevailed when the country was new,
is being rapidly superseded by the
growth, on o smaller scale, in inclo-
sures, of improved varieties OF stock.
The mesquit grass-perhaps unrivaled
among wild grasses-is yet abundant in
most parts of the county, but around
the county scat, and in the more thiok-
ly settled neighborhoods, owing TO a'su-
perabundance of stock and extensive in
closures, the range is getting scarce,
and will have to be supplemented by
winter pastures of rye. barley, wheat
or oats, all Of which grow luxuriantly,
and form an admirable substitute. BY
the aid of these, and feeding for a short
time, there need never be any scarcity
of fat beeves, or tho best Of milk and
butter; but there ia general neglect Of
these simple, common sense precau-
tions. We believe more money could
be mado from a small dairy, conducted
on these principles, than is now done
from many large corn or cotton plan
tation, If raising poultry were combin-
ed with it there could be no question on
tho subject. for there is always great
scarcity of milk, butter. chickens and
eggs during the winter, and they COM
mand high prices.
STREAMS, ETC.
The county is woll waterod for Texas,
having many springs. creeks and rivers.
Its principal streams are the San Mar
cos and Blanoo rivers, Onion creek and
Bear creek, oil affording lasting water
of pure and orystal-like appearance,
and abounding in fish. They also afford
fine water power for mills and machine
ry. The San Marcos, especially, is OF
SURPRISING beauty. and deserves moro
than passing notice. Breaking out.
as it does, full. fedged river, from the
south side Of mountain, in quantities
Of pure crystal spring water sufficient to
run large amount Of machinery,
makes it wonderfully attractive and
valuable. 1t now has many mills and
gins in successful operation located upon
it. Water can also be found by digging
from 20 to 40 feet, but it is very hard
from lime and mineral 81 distances. Cis-
tern water is therefore preferred for do.
mestic use. 1t is tho best in all coun.
tries, but more indispensable in Texas
than III some others.
Huys county stands pre-eminent, we
believe, in this portion OF Western
Texas, as combining the grand essen
tials Of good soil, and sufliciency of
timber and water, in convenient prox
unity. There is also an abundance Of
building stone. Of fine quality, and easi-
ly worked. Stone is also used extern
siyely for fencing,
POPULATION, ETC.
The population Of the county, as we
have said, was by the census of 1880
$50, of whom 1879 are oolUred. The
colored population is relatively decreas
ing, and the tendency is still steadily in |
the direction OF decrease Of that ele.
ment. The population, aside from
natives of Texas, is mostly from the
older Southern States. but nearly every
State in the Union probably has its rep
Foreign-born people are
rare, except Germans. who arc more
numerous, and on tho Increase, oonsti-
tuting a most valusble element. The
total vote Of the county, as shown by
the combined vote for both the oandi
dates for Governor in 1882. was lfll.
The democratic majority is large, but
they do very much as they please about
political matters, and Il ought not TO be
that persons Of different pO-
Iitical views. who tako q moderate
course, and are good citizens. are not
equally welcome. IL IA believed there
Is no disposition among tho better part
Of the people 20 prescribe others on ac-i
count Of either politics or religion.
SOCIETY, SCHOOLS, TAxEs, ITO.
The county j. noted for the good
morals and inieliigcBce Of her pcopie. a.
4 generslrule. As to education, while .
rood private schouls are sgstsiBed. there
j. IS yet DO well erEaniTcd system Of
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