San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-07-10

dry and the crops were cut short but
tho average yield was half bale TO
the acre. A crop Of bale and hall
to the acre was picked on q rocky hill
farm near town, and ono corn crop
was seventy-fve bushels to the aero.
Agricultural machinery is extensively
used. The fences are made OF stone
or cedar and pine plank and wire.
The soil, water and climate cause
tho perfection of growth in fowls
which can be raised here ut the very
minimum of care and expense. Here
are good water, shade, all the grains,
grasses, sunfower seed, sorghum,
Millionaire, q mild, bracing climate
free from malaria, quartz pebbles,
limestone, iron, and small shells in
the soil, and care will insure good
health. The fancier could soon
establish statewide reputation as o
breeder of fine fowls, pigs, etc. The
finest honey is produced in largo
quantity. Fortunes are to be made
in dairies, fine grade cattle, horses,
mules, asses, sheep and Angora goats.
The common varieties of stock are
being rapidly improved. Cows from
thoroughbred bulls fetch from $50 to
$50. A ranch in the hills and a
flock of graded sheep or Angora goats
will bring good health and fortune.
The heaviest twelve-months clip ever
taker from a sleeps back was raised
within two days ride Of this place,
and here the facilities are even better.
The endeavor only has been wanting.
One of the finest race horses now
winning Donors on the turf, Ferg
Kyle, was raised in this county, and
he is only one Of number of famous
runners bred here. Here are tho
water, soil and climate to produce
bone, muscle, sinew, wind and bot
tom in absolute perfection, and this
country will rival, yes, surpass, Ken
lucky in the production Of racers and
trotters when people have the wealth
to devote to such purposes as fine
stock-raising. Success will attend
any intelligent effort, backed by
moderate capital even in raising fine
cattle, harness and saddle-horses and
mules, and enormous profits can be
realized by raising all kinds of animals
for breeding purposes where sufficient
capital is invested. Fortunes are
to be made in nurseries, orchards and
vineyards, and in raising vegetables
for the Northern and nearer markets.
Also in dairy and chicken farms.
All products that can not be disposed
of at home will find two good markets
within few hours.
Society is good, Of the substantial,
conservative order, and strongly re-
ligious. The leading bankers, mer-
chants, professional men, farmers and
stock-raisers are people of the high
est character and abilities, whose
powerful influence for good is felt in
the entire absence of lynch law, and
in the moderation and law abid-
ing disposition of the community.
The chief characteristics of the peo-
pie at large appear to be kindness
and shrewd common sense.
San Marcos is a beautiful town of
nearly 1000 inhabitants. It is called
the "Gem of the international" and
is Immediately on that road-thirty
miles southwest from Austin, and
fifty northeast from San Antonio.
Freights to and from all points are
handled promptly. There are two
and express lines, and two
trains pass each way daily,
delivering mails and daily papers.
Eventually, no doubt, branch road
will be built from the San Antonio
road, up the San Marcos valley, from
Luling, twenty-three miles distant,
and this will give closer connections
and competing rates to and from all
points. Why it is that people do not
push forward this enterprise one can
not see. They could make the road
bed and get Pierce and Huntington
to iron and equip it. There are ex-
cellent natural roads. After hard
rains they are muddy, but dry QUIT
very rapidly. They are almost in
variably smooth and free from dust.
Mud and dust as nuisances are at the
very minimum here.
The advantages of this country
would be complete with q sufficient
Of the right character.
A drawback may be found in the fact
that water is scarce away from the
streams, but tanks and cisterns can
be made to avail by the stock-raiser
at little expense, and the artesian and
driven well will overcome this local
difficulty. The country was former
" subject 10 severe droughts, but
owing to the increased growth OF
timber, and other causes known or
imagined, the rainfall has become
more ample and uniform Lands
are rapidly enhancing in value.
The wild grass pasture lands are be
ing laid out in small farms, and the
long horns are going to the setting
sun Improved stock is being raised
on cultivated grasses and farm pro-
incts, and this viii rapidly increase
population and values. The ground
which formerly produced, every three
or four years-subject 10 the vicissi
tudes Of destructive winters, fol
loving periods Of drouth-a beef o.
GOV and calf worth $40 10 $50, VIII
nov produce manifold values in farm
prodacts and live stock - vel In