San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-06-19
EMIGRATION BUREAU.

In noting the country through which
the new road from this city TO the gulf
runs, and in conversation with those
who are familiar with the face of the
country and the extent to which the
tillable land has been improved by Gull
tlYatiOn, one naturally remarks the very
great extent to which these lands are
still in their primitive condition. Ofthe
country lying between this city and the
gulf only very small per cent. is under
tillage. While we are not able to speak
with accuracy on this point it is within
bounds to place the unimprOyed lands Of
this entire section at from 50 to So per
cent. of the whole area. AS the road in
its present unfinished condition, with its
construction train not more than 100
miles beyond the city's limits, pays
running expenses and interest on its
bonds, one naturally inquiries what may
be looked fOr when the road is com
pleteG 10 the gulf and its northwestern
extensions opened. Without speculation
on this point we suggests, that, in view
of this fact and kindred ones. some steps
should be taken by the owners Of large
tracts Of land lying within radius of
from $50 to 200 miles Of this city to
secure the location Of practical farmers,
fruit growers and market gardeners upon
these fertile lands. There is no neces
sity Of going beyond the territory of the
United States for such settlers. 1t is
only necessary that the quality of these
which they could be purchased, the
character OF the climate, the healthful-
ness Of the location, the certainty of a
market, and the abundance Of water OBJ
tainable at small COst-to draw to this
section the Overworked, winter killed
and discouraged husbandmen of the
great northwest. The experiment, II 1t
be proper to call it such, is no longer an
experiment. Louisiana, Alabama and
Georgia have led all the other states of
the south in this race for emigration,
and they have reaped their reward in
securing for themselves the very front
place in the rank of rapidly developing
southern states. Louisiana is placing
the natural advantages Of her lands be-
fore the farmers Of the northwest-Da-
kota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota,
and securing pioneers to examine and
report concerning the matters set forth
in these immigration circulars, and by
these agents. AS result, new order
Of things is sptinging into existence,
and in very few years the fertile bot
tom lands Of Louisiana will be filled
with a population that will develop the
agricultural possibilities Of that state,
and bring to her merchants and common
carriers the blessings of largely in
creased commerce. Texas needs the
same methods to bring in settlers to her
uncultivated acres. There ia no section
in all this vast state where small crops,
fruits and vegetables would pay better,
or could be raised to better advantage
than in the region lying to the south of
us. 1t is the natural home OF the mar
ket gardener. Under proper cultivation
ii would yield an immense supply of
strawberries, raspberries, blackberries,
dewberries,. grapes, cherries, peaches,
plums, pears and figs; no vegetables of
any kind that reach our table, but could
be grown in great profusion; the whole
market of an immense region lying south
and west, which is now supplied from
the Pacific coast, would naturally seek
its supplies 1000 miles nearer than that
far Off ground of plenty. No better soil
than the black sandy loans Of the San
Antonio valley, with their substrStums
of clay and adobe, could be found for
fruit and vegetable growing. The close
texture OF the subsoil prevents the
moisture from descending too far below
the surface Of the ground, while the fra
able nature Of the upper strata renders
II peculiarly adapted for gardening pur-