The daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1892-1897, 1894-06-14
Valuable information.
CAMERON COUNTY;


southern county of Texas. 1t is
separated from Mexico by the Rio
Grande on the south and has about
800 miles Of gulf coast as lis eastern
boundary. It was organized in 1S4S,
and contains 330S square miles.
Farming and stock raising are the
principal industries of the people.
the location, climate aud soil being
admirably adapted for both. The
greater orion of the soil is a rich
2aom, and produces an exceedingly
heavy yield of both cotton and coin,
The chief farm products. Two, and
sometimes three crops of corn, aver
aging from fifty TO seventy bushels
per acre, are raised yearly, while
cotton will easily yield from one to
two bales per acre: Grasses grow
all the year, and stock fad pasiur-
age without being fed or sheltered
during the winter. But the soil and
climate Of the Lower Rio Granie
Valley are by nature best adapted
for the production of vegetables ans
fruits. Vegetables of all kinds grow
all the year around, and northern
people are astonished to End toma.
toes, lettuce. sp;nack, English pease,
etc. served fresh from the gardens
in midwinter. This is undoubtedly
the paradise of truck gardeners, aud
SO soon as rail transportation is OBJ
tanned Cameron county vegetables
by the car load will be shipped to
northern markets during winter and |
early spring, and will obtain the
highest prices, as there will lie no
competition. This is due to cur ex
ceeiingly mild climate. Frequently |
the entire winter passes without.a !
single frost, ahd there is rsrely ever
any cold weather before Christmas. |
Fruit Gu 'ture he's not been attempted |
in this county on large scale, but |
there is cus large banana plantation
on which this delicious fruit yields
most ebundantly and in the greatest
perfection. Grapes are also raised
Extensively, growing in almost every
gard. They ripen from two 70 four
weeks earlier than in any other sec
tions Many planters here make
al of their own table wines. Oranges
aid lemons also grow in profusion,
and this section could easily be made
10 rival Florida in the production of
oranges. Sugar cane is also one of
Che most important products of this
valley. TIE Rio Grapde plantation
Of Mr.. Geo. Bralay and the Rabb
Stark plantation produce great guam
tities of cane, which is all manufac-
'pred on Che Rio Grande plantation.
This cane makes sugar which is pro-
nounced By experts to be even supe-
flor to the best Louisiana product
Havana tobacco has also proven a
Success here, Col. J. G Tucker hav-
iug made scme moat successful ex-
Perinents with il; his samples were
tlassed by New Yo.k buyers as equal
TO the best Havana.
The county is wstered by the Rio
Grande with its ample flow along
the southern boundary, and runner
Gus small streams called "arroyos"
aDd 'resacas"
The population of Cameron county,
according to The census Of 1890, is
Il. 424. Brownsville. the comfy
seat, has population Of a5out 1000.
Poiut Isabel. the seaport OF the
has about 400 Inhabitants.
and Santa Maria. growing little (
liver settlement. hes about $50.
Improved lands sell tor from S. to :
S25 per acre, unimproved Tor frem 50 I:
10 Sc per acre The average taxi /.
BILE value Of land is 81. There are
81, 240 acres If school land in the
county. The comfy has total school
population Of 327l. and gives en-
ployment to - teachers The aver
ICE length of the school term is five