The daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1892-1897, 1894-06-20
Valuable Information
oAAEaoN ceUNgY:

esoSto Nouuty IS the extreme
sonthern county Of Texas. It is
separated from Mexico by the Rio
GraDde on The south aud has about
100 miles Of gulf coast as IFS eastern
Boundary. It was organized in S48.
aud contains 3308 square miles.
Farming and stock raising are the
principal industries of the people.
The location. climate and soil being
admirably adapted for both. The
greater Ortion of the soil is rich
laom, and produces an exceedingly
heavy yield Of both cotton and corn.
the chief farm products. Two, and
sometimes three crops of corn, aver
aging from fly to seventy bushels
per a3re, ara raised yearly, while
cotton will easily yield from one to
two bales per acre. Grasses grow
all the year, and stock fad pastur-
age without being fed or sheltered
during the winter. But the soil and
climate of the Lower Rio Grande
Valley are by nature best adapted
for tao production of vegetables and
fruits. Vegetables of al kinds grow
all the year arouod, and northern
people are astonished to find toma
toes. lettuce. spinach, English pesse,
ETC., served fresh from the gardens
in nidwinter. This is undoubtedly
the paradise of truck gardeners. and
so soon as rail transportation is oh.
tanned Cameron county vegetables
by the car load will be shipped to
northern markets during winter ard |
early spring, and will obtain the
highest prices. as there will be no
competition. This is due to cur ex
caediDgly mild climate. Frequently !
the entire winter passes without a
Single frost. and there is rsrely ever
any cold weather before Christmas
Fruit cu'tare hiss not been attempted I
in this county on a large scale, bu;
tbere is ooe large banana plantation /
on which this delicious fruit yields
most sbundanily aud in the greatest
perfection. Grapes are also raised |
extensively, growing in almost every |
gard. They ripen from two to four |
weeks earlier than in any other see
tioD. Many planters here make
all of their own table wines. Oranges !
and lemons also grow in profusion,
and this section could easily be made
20 rival Florida in the production Of /
oranges. Sugar cane is also one Of
Sbe most Important products of tbs
valley. Toe Rio Graude plantation
81 Mr. Geo. Br2lsy and The Rabh
Stark plan alton produce great quan-
fit.es of cane, which is all mauafac-
-nred on the Rio Grande plantation.
This cane makes sugar which Is pro-
nourced by experts to be even supe-
Fior 20 the best Louisiana product
Havana tobecco has also proven H
Success here, Col. j. 6 Tucker hav-
iog made soma moat successful ex
perinents with it; his samples were
Chased hy New Yo. k buyers as equai
to thu best Havana.
The comfy is waterei by the Rio
Grande VITA its ample flow along
tue southern boundary. and runner
GUS small streams called "arroyos"
and ''reaacas.
The population of Cameron county.
according to the ceBs1s OF lSSO, Is
1924. Brownsville. the county
seat, has population Of about 1000.
Pciut Isabel, the seaport of the
county. has about 400 Inhabitants.
ard Santa Maria. a growing little
river settlement. has-about $50.
Improved lands sell tor from s5 to
s25 per acre, unimproved Tor from 81
to $6per acre The average taxa
bile value of land is 81. There are
81, 2+0 acres Of school lard in the
county The county has a total school
population Of 1911. and gives en-
ploYDent to - teachers The aver
sge length OF the school term Is FIVE
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