The daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1892-1897, 1894-06-22
Valuable Information
CAMERON COUNTY:

separated from Mexico by the Rio
Grsnde on the south and has about
100 miles of gulf coast as its eastern
boundary. 1t was organized in 1913,
and contains 1903 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 .ortion of the soil is a rich
isom, 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 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 find 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 the production of vegetables ano
fruits. Vegetables of al kinds grow
all the year around, and northern
people are astonished to find toma-
toes, lettuce, spinach, English pease,
etc, served fresh from the gardens
in midWinter. This is undoubtedly
Che paradise of truck gardeners. and
SO soon as rail transportation is cb-
taiued 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 q"
competition. This is due to cur ex-
ceedingly mild climate. frequently
fine entire winter passes without
single frost, and there is rsrely ever
any cold weather before Christmas.
Fruit culture has not been attempted
IN this county on a large scale, but
there is one large banana plantation !
On which this delicious fruit yields |
most abundantly and in the greatest
perfection. Grapes are also raised !
extensively, growing in almost every |
yard. They ripen from two TO four
Weeks earlier than in any other sec
fi6n.' Many planters here make
all of their own table wines. Oranges
ind 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
5he most important products of th S
Valley Tee Rio Grande plantation
Of Mr.. Geo. BrQlsy and the Rabbi
Stark plantation produce great guam
aitles OF cane, which is all menufac
cured on the Rio Grsnde plantation.
H-his cane makes sugar which is pro-
bounced by experts to be even supe
nor to the best Louisiana product
Havana tobacco has also proven q
success here, Col. J. G Tucker hav-
lug made some nost successful ex-
penneuts with it,; his samples were
siassea BY New York buyers as equal
= the best Havana.
Tbs county is watered by the Rio
Grsnde with its ample flow along
shs southern boundary. and rumer-
GUS small streams called "srroyos"
and 'resacss:"
The population of Cameron county.
according to the census of 1890. is
IL, 424. Brownsville. the county
seat, has population of about 1000.
Pciut Isabel, the seaport of the
county. has about 400 Inhabitants.
and Santa Maria. a growing little
river settlement. has about $50. T,
Improved lands sell Tor from SIS to ,
s25 per acre, unimproved Tor from 50 !
to Sc per acre The average taxa !
bic value of land is 81. There are !
%, 30 acres Of school land in th.
county. The county has total school
population of 327l. and gives en- ;
ploYuent 70 - teachers The aver :
.ge length of the school term is five .
months. The totsi tuition revenue
.ecei7ed fr N the State Is Sl3 600