The daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1892-1897, 1894-05-03
Valuable information,
CAMERON COUNTY:


separated from Mexico by the Rio
Grande on The south aod has about
loo miles of gulf coast as its eastern
boundary. It was organized in 1898,
aud contains 1908 square miles.
Farming and stock raising nre the
principal Industries of the people.
the location, climate aud 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, aud
sometimes three crops of corn, aver
aging from fifty to seventy bushels
per asre. 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 and
fruits. Vegetables of all kinds grow
all the year around, and northern
people are astouished to find toma-
toes, lettuce. spinach, English pease,
ETC., served fresh from the gardens
in midwinter. This is undoubtedly
the:psfadise of truck gardeners. and
SO socn as rail transportation is OBJ
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 be no
competition. This is due to cur ex
ceedingIy mild climate. Frequently
the entire wiaier passes without
single frost, and there is rsrely ever
any cold weather before Christmas
Fruit Gu t1re has not been attempted
in this county on large seals, bnt
there is oua large binana plantation
on which this delicious fruit yields
most aInn lsrrly aai in The greatest
perfection G apes are also raised
extensively, growing in almost every
gard. They riaen from two 10 four
weeks earIisr than in any other sac
don. Many planters here make
all of their OWE table vines. Oranges |
and lemons also grow in rrofusiou. |
and this section couId easily be made
to rival Flor Ia in the production of
oranges. Sugar cane is also one Of
tue most important produc S Of this
valley. TIE Rie Graude plantation
of Mr.. Geo Bc2lay and the Rabb
S:ar"k plan alton produce great qusp-
titles of cane, which is all mauufac-
'ured on The Rio Grende plantation
Ibis cafe makes sugar which is pro-
nonDced by experts to be even snpe-
rior to the best Louisiana product
Havana tobscco has also proven a
success here, Col. j. G Tucker bav-
ing made some most successful tx
periments with it; his samples were
classed by New Yo'k Lu;ers as equal
- the best Havana.
The county IS waterei by tho Rio
Grande with its ample flow along
he sonlLe-n boundary. and tuner
nus small streams cl!led "arroyos"
nd "resacas."
The population Of Cameron county.
according to the, census of 1890. is
IS. 424. Brownsville. the cpuni,
seat, las population Of about 1000.
Pciut ISABEL. The seaport of tbs.
county. has aboat 400 inhabitants.
md Santa Maria, growing it'll,
yer settlement. hes about $50.
Improved lands sell tor rom S. Il
s25 per acre, unimproved Tor from 81
to Sc per acre The average taxi
bic value Of lanl Is 81. There are
3, 2i0 acres Of school lard in .b'
'oqnty. The comfy has total school
population If 1911. ard gives en-
oloymrnt TO - teachers The aver
,se length of the school term is five
The total tuition revenue
fir. IN tie State is $4,000.
/ II. l.