The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-06-27
A WONDERFUL CROP.
The Cultivation of Rice In South
east Texas.

A WONDERFUL CROP.
rbe Cultivation of Rice in south
east Texas.
A short time since The Post called
attention edltorially TO an excellent
communication on the possibilities Of
rice culture in the southeastern portion
of Texas.
The Post took occasion at the same
time to point out the splendid advan-
ages of Houston for the location OF rice
mills.
While but comparatively few OF the
citizens, either in city or country, in
this section are interesting themselves
In this most promising crop. the citi-
zens of Louisiana are fully alive TO the
possibilities of the situation and pro-
pose to make their State rich by pass
ing straight through cur territory and
supplying the Pacific slope with rice.
Ia addition to Il cir present Southern
trade. The New Orleans Truth says:
THE rice men are in earnest. They
recognize OF what value this cereal an
be made no the people of tho United
States An effort is making at Chi
cago to introduce 1t to broad notice.
An effort is also making to secure
cheap rates to California a fine mar
ket, Success will come to them il
there is no let-up in the work they are
now accomplishing. The future
wealth of the State depends largely
upon rice"
A
to demonstrated the superiority of
Southeast Texas as a rice growing re-
gion. We are 800 miles nearer the
Western market, and IL Louisiana can
become wealthy off the crop. why not
Southeast Texas? Why do not the en-
terprlsing business men of Houston
push forward the erection OF a mill or
mills here?
II looks as If history were bound to
repeat itself, commercially as we'll as
othorwse-some mon and some sec
lions continue TO sleep upon their ad-
vantages until others less favored forge
ahead of them and grasp the trade and
the profits and become rich, while the
former grow daily poorer.-HoustoI
Post, 1898.
The copying Of this editorial as the in
troductory of this article which appeare
In The Post, June, 1879 Is Tor the purpos
of showing what might have been" ha
the opportunities offered at that time bee
taken hold OF. 1t is also sometimes nee
essary TO turn the pages OF history back
ward n little to determine where we ar
now, In comparison with the past. and /
the experience of the past will be a prof
or dement, In our calculatlona upon the fu
ture. The communication referred TO I'd
itorally by The Post was contributed b
the writer. March 70, 1863. and set fortl
fully the possibilities OF Southeast Texa
and what the culture of rice would Go TO
this Territory IL our people would hui
avail themselves of the opportunities an
plant this very profitable crop. and
which the lands were admirably adapted
Southwest Louisiana has been steadily
pushing the culture OF this crop since 1853,
and today nearly every acre In hat terri
tory that can be reached by system {
irrigation, either by the extensive cona
system or the smaller pumping plant, lea
heen taken up and is growing a crop tina
is bringing wealth to the planter and max
ing Southwest Louisiana one of the mos
prosperous sectioEc OF the whole Unite
States.
The New Orleans Truth predicted cor
rectly when II said; Success win come I
them II there Is no let-up in the work the
are now accomplishing. The future wealil
of the state depends largely upon rice.
southeast Texas. however AZ tnic time ba
several completed irrigated rice camel.
and several others in contemplation, an
in the course OF che next year o. two Their
will he many thousands II ncres az rio
planted in Southeast Texas, but we az
Just now with these enterprises whore "
should have been several vsats ago. IN
our citizens should therefore proht in th
future by the oversight OF the past.
Speaking OF the remarkable development
OF this crop In Louisiana, Hon. lanes 4
Wilson, during his recent visit TO Texas
10 see and the people seem very prosner