The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-07-29

the semi-arId region the lands are very
fertile and in spite Of frequent partial and
total failures OF crops the country has be-
come pretty well populated.
While 1t Is true that the artificial water
Ing Of fields and orchards in every p9r-
lion of Texas would prove beneficial, this
paper is not Intended TO describe coudi-
tlon Of affairs, not to suggest irrigation as
an aid to the agriculturlst and horticul-
turist of that portion OF Texas, where the
forests OF various growth and immense
trees and the running streams every where
truly tell OF a bounteOus fall of rain. It
speaks OF the semi arid belt, the country
of all this fair land the best, If uuturc
would only shower It's blessings of rain
with more regularity, or Il men of enter
reservoirs 10 collect the storm waters that
| iow In rivulets frcm every hillside once
and often twice In every year.
Looking now upon the face Of nature In
! THIS zone We sec scrubby bushes upon the
uplands and fringcs of forest trees along
the beds of the streams; the water courses
are dry, but the width OF their beds de-
note that at tlucs they have been turreu-
tlal rivers. The yellow and fading ycgc-
tation, the shriyeled fruit the great cracks
In the ground, all tell that life Is dying
land
The wonderful resources of field and
orchard OF Southern California, The "Cow
counties OF former days, Dear evidence to
the fact that he combined forces of man
ana nature can ma Ike wonderland OF a
The newspapers, the great factors OF
| progress, have made most persistent efforts
! TO influence the farmers of Texas to diver
| sify their crops; to plant not only cotton
aud corn, hut potatoes, onions, peas and
! vegetables of all kinds, and melons and
| fruits; to raise horses, cattle, hogs and
| sheep.
Under q system Of irrigation the lands in
| the seml-arld belt OF Texas can he made TO
produce variety and wealth OF products
! that would simply nstound the most sue
cessful horticultural now filling, without
the aid of irrigation, the best land In all
Texas. AT times in the rain belt country
excessive rains have ruined the field crops
and the gardens but very, ycr- often the
summer drouth has proven disastrous to
diversified crops. Not so In an irrigated
seml-arid country. Plant life warmed by
the constant rays OF the sun and brought
20 perfection by the intelligent application
Of water Just at the right time, gives 10
the product of the irrigated farm or orchard
n value far above the products of the dry
land farm, where nature, Interrupted az
times by drouth Is unable to do her best
The capacity OF the irrigated plat of
ground as wealth producer Is almost lim
itless Two field crops year are custom
AIRY, while several more of vegetables can
be produced In rotation, Ordinarily every
where In Texas the lnsufficlency of the
rainfall and the burning suns of July and
August destroy all vegetables aud iujurt
all the fruits. The drouth time is when the
products OF the irrigated orchard and
garden pay their owners best
An acre OF ground In Texas, II planted
In vegetables and small fruits, under q
proper system OF irrigation and thorough
/, cultivation, would more than be sufficient
, TO support a family. Five acres under irri
cation planted In potatoes, oplons, tomatoes
celery, etc, would in the course Of few
years make the owner entirely Independent
Without irrigation 100 acres Of land In the
: | semi arid belt affords q Scant and uncertain
/ support for u family, Those who ar,
familiar with the hcme life OF the masse,
: OF these farmers can attest to the fac
that, as n rule, no class of people woTl
harder realize less FOR their labor, ilv,
worse in their homes and meet with s.
| many dlsappointments as they; they haV'
OF life and at no time any Of It's luxuHes
] With few exceptions their homes are with
, out adornment; a shade tree or flower the!
have not; the pleasures and economies q
a garden and orchard they know not OF. l
IL strange that such surroundings of tn
Chid's home induce the majority of suel
farmers boys and girls, when they groy
to years OF maturity, TO seek pleasante
surroundings aud 10 follow the hope OF NOR
lucrative pursuits In the great overcrowde
eltlcsf In strong contrast with such
place Is the home of the farmer upon irrl
/ gated land; his harvest Is rich and full; tn
i rounded fruit; the garden produces Ia
3 best OF all VOL liked vegetables. In plent
a aud prosperity the family are hnppy an
enjoy life Flowers and green grass ador
the plat around the house and Wide spread
a iug shade trees afford peaceful rest.
Competent engineers have repeatedly n
u ported that the rlYers,a canyons and creek
y within the seml-arid belt carry away NOR
q the available lands, They say that catcl
u ment basins or reservoirs can he made a
y IN expense inc9mParably small 10 tn
Is Although the Franciscan monks intr.
Z dueed the system OF irritation In rexa
4 during the mission period hundreds {
u In Mexico and California. the people = !