The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-09
VAST ACREAGE IN TEXAS
 SELECTED FOR THE BOERS

States they had seen or of which they had heard. They expressed themselves that way every time they WI inter- viewed.
 From here we followed the coast line, which is called the rice belt. That ex- tends to the end of the railroad trans- portation. about 600 miles from New Or leans. But that country grows every thing that is grown anywhere else in the United States and many semitropical products. The term rice belt is a mis- homer, but it is one that appeals to the farmers of our own north and west, just as the term wheat belt. in reference to the northwest, appeals to us.
 "The party visited cotton mills, cotton seed mills. lumber mills, sugar mills. rice mills-in fact, they saw all of the prime manufactories in that belt.
 They saw many ranches. Among others was the great King ranch, in Nueces county. Texas, which extends twenty miles from any railroad in all directions. This ranch includes nearly 100000 acres, and contains 75.OOO head of cattle and 1000 head of horses, all belonging to Mrs. King. They were taken over the 20-mile stretch in vehicles and were greatly im- pressed with the big ranch
 On our western trip we stopped at New Iberia. Lafayette, Crowley Jen- nings, Lake Charles. Beaumont. Houston. Galveston, Bay City, Victoria. Cuero, Beeville, Rockport, Portland, Corpus Christi, Alice, San Antonio and Austin.
 "They say everything, from the great rice fields to the big cabbage fields of Corpus Christi, at which point 20O0 acres are planted in that vegetable alone.
 "So you can we'll understand that they say everything possible to see and study at this season of the year. At every town at which stop was made Dr. Reitz was called upon by delegations of promi- nent citizens, extending him and his as- sociates a hearty welcome.
 But the principal and most impressive feature of the entire trip was at Austin, where committee from the senate and house of representatives met the train on it's arrival and escorted the party in carriages to the capitol building, where Governor Lanham officially welcomed Inefn lndt WAS ldSt Monudy. III tHc morning, the legislature having been ap- prised that Dr. Reitz and his associates would visit the capitol, passed resolu- tions at the morning session inviting the party to become the guests of the house. After a reception by the governor, com mittee escorted the party to the house of representatives, in which chamber the senators and representatives had gathered and an informal reception was held. At it's conclusion the speaker called the house to order and appointed committee to escort the party to the platform. As they proceeded down the center aisle the ap- restored the speaker delivered a very touching address of welcome, to which Dr. Reitz replied briefly and most enter tainingly, his remarks being frequently appauded.
 "Ex-United States Ambassador to Tur key, Judge Terrell, now a representative, was called upon, and delivered a most interesting address. A committee of six was appointed to entertain the distin- guished visitors during the remainder of the day. We left Austin that night"
 Dr. Reitz and his party realize that 1t is better to pay more and procure good lands in a region that is populated and on railroad than to purchase lands that are isolated and of doubtful productivity, however cheap they may be.