Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-01

many millions of dollars here at Fort Worth
In building one of the most extensive and
complete packing plants In existence. and
are Strengthening the steers of Texas in this
state. instead of in Nebraska, Missouri and
Illinois. The packing houses are very ex-
tensive and are up-to-date in every respect
Everything is done by machinery and with
electric power, and they employ several
thousand people. 1t is estimated that the
establishment of these two industries has
already added from twelve to fifteen thou
sand to the population of Fort Worth,
which is now about 50.00e. against $1,000
as returned by the census of 1860.
All this contributes to the wealth and the
prosperity of this city. 1t makes Fort Worth
quite as prominent In the cattle trade as
the town ever was. but In a different rela-
ton. This new move, as | have already
suggested. is in obedience TO the economic
laws of modern trade. to minimize labor and
expense in marketing cattle and In bringing
the manufacturing facilities as near as pos
sible to where the faw material is produced.
Armour and Swift & Co. have agreed to
double their present capacity If the people
will grow hogs to furnish them business.
Texas has never been much of state for
swine. BY the last census she had only
2ff eos, while she had 500, 2SS sheep and
c.fI,.sS3 goats. Last year the state exported
$40 1887 worth of cattle. sheep and hogs.
but does not keep her records separately.
There is no reason why swine should not
be produced here as well as any place else
In the world. and they are Increasing quite
! rapidly. Wherever corn grows hogs can be
raised eehelply. and last year Texas pro-
Guced 600 bushels, of corn. In addi-,
ton to corn there is an abundance of al
faifa, beans. peas, sweet potatoes. rice and
other articles which have high value as
food for swine: and the number of hogs In
the state would doubtless have been much
| larger than it is but for the long distances
from the stations to the markets.
In Iowa and Kansas hogs are called mort
gage-lifters' and gentlemen who pay the
rent" both of which very significant
fnfr, tt,N.- -.
much larger quantities but for the fact that
the packing houses were too far away. Now
the Armours and Swift & Co. are making
contracts for hogs and agree to extend their
packing houses if the farmers will agree to
furnish them the raw material to keep them
going. At present nearly all the hogs killed
at the two plants come from Oklahoma and
Indian Territory.
Fort Worth is reached by thirteen rail-
ways, and they run in every direction. suffi-
Gent to handle all the transportation that
may be expected for generation.
Prosperity of Fort Worth.
Fort Worth is a very lively town. People
here have plenty of money. They have built
themselves commodious and comfortable
houses. and the residence part Of the city
IS one of the prettiest in the state. The
public buildings are imposing; the school
houses are new, modern and of attractive
architecture. Several of the public build
ings would do credit to a city several times
this size. Next to Galveston. Fort Worth is
considered the richest town in the state
The rapid manner in which the cotton
creeps on the heels OF the recedng cattle
is extraordinary. For example. in Runnels
county ten years ago not thousand bales
were grown; last year the total was 80 eco
bales and this year. Notwithstanding the
efforts of the planters association to di-
minish the crop, it is estimated that there
will be JeoC0 bales for market. As another
illustra ton San Angelo has been the CEN
ter of the cattle trade for years and is still
the greatest wool market in the state The
first cotton was grown there in the sum-
mer of 1898. In 1900 the first gin was set
up and handled fifty bales. In 1909 300 bales
were ginned; in 1903 the number was 1890
bales, and in 1904 the original gin had been
reinforced by several others and altogether
they turned out 6,0G0 bales, and this will
undoubtedly be increased to 1000 bales
during the present season; for cotton prom
ises better than the average this year. They
raise from one-haIf to three-quarters of a
bale of cotton to the acre. or three bales
TO five acres. and it sells at present prices
for $40 a bale. The seed of a bale of cotton
turned into oil, is worth about 81 and the
seed-cake from which the oil has been
pressed and the hulls. are worth 50 or So
a ton for cattle feed. As n rule, cotton pays
. good profit This year. as all who read
the newspapers know, over-production has
brought down the price, but it is expected
to go up again.
The wheat crop of north Texas will be
short this year Instead of 20 900 900 bush
els which has been the average for sew
sral years past, there is not likely to be
more than 100000 or $1,000 600 bushels.
Nearly all Of the wheat grown in this Yicin-
fty is ground at Fort Worth. There are
three big mills with a capacity of 23.000
bushels a day. The milling interests have
doubled In the past three years.
The corn crop this year is assured. 1t