The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1908-09-15
THE SOUTH TEXAS GARDENS IN
- MONTH OF SEPTEMBER -
Wonderful Progress of Great Government Experimental Gardens
= IN Little Over One Years Time

ton. A variety or tomatoes tnaC did
we'll at the gardens last year were the
Jersey Wakefield, which may be es-
pecially recommended for home use
and for the local market.
A very good remedy for the de-
struction of the insects that infest
tomato vines and one that is used
quite extensively at the gardens is a
mixture of one spoonful of Paris
Green with one quart of flour, which
is sprinkled over the vines. This has
been found very effective.
May RevOIutionize Cotton Industry.
Among the plants that are perhaps
of more general interest to the local
farmer that are being experimental
with at the gardens, is cotton. There
are now under cultivation three be-
tween sixty and seventy-1ve varie-
ties of cotton, among which is about
every kind of American cotton, be-
sides the Egyptian long staple and
other foreign varieties. One in par
ticular is a specimen from Asia
which, if successful, will revolution
ize the cotton industry of South Tex
as. Each day these specimens are
looked over with care and, as soon as
the first bloom appears on them those
in charge fthe gardens have specific
orders to telegraph at once to Wash
ington, when an expert in cotton will
Immediately be sent here to observe
it.
Probably one fthe largest collec-
tions of cacti in the world is to be
seen in these gardens. In all there are
about seventy different varieties of
the prickly plants. There are two
specimens sent here from Califor-
MIA which are of the much talked Of
thornless variety, produced by the
plant wizard, Luther Burbank. The
government has for several years
been experimenting with cactus, try
ing to produce a variety free from
thorns that will make good feed for
cattle.
Official Reports Made on all Plants.
A report of each variety of plant
on the farm is sent to W. W. Tracey
at Washington, d. c., superintendent
of the Vegetable Testing Gardens.
These reports are compared with re-
ports from other stations and in this
manner it is determined just what
environments are required by each
plant and what soil is best suited for
its cultivation. There is no other
lstation in the United States just like
the South Texas Gardens. This is the
only one that is in direct touch with
the chief of the department.
When any vegetable or fruit natures,
those in charge of this work must Sc
lect one specimen from each variety
and taste each one to determine its
flavor and quality. No matter if there
be a thousand different varieties each
one must be tasted of, and careful
record made of the quality and other
characteristics.
The seeds from all plants and veg
etables are saved and eventually
those that prove thems< yes adapted
to this soil and climaSE and that will
be of the greatest benefit and of
most commercial value will be dis
tributed among the farmers. This
great institution should be appre-
ciated by every farmer in the valley
as it was established chiefly for their
benefit Not only will these expert
ments find out for the Rio Grande
farmers what will grow best here
and be of the most commercial value,
but eventually will furnish them with
the seeds for producing them free
of charge.
Incidentally, it should be stated
that the gardens furnish a striking
example of careful cultivation. One
may walk from one end to the other
of these gardens and scarcely see a
single weed, so carefully is it tended.
Every plant looks thrifty, and each
is given individual care and attention,
especially those which are expected
to be of the greatest benefit to the
farmers of the Lower Rio Grande
Valley.
The gardens have their own irri-
CATION plant, as well as an electric
light plant, which furnishes light
for the offices and homes of those
employed at the gardens. The whole
enterprise gives evidence of being
conducted in a most business-like
manner, and reflects great credit upon
the able management of Mr.. Green,
the pomologist in charge and Ills very
efficient corps of assistants.
Any who are interested in almost
any branch of agriculture in this sec
ton should not fail to visit the gar
dens when in Brownsville. The man
ayers are not only glad to receive
such visitors, but take special pains
to show them about the grounds and
explain the various experiments
which are in progress there.