The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1908-09-15

Unless one pays q personal Visit
to the South Texas Gardens, and is
personally conducted through the
grounds by someone in charge of the
work there, it is hard to realize what
a great benefit the farmers of the
Rio Grande Valley will reap from
this enterprise which is being con-
Quoted at Brownsville by the ma
tional Agricultural Department Here
almost every known plant is tested
in the endeavor to find just what is
adapted to this valley and what will
be of the most commercial value to
the farmers in general in this see
ton.
Although this station is only few
months over year old, yet there are
now planted and growing in these
gardens one thousand, five hundred
and seventy-three varieties of plants
and new specimens and varieties are
constantly being added. One may
see plants and vegetables growing
here that were imported from China
Japan, Barcelona, India, South Am
erica, Africa, in fact, from almost
every part of the theglobe that lies
within the tropic or semi-tropic reg
ions.
Interesting Trees.
Among the hundreds of interest
ing and useful specimens of plant
life, is the uganda rubber tree from
Assam, Africa. According to VIM.
CONNIE, the expert gardener, who
has charge of the cultivation, this
plant is doing fairly well here, al
though it is of slow growth. This
plant was sent here by rubber firm
of the North for experimental pur-
poses
There is a specimen of bamboo
whose native home is Japan, that is
now growing here and is already sew
eral feet in heighth. This plant, If
successful, which Mr. CONNIE Think
it will be, will solve the problem OF
protecting the banks of the Rio
Grande river from further erosion.
IL is a deep rooted plant and the
roots spread great deal, and if il
can be induced to grow successfully
here along the banks of the river, II
will form a much better and more
secure a protection than brush
works, besides being permanent.
Numerous varieties of figs are being
tested at the South Texas Gardens
So far, the Lobach and No. 1 Wash
ington from the Arlington farm
have proven best adopted to this soil
Lately there has been received
from Asia a specimen of shade tree
known as Pithicolobium, which at
tains a heighth of from 80 to 60
feet and makes a very beautiful
shade tree.
There are also growing three diff
These trees are noted for their beauty
When fully grown they attain a
great height. They are also of con-
siderable value for commercial pur-
poses.
The Truck Garden.
IN the truck line, almost every va
riety that might prove useful is be-
ing tested. particular attention being
paid to the subject of producing a
successful market product.
OF the cabbages that have been
found best adapted to this climate,
none has aroused so much enthus-
iasm among local truck gardeners
as the Marina Polka. This cabbage
grows fast at the start, but just be-
fore it finishes heading, slows up. The
head of this cabbage is firm and as
hard as a rock and makes it one OF
the most desirable varieties for ship
ping purposes. The heads are very
large, one having been raised at the
gardens last year that weighed nine
pounds. Two other varieties that
are being experimental with at the
gardens, which are considered of ex-
ira quality are the Ulm Curned and
the Victoria Savoy which are impor-
tations frvm foreign lands. lin Eng
land and in Europe, these two varie-
ties of cabbage are the only kind used
by epicueans, and they have also
aroused great interest among the To-
cal farmers that have seen them.
These are extra good for salad pur-
poses. However those that were
raised in the gardens last year OF
these two varieties were only fair,
although, after stripping off the top
leaves, those underneath were found
to be very firm and of very delic-
ious quality.
Of the different varieties of cauli-
flower, the Early SNOWFALL and the
Early Favorite were found to be the
most satisfactory and to give the
best results. This vegetable thrives
here, and produces well for the mar
ket.
Mr.. CONNIE stated that in their ex-
periments at the gardens, they find
that tomatoes grow well here and,
with proper care and attention, can be
made of commercial value to the far
mers. One of the greatest drawbacks
that those who grow tomatoes in this
locality have to overcome is the
blight Sometimes, you will notice
on the bottom of a tomato, a dark
spot that is almost black. These
spots, Mr.. CONNIE says, are caused
by the rays of the sun which shining
upon the ground directly underneath
the tomato, reflects the heat upon
the tomato causing it to scald or
blister. Water should never be
turned on tomatoes until very late
in the afternoon, about sunset, as
watering them earlier in the day,