The Washington herald., 1909-05-23

Probably no part OF the United States
shows greater interest in agricultural de-
velopment than the Cuff Coast country
Of Texas. The Department OF Agriculture
has been receiving numerous letters Of
inquiry in regard 10 the soils and agricul-
turaI conditions IN that section. and this
fast led the Secretary Of Agriculture and
Prof. Whitney, Chief Of the Bureau OF
Soils to order q soil survey Of the ex-
trene southern portion Of the State
The field work has just been completed
and the report and map covering this
area are now being prepared. The area
embraces the eight southern counties Of
Texas. including San Patricio. NUeces.
Cameron. Hidalgo, Starr. DuvaI. Zapata.
and Webb. OF an area Of more than 1s.oo0
square miles
This part OF the United States is 50 far
south that it possesses a semi-tropIcaI
climate and the growing Of winter vege-
tables for Northern markets Is rapidly be-
coming an important industry. As the
agricultural Development Of this section
is really just beginning, this report show
ing the character and distribution OF the
different kinds OF soils win be Of great
value in directing new settlers where they
viii find the lands best adapted 70 the
character Of crops which they wish 10
grow.
Has Diversity Of Sells.
The work has shown that this section
has a great diversity OF soils. some OF
which are among the most productive in
the world. and under proper moist ure con
ditions can be made 10 yield abundant
harvests. while others are best suited 10
stock-raising- 4 map showing the towns,
railroads. country roads. streams. ranches.
&c. has been constructed and upon this
viii be shown in colors the location os
the principal areas Of the different types
OF soils which were recognized IN the sur
vey
The northeastern part Of the area. in
cluding q large proportion OF San Patri-
clio and Nueces counties. IS covered By a
fertile black clay soil. which IS Wen sUit-
ed TO the production Of cotton and heavy
truck crops, such as cnlons and cab
bages Associated with this soil is The
Victoria loan which is generally prefer
red TO the clay for onions and gives ex-
cellent yields IN good seasons
Victoria Occurs Freely.
The Victoria fine. sandy loan also oc-
ours in large arsas and is one Of the very.
best early truck soils OF the area This
type seems especially well suited 70 wat
ernelons. and one small town has nearly
2o90 acres il this crop. almost all =
which are on this soil The soil survey
viii show that there are other large areas
in this section with similar soils whe-s
this industry can be made profitable
Along the coast and extending inland
through almost the center Of the area is
q large sand belt very little of which Is
being cultivated because Of the difficulty
OF blowing. This sand makes excellent
grazing land. and is preferred fo- this
purpose 10 many OF the heavier sells
The Rio Grande delta proper contains
no sandy soils. but they consist OF silt
loans silty clay loans. and clay- The
Laredo silt loan is not extensively de-
veloDeG in the delta. but forms almost
the exclusive soil along the Rio Grande
above the delta II IS principally upon
this type that the onion industry AT La
redo has been extensively developed.
more than 100 carloads having been
shipped from this point last season. The
Laredo silly clay loan. or 'resaca" fold
river channeD soil. Is the most important
type OF the delta and IS very fertile Civ
ing excellent yields Of csbbages. onions.
and other vegetable crops, sugar cane,
and cotton
Adapted to Sugar Cane.
The Cameron clay is q strong soil. and
If properly drained and cultivated gives
excellent crops OF sugar cane and cotton
As one travels inland from the coast
from 6fty TO seventy-five miles the coun-
try becomes mors rolling. and different
soils are encountered. In some parts rel
sands and sandy loans prevail. which VIII
make excellent fruit lands If moisture
conditions prove sufficiently favorable IN
other parts the limestone comes so near
the surface that the soil is suited only 10
grazing
The Rio Grande IS bordeced throughout
the upper and middle portion OF its
course by a series OF graveliy ridges
which furnish grazing for many heads OF
cattle and fiocks of sheep.
In addition TO the description Of The
soils the report viii contain chapter or
the agriculture Of the area. giving BRIEF
history Of its development. leading up 70
3 general discussion OF the character OF
amount Of development which has taken
place, the crops that are grown. the cost
md character Of labor. the methods which
are employed. and many suggestions n
regard 10 the improvement CT the agric0l-
-ure of the area.
Will Describe the Climate.
There viii also be q chapter upon cE-
nate. a. well as discussion Of irrigation.
which is being rapidly extended in the
ielta. and the principles which must be
IN order 10 secure the best re-
'ults in those sections where irrigation IS
lot possible
In short. the report viii give an inven-
DRY OF the soil and agricultural resources
4 this section, and its publication viii De
II very great value. and VIII be looked
Onward 10 with a great deal OF interest
lot only By outsiders who are anxious 10
secure. accurate. detailed. and reliable IN
ormatiOn IN regard TO this recently oren-
d and rapidly growing section. bat also
y those farmers who are alreaf5y in this
.ountry and are desiT0us Of securing Ill
possible assistance ia order 70 guard
.gaiHst those mistakes which arc cgfcn
made in developing a new countrv-
VIII Address Wholesale Groccrs.
John G. Ruse. Of Apahcaicola. Pa.
ice president Of the Southern Comr.c--
ia Ccngress. viii address f,,r So,-.i,s--