The Brownsville daily herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1897-1910, 1909-01-28
ESSAY THAT WON
SPECIAL MENTION
On Why Northern Farmers should
Settle in The Lower Rio Grande
Valley.

THE essay published below, which
was entered in the contest for the
Caldwell prizes, being written by
Master Charles c. Kidder of Hidalgo.
was ruled out on account of exceeding
the length limit but received special
mention by the committee and would
have won prize had it not been too
long. It was also recommended for
publications.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley is
favored with delightful climate,
both summer and winter; it is very
healthful and free from epidemies
The cool and exhilarating breezes
from the Gulf of Mexico blow almost
continuously, and the evenings and
night. particularly. are always de-
lightfully cool and pleasant, as the
rainfall is light, averaging about six
teen inches. the atmosphere is dry
and invigorating. The winters are
very mild and almost entirely free
from frost or cold weather that
would injure the tenderest of garden
Vegetables or fruits. So that our de-
lightful climate gives this. country an
advantage for truck farming pos
sessed by no other country, and is
the source of sure and great revenue
to the Intelligent and energetic farm
er.
The soil of our valley is SO prolific
that it will produce any plant grown
in the temperate or torrid zones. It
is well suited to fruit culture. 1t is
open in texture, smooth as to surface,
loamy and friable. The bulk of it
would be described as light, sandy
loan of fine depth. The soil strata
also carries a fine percentage of iron,
important to fruit production. color
and flavor. The greater part of the
soil of our valley lends itself readily
and easily to irrigation without ex-
pensive grading and leveling.
Irrigation is carried on by means
of bitches and canals. Under the prac-
tice of irrigation large areas other
wise barren become profitable farm
ing lands, although many crops de-
pend on the natural rainfall. Water
on lands tributary to the river is
easily placed. The Rio Grande,
fourth in length among the rivers of
north America, furnishes sufficient
water to irrigate all the low lands of
this wonderful valley
Sugar is a very profitable crop.
Cane here has to be planted only
every eight to ten years. 1t was
Hidalgo county sugar cane that was
awarded the gold medal at the St.
Louis Exposition.
No country on earth equals this
valley in the production of alfalfa,
ten to twelve tons per acre is the av-
erage yield. Alfalfa can be cut from
eight to ten times yearly, and is
worth $1,000 per ton.
Two crops of corn can be raised
each year. Cotton is also grown to
an advantage. Green corn, tomatoes.
cabbages, and other vegetables can
be grown here in December and jan
uary. Bermuda onions grow to per-
lection here.
The lower part of our valley is
specially adapted to the culture of
grapes figs, citrus fruits, dates,
oranges, bananas, lemons and pecans.
Our means of transportation are
good and will soon be increased by
the construction of new railroads
The St. Louis. Brownsville & Mexico
railway traverses our country.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley and
its commercial club invites the out
side world and specially the northern
farmer to come in and see Ell Dora
do of rich fertile lands and a match
less climate, a combination that can
not be beaten. Come"
CHAS. C. KIDDER,
Hidalgo, Texas.