The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-24

Logical Survey. calls attention to the fact
that in 1857 that State ranked first IN the
production Of oil among the States Of the
Union, with A9O90Oe barrels. The gas
field Of Oklahoma is. according to Prof
Gould. the most extensive so far discov-
cred in the United States, in many cases
wells producing anywhere from 100000
TO 100000 cubic feet per day, and num-
Der Of wells are reported to yield al the
way from 50.ee0, 600 10 5000, 900 cubic feet
And yet not 10 per cent Of the region
known to be productive has been drilled,
and not 70 per cent Of the future known
productive region has even been pros
pected. In addition to OIL and gas, Okla
homa is credited with from 5000. 100000 to
lo,00o. 100000 tons of bituminous coal
Great building enterprises. ho-eis. and
skyscrapers, an enormous refinery built
at cost OF several million dollars 70
handle over so 100000 worth OF sugar a
year, are made the basis Of story about
New Orleans, by Mr.. Albert Phenis, IN
which the growth Of that city and Of
Louisiana is covered. while Mr. Walter
Parker, writing Of the effect Of a con-
stitutiOn2i amendment in Louisiana
making loans on real estate mortgage col
lateral free from all taxation. points out
The market effect which this has had upon
attracting new capital 10 that city, re-
suiting in a great Increase IN building
and business operations.
why Cotton Is Low.
The reasons why the price Of cotton
has continued low. while corn and wheat
are high-a subject of vital interest to
the South-are discussed by Henry C.
Hester, the secretary Of the New Orleans
Cotton Exchange. who takes the ground
that this Is largely due to mistaken
legislation from which the farmers OF
the South have suffered, and from which
the Western farmers have escaped.
No phase Of agricultural development
in this country is more interesting or
more remarkable than that Of r;ce-grOw-
ing in louisiana In a region which
twenty years ago was d waste Of IN
drained land. irrigation and reclamation
have brought about 2 rice industry which
annually produces more than S15.GO0.O50.
and which has created an estimated
wealth IN that district OF S200. 600 600 Land
not salable at even SIS an acre before
irrigation and drainage changed that sec
ton into d garden spot now costs from
So 10 $50. and even up 70 S125 an acre.
Thriving cities have grown up where a
few years ago there were but great
stretches Of wet prairie land. ". W.
DusOn. TO whose work the initial de-
velopment in irrigation and rice-grOwing
was largely due. in writing on this sub
jeCt estimates that wnsn the work be-
gan some twenty years ago the whole
district. now estimated at a valuation OF
sea. 700 0oo, was worth approximately 81,
O0e 008-
Effects of Irrigation.
Irrigation and drainage" ne says, "ars
responsible directly and indirectly for the
other 1S9.0OG000" The rice mills, the
banks, the public buildings, the churches.
and public schools, says Mr.. Duson, are
silent witnesses which convince capital
what modern methods VIII do The pros
porous and happy homes. where only the
wild duck, the alligator. the Creole pom
les and cattle IiveI half century ago,
plead eloQuently with the homeseeker TO
seize his golden opportunity and come to
a territory which opens such great pos
sibilities through reclamation for home
and mOney-making-
Texas-imperisl IN domain and in re-
source@is, according to the broad survey
OF the situation by Mr. Albert Phenis,
growing steadily and rapidly: a great
deal Of immigration is flowing in There
Is q remarkable development the whole
State over. not only IN enterprises. cities
and towns. but in farming operations as /
well
While Texas stiH produces an enor-
nous cotton crop, sometimes as high as
$500. coo bales. with a value running ar 4
times TO nearly 800 000.0 o0. there is a grow
ing disposition 70 experiment in ali other 4
feasible lines Alfalfa growing is being
extensively and most prOft2bly engaged 1
in More corn was raised in Texas last 4
year than ever before. the total product
being more than 2o0,000.No0 bushels. In .
dustrial interests are expanding. and in (,
the interior. as on the Gulf coast, prog
cess Is everywhere in evidence