New-York tribune., 1910-01-04
In TOYAH VALLEY
FARMERS ARE HAPPY.
Fertile Soil and Railroads Make
1t an Il gricaltural Mecca.

Houston, Tex, Jan. S.-A Journey from
the southwestern part of the state to the
northwestern, and thence down to this
hustling city. though rather hurried gives
a person in search of information regard
ing the agricultural development of this
great country much food for optimistic re-
fection. Houston is Il railroad clearing
house for the bulk of the cotton produced
In this greatest of cotton growing states.
There rs no other place in the world that
handles as much of this staple as is re-
ceiyed and shipped here.
Commercially there is no other city in
Texas that outranks Houston. 1t has all
the evidences of prosperity. Great build
ings are being erected, streets are opening
in the reaches toward the open country.
new enterprises are springing up, and when
the possibilities of the manufacturing IN
dustries are fully understood the place viii
undoubtedly be chosen as the centre of the
middle seaboard district for the dstribu-
ton of commodities now largely shipped
from the North
Near by are industrial centres of no mean
promise, among them Penn City. It is
growing rapidly, but not under forced de-
veIopment. There is none of this apparent
In any section of the state, whether in the
farming districts or the towns cities.
The men who are the industrial leaders in
Texas are concerned more about the possi-
bility of inadequate central facilities for
handling the great crops than mushroom
growths 1t will, leading banker said
recently, be a struggle for the railroads
and cities to keep up with the demands of
the farming sections.
To suppose that there is anything raw or
crude about the great land development is
to believe that there has been an absence
of forethousht on the part of the great
interests in charge of the opening up OF
sections for settlers. The lesson of the
great West has been taken TO heart.
Schools churches and libraries have been
established within given areas of groups OF
farms so that none of the advantages of
city life may be lacking. Attention has
been paid TO road building, so that the
journey to the railroad stations with prod
uce or cattle will not be burden to the
farmer.
The immediate counties of which Hous-
ton and, to some extent Galveston form
the centre are Montgomery Harris, Cham
bers Liberty, Brazoria, Wharton, Mata-
gorda, San Jacinto. Waller and Fort Bend.
The great rice belt lies between Houston
and Galveston. and figs and other fruit ATE
grown Cotton. corn, sugar cane. alfalfa
and all sorts of vegetables are other sta
pies The rainfall is ample, ranging from
81 to more than 40 inches year. The
country is from 80 to $50 feet above sea
level and the climate is uniformly delight
full.
On the way to Galveston from this city
there is an uninterrupted stretch of the
most productive soil in the state. soon
after leaving Houston the sense of the un-
limited is felt. There and all the way to
near Galveston Bay thousands of cattle
used to roam and this industry has not yet
been abandoned. The pasturage is excep-
tionaIIy rich. Great herds may still be seen
between the many cities and towns. But
the small farms are slowly crowding the
long horn out
Ten acres, and plenty is a common
saving here, and one that is being real
lied right along. Ten acres and small
fortune is not the exception when the acre
age is devoted TO fruit or vegetable grow
inc. But here as elsewhere, it depends
upon the farmer. Industry is the capital
that counts, and with il sufficient knowl-
edge to make the application of hard work
worth while, for the money required TO get
n ten-acre farm is regained sometimes in a
year; seldom are more than two years re-
ouired before the investment has been made
good.
To stand on one of the station platforms
of a small farming community and observe
the development in progress is inspiring.
To go beyond the farms and sweep the
horizon with the eye gives romance to the
situation. AS Level calm sea, the gen
tie roll hardly perceptible, and without a
break to where sky and land meet, it can
be monotous only TO those who lack i'm
r-l,o
this unimpeded view. and it is only a aues
ton of few years before the person who
wishes to get the inspiration of the plains
will have TO go far to the western borders
of the state.
Up to the Panhandle district, large as
several Northeastern states. is a far reach
from here, but a visit TO it is necessary ia
get clear idea Of the development of
Texas Some one visited that district many
years ago and found much of the western
part arid TO the eye. Some one else went
there. saw several gushing springs knew
something about soil values and irrigation
and settled down to make an investigation.
The result was Toyah Valley.
In the language of the man who has seen
the transformation. it was an evolution
from aridity to alfalfa: fro tobosa grass
to Tokay grapes. Rain is a much desired
thing in farming, and in many sections of
the state can be depended upon, especially
in the Houston district and northward.
Irrigation, where rain is not to be expect
ed, removes the development of the farm
out of the speculative zone.
Toyah Valley produces everything that is
most remunerative from alfalfa corn,
wheat and other cereals 10 figs and every
other fruit excepting the citrus varieties.
and all the vegetables, to the nuts, bringing
the highest prices in tha Northern markets
This diversity of productivity is one of the
inducements held out 10 settlers The val
lev is in Reeves County. but all around