Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1912-08-13
DISPOSITION OF
OLD FORT BROWN
SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION IS
PRACTICALLY ASSURED
Due 10 Effort Of Cane Growers Assn.
Forty Acres OF Western Part Laid
off in Los. Possible Park and
Hotel Site.

The Herald learn upon good au-
thority that the Rio Grande cane
Grower Association has notified
the officials Of the state depar ment
of agriculture that they stand ready
20 furnish the money necessary for
The stare to take over the South
Texas Gardens and operate same for
sugar experimental purposes. until
regular appropriation can be OBJ
taincd from the state legislature for
the purpose.
The United States government ap-
preparation for experimental work
with sugar producing plants. oh
tained for this station through the
fort Of Senator Culberson and
Congre,sma Garner. on he initia-
tive OF the Rio Crande Cane Grow
ars' Association. will be used for
special work. such as sugar cane in
PRODUCTION. the study Of cane di-
eases, and the varoius insect pests
that at ack il, and the field work
will be undertaken by the state de-
partment
It is not expected that the scope
Of the Garden will be confined TO
sugar experimentation, but it i the
intention % utilize it as state suD-
station for propagation and expert
mentation with all staple crops of
the Valley, and demonstration fields
will be established on farms through
out the Valley for the purpose Of
growing crops under state super
vision.
The dairy and other experiments
now being undertaken by the federal
government viii be continued, and
the Garden will practically become
cooperative station jointly between
the state and federal departments.
After the removal of the national
cemetery. all OF he post with the
exception Of the small part at pres
ent occupied by the Garden was
turned over to the interior depart
ment 10 be disposed of
The interior department sent down
engineers to survey the property and
.ubdivide it into lots which under
| the law would he sold TO the highest
bidder for cash. But about the time
their engineers arrived here, the
matter OF the state taking over the
property for a sugar experiment sta
tion had come up, and the United
States agricultural department asked
that the survey might be delayed,
which was done.
President Taft then issued an
order Withdrawing from sale all Of
the public lands contained in the
For Bnown reserva( ion with the
exception Of some forty acres or
thereabout. which Is the land not re-
quired by the state for the expert
ment station.
The land retained, takes in prac-
ticalIy everything except the parade
ground and a strip between tho
lagoon and the river. running back
to the site of the old fort. The gov
ernment reserving a fifty foot strip
around the north and west sides Of
the lagoon for a roadway.
The interior department then had
the forty acre tract surveyed. and
plated into lots, and appraised
The average lots have a SO foot
front. but some are large. and ad-
mirably adarted for the site Of q
modern hotel. or other public build
ings
Recommendation have also beer
made for some "A acres commencin;
at the narrow neck Of land be weei
the river and lagoon at the nOrtl
end. and running hack to the nOrtl
: end OF the earthworks Of the old fort
TO be reserved for public park
This il a most delightful spot an
contains many beautiful trees,
sward of fine mesquite grass, an
can be landscaped at little cost
provide many shady aboreal walks.
! Immediately adjoining this PR
posed park to the north. directly al
posite the end Of Elizabeth stree
n which will be extended across q
= parade ground. i a very large i
IS which has been purposely lef. for
hotel or public building site. and
utilized for the site Of touri
hotel. would have the park at i
II rear for pleasure grounds. with II
river on one hand. and he lagoc
- on the other for boating and bait
m ing purposes. A better site can NJ
e be imagined in this section OF Il
I'd country. and the appraisement