El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-10-31

TahOI1a, Texas, Oct. 31.-AIarvels have
been accomplished in the reclamation
Of the Llano Estacado of Texas during
the last few years. No longer are these
vast plains regarded as suited only for
cattle grazing. Agricultural demon
strariOn in the territory that extends
north and south for 25Q miles and east
and west for 10 miles. embracing what
was originally known as the LlanO Es-
that practically all Of this area is suit
ed for the profitable growing OF many
kinds Of crops.
In a group of counties in the more
northern portion Of the Plains country,
as it is now commonly called, there
was raised this year approximately
5000 900 bushels Of wheat Wheat
growing is q comparatively new indus
try for this region and the wonderful
success which has been had by farm
ers during the short period which it
has been practiced promises TO cause
the acreage to be increased by leaps
and bounds. 1t is predicted by prac-
teal grain men that il viii not be
many years until Texas will take first
The fact that the altitude 'Ot the whole
plains territory IS from 5000 to $500
feet above sea level makes the ell
mate an ideal one Tor wheat growing.
The SHOWS in winter and the mild
freezes are other factors favorable to
this branch Of industry. None but
J.
ing this year is double the acreage Of
last year, according to reliable esti-
mates. The wheat growing territory is
being RAPIDLY extended toward the
south and it viii not be long until it
viii be one of the standard crops in
the whole Plains country it is pre-
dicted.
RecIaimfna- Old Grazing Lands.
1t is not the discovery that wheat
may be grown successfully upon these
old cattle grazing lands that IS bring
ing about their reclamation so much as
II is that various other kinds OF crops
may be likewise produced and that
their yields are equal 20 those Of the
older and well recognized agricultural
states This applies particularly TO
kaffir corn, milo maize, indian corn,
flax, broom corn and other products.
In the more southern portion cotton IS
beginning TO be grown on an extensive
scale and this season the WhlSI1e OF
the cotton gin was heard in localities
that no one would have dreamed a few
years ago of there ever being such an
industrial plant within 200 miles.
One OF the NEST notable features OF
the agricultural invasion Of the Plains
region is the apple orchards that nave
already been established in many To-
calities around TahOka and through
this particular section. Some of these
orchards have been in bearing for sew
eral years but most of them are new
and the trees are just obtaining com
mercial size After making a THOR
oUgh investigation Of the apple grow
ing orchards and possibilities of this
branch of horticulture in the Plains
country. Prof. Frederick W. Mally, who
was the horticultural expert of the
Texas state department Of agriculture
for several years, made an official re-
port prOnOuncing the soil and climate
ard other conditions extremely well
suited for successful orcharding on q
large commercial scale
Cherries Successfully. Grown.
Besides apples, this is about the only
rT n Texas cherries
successfully grown. Pears and peaches
also do well. Practically all Of the !
fruit trees are in a remarkably healthy /
condition and they seem to thrive and !
bear heavy crops without irrigation. l
In this respect fruit growing here is |
different from that of other sections I
Of the southwest and west
There is, however, an abundant sup
ply of water available for irrigating ]
purposes What is known as the shall /
low water belt, covering perhaps one
third of the range territory, extends all /
through the section around TaholIa, an /
Inexhaustible supply Of underground