Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-07-03
SOIL SURVEY IN
CAMERON COHAS
Been FINISHED
Soil Bureau Men Send All
Data In to Department at
Washington. Will make Ef-
fort to Hasten Publication

Cameron county's soil survey. started
September II. 1922. by the u. :. De
partment Of Soils. has been completed.
aud all data and information compiled by
the surveyors. VI. w Beck and u. H.
Hendrickson. who were in charge of the
work. has been forwarded TO Washington
for the publication of maps and the soil
bulletin. Chambers of Commerce and
community organizations in the county
are preparing To send resolutions to the
Department stressing the Importance of
this survey to the land owners and farm
ers Of the county and requesting early
publication. Prior 10 leaving the Valley.
the surveyors expressed the opinion that
a similar survey would he made in Iii
dalgo county. starting this winter. pro-
viding complete soil map for the entire
Valley.
A soil survey Of the Brownsville area.
which embraced an area of $50 square
miles. was made in 1906. and recon
noissance survey was made in 1909. the
latter including Cameron and several
other South Texas counties. This sur
vey was very general. and only the
major differences Of the soil were recog
nized. The survey of the Brownsville
area was n more detailed survey. but Ov.
ing to the lack Of development in the
Brownsville section at that time it was
impossible to cover the territory as
closely as necessary. The work. how
ever. has proved of great value in as
sisting the survey just concluded.
The survey was obtained through the
combined action Of Congressman Garner.
County Agent Alsmeyer. Chambers of
Commerce. Colonel Rice. eommandant
mt Fort Brown, and other influential
men who realized that soil survey was
essential TO maximum development Of
the county. The Texas Agricultural
Experiment station service eooperated
with the T. =. Bureau of Soils in making
the survey.
In discussing the work ACCOMPLISHED in
Cameron county. NJ. w. Beck. who has
been in the employ Of the Bureau Of
Soils several years a. a surveyor. said:
During the progress Of the work
eight series Of soils were mapped. and in
the eight series there were u distinct
types and phases. The types range from
dune sand 10 heavy clay. the clay loan and
silty claya loan types predominating with
raher large bodies of clay. \ soil series
is dets ained by color. structure. origin.
drainage and lime content, while a soil
type Is determined by the percentage OF
silt. sand and clay.
The soil map. which shows all sur
face features and the various soil types.
will be published. in connection with de-
tailed report. as United States De
partment Of Agriculture bulletin. and viii
be distributed free Of charge. The re-
port will include a description Of the
area. climate. agriculture. soils. irrisa-
fion, drainage. alkali. vegetation. and a
general summary. a history Of the
agricultural development in the county
w. be brought out as well a. a general
review Of present agricultural conditions.
In the chapter on Soils. each soil j.
described in detail as to its soil char
acteristics; also the crops grown. yields
obtained methods Of handling. and the
selling price Of the particular type. with
suggestions for soil Improvement.
1T is a recognized fact that the soil
is the foundation of agriculture. and yet
very few farmers are acquainted with
the fundamental soil differences. The
aim of the soil survey Is to enlighten the
farmer in regard 10 the soil of his farm
in order that he may know its cap
abilities and handle il more inteliigently.
during the progress Of the survey
we noted many beautiful wild flowers.
shrubs and trees that could be cultivated.
The native trees that make beautiful
shade trees are the ash. tepeguajc.
tenaza, anacahuita. ebony and blackberry.
Many Of these native trees are utilized
nj present. but a more extensive rs
could be- made Of particularly the ash,
tepeguaje and tenaza. They are not only
rapid growers. but are also beautiful
trees and make a good shade. Other
trees that should do well are the catalpa,
eucalyptus. and also the salt cedar. which
is a native Of the Pecos river country.
This latter tree is very beautiful and
will withstand moer alkali than most
ohter trees. A good growth of salt cedar
or tamrix can be seen about eleven miles
northeast Of Brownsville along the Rio
Grande Railways old right of way. Thi-
tree also serves exceptionally well as a
windbreak"