Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1924-12-21

"HE LOWER RIO AND VALLEY is in reality
the delta of the Rio Grande. 1t is in the shape of
a triangle with the apex at Sam Fordyce and the
base along the Gulf of Mexico. 1t is the most
southerly portion of the mainland of the United States.
If you include the strip of land along the river between
the stream and the highlands, up to Rio Grande City and
Roma as in the Valley, it takes on the form of a cornu-
copia. And, from an agricultural standpoint, it is indeed a
horn of plenty.
For the present purposes we will describe the Valley as
the south half of Hidalgo County and all of Cameron and
Wilacy Counties, in the State of Texas.
Originally this was a great ranching country, divided up
in porciones, upon a basis of river frontage, by grants Of
the Spanish crown. Irrigation and transportation have
transformed it into the winter garden of America.
The rich soil deposits of the river have built up the land,
giving it great fertility. Early irrigation experiments by
the ranchers proved that it would grow almost anything.
The equable climate enhanced its value as a year round
agricultural proposition. But transportation was needed.
The building of the railroad, the GULF COAST LINES,
into the Valley in 1904 supplied the transportation facilities.
Since then the growth of the territory in wealth and pOpu-
latiOn has certainly been remarkable.
The population for the state of Texas from 1910 to 1920
showed an increase of 1877 per cent. The increase in the
Valley for the same period was S2.S per cent. In 1904 the
assessed valuation in Cameron County was S., 1 1884. In
1920 it had risen to $23, 9O6, 240. In 1906 the assessed val
uation in Hidalgo County was s2,795 800 as compared to
$26,592, 1875 in 1920.
From 1907 to 1920, inclusive, there was an increase of
1888 per cent in production and shipment of vegetables
from the Valley. The 1907 1908 season saw 761 cars of veg
etables roll out of the Valley in solid car lots. In 1923-1924
to May oath, IL, O61 cars moved out.
In 1904 less than 1000 bales of cotton were shipped from
the Valley. In 1923 there were about IS, 600 bales shipped.
In 1904 there were two banks in the Valley with total
deposits Of S2l6,932 and reserves of 5000. 276. In 1921
there were % banks with total deposits of ST., 524. 7O7 and
reserves of SIS, 1896.
Thus you can see that the Valley has been made with
the advent of irrigation and transportation. It has passed
through the pioneer stage. 1t is now at it's real develop
ment era. That is the period when opportunity for prof
itabie investment in a new country is best presented to the
home-seeker. The experimental work is done. It is proven
territory.
Comparative records of the United States Weather Bu-
reau show that the climate of the Valley is the most equabIe
of any place in the states. The temperature is high in the
winter because of its sub-trOpical location. 1t is low in sum-
mer because of the cooling gulf breezes.
The mean temperature of August, the hottest month. is
30 degrees, while that of January, the coolest month, is So.
The mean annual temperature is ". Less freezing or frost
temperature is experienced here than at any other point in
the United States.
The soil varies in various portions OF the Valley, rang
ing from a heavy silt near the river to q black, sandy lOam
in the northeastern portion, and a lighter sandy loan in
the second lift lands of the western portion. Allo of these
soil are extremely fertile and productive, and of very great
depth. They are suited to almost an unlimited variety of
crops. 1t is evident that the fertility of the Valley soils is
unequalled anywhere in the world.
Citrus fruits, winter truck and summer staple crops,
together with live stock, present an opportunity for all
year round agriculture that results in inc eased volume Of
output per acre.
There are approximately 400. 600 aces in the Valley
under irrigation. The Rio Grande is the source of the wat
er supply.
Entering the Valley from the north, the first town is
RaymOndvi1e, county seat of the now q unity, Winacy.
This is the dry farming area, river irrigation having not as
yet been extended this far. Some irrigation is accomplished
by use of wells. Land in this section sells from SIS to $3.50
per acre. =