The Washington times., 1925-08-24
TEXAS RANCHES
GIVE WAY To
FARMS
New Cotton Growing Area Is
Developing in Panhandle,
Says u. s. Report
By HARRY WARD

Al great change is~taking place lin
the South Plains area OF the Texas
Panhandle, where enormous stock
ranches, which have dominated that
section for years, are being cut up
into cotton farms at a rate which
bids fair to effect complete change
in the agriculture of that region in
few years, according TO an an
nouncement made by the Depart
ment Of Agriculture,
This area, prior to 1890. was in
ranches thousands Of acres in ex-
tent. Although cotton was grown
there experimentally more than
thirty years ago, Ii is only within
the last few years that railway
transportation has made cotton
farming, and in fact. any kind OF
crop farming, possible in the region.
n the last few years, however.
cattle and sheep have practically
disappeared and farms are spring
Ing up everywhere. Practically all
the land suitable for farming is for
sale. and lands that a generation
aeo sold for from fifty cei1ts to two
dollars an acre are now selling at
from twenty to forty dollars an
Good Methods Needed.
Economists of the Department Of
Aericulture are studying the South
Plains with a view to indicating its
advantages and disadvantages for
cotton farming. They predict sub.
istantial progress for 1t, provided
that farms are not over-capit allied
and that good cultural methods are
pfacticed. Lubbock County is the
center OF the new development. A
dozen or more nearby counties are
also changing rapidly from stock
ranching to crop farming.
These experts say that on the
proper soils cotton either Is now or
soon viii be the chief crop Of that
part Of the South Plains lying be-
low an east and west. line passing
near the north boundary of Lub-
book County. Cotton has been
grown on the sandy soils at several
places north of that line. Further
extension OF the cotton boundary
in this direction is considered prob.
able.
How far west sof Lubbock County
cotton can be grown - not yet de.
termined. Farmers In Texas and
New Mexico are trying out several
varieties near the western area OF
the great plainss and their expert
ments should settle the question
shortly. Northward the, extension
of cotton growing will DO stimu-
lated by the development Of a
variety with a shorter growing sea.
son. Extension westward would
likewise be helped by q quicker
growing variety. But In that direc-
ton another limiting factor Is the
available moisture supply.
Find Soil Fertile.
Throughout most Of this region
the soil Is fertile and easily cult.
waited, according to a survey made
by department experts. Moreover,
the climate does not suit the boil
weevil. and 1t is not dangerous
there. Weather risks, however. are
real. While the b3il weevil is not
a menace. the pink bollworm is.
although 1t has not yet arrived; and
other insect pests Are already doing
damage in the region.
There are ways Of meeting these
difficulties" department investiga-
tors say. but a man not acquainted
with them may lose a crop when
such a loss may mean his ruin"
land values throughout the region
is not imminent, tho experiences of
other regions where new agricul-
tural possibilities have been opened
up point strongly to the necessity
OF keeping the danger of it con-
stantly in mind.
"A sure feed supply, furnished
by sorghUms, Is ali important ele.
ment IN the cotton production pos
sibilfties Of the South Plains" de-
partment officials declare. Sudan
seed, Sudan pasture. livestock and
livestock products can be included
in the farm enterprise plan to les
sen the risk Of growing cotton as
single cast crop.
Two discoveries in cotton cul-
ture are important for this area.
One Is the fact that cotton is really
a dryland plant, well adapted to a
scanty and erratic water supply.
The other is the fact that by not
'chopping cotton ian important and
expensive practice in the humid
part Of the cotton belt) the plants
can be made to grow small and to
mature and set crop quickly.
Land Level
This reduces the risk of crop
failure from lack of moisture.
shortens the necessary growing
season and cheapens tillage prac-
tice. Another advantage of the
area is that it's land is generally
level, and weeds are not abundant.
Hence, cotton farming, with four
and six horse machinery, is prac-
tica ble."
While the Department of Agricul-
ture is not as yet prepared to esti.
mate the possible extension Of the
cotton producing area of this re.
gion. 1t says the increase will GER
| tainly amount to several million
acres.