San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-12-13
SHIP Il CARS
SPINACH IN
FIRST week
Thousands Pour Into S. A.
Winter Gardens as Big
Production Begins.

Crystal City-the Spinach City"
in the heart Of Texas Winter Gar
den district Is booming.
Fertile land, plentiful water for
irrigation, adequate transportation
facilities are bringing hundreds to
the garden city. Hotels and rent
houses are overlooking and many
have been forced to seek lodging In
tents and temporary shacks.
This is the report brought back
to San Antonio by Henry Hsgelstein,
active land man here, interested sx-
| tensively IN Winter Garden proper
ties. Mr.. Hagelstein has just re-
turned from Crystal City and also
reported that he had sold several
thousands of acres of rich lands to
new farmers, many of whom are for
mer out-of-state residents. Hundreds
are flocking to Crystal City, he said,
which is the center Of one Of the
richest farming districts in the world.
$500 PEOPLE.
Recently the school capacity Of the
city was doubled and many people
are attracted from miles around, for
this one feature alone. Last Septem-
Der, Crystal City reported popula-
ton Of 1900. Today, Mr.. Hagelstein
reports, there are at least 2500 peo-
pie there. Business is thriving, the
land market is more active than In
years and builders are busy housing
the growing throngs OF visitors and
residents.
Crystal City business concerns are
charging their stocks, new merchants
are opening stores and the chamber OF
commerce is receiving inquiries from
many sources regarding the town and
the surrounding winter gardens. IL
/ 80 houses were constructed immedi-
ately and offered for rent they would
all be rented before completion.
SHIP FIRST CAR.
The first carload of spinach was
shipped from Crystal City last week
by Flory and Aibers from farm
| in the center of the Hagelstein sub
division on the large Byrd farm which
adioins Crystal City and is seven
miles from Garlic Springs.
This car was closely followed by
two shipped by G. L. Coleman. Others
are being shipped in rapid succession
and the first weeks total was quick
ly brought to eleven cars. The spin
ach brought approximately one dollar
per bushel. which is an excellent
price for this time of the year. IL
this holds up to anything like this
figure during the season when the
bulk Of the crop is harvested the total
yield of the spinach crop will run
into the millions of dollars.
About 5000 acres is planted in
spinach in Crystal City territory
and the greater part of this vast acre
age will be harvested between De-
cember 20 and March 1. However,
it is expected that there will be plenty
of harvesting throughout March and
April. Spinach in April of last year
brought a good price. The same land
from which the early spinach is be.
ing cut will be replanted and will
produce another crop in the spring,
farmers say.
SHIPMENTS INCREASE.
The number of cars shipped daily
is increasing rapidly and by ths
middle of December from 10 TO 20
carloads will be rolling out every day.
During the peak Of the season, which
will be during January and February,
as many as go cars or more will be
shipped every day from Crystal City:
Last season the highest number OF
cars to be shipped in one day was
63 and it is expected that this record
: will be easily broken this year. Pres
ent indications point to one or the
! largest crops in history.
The whole community is preparing
D for busy season and ample provis-
ions are being made to care for thu
:. big rush which viii soon be on. Load.
e ing racks have been enlarged and
: renovated and new office buildings
n erected at the river spur switch. The
I MAYHEM Lumber company has built q
: large addition to its warehouse where
] spinach baskets are stored.
GOOD ONION CROP.
Aside from the spinach crop Cr5stss'
}. City has many other attractive fea,
lures to offer. Up-to-date about "a
: cars of mixed vegetables ineludins
tomatoes, peppers and egg plants
; have been shipped since the first o
November. Some tomatoes are sui
d being shipped from the Byrd rnnci
s but the bulk of the fall vegetables
g have been harvested.
: A little later such vegetables a
/ turnips, beets. lettuce, cauliflower
0 mustard and cabbage will go on tn
o market in carload lots from Crysta
t City. The Bermuda onion crop !
z now being transplanted and indica
5 onions next spring.
o lions point 10 good price for tn
T. >>>-