Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-11-13
OF
TRUCK SHOWS
STEADY GAINS
Valley Farmers Har-
vest Crops While
North Shivers in Grip
Wintry Winds

corn in almost endless variety form
the setting for the Lower Rio Grande
Valley during those months which in
me North are termed "the dead 81
winter"
While the northern farmers are
awaiting the disappearance OF the
winter snow. the thawing Of the
deeply frozen fields. the farmer Of
the Valley Is harvesting his winter
crop-the vegetables which 10 into
practically every market 81 the
United States during those months
when 10 fresh vegetables are avail
able from the northern gardens.
The growing Of winter vegetables
has from the first years Of Valley
development been one Of the most
important industries. Year after
year the demand has increased and
the market for Valley products ex-
panded. Huge packing sheds have
been erected to replace the limited
packing facilities 81 the early days;
thousands of acres Of fertile Valley
land have been cleared for truck
farming; railroad facilities have been
increased and extended: cultural and
irrigation practices have been inn
proved. and with each passing year
shipments have increased and the
fame ~ the Lower Rio Grande Val
ley winter vegetables extended to
all parts &c the country.
A Remarkable Record
The record Of the development Of
the winter vegetable industry in the
Valley has been d record Of achieve
ment. In twenty years shipments
have been increased from T6l cars to
49, 4. non -L.a - n q wk.a ]
amount the Missouri Pacific handled
10 25 cars by freight, and Az cars
by express. the Southern Pacific.
which completed its line into the
Valley during the LATTER part Of the
shipping season, handling the re-
maindcr Of the crop. Market con-
ditions were not favorable for many
commodities as in former years, and
seriously affected shipments. Under
normal market conditions a total OF
approximately $4,000 cars would have
been reached, according 20 estimates
based upon the acreage and produc-
ton.
March and April. the months when
fresh vegetables are In greatest de-
mand In the northern markets, are
the months Of the heaviest movement
from the Valley. Shipments start
in October, bat are comparatively
light until the northern stocks In
storage are consumed. shipping re-
cords for the past twenty years show
that 3 per cent Of the crop in Janu-
airy, IS per cent in February, "a per
cent in March, p per cent in April
and l6 per cent in May.
During the early years Of the in
dustry most os the shipments went
onto the Southern markets. Each
year the Valleys markets have cx-
banded. and during the last season,
Rio Grande Valley vegetables were
shipped into "A Of the Is states OF
the Union.
Cabbage l. King
Cabbage has reigned as king Of
Lower Rio Grande Valley vegetables
since 1910. and each year has streng-
thened his position. During the car
IN years of the industry onions lcd
In the shipping totals and in 1909 the
luscious watermelon Of the Valley
vas n strong contender for the
throne Beets and carrots rank sec
ond. with potatoes third.
Prior 90 1918 the production O.
cabbage ~fluctuatcd. but since that
year there was a consistent increase
IN the acreage and production each
season until the last season when
cabbage shipments were reduced $50
cars. During the i9lS-le season 1902
cars were shipped. and the high re-
cord OF 5000 cars was reached in 1925
26. Last season the shipments total
led 1858.
Cabbage shipments represent as per
cent of the total vegetable movement
from the Valley. and during the past /,
five years an average Of 4.l05 cars
az this commodity moved out IN
each season.
Onions. which formed the major
part OF the shipments during the
early years. reached their peak in
1920 when sIT cars were shipped out.
Shipments Of this commodity have
steadily declined since that year, only
los ears being shipped last season.
However. 2 large acreage viii be
planted in the unirrirated section
this season. and onions wll probably
resume their position ns one 81 the
major crops ny the Valley.
Potato Production Increases
A large part If the acreage that n
former years was devoted TO STABLE
crops is now being planted 20 pota-
toes. The bulk Of the potato shin
ments came from the lower end vi
the Valley in the Brownsville. San
Benito. and Los Fresnos sections.
where the soil is apparently peculiar
Ii adapted 20 potato growing. The
heavy shipments Of potatoes move
out during the latter part 20 the sea-
son. the fields having been planted
IN December. January. and February
The first carload shipments moved
from the Valley IN 1910. when S5 cars
were shipped cut. No effort was
made 70 develop potato paintings GA
an extensive scale until 1922 when
STA cars were shipped. IN 1924 pota-
70 production had been increased 70
zoos cars. ard during the last season
1855 cars were moved 20 the north
ern markets.
As 4 rule Valley potatoes 20 onto
the market AZ q time when there i
little competition from vegetable
producing areas other than small
acreaees in Florida and California.
Practically the entire Valley crop
Il marketed before the East Texas
and louisiana crors begin 20 move.
and the Valley growers generally re-
ceiye the highest prices for their pro
duction. Valley potatoes are almost
invariably the first on the northern
markets. and the demand for the
VnlIev product has become wide
rnread.
Poets and Carrots Important Crop
Reefs ard carrots. which ere usu-
.ilv shipped In "half-and-haif' cars.
have in recent years attained impor-
tnrt rank among the Valley veeeta-
~ erops. The first carload ship
-art moved out az the Valley II
1000 when 154 cars ~ carrots and 81
~srs az heets were sent 70 the north
en- markets. The following year
800 ears Of beets and carrots to the
hnn ~ CT mnra Hhinnnn ont