Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-10-28
Rail OFFICER
LAUDS VALLEY
in MAGAZINE
Supt. c. N. Campbell
Of Western Texas
Lines Writes of Ad-
vantages Here

Valley, Supt. c. n. Campbell Of the
Western Texas Lines in the last is
sue of his company's house organ,
the Express Messenger, pays tribute
10 the natural Of this Sec
tion. The article was illustrated.
II follows:
!. Within the last decade the demand
Of the American public for citrus
fruits Is said to have increased az
least 400 Der cent. II is not so
many years ago that grapefruit
we're allowed to 20 to waste because
their delectable qualities were not
recognized. Today with oranges
they are a table fruit of constantly
increasing popularity, and in fact,
their consumption demand is already
in excess of production.
IL is significant that citrus fruit
can be grown commercially in only
three sections of the United States
and OF the least Of these IL the
Lower Rio Grande Valley Of Texas.
This most southerly agricultural
area on the mainland Of our nation
is fan-shaped and widens from a
point about 100 miles above IT,
mouth Of the Rio Grande to a width
Of so miles at the coast. The soil.
an extremely fertil ~allevial de-
post. is said to be the richest in
the world. eve excellirg that Of the
famous valley of the Nile.
Despite its location only 100 miles
from the tropics. the Lower Rio
Grande Valley is favored by tenn
perate climate and water in album
dance for irrigation. This combined
with rich soil. enables growers 20
produce crops twelve months of the
year. and what is perhaps more inn
portant. during the winter season
when northern cities and commune
ties. because of cold and snow, have
no local production. and have TO
draw on that of the southern reg
ions.
In its issues in the past, the Ex-
press Messenger has from time to
time reported the substantial move
ment OF garden truck from the Val
ley during the fall and spring sea-
sons amounting to between three
hundred and four hundred refrlger-
ator carloads and a very substantial
less-than-carload traffic in green
beans. cantaloupe. lettuce. tomatoes
and mixed vegetables. This comes
from Brownsville. Mercedes. Wes-
laco. Harrington. among other points
in the territory. These cars 20 20
make up special express trains dur
ing the height Of the season. consist
ing Of express refrigerator and bag
gage cars.
What this movement may increase
to in years 20 come can we'll be
imagined in the fact that the gov
eminent estimates that there are
9i5.000 acres Of irrigable land IL the
Valley and so far less than 0 10000
have been so treated. not all OF the
latter being under cultivation. Yet
last season $4,000 cars Of fruit and
vegetables were handled IN freight
service. with express being used for
city markets.
Citrus fruits. however. do not re-
duire irrigated lands. but it takes nj
least four years for trees 70 bear IN
profitable volume. Citrus planted in
the Valley date back about sixteen
years in development OF the industry
and since has been rapid. until to-
dav around $4,000 acres are in or
chards. eighty-two per cent being
grapefruit which because II its re-
markable quality has become the IA
vorite Of the citrus group produced
in the Valley.
Next comes oranges. and then LEM
ons. tanPerines. kumquats. lines. in
order. II is likewise significant that.
according "a Government estimates |
made on July ! last. the twelve pro-
ducing districts OF the Valley have
5.419.i37 trees, more than one-third
OF them being paintings this year.
There arc 477.202 five-year and
235.l5I f%our-year trees about to start
on maximum production; in 1880 IL Is
expected that $500. 600 trees will he
bearing. How long citrus trees will
continue 10 thrive has not yet been
determined as the oldest orchards in
Florida and California planted some
rs years ago are said TO still BE DO
inE we'll. Thus. the Valley has ev-
cry sign Of becoming one or he
greatest. IL not the greatest citrus
fruit producing region of the United
States.
During the last winter. vegetables
produced III the Valley found mar
kets in ~ Of the as states of the
country. Valley citrus fruit Is mar
keted In % states. but since express
service is the agency of ~transporta-
ton upon which the growers mainly
depend for the distribution Of their
shipments, there arc no limitation ~
its sales. In fact. owing 70 alert
growers associations. the high grade .
and sweet. toothsome quality OF the
fruit. Il has brought a premium IN
most markets.
October starts what Il always a n
busy season for American Railway
Express people in the Lower Rio
Grande territory. which is served by
the Missouri Pacific and Southern
Pacific railroads, whose subsidiary
lines reach the various production
points. These include. besides
Brownsville. the largest city. Mis-
sion. McAllen, Edinburg. Pharr. San
Juan. Alamo, Donna. Edcouch, Elsa,
Hargill. Harlingen. La Feria. Ly-
ford, McAllen, Mercedes. olmito.
Primera. Raymondville. Rio Hondo.
San Benito. Santa Maria. Santa Rosa,
Sebastian and Weslaco. The esti-
mated population Of the Valley is
$4,000.
We regret lack of space 10 tell in
detail regarding the remarkable in
dustrial and civic development Of
these cities and towns. their highway
and port programs. construction Of
new schools. homes and churches: Of
the increasing strong financial situ-
alton Of the entire Valley.
The newest industry and one which
the greatest promise. so far as
increased express traffic l. concern