Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-12-23
ACREAGE
CITRUS FRUIT
AT PROCRESO
Over 2,l00 Acres AL
ready Set Out; To
Have Total Of Over
1900 Acres

IWenty-0ne acres or citrus
fruit trees IN an almost solid biocK,
and several hundred acres additional
prepared for planting mark the de-
of 'Progreso haciendas,"
formerly the Llano Grande PIanta-
ton, lying between Llano Grande
lake and the Rio Grande southeast OF
" eslaco.
In no project in the Lower Rio
valley is development pro-
ceedIng at a more rapid pace, q de-
Of the highest type which
rapidly Transforming 6,oU0 acres
OF river wilderness into one Of the
show spots Of the Valley.
Extension Of the canal system Of
HIdalgo water district No. 5, which
waters the Progreso project; con-
struction of buildings, including nu-
merous fine homes; paving of high
ways and planting of fruit trees,
palms and ornamentals of various
types, are among the major activities,
and the work IS progressing with a
rapidity marvellous even in the Lower
Rio Grande Valley.
Completion of the concrete high
from Meslaco to and through the
Progreso project 10 the military road
now provides easy access to the
acreage. Throughout the tract grav-
eled and asphalt roads have been
INSTRUCTED in all directions with ad-
dItional highways under construc-
ton. The road program includes %
miles Of concrete and asphalt roads,
which = Ii miles of concrete and
approximately z miles Of gravel and
asphalt have been completed.
Buildings completed or under way
include a beautiful office building
Tor the development company, pueblo
design; a depot on the "spiderweb" Of
Spanish design; two homes, on one Of
which the contract price is $iS,50O
and the other $35 700; and 4 large
number Of smaller residences, costing
from $4,000 to $4,000. Work on a
school building which will cost, COM
plete, approximately $4,000, is ex-
pected to get under way within a few
weeks, and several additional homes,
costing from $4,000 to $4,000, are
projected by owners who purchased
home sites on the beautiful lake
fronts which provide an unsurpassed
setting.
9,UVU Acres TO Citrus
Development OF the Progreso pro
jet got under way in August, 1927,
and practically all Of the $500 acres
has been cleared. Planting Of citrus
tres started last year, and ac-
cording to the estimate of the devel-
opers approximately 1000 to 1900
acres vii be planted TO fruit. The
surrounding two large lakes.
which lie in the extreme southern
part of the acreage between the mill
tary highway and the Rio Grandc,
has been set aside for building sites,
lot having q lake front. The
northeast former of the tract and the
small acreage lying close 10 Ilano
Grande lake Is being planted to truck
crops.
One Of the features Of the project
is the remarkably efficient irrigation
system. Two 30-inch pumps are To-
Gated on the Rio Grsnde and a third
pump of the same size is located on
one of the lakes To serve as an lux
Hilary. The pumping capacity is suf-
ficient to supply approximately
10000 acres, assuring an ample vol
ume of irrigation water at any time.
The canal system, designed by Al.
Tamm. Harrington engineer. has
proved very efficient. and practically
the entire system will be placed I'M
der concrete within the next year.
Management Of the irrigation system
we'll as general supervision Of the
entire project is under the direction
of r. W. Watts, experienced Valley
who for years has made an
intensive study of Valley irrigation
and planting problems.
Use Deep Filling Method
The project is being handled under
the deep tilling, of which the entire
force are ardent advocates. AS
fast as the land is cleared it is deep
titled, the subsoIl machines, drawn
by caterpillar tractors, tearing the
subsoil to a depth Of 70 to - inches.
The ground Is then levcled, chiseIed
and disced and a deep tiller checks
off the planting rows. AS a result
Of this method the trees are planted
IN loose soil which assures maximum
rot growth during the first years.
There is practically no run-off when
irrigation water is applied, the loose
soil absorbing the moisture and fede-
ing it TO the tree roots as needed.
Under this system there is practic-
ally no wastage Of water. it Is
claimed, and the thrifty growth Of
the trees attests the value OF the
deep tiliing method.
"A striking example Of the benefits
OF deep tilling is shown 4 small
where it was found impos-
to deep till in a corner formed
by irrigation canals. Approximately
80 trees were planted in the m
ordinary preparatory methods being
used, and the rest of the acreage was
under deep tillage. Growth
of trees on the deep titled land has
been double that of the other, and
an examination revealed that root
systems on the former were develop
ing whereas little development was
noted on the other trees.
my experience has convinced me
the value Of deep tilling," Mr..
Watts said in comparing development
of the trees. Development OF a
root system assures sturdy,
prolific trees, and with the soil loos-
ened to a depth of Is to 20 inches
the root system will have an oppor
tunity to develop. The saving of
water and the fact that practically
every drop gees to the plants on
deep titled land is another factor that
should be considered"
Heavy Demand for Lands
Land sales, which started a few
months ago. have surpassed all ex-
pectations, the developers state. Sew
eral excursion have brought in a
number Of prospects, practically all
of whom have acquired acreages.
Paintings are maintained in advance
of sales, the purchasers securing
growing orchards in blocks of 5 to 10
acres, the company contracting care
Of the trees. all irrigation costs and
Continued on page two.)