Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22

to the Boyd tract. It's western
boundary IS the Laguna AtascoSa
and the Cayo Atascosa, both OF
which are being utilized tor stor-
age Of drain waters. and which will
have a storage capacity of approx
mately 1900 acre feet. The land
Is high and well drained. very fei-
tile, and with its distinctive eli
matte advantages is expected to oe-
come n CT the most productive
areas In the Valley.
The Laguna Atascosa. the natural
reservoir into which the surface
waters Of central Cameron county
drain, has been transformed into
a fresh water lake. $500 acres in
extent, by placing q dam across the
outlet into the Cayo Atascosa. Fer
Eerly this body Of water was brack-
lsh. due to water from the Lagupa
Madre being driven up through the
Cayo Atascosa during periods 81
high tide ard heavy north winds.
The salt content Is being eliminat-
ed by flushing the huge reservoir
after rainy periods. a spIllway hav-
ing been provided il the dam Ic-
this purpose.
A second dam across the Cave
AtascoSa i've miles nearer the La
guna Madre has converted that
drainway into a storage reservoir.
and a third reservoir, a natural
lake il the eastern part Of the acre
age. has been completed. These
reservoirs are expected to carry an
ample supply IN storage to nice.
any emergency.
Development Under Way
Development Of approximately o.
600 acres OF the tract Is under way.
this acreage having been cleared
and prepared for the construction
OF the irrigation system. A COM
plete system Of graded highwayz,
totaling 60 tiles. har been con-
structed, the highways extending
into all parts Of the tract. An ex-
cellent drainage system also is De-
ing constructed. a large acreage is
expected to be planted to vegetable
and staple crops next year. over 800
acres having been planted to COT
ton this season.
Equipment now employed on The
project includes two dredgc5. which
are constructing the reservoir
levees and drain system. and six
tractors employed in ROAD construc-
ton and preparing land for cuiti-
vation. Development work has been
greatly retarded during the sum
mer by the labor shortage, but full
crews are now working.
Three years ago this region was
almost inaccessible, but two excel
lent highways, m running west ID
connections with the Paroles line
and Rio Iiondo paving and the 9TH
er south through the Boyd. Box and
BUena Vista tracts, have been con-
structed. A third highway which
will run to the mouth Of the
Arroyo Colorado and south to tie
Parker lands Is expected to be COM
pleled In a few months.
Soil Extremely Fertile
The soil on practically all the
acreage is of a very fertile type.
and according to plans Of the de-
velopers large acreages will be set
TO oitruS fruit. paintings to start
when the irrigation system is ur-
der way. The rainfall along the
coast Is greater than the average
for the Valley, and the clay sub
soil which underlies this region
aids in conserving the moisture.
The major part Of the area is COM
posed Of what Is known as resaca
land, formed by the sediment car
ried down the resacas during river
floods, the Cuates resaca and lis
branches. extending throughout the
southern part Of the tract. A small
acreage Of citrus fruit set out last
season is thriving. as are also the
numerous palms set along the road
WAYS. the rainfall having been SUI
ficient to supply rapid growth.
The coast line. which averages
from a few feet TO 50 feet above
sea level. Is broken, five long penin-
SliIS lNlLAL- 1ntD GAE 4AAN
Madre, one Of which has been re-
served for a townsite. The Parker
clubhouse. long famous for the cool
breezes from the Gulf. occupies tie
extreme point cf Of the south
ern peninsulas. Well graded roads
have been constructed 70 the points
Of these long extensions Of land
he peninsulas with the waters
OF the Laguna Madre for a back
ground. provide a wonderful oppcr-
tunify for Identification of which
the developers propose 10 take full
advantage. These extensions Of
land form desirable homesites-
high. well drained. and cooled in
summer and warmed in winter b
the ever-constanI Gulf breeze-ars
1t is expected to develop them for
this purpose.
The re~creational advantages Will
be an important factor in ccnnec-
ton with tbs development. That
49, -m 49, Az