davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1929-08-02
SPASM OF WET PRESS OVER
PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN

Readers of some newspapers the
past month got the idea that the
Federal Prohibition Department
was about to embark on great
educational campaign in behalf OF
the prohibition law. Because the
dry department has $4,000 appro-
priated by Congress for educationa.
work, the wet press said the de-
partment intended to cover the coun-
try with billboards, buy space in
newspapers and carry the education
al campaign into the schools of the
country.
To do all this would require mil
lions. OF dollars instead of a mere
$4,000. Why, $4,000 will not pay
the advertising campaign of one
store for year in any one of the
big cities of the country.
And how the wet newspapers
jumped upon the alleged education
al plan. Especially how they howl
ed about teaching prohibition and
law enforcement in the schools OF
the country. OF course, the govern
ment did not intend to do anything
of the kind. 1t could not do so
with the limited sum of $4,000.
Many of the states like Ohio have
laws requiring that the effects OF
alcohol and narcotics on the human
system be taught in the public
schools. Federal Prohibition Com
missioner Doran says a limited num-
her of pamphlets have been prepar-
ed, and are being prepared, which
contain accurate information on
economic and other phases of the
prohibition question. and these will
he available to all who want them,
but the Federal government will not
furnish teachers and lecturers for
this work. Upon request from
school authorities, the llbureau will
furnish such pamphlets and infer
i.y
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1929-08-02

It's poor Welsh rarebit that
dosn't make you regret having
formed it's acquaintance,
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1929-08-02

needed. Private citizens ana
organizations of various kinds want
facts, and few such facts publish
ed by the Prohibition Department
will be of tremendous value to all
who are interested.
The howl of the wet press on the
subject will not fool any person
who thinks. Such person knows the
limitations of $4,000 in carrying
out a publicity and advertising cam
paign covering the country. What
the public wants are facts showing
the benefits of prohibition. These
facts are gathered and published
by the government and distributed
to those who want them.
The spasm of vets should excite
no one. These spasms are continu-
GUS because vets know that more
and more prohibition is getting
results.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1929-08-02

Some of the most humane men
don't put a bit of sentiment in it.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
Orange Trees, Planted In Valley
1866, Still Producing Politically

AT what age will citrus fruit
trees lose their vigor and cas- IL
produce prolifically?" is q query
often propounded by tourists and
visitors to the Lower Rio Grande
Valley.
That is a query no Valley resident
Is able 10 answer with any degree OF
accuracy. 1T is an established fact
that citrus fruit trees after reaching
maturity will continue to produce
prolifically for an indefinite period,
the production being governed by
weather conditions OF each season.
That citrus fruit trees are still
vigorous at 50 years OF age ana
producing heavy crops almost every
season. is attested by a group Of
trees planted in 1866 by the Oblate
Fathers, a Catholic order. at La
guna SEGA, IS miles northwest OF
Edinburg. For over half a century
these trees have been producing
heavy crops Of delicious Spanish
oranges practically every year. and
are still as vigorous as they were DO
years age. How many years they
will continue TO produce is. o.
course, conjectural. but the thrifty
appearance OF the trees and the
dark green OF the foliage indicates
that many years will elapse before
they 10 produce their annual
crops Of golden fruit.
The Laguna SEGA rancho was one
Of the first settlements on the
northern side of the Rio Grande,
ancient maps showing the rancho
was established prior to 1910 as one
OF the outlying points for the herds
men Of the earliest Spanish settlers.
and the major part Of the acreage y
still utilized for pasture land.
In 1847 the Oblate Fathers estab-
lished their church at Brownsville.
priests visiting the outlying sections
two or three times each year, gen
orally bearing with them fruits and
other gifts for the ranchmen ara
their families. A priest who visited
the Laguna SEGA rancho in 1865
carried with him some Spanish Or
anges. planted some of the seed am
requested the ranchero and his
herdsmen to care for them. The
seed sprouted and the seedlings
thrived. That they escaped UNI
scathed through the days or Dor
der warfare which followed the civil
war il generally attributed to the
fact that the ranch was an outlying
station seldom visited by the ma
rauding bands which burned ara
pillaged along the border. Year
after year the ranch owners cared
for and watered the trees. and were
rewarded with heavy yields Of thc
luscious Spanish oranges.
According To an aged herdsmaE.
who still lives on the ranch and who
claims 10 have been present when
the seeds we're planted, there have
been very few years I'm which the
trees have not produced fruit. Brick
walls erected around the trees
when they we're young to prevent
damage by the cattle. have crum-
bled To mere remnants, and the
ranch building, shaded for half a
century by the trees, bears all the
evidence OF old age. But the trees
still retain the vigOr of youth and
practically every year their branch
es bend under the load of golden
fruit.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
Over $4,000 Acres
Cleared In One Tract

Over $4,000 OF the 10000 acres Of
the Mestenes tract in western VIII
lacy and eastern Hidalgo counties
have been cleared In the past 30
months. according to estimates Of
developers. Practically the entire
tract is expected to come under de-
velopment within the past two
years.
Citrus fruit paintings on the Mes
tenes tract are now In excess OF g.
600 acres. and at least an equal
amount will be planted this season.
The cotton acreage aggregated be-
tween $4,000 and 10000 and several
thousand acres we're planted To
onions, truck and feed crops.
Three towns. Hargill. Lasara and
Rollo, have been established ON the
tract. each OF which has become the
center for a large producing terri
tory.
According to estimates Of de-
velopers, within six or seven years
at least rs per cent Of the Mestenes
tract will be planted to citrus fruit
and 1t viii become one Of the larg-
est fruit producing areas In the
United States.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
Willacy to Double
Number Citrus Trees

The number Of fruit trees in VIII
lacy county viii be more than dou-
bled BY the paintings this winter.
according 10 estimates OF growers
and developers. who state that or
ders for over 100. 900 trees already
have been placed with various VAL
ley nurseries.
According TO a census completed
in July by federal inspectors. the
county has $1,000 citrus fruit trees.
and the paintings this winter are
expected TO increase this number to
approximately 100000. Over 10000
have been set out since September,
1927. in the San Perlita section,
over 5000 on the townsite, and
throughout the entire county small
acreages have been planted. with
several larger acreages in the CEN
trail and western parts.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22

feed crops on the non-irrigated
lands makes this industry highly
profitable, and many farmers who
started with a few dairy cows are
gradually accommodating large herds.
Throughout the entire area the
soil type is very uniform and re-
tains moisture to a greater degree
than in the lower parts Of the Val
ley. Adopting methods designed Il
conserve the moisture the farmers
are securing large yields Of cotton
corn and feed, production costs be-
ing reduced to a minimum. De-
velopment Of the non-irrigated
areas by cotton farmers from the
North IS progressing rapidly, the
Lyford section proving very attract
i've to them.
Completion Of state highway No.
SO north from the Cameron county
line provides Lyford with a paved
connection with the lower part ci
the Valley. Completion Of this
highway north through Kennedy
county Will make 1t one OF the main
arteries Of traffic into and out OF
the lower border country. A paw
ing program, which covered most oil
the business section. was completed
last year when the highway was
paved.
Organization Of Willacy road dis
trict No. 3 and voting Of a bond
issue is expected to provide a paved
east and west highway extending
from the Turner Trac. Of Hidalgc
county, through Lyford toward tine
coast. This will connect up the
entire developed section and Is ex-
pected TO result in intensive de-
velopment of large areas within the
city's trade territory.
"Lyford Is destined 10 become the
center OF one Of the richest agri-
cultural areas Of the South" wa;
the prediction Of one OF the leading
business men. There is no section
that offers greater opportunities fol
farmers. dairymen and truck anc
fruit growers. The soil of this sec
ton Is Of surprising fertility; pro-
duCtion costs are low; highways
provide easy access to markets. anc
these facts, combined with the COM
paratively low price Of lands, are
attracting many farmers. Within {?
few years the entire area will bt
producing and will rank among the
big producers Of the Valley.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
OLD DISTRICT
DEVELOPSFAST
Harrington Completes Drain
age System; Plan Concret-
ing Irrigation Canals

With hundreds OF acres planted
TO citrus fruit and large acreages
added to the vegetable and cotton
producing areas, development Of the
agricultural resources Of the Har-
lingen section has made rapid prog
ress the past year.
Completion Of the drainage sys-
tenn OF the Harlingen irrigation dis
trict, providing excellent drainage
for the entire area. construction Of
canal lining at points Of heaviest
Seepage. and many other improve
ments carried out by the district
have been important factors in pro-
noting development OF the resources
Of the section. Throughout the area
watered by the Harlingen system
additional lands are being brought
under development and more inten-
sive developemnt is under way in
the older sections. In no part Of
the Valley has this development as
sumed a more substantial form.
"A plan for concreting the canals
Of the system is being worked out
by @. r. Bobo, district manager.
the district and landowners to fl
nance the work upon a cooperative
basis. Under this arrangement the
points OF heaviest Seepage will be
the first to receive the concrete
lining. gradually extending to cover
all points Of loss or land damage.
The drainage system, practically
completed. extends into every Sec
iton Of the district. Outlets are
provided by the Arroyo Colorado.
and the effects of the drainage are
very apparent in many parts of the
area where the rising water table
had threatened serious damage. The
program has been financed by the
district without a bond issue, funds
being derived from admission OF
lands and the flat rate.
Under the cooperative plan for
lining canals it Is believed the dis
trict will not be required to vote
bonds. officials pointing out that
while this plan will take longer il
will result in a material saving TO
the taxpayers. Lining of canals at
points of heavy loss will materially
reduce operating cost. and within
two or three years the saving ef-
fected will be sufficient to carry on
the work
In several parts OF the district,
principally at Stuart Place. citrus
fruit growers r putting concrete
pipe distribution systems in their
orchards and this practice Is ex-
tending rapidly. On the Briggs
Coleman tract and in the northern
and eastern parts of the district
heavy paintings Of citrus fruit viii
be made this winter. most OF the
larger acreages to install pipe sys-
TENS.
The Harlingen irrigation system !:
one Of the oldest In the Valley. and
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
DEVELOPFASTI In
LYFORD SECTION
Willacy County Town Is Cen
ter For Progressive
Farming Area

Production Of corn, cotton and
feed crops. dairying and winter
vegetable farming. forming a diver
sified agriculture which has brought
prosperity to many farmers in the
Lyford section OF Willacy county. Il
being supplemented by citrus fruit
paintings. Though the entire area
within the trade territory Of Ly-
ford is in the non-irrigated section
Of the Valley. citrus fruit thrives IN
the fertile soil wherever proper cul-
tural methods designed to conserve
rainfall are practiced.
Lyford has since the early DAYS
Of Valley development been the
market center for one Of the rich
est areas in the lower border coun-
try, and the business Of the little
city has, increased steadily. III the
past three years large development
projects have been launched which
r rapidly bringing into production
huge acreages in all directions from
the market center. Within a few
years practically all the brushland
will be cleared and under cultiva-
ton. including the $4,000 acre Still
man tract. which has been included
In the Willacy county irrigation dis
trict.
Cotton. onions and feed crops arc
the principal products; and dairy
ing, which is expected TO become
one OF the major industries, has
made marked gains the past two
years. The low cost of producing
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
TRUCK FARMING
ON LARGE SCALE
New York Firms Apply Vol
ume Production and Most
Modern Methods

Modern business methods and
volume production have been
brought to the Lower Rio Grande
Valley in connection with truck
growing in the northern part OF the
Mercedes tract. where three firms
shipping products to New York and
other eastern seaboard markets, are
handling approximately 500 acres.
Jill Bros, whose large truck acre
ages are in the vicinity Of La Villa.
and Vahlsing a. Vahlsing, Inc. OPP
Grating near Elsa, are New York
firms. Richman ~ Samuels, who
also handle approximately 500 acres
In that section. have their main Of
fices at Weslaco.
Operation OF truck farms upon a
volume production scale was inaug-
urated four years ago. and each
year the various firms have expand
ed their acreages. Thousands Of
cars Of winter vegetables Of every
variety have been shipped by these
firms from Elsa, Edcouch and Wes-
laco, the major part OF the produc-
ton going onto the New York mar
ketS.
The farms are in charge Of *
perienced truck growers who gained
their knowledge OF vegetable grow
ing on the famous truck farms II
Long Island. Soils are carefully
tested to ascertain their adaptable
ty to the various varieties. Onlg
| selected and tested seed II used
and the paintings are timed e
bring the production onto the mar
ket at the time Of greatest demand
Tests are made constantly 10 de-
termine the proper time ano
amount Of irrigation water TO bf
applied. al operations in connection
with the growing Of crops being re-
duced as near an exact science a.
possible.
While the major part OF the acre.
ages Is devoted to growing beets
carrots. cabbage and other stapl@
vegetables, large quantities Of the
novelty" varieties are produced
Anise, ~escarole. romaine, broccoli
and other varieties not commonly
grown in the Valley, find a heavy
demand OH the New York markets
and are being shipped in large
quantities from Edcouch and ElSa
where the New York firms have g.
tablished shipping sheds of the
most modern type.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
San Benito District
Installs Pipe Line

Over Is miles OF pipe line has
been installed by the San Benito
irrigation district as a result Of CO.
operation between land owners and
the district IN conformity with a
program designed to prevent water
losses and land damage in various
parts Of the area watered by the
system.
General improvement of the en-
tire system has been under way in
recent years, including cleaning
and deepening of drainage canals,
installation Of pipe lines at points
Of heavy water loss. construction of
new canals and cleaning of old ca
mails and laterals. AS a result of
this work the efficiency Of the en-
tire system has been brought to a
high standard.
Citrus fruit paintings showed q
heavy increase last year. and hun
dreds of acres have been developed
for citrus fruit, vegetable or cotton
planting. In all parts OF the dis
trict intensive development Of the
older sections Is under way and
practically all the irrigable acreage
Is expected to be under cultivation
next year.
The San Benito district ranks
among the largest producers OF
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
VETERAN ARMY Filler
a OF AUTOMOBILE

KANSAS CITY, Sept. 22.-tFf-
The attitude of Capt. Richard Dun
can should be tonic to those persons
who hesitate I'D rid. In airplanes.
This former flight commander IA
the English Royal Flying corps new
er has learned 70 drive an automc-
bile because he's afraid To do so.
When Captain Duncan. now a tly-
ing instructor here, flew 10 Chicago
for his weddirr u was explained
that the couple would take q brief
aerial honeymoon because the
groom is afraid TO drive a. motor
car"
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
DISTRICT AT
FERIAB BUSY
Drainage System Being iEx-
tended And Canals TO
Be Concreted

Extension OF its drainage system
and lining Of main canals at points
or greatest seepage Is expected to be
accomplished within N year by the
Ia Feria irrigation district which
has financed N drainage and con-
crete program designed to cover the
entire system.
Bonds in the amount of 81 600. 900
were voted last year for this pur-
pose. The district recently sold
100000 or the issue, the remaining
bonds to b. sold as the work pro-
crosses. The initial program in
clude5 construction of drainage
bitches and lining Of canals where
seepage IL heavy. the drainage being
necessary to supply outlets for large
volumes 0f surface waters.
A dredge recently purchased hy
the district IS now working on the
main drainage line which will ex-
tend from the Cantu tract to the
arroyo Another dram III the north
ern part Of the district will have
am outlet into the north fIoodway,
and the drainage system for the
southern part will connect with tine
arroyo. Deepening and extension cf
the drainage or the Wilson tract.
which connects with the Harlin-
gen drainage, is included In the
program.
a thorough survey Of the system
has been made and all points cf
heavy seepage from the canals as
certained. Lining nf the canals at
these points viii be the first move
an connection with the concrete
program. The plan or w. "A. Am
thor, district manager, is to grad
ually bring the entire district UNI
der concrete.
In recent years secpage FROM
canals has damaged small acreaEes
In varioRs parts OF the district. and
to prevent heavy loss the drainage
and concrete program was submit
ted TO the landowners. The drain
aRe program includes every section
OF the district and X expected I'd be
completed as quickly as possible Nm
ORDER 10 relieve "a situation which
was becoming dangerous.
las regards our concrete work. WE
expect 70 proceed cautiously q
member OF the board or directors
said. Our first object viii be u
close those points where the Scep-
age Is most pronounced. This viii
tend Cd reduce operation costs and
eliminate land damage. Our en-
gineers have been working OH this
for the past two years. and have
aScertained where the heavlesr ttpSs-
es are sustained. we will ssA cur
bonds as the money is needed, and
A am confident that when our pro-
gram rs completed the La Feria dis
trict viii have one OF the most ef-
ticlent systems In the world.
We are not going 10 rush into
this. Every move will be made after
mature consideration and with the
object OF doing the most good for
the entire district through reduce
ton OF operation costs. just how
much Of the system viii be placed
under concrete has not been DEF
initely determined, but IL IN certain
that every part of canal syster1
where there IL water loss eventual
ly will be lined .or pipe lines In
stalled"
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22

was the first in Cameron county to
organize as q water improvement
district. 1t experienced all the
vicissitudes Of the pioneer period,
but under conservative management
has gradually expanded and i'm
proved its facilities. In the past
four years great progress has been
made In the effort to place every
available acre under irrigation. Har-
lingen was the first to take over
drainage as a function Of the dis
trict. a practice which has become
general over the Valley.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-22
Citrus Trees Growing
In OLdLokebed Where
Catfish Once Thrived

Citrus fruit Is now growing where
only a few years ago catfish thrived
in TIC Cano lake north Of La
Feria.
Reclamation Of approximately 1000
acres OF the former lake bed has
been accomplished by the Al Parker
Securities 90. of Ia Feria, TOO acres
Of the area having been set to fruit
with 100 to $50 acres to be planted
this season.
In the pioneer days Of Valley de-
velopment Ito Cano lake received
the flood waters from the Rio
Grande, and during high stages ol
the stream the flood waters spread
from the lake In every direction.
The lake was famous in the early
days for the size Or the catfish.
these denizens Of the deep often at
tanning a weight Of 80 TO so pounds.
Leveeing Of the Rio Grande and
subsequent construction Of the
flood control system eliminated thu
overflows into the old lake bed. The
waters gradually lowered, fastened
by construction Of drains. A drain
age ditch which now runs through
the center OF the old lake carries
off all surplus drain waters. and
provides excellent drainage for the
entire area.
Part Of the lake bed was planted
to cotton three years ago. and the
cultivated area has gradually eE-
banded. Development OF approx
imat-ly 1000 acres as a citrus fruit
project got under way last year. "A
complete concrete pipe distribution
system has been installed. the sup
ply Of irrigation water being Ser
cured from the Ia Feria system. All
land was deep titled before the cit
rus trees were set out. and the or
chards are being handled under the
deep filling method.
An innovation III the planting az
trees was adopted ON the project,
Holes about 4 feet square and 4 feet
deep were dug and filld with sandy
lCam. rich III humuS, the trees be-
ing planted in the center. Cover
crops are being planted on the area
to supply additional humus, and
the developers are confident that
this system Of planting and culti-
Walton will result in very productive
trees.
The area slopes to the center OF
the old lake bed. and the drainage
system is so designed that every
section IL well drained, the slopes
assuring rapid run-off Of surplus
rainfall. Under the deep tillagc
method the run-off has been light
practically all moisture being re-
tanned III the well loosened soil Z.
feed the trees and cover croE
growth. Applications OF irrigation
water have been very light.
Reclamation az this area is be-
ing watched with considerable in
tcrest by many Valley landowners
Growth cf the trees indicates that
the method Of planting and cultiva-
ton is successful. and as the area
Is r. w well drained. III lis believed
that IL eventually will become ono
OF the most productive in the Val
lev.