The University of Texas at Austin
Virtual Landscapes of Texas
University of Texas Libraries - University of Texas at Austin Home Search Publications Images

pg 049: Second annual report of the Geological and Agricultural Survey of Texas Publication 25425061.

 
Format to Print View Page Scan back forward

49

imports largely of breadstuffs, of bacon, hams, etc.; of butter, cheese and condensed milk; of canned fruits, etc.; but most of these importations are for those living in cities and towns. Better would it be for the farmers of the State if they would produce enough of these things for the wants of its entire people. One thing is certain-the farmers of Texas have great advantages, with a climate and soil adapted to such a wide range of production, and also a good home market for most of their productions.

INDIAN CORN

Is the most general and extensively cultivated grain in the State. On the irrigated lands at the west it is largely grown. At El Paso 75 to 85 bushels per acre are said to have been raised, and much more than this can be grown, for its culture can be greatly improved. Shoots or suckers are there allowed to grow, making ten or more stalks in one hill. Sometimes nearly each one of these stalks has an ear of corn. The average yield per acre of corn in a large portion of the State can be much increased. To show how this can be done, I append the following account of Dr. Parker's crop, taken from the Rural Carolinian:

J. A. W., Carthage, Miss., (among others, both North and South,) having expressed great astonishment in view of the apparently fabulous quantity of corn (200 bushels and twelve quarts,) said to have been grown by Dr. J. W. Parker, of Columbia, S. C., on an acre of ground, and inquiring whether shelled corn could possibly be meant, we desired to set the question definitely at rest, (though having no doubt ourselves on the subject,) and addressed a note of inquiry to Dr. Parker. The following is his reply:

COLUMBIA, May 8, 1871.

D. H. JACQUEs, Esq.: My Dear Sir

I do not think that I can better reply to your late letter, or that you could better answer the numerous inquiries concerning the "Premium Corn Crop," grown some years ago on my farm, than by sending copies of my report on "Corn Culture," published among the Proceedings of the Annual Convention of the South Carolina Agricultural and Mechanical Society, November, 1869. In that paper, full information was given on every point

 

Format to Print View Page Scan back forward

The University of Texas Libraries
The University of Texas at Austin