The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
10 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1916.
were produced at an early date, and sorghum was grown for forage
and for making sirup for home use. Water-power mills to grind
corn and wheat were built on some of the streams at an early date.
The surplus products consisted chiefly of flour, meal, hides, and cotton,
which were hauled by ox teams to Houston or to other terminals
of the Houston 99,636 acres in cotton, producing 37,473 bales; and 9,184 acres
in oats, producing 215,355 bushels. Over 2,300 acres were in wheat,
which produced 20,936 bushels. There were 4,249 farms in the
county, averaging 125 acres in size. About 47 per cent of the farms
were operated by owners.
By 1899 the area in corn had increased to 83,120 acres, producing
2,359,360 bushels, and that in cotton to 145,784 acres, producing
56,560 bales. Wheat occupied 26,029 acres and oats 24,248 acres.
The number of farms had increased to 5,059, with an average size of
111.3 acres, of which 64 acres consisted of improved land. Only 39.4
per cent of the farms were operated by owners. In 1899 there were
$334,087 worth of animals sold or slaughtered and $94,265 worth of
poultry raised. The value of all dairy products amounted to
$245,414.
At.present the agriculture of Bell County consists mainly of the
production of cotton, corn, oats, wheat, and forage crops, with some
vegetables and fruits, principally peaches, for home and local use.
Cattle raising and feeding is carried on to some extent in the western
part of the county, and a few flocks of sheep and goats are kept.
Dairying to supply the local markets is carried on inextensively, and