[Memorandum for West Texas Trip] Page: 5 of 8
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April Z4. 1951
I discussed with cattle ranchers, goat ranchers and sheep
ranchers our situation in South and Last Texas as to the use of
sheep and goats; the prevailing opinion is that sheep and goats
could and should be used advantageously in our country; the
goats (mohair) to clear the under-brush in timbered pastures,
the sheep (Rambouillet) on ranges set apart for them or even on
the same range with cattle for both wool and mutton.
The use of goats, sheep and even geese in keeping down
undesirable grasses in Arkansas, as has been done for years in
Germany and Switserland, should be seriously considered by us.
The absence of mule farming and cultivation in the agri-
cultural section of the land visited by us, not only in the irrigated
sections but in the rainfall areas, was quite noticeable; and these
modern methods should be followed by us more seriously at other
points and the old time pre-Civil War and antiquated systems
abolished and intense mechanical farming substituted.
There is quite a demand for such lands as ours and I
believe that a firm policy adopted now and strictly adhered to in
the future of not selling any lands in production and bringing
revenue within the next two or three years will prove profitable
to us. I would really not be surprised to receive offers within
the next couple of years of $500. 00 to $600. 00 an acre for our
finished, irrigated, and leveled lands. But even at this, I would
doubt the advisability of selling these lands at such prices with
mounting inflation staring us more and more in the face every
day; when we know that similar cotton, alfalfa, and vegetable
lands no better and no worse than ours in the Imperial Valley
are selling from $1, 200. 00 to $1, 500. 00 per acre.
In all of the above, there will no doubt be detected a distinct
feeling of pride of ownership on my part. To this feeling I must
confess now for our T. C. I. investments just as I feel the same
pride in Sugar Land and in Plantersville and in some of our ventures
in past years in irrigation and railroading.
I would like, therefore, to spend the necessary money to
have Mr. Colvin or some other qualified appraiser go out to this
area and appraise every individual separate farm that we own so
as to have the opinion of an outsider who knows lands and not rely
on the opinion of Wilson, myself, or others.tM.. 1; West Texaa Trip"
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Kempner, Daniel W. (Daniel Webster), 1877-1956. [Memorandum for West Texas Trip], text, April 24, 1951; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1012764/m1/5/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rosenberg Library.