The Texas Almanac for 1869 and Emigrant's Guide to Texas. Page: 102
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Northern, Eastern, Middle, and Western Texas. Some of the small\grains-
such as oats, barley, and rye-are grown successfully all over the State,
though Northern Texas is perhaps better adapted to them. Some fruits suc-
ceed about equally well everywhere, such as peaches, plums, and figs ; also
blackberries. dewberries, etc., grow spontaneously,-and are larger and better
than we have seen elsewhere. Strawberries are successfully cultivated, but
do not grow spontaneously. Wheat is most profitably raised in Northern
Texas, but is raised for domestic use in most parts of Texas. Apples, pears,
and quinces have not yet been successfully raised except in Northern Texas
and some adjoining counties. In no part of the world have we seen peaches
more abundant or of a finer quality. The greater cheapness of fruit in Texas
than at the North will probably be the best proof with strangers that Texas
is a fine fruit country. This year (1868) the very best peaches we have ever
seen were sold in Dallas and Bonham, Fannin county, at 25 to 50 cents per
bushel. In eounties nearer the coast, the prices have been higher, but not half
as high as in most of the Northern States. We see them quoted in Boston
at 75 cents to $1 per bushel. That most valuable plant, the sorghum, or
Chinese sugar-cane, grows most profitably everywhere; and while the syrup
is used extensively as a substitute for sugar and molasses, the stalk is used
for fattening hogs, and is also fed to stock. The wild grape, called the Mus-
tang, grows nearly all over Texas, but is more abundant in Middle and West-
ern Texas. Thousands of our farmers now make a most excellent table-wine
from this grape for domestic use. The Post-Oak grape, much superior to the
Mustang, grows spontaneously in Northern Texas; but we believe it is not
often found in other parts of Texas. As will be seen by other articles in this
work, vineyards are now being planted in various parts of the State, and it
will not be many years before wine will be one of our exports. Broom-corn
has succeeded wherever it has been planted; but we have not heard of its
being cultivated and manufactured into brooms, except in Western Texas.
But this branch of manufacture has there been commenced, and the brooms
there made are-far superior to any imported. The castor-bean, or Palma,
Christi, grows most luxuriantly all over Texas; and the product is said to be
nearly double what can be raised in more Northern States. We hear of seve-
ral persons who are planting it extensively with a view to make the oil for
export. The oil has been made for some years past on a small scale, but we
have not yet heard of any being exported. There however seems to be no
doubt that this is destined to become one of our staple :and most profitable
products. We believe that neither hops nor flax can succeed well in Texas.
But we are assured that hemp has been grown successfully by several plant-
ers, and promises to prove a most profitable crop. Tobacco is grown in small
patches in nearly all parts of the State, and was exported in the leaf from
Eastern Texas before the war.. -It is now grown and made into cigars, as a
regular business, by many of our German" citizens, who, by the way, are
among our most thrifty and successful farmers. Rice has thus far been
grown in Texas to only a limited extent; but we predict that it will not be
tmatiy years before nearly every farmer will raise enough for his own con-
sumption, while others -will raise it for export. We refer to the upland rice,
which, of late years, has proved.to be a most profitable crop in Louisiana and
several other Southern States; and we have no doubt it may be raised in near-
ly all parts of Texas, on the low lands best adapted to it. Peanuts, or ground-
peas, grow and produce abundantly in Texas; and though not very generally
planted, those who have tried them say they are a profitable crop. Some are
brought to Galveston market and sold for $1.50 to $2 per bushel, Sandy
soil is best adapted-to them. They are much sought for in the Northern mar-
kets, where they command high prices. This product is unknown to most of
our immigrants, or it would be raised more extensively. Pecans are the fruit
of one of our finest forest-trees, chiefly abounding in Western and.Middle102
THE TEXAS ALMANAC.
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The Texas Almanac for 1869 and Emigrant's Guide to Texas., book, 1869~; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth123774/m1/94/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.