USA > Texas > A comprehensive history of Texas, 1685-1897 > Part 10
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The Cross-Timbers are two bodies of small, stunted, post and black-jack oaks, which extend in long, irregular belts from the Indian Territory south through the prairie region. The Lower Cross-Timbers mark the western border of the Black- Waxy Plain from Red River to Waco, a distance of one hundred and fifty miles, and their greatest width is about fifteen miles. The Upper Cross-Timbers occupy in a general way the area of outcrop of the trinity sands, or basal beds of the Grand Prairie, and the entire carboniferous area as well. They appear in the latter as bodies of post-oak wherever the beds are sufficiently.sandy to support their growth, but on the more clayey soils are more scatteringly distributed.
West of the Colorado Mexican forms of vegetation appear, and the mesquite '
' The mesquite is gradually extending its range east and south, being found east of the Trinity and in the Coast Prairies.
محصن
HIUECO MOUNTAINS-FROM THE QUITMAN VALLEY.
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(the beans of which are largely used as food for cattle), Mexican persimmon, various acacias, and other small trees take the place of Eastern forests. The river bottoms are for the most part well timbered with cotton-wood, elms, hackberries, willows, etc., and the pecan, which has become of considerable commercial impor- tance on account of its nuts, is found in the vicinity of the principal streams, as far west as the Devil's River. The western cedar covers the white limestone hills of the Colorado valley and extends westward into the trans-Pecos Mountain region, where it is joined by the Chihuahua pine, Pignon pine, and the upland live-oak. Through the northern portion of the State are found bodies of shin-oak, known as shinneries, having its dense growth in the beds of sand which occur at various localities. Throughout the cretaceous area and in part of the Reynosa Plain the cartacea abound, and two-thirds of the species found are peculiar to the region. When grass fails for pasture the prickly pear is often the entire subsistence of the cattle in certain portions of the West. Of the woody growth may be mentioned the Algerita ( Berberis trifoliata), the Texas persimmon ( Rhus microphylla), etc. A small agave is common, and the resurrection plant prevails from the Devil's River westward. The western portion of the State, including trans-Pecos Texas, is the place of greatest abundance of cactacea, both in species and in quantity, and by far the greater number of them are peculiar to the area. Fouquiera splendens, with its long. thorny stems and clusters of scarlet flowers; greaseweed or creosote bush, an ephedra, with leafless branchies, and other characteristic shrubs are mingled with the century plant (Agave Americana ), lecheguilla, and several yuccas, "which by reason of their numbers, size, and mode of growth are striking objects in the floral landscape."
In the valley of the Rio Grande the screw bean ( Prosopis pubescens), or tor- nillo, is very common.
In the Rio Grande region are chaparrals or dense thickets of various Mexican trees and shrubs, consisting of acacias, mimosa, mesquite, and many others, usually _armed with thorns often so thickly intergrown as to be almost impenetrable.
The principal grasses are the gramma and mesquite.
The growth of timber along the river bottoms, notably the lower reaches of the San Jacinto, Trinity, Brazos, Colorado, etc., lias already been mentioned in the description of the rivers.
The number and variety of flowers which deck the prairies or breathe out fragrance from thicket, chaparral, and wood have been claimed by some to have given the State its name. While this is probably an error, the fact remains that during the spring acre upon acre of bloom is found upon the prairies, forming veritable carpets of flowers, and the flowering shrubs and vines are no less abundant in various portions of the State.
FAUNA.
In launal relations, as in other respects, Texas occupies a transition ground between the species of animals, birds, etc., commion to the more eastern and northern regions and those of the Mexican provinces, the types of both being here commingled. While many of the species of eastern and northern provinces are common in the eastern portion of the State. they are rare in the west, and numerous Mexican species abundant in the west do not extend to the eastern or northern
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parts of the State. This is true of animals, birds, reptiles, fishes, and of land-shells. In addition to this, it may be noted that many of the species of birds which are . found in Texas present varietal characters entitling them to subspecific rank, usually on account of their paler (bleached-out) plumage or smaller size, sometinies, both combined. The Texan "Bob White" is an example in this line, where the usual brown colors of the eastern species are replaced by gray and the blacks by browns. It may be that closer study of these various differences will finally result in making the Texan region a sub-province.
Among the mammals belonging to the Mexican province which are found in Texas may be mentioned the jaguar ( Uncia onca), the ocelot (Felis pardalis), armadillo (Dasypus peba), and the peccary ( Dicotyles torquatus). While these animals are principally confined to West and Southwest Texas, they are sometimes found farther east. The armadillo, which up to a few years ago was unknown cast of the Nueces River, has now extended its range to the Brazos east of Austin. Formerly great herds of buffalo roamed the Western prairies, but now there remains only a single herd in the pasture of Colonel Goodnight, in the Panhandle. Antelope are still abundant in the western portion of the State, and black-tailed or mule deer and big-horn sheep are occasionally found in the mountains of trans- Pecos Texas. In the more eastern part the red deer is common. The brown bear ( Ursus Americanus) is also found there, but occurs still more abundantly in the forest region of East Texas.
Among the wolves may be noticed the lobo, or loafer, and the prairie-wolf, or coyote. The foxes are represented by two varieties, the red and gray, and the skunks by four. The wild-cat ( Lynx rufus) is abundant, and the civet-cat ( Bas- saris astuta) is also found. The prairie-dog is so abundant as to be a public nuisance, destroying the grass as badly as an overstocking of cattle would do. The Texan hare, or jack-rabbit, is very abundant.
Among the other animals common to Texas and the region east may be men- tioned the panther, beaver, squirrels of various species, gophers, badgers, opos- sums, raccoons, swifts, etc.
Birds are very numerous, both in numbers and in species. Among the game birds, the prairies of the coast and lower lignitie piains are at times covered with wild-geese ; ducks of various kinds frequent the streams and lakes ; the pinnated grouse, or prairie-chicken, is found from the Gulf to the Staked Plains ; curlew, plover, and snipe are abundant, as are quail of different kinds ; wild-turkeys are found along the river bottoms, especially in the region of the pecan groves. Among birds of prey are found the bald-headed eagle, the vulture or turkey-buzzard, the crow and raven, and various hawks and owls.
The song-birds are represented by the mocking-bird, nonpareil, Mexican canary, and various warblers.
Among the Mexican and South American birds found in Texas may be noted the St. Domingo grebe, California gull, black-bellied tree-duck, the jabirn, Mexi- can jacuna, scaled partridge, Gamble's partridge, and Massena partridge. The paisano, chaparral cock or road-runner, is an abundant resident. The red-billed pigeon, although rare, is found on the Rio Grande, and both the white-fronted and Inca doves breed in the State. The white-tailed hawk is found from Northern to
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Southern Texas. Among the casual visitors may be noted the harpy eagle, cop- pery-tailed trogon, Aplamado falcon, and frigate-bird. The pigmy owl is abun- dant and can be seen at the mouths of prairie-dog holes all over the prairie.
. Both the Texan kingfisher and the Texan woodpecker are confined to the western portion of the State, and extend into Mexico and the Western United States. A Texan variety of Merrill's parauque is found along the lower Rio Grande. In addition to these there are several species of humming-birds, four of fly-catchers, the green jay (Audubon's), and the hooded oriolc. The Texas sparrow and Sennet's warbler are West Texas forms which extend into Mexico, while the golden-cheeked warbler, which is common in the highlands of Guatemala, is known in the United States only from the cedar-brakes at New Braunfels.
Among the reptiles are the alligator, various tortoises, numerous species of snakes (of which the copperhead, water-moccasin, and rattlesnake are alone con- sidered dangerous), the horned toad (two species), and lizards of several species. Among the lizards are five species belonging to the Mexican province, and one Mexican snake (Sibon annulatum) is also found in Western Texas.
No less than two hundred and thirty species of fishes are given by Messrs. Evermann and Kendall ' as belonging to the Texas fauna.
"With regard to its fresh-water fishes, Texas is chiefly remarkable for the abundance of species in its lowland streams. A large proportion of its species are confined chiefly or almost wholly to the streams of the narrow strip known as the coast-plains region. The lower portions of the larger streams crossing this teem with many species of valued food fishes, such as the channel cat, chuckle-headed cat, mud cat, buffalo, large-mouthed black bass (the trout of the South), various species of sunfishes, and the fresh-water drum. . . . The coast of Texas is also remarkable for the number of brackish-water species, the single family of cyprino- dontide being represented by at least nineteen species, most of which are found only near the coast."
Among the two hundred and thirty species enumerated are the shovel-nosed shark, saw-fish, sting-rays, eagle-ray, sturgeon, three gars, eleven varieties of cat- fishes, suckers, pike, mullet, sea bass, snappers, red fish, croakers, flounders, etc. The streams of the central, northern, and northwestern portions of the State are well supplied with bass, catfish, buffalo, sunfish, etc.
The invertebrate fauna is equally varied. The crustaceans are represented by lobsters, crabs, shrimp, crawfish, and wood-lice ; the myriapeds by both millipeds and centipeds. Spiders are abundant in species, and brilliant colors and singular forms are found. The tarantula is the largest and fiercest of the tribe, although not so venomous as often reported. Among the insects are many species of neu- roptera, beetles, butterflies and moths, diptera, etc.
The mollusca are also well represented. Mr. Singley " enumerates five hundred and sixty-nine species, divided as follows : terrestrial species, ninety-seven ; fresh- water species, one hundred and twenty-six ; marine species, three hundred and forty- six ; and he states that future collections may largely increase the latter two divisions.
I Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission for 1892, pp. 57-126. "The Fishes of Texas and the Rio Grande Basin."
? Fourth Annual Report of the Geological Survey of Texas. "Texas Mollusca," p. 300. VOL. II .- 32
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The oyster and clam ( Grathodon cuneata) are very abundant on the coast, while the streams abound in mussels, or unios, some of which, in the Colorado and its tributaries, have furnished pearls of good quality.
AGRICULTURE.
The resources of the State from an agricultural point of view have long been recognized. The richness of the soil, the ease with which it can be tilled, the tem- perate climate permitting field-work to be done at almost any time, and the good average rainfall in that portion of the State devoted to farming have all contributed to this renown. Certain areas have earned high reputation for fertility or adapta- bility to certain crops, while others, in reality of nearly equal value, have been passed over almost entirely. The Black-Waxy Prairies of Central Texas and the bottom lands of the rivers have long held a pre-eminent place for fertility ; the red lands of East Texas and the Cross-Timbers areas have become noted as fruit-growing lands ; but it is only lately that the Coast Prairies and the lands of Northwest Texas lave attracted the attention they deserve and have begun to be utilized.
Soils .- The alluvial soils, or those of the bottom lands, are of every possible variety, from the black hammock of the smaller streams to the chocolate loans of the larger, but all alike are of great fertility. The principal bodies of these soils are, of course, connected with the river systems-Red, Trinity, Brazos, Colorado, Gua- dalupe, and Nueces ; yet there are valuable bodies also along the minor streams. These lands have been formed from the materials derived from the different beds over which the rivers flow in their upper reaches, mingled with animal and vegeta- ble matter carried down and deposited in the less rapid waters and broader chan- nels of the lower country. In many places they are still subject to periodical inun- dations, and the materials deposited at such times are in themselves fertilizers of value. Such deposits, half an inch or more in thickness, have been made by a single inundation, and the depth of fifty feet, which is claimed for tlre alluvial soil of the Brazos in the "sugar-bowl," shows the possibility of indefinite cultivation without impoverishment.
Of all these alluvial soils that of the Brazos is considered the most valuable, both for fertility and endurance. It is the most extensive body in the State, and will compare favorably in all respects with the richest alluvial land in the world. The valley has a length of about three hundred miles and its width in this distance will average four miles. The principal soil is a chocolate loam, which occurs in belts from one-half mile to one mile in width. and is regarded as the best on account of its perfect drainage, easy tillage, and great fertility. Cane-brakes, a dense timber growth, and bowers of grape-vines almost cover the land. It shows no diminution of fertility after fifty years of cultivation. The soil of the ash and elin lands in the Coastal Slope is not much esteemed, but the black peach-soil, named from its abundant growth of wild peach, is casily tilled and especially adapted for sugar-cane. The other soils vary not only with the different com- position of the materials of the various plains, but through the modifications of these materials from subsequent submergence, erosion of overlying beds, and local transportation by both water and winds.
While there are large areas of residual soils, or those derived directly from
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the underlying rock materials, each belt of which is therefore dependent on and characteristic of the plain in which it occurs, there are also those which have been derived from other sources, but the study of the geology of the State has not yet proceeded far enough to thoroughly classify them. The soil of the Coastal Plain is usually a sandy loam, with subsoil of red or yellow clay. This is almost all susceptible of cultivation when properly drained, and portions of it are very fer- tile. The farms between Galveston and Houston show its especial adaptability to fruit culture and for market gardening. When the underlying clays come to the surface, residual soils of black, waxy character are found, especially west of the Brazos. The Reynosa Plain has a black, sandy soil in the eastern portion of the State, which is replaced beyond the Brazos by chocolate loan and black, waxy lands covered in places by brown sand. These are also fertile soils. The black prairies of Washington and Fayette Counties occur in this belt, but are probably closely akin to the coast clays. The Timber-Belt Plain has soils of various characters. The uplands of much of the pine region are covered with gray sand of little fertility, but the lowlands and valleys, with their sandy loams, are very productive, although usually not so enduring as some other soils. In the area underlaid by the marine division of this plain are the red lands of East Texas, long noted for their richness and adaptability to fruit culture.
The black, waxy soils, comprising the main prairies of that name and a smaller strip of similar character just east of the Lower Cross-Timbers, have for years been recognized as one of the finest bodies of agricultural land known. They are almost entirely prairie soils, and take their name front their waxy character when wet. While more difficult to till than some of the lighter soils, their fertility and endurance are such as to make them the favorite outside the bottom lands, even if they do not rival these in popularity.
The soils of the Grand Prairie are for the most part shallow and rocky. Where they are of sufficient extent for cultivation they usually consist of chocolate loams.
The soils of the Central-Basin Region also vary according to the character of rock materials underlying them. The hill-tops are usually sandy, while the valleys have red soils and the mesquite flats a very productive, dark, stiff, or waxy clay. Farther west the chocolate loam predominates and forms the wheat soil of the Panhandle country.
The soil of the Llano Estacado is chiefly of a brown loam, sometimes sandy, and well adapted for farming or fruit culture. The mesas and flats of trans-Pecos Texas have soils which are sufficiently rich to guarantee fine production if sufficient moisture can be supplied. They are red sands or sandy loams.
Corn, oats, and cotton are grown almost everywhere, the latter having been successfully raised even in the Panhandle. The adaptability of the coast country for sugar and rice culture has been fully proven, as has that of the more northern portions for wheat. Tobacco is also being successfully grown in several counties of East Texas. . Nearly all the field crops of the United States can be grown some- where within the borders of the State.
Melons of different kinds find here their highest development, and by suitable selection of location almost every fruit and vegetable of temperate or subtropic climate may be grown. Year by year the growth of vegetables for foreign markets
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is on the increase, and carload after carload is shipped northward weeks before they are in the market from any other source.
Irrigation .- Irrigation was first introduced into Texas by the founders of the Missions. Of the ditches constructed by them for this purpose those on the San An- tonio and Rio Grande are still in use, but those farther eastward fell into disuse with the abandonment of the Missions and have little left to even mark their location.
Along the Rio Grande ditches have been added from time to time, until water is now being taken out for irrigation purposes at a number of places, and near its mouth there is a sugar plantation of considerable size which is under irrigation by water from the river. Numerous projects for increasing the acreage of irrigable lands in its valley are in contemplation, the principal of which are those in the vicinity of El Paso and above Eagle Pass. The ditches on the San Antonio River have also been increased and the area under irrigation considerably enlarged, but it is nowhere practised to the extent which the volume of the water and the available land render possible.
Irrigation has been practised to some extent in Llano and adjoining counties, but the ditches are small and of very limited capacity. In Tom Green County, however, irrigation from the Conchos has attained somewhat larger proportions and has been quite successful.
On the Leona, below Uvalde, several irrigation enterprises have been projected. One of these was the growth of sugar-cane by irrigation. Works were constructed, sugar-houses built, and the experiment given a trial, but it did not prove a success- ful venture ; partly, at least, from lack of proper transportation facilities at the time of its operation, and the work was abandoned. At present the only irrigation of any extent on the Leona is at Batesville, the results being sufficient to convince the most skeptical of its value, for during the past three years, when the surrounding country was parched with drought, this locality has been a veritable oasis. Excel- lent results have also been obtained at Del Rio, where water from San Felipe Springs is used to irrigate the valley between Del Rio and the Rio Grande. The land which can be irrigated amounts to five thousand or six thousand acres, and such a thing as failure of crops is unknown.
Among the largest works in the State are those on the Pecos River, above Pecos City, and there are a few others in different portions of the State, but the aggregate is by no means what it should be under prevailing conditions.
The future of Texas is largely bound up in the development of irrigation, and the possibilities of agriculture in the subhumid and arid portions of the State under its influence can hardly be overestimated. In these regions there are many streams which can be dammed and their flood-waters stored for use in the adjacent valleys ; ravines and canyons offer like favorable opportunities in many parts of the State, and, by taking advantage of these, many places which under existing conditions are little better than desert lands can be made into perfect garden-spots.
ARTESIAN WATER.
The available artesian water-supply of the State is confined to the Coastal Slope. While a few flowing wells occur in the northern basin, they are so highly charged with saline matter that they cannot be used for ordinary purposes. In the coastal
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area, however, the dip of the rock material gulfward, or in the same direction as the slope of the country, and at a slightly greater angle ; the alternations of the porous, sandy beds with clayey or other impervious strata ; the lack of disturbance or deeply eroded channels, and the heavy rainfall, are circumstances which furnish ideal conditions of artesian water-supply. While flowing wells cannot be had throughout the entire area, a large portion of it is underlaid by these valuable water-beds, and at many places two, three, or more flows can be had from different depths.
The principal water-bearing sands are the following :--
Productive in Coast Prairies The Reynosa beds. The Lapara beds. } . Neocene.
Productive in Lignitic Plain The Marine beds.
The Fayette sands. - . Eocene.
The Carrizo sands. The Lower Cross-Timber sands. -
Productive in Black and Grand Prairies . The Paluxy sands.
The Trinity sands. 5 Cretaceous.
In addition to these there are beds of sand in the coast clays and other divi- sions which occasionally furnish small flows, and flowing wells from the sandy limestone between the Paluxy and Trinity sands are not uncommon.
The different beds of sand outcrop, or appear as the surface rock, in bands of varying width, rudely parallel to the Gulf coast. They are separated from each other by broad bands of clays, sandy clays, and limestones. The rainfall of the area is in part absorbed by the porous beds and carried downward towards the Gulf between the under and upper clays, or other impervious rocks, and furnishes a water-supply as long as it can be reached by boring. The wells nearest the area of out-crop and at the same general elevation are negative, non-flowing, or surface wells, while those farther south and at lower levels usually give excellent flows.
The water-bearing sands nearest the coast are those of the Reynosa division, comprising the orange-colored beds of Willis, Hempstead, Alleyton, and elsewhere in East Texas, and their more limy and therefore whiter extension to the west, as seen at Beeville, San Diego, and elsewhere. In the east the water gotten from these sands is usually of excellent quality, if the wells be not bored directly on the Gulf coast ; but on the coast they generally yield salt water, and the same is true of some of the wells in the southwest. The area in which water is to be expected from these sands is that of the Coast Prairies. A local thinning out, change of character, or induration of the water-bearing bed may occur here or there, but in the greater part of the area water can be obtained from them, and at places less than fifty feet above the Gulf flowing wells may be secured at depths of from one l:undred and fifty to one thousand feet and over, depending upon the portion of the country, distance from outerop, etc. To these water-beds we owe the fine flowing wells at Houston and in the country between that city and Galveston, as well as many others to the east and west.
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