THE TEXAS RICE BOOK. 63 



The assessed valuations of the State in 1900 were $914,- 

 080,403. 



The only time during the history of the State since 1870 

 when values decreased was from 1893 to 1896, when there was a 

 shrinkage of $35,886,149. 



Railroads have played such a conspicuous and necessary part 

 in the development of the State and are such a reliable guide to 

 our increase in wealth, as to justify their being ranked as one of 

 the most important factors. The largest increase in railway mile- 

 age in the history of the State during any four years was between 

 j88o and 1884, when there was a correspondingly large increase 

 in values. That increase was from 3,224 miles in 1880 to 6,198 

 miles in 1884, and in taxable values from $311,470,736 to $603,- 

 060,917, or an increase during the four years of 92 and 93 per 

 cent respectively. 



In 1870 the total railway mileage of the State was 711 miles, 

 or one mile to every 1,151 inhabitants, and 373 4-5 square miles 

 of area. In 1880, 3,224 miles, or one mile to every 439 inhabit- 

 ants, and 82.43 square miles of area. In 1890, 7,810 miles, or one 

 mile to every 256 inhabitants, and 30 5-1 square miles of area. 

 In 1900, 10,124 miles, or one mile to every 300 inhabitants, and 

 26 2-5 square miles of area. 



The actual miles increased and ratios by decades are as low- 

 lows: 



From 1870 to 1880, 2,513 miles and 353 per cent. 



From 1880 to 1890, 5,486 miles and 170 per cent. 



From 1890 to 1900, 1,414 miles and 16 7-3 per cent. 



In 1860 the value of all farm products was $104,610,281. 



In 1870 the value of all farm products was $49,186,170. 



In analyzing this shrinkage, it must not be forgotten that 

 cotton was worth twice as much in 1870 as in 1860. 



In 1880 the value of all farm products was $65,204,329. 



In 1890, the value of all farm products was $111,699,430. 



In 1890 Texas ranked sixth among the States of the Union 

 in the value of her farm products Illinois leading with a valua- 

 tion of $180,431,662. 



Estimating the cotton crop of 1900 at 3,000,000, worth an 

 average of 8 i-2c per pound, and 1,500,000 tons of cotton seed 

 at $i 1.50 per ton, the value of the crop of 1890 is $144,4750,000. 

 Add 100,000,000 bushels of corn at 40 cents per bushel, $40,000,- 

 ooo; 16,000,000 bushels wheat at 65 cents per bushel, $10,400,- 

 ooo ; 20,000,000 bushels of oats at 35 cents per bushel, $7,000,000, 

 makes the value of these four crops in 1900 $202,150,000. 



If to this is adde'd the value of the products of sugar, molas- 

 ses, sorghum, rice, hay, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, with butter, 

 eggs, chickens, turkey, tobacco and various other products, the 

 value of all the farm products of 1900 will be considerably in ex- 

 cess of 100 per cent over the values of 1890. 



The relative position of the citizen of 1870 and of 1890, with 

 reference to these conditions, may be stated as 'follows : 



