FARMING IN THE LOWER RIO GRANDE DISTRICT. 21 



for these bonds. Under this method the landowners become the 

 owners of the irrigation systems and operate them through their own 

 representatives. 



There are many instances Avhere for various reasons water has not 

 been furnished. This has caused considerable loss to the farmers 

 and accounts to some extent for the withdrawal of many farmers 

 from the region. Many of those who have moved away have lost 

 considerable portions of their original investments. 



While the prices paid by the districts for the irrigation systems 

 are frequently high, the operation of the plants by the farmers 

 themselves will doubtless insure water to the farmers with much 

 greater certainty than has been customary in the past. 



LAND TITLES AND PRICES. 



Title to the land of the region was in general originally derived from 

 the Spanish and Mexican Governments. Grants of many thousands 

 of acres with a frontage on the Rio Grande were ceded to individuals 

 before Texas became a part of the United States, and title to much 

 of this land has never existed in the name of the State of Texas or 

 of the United States. In opening for settlement, options were 

 secured on the land and sometimes titles from the descendants of 

 the original grantees. Land companies were organized for the 

 purpose of reselling the land to actual farmers. A complete chain 

 of title to this land is usually furnished by the companies for the 

 purpose of examination by intending purchasers. It is possible to 

 have these titles guaranteed by companies authorized to act under 

 the laws of Texas. As soon as the irrigation companies had installed 

 the pumping plants and provided sufficient canals so that even small 

 quantities of water could be supplied, the land was placed on the 

 market. By means of advertising in many other parts of the United 

 States farmers and others are induced to come to the region to 

 buy land. 



Prices vary considerably under different companies, ranging from 

 about $100 to $300 per acre for raw land. These prices pay for the 

 water contracts as above described. Individuals outside of the com- 

 panies hold land at from $40 to $75 per acre, but these lands do not 

 always carry contracts for delivery of water by the irrigation 

 companies. 



Land may be rented either on the share basis or for cash at very 

 reasonable rates, considering the price of land. Many farms have 

 been operated b} 7 cash tenants for the consideration of from $3 to 

 $10 per acre. The average cash rent for land, as estimated by 59 

 farmers of the area, is approximately $7 per acre. 



