FARMING IN THE LOWER RIO GRANDE DISTRICT. 23 



Point Isobel. Very little if any commerce is now carried on between 

 Point Isobel and other Gulf ports. 



MARKETS. 



Brownsville, with a population of over 10,000, is the largest city 

 of the region, and is located on the Rio Grande. San Benito, Har- 

 lingen, La Feria, Mercedes, Donna, Edinburg, Pharr, McAllen, and 

 Mission each have a population of less than 5,000 people. The local 

 consumption of farm produce, therefore, is quite limited. Houston 

 and San Antonio are the nearest of the larger markets. A large 

 volume of the perishable produce is sent to middle western cities. 

 such as Kansas City, St. Louis, Omaha, Chicago, and St. Paul. Oc- 

 casionally shipments are made as far east as New York City. The 

 most important market for live hogs is Fort Worth, although Houston 

 receives considerable numbers. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



The information and conclusions contained in this bulletin apply 

 to conditions as they existed prior to the European war, and should 

 in no way be interpreted as pertaining to abnormalities brought 

 about by this cause. The data here presented were gathered during 

 1914 and 1915. 



For farmers who desire a mild, healthful climate, the lower Rio 

 Grande Valley is very desirable. A considerable amount of capital 

 is required to develop an irrigated farm and a reasonable knowledge 

 of general farming is of primary importance. For successful busi- 

 ness, on account of climatic conditions and possibilities of irrigation, 

 intense cultivation and good managerial ability are essential. Super- 

 vision of the Mexican labor must be close for its most efficient use. 



Good land can be secured at prices ranging from $50 to $250 per 

 acre, or it may be rented for from $3 to $10 per acre. Drainage and 

 alkali conditions should be investigated carefully before purchasing 

 land. 



It appears that farms of less than 40 acres are not so successful as 

 those of larger size. In general, staple crop and stock farms are 

 larger in acreage than truck farms, although the last-named type, 

 being more intense, does a larger business, acre for acre, than do 

 farms of the other types. 



The double cropping is of prime importance. This increases the 

 magnitude of the business with but little effect in capitalization, and 

 materially increases the profits. When 50 per cent of the crop land is 

 utilized for a second crop the net returns are greater than when a 

 smaller acreage is double cropped. 



