40 



not know. The ox yoke in common tise is fastened by- 

 strings of raw hide to the top of the head around the base 

 of the horns. Some contend that an ox can draw more 

 with the yoke thus placed than when fastened to the neck 

 and shoulders. This last method is now there used to a 

 considerable extent— long teams, consisting of several yoke 

 ■of oxen, some pulling by the horns and others by the shoul- 

 •cEers, being occasionally seen. 



Some have tried and are now endeavoring to introduce 

 into common iise in that region improved agricultural 

 machinery — mowing machines and steel plows, but it is 

 ■difficult to make the Mexicans use them, and thesp are the 

 chief laborers of that country. They will work and board 

 themselves at from five to ten dollars per month. The 

 threshing is done on the hard ground, the grain tramped 

 ■out by horses and chaff winnowed out by throwing the 

 grain up into the wind. 



A few more years and this system of Mexican farming 

 ■will cease in western Texas and give place to the methods 

 ia use in other portions of the State; consequent mostly 

 from the influx of immigration into the country between 

 the Pecos and Rio Grande, which is sure to result when its 

 mineral and agricultural advantages are well known. 



The grange has had and continues to have a beneficial 

 influence upon the farmers of the State. It unites them 

 :and makes them more intelligent in the management of 

 tkeir farms, the marketing of their produce, the buying of 

 their supplies and agricultural implements. It increases 

 their social joys and home enjoyments and make- them 

 ■vriser and better. 



In 1870, I wrote to its chief secretary (Mr. Kelh') at 

 IVashington, D. C, for information regarding the objects 

 of the grange. He sent me grange publications, explaining 

 i^e uses of the order, and also an appointment of" special 

 ■<ieputy, for organizing granges in Texas. I tried to estab- 

 iish a grange at Austin, and failed. It was too snon; the 

 iarmers did not understand and the newspapers of the 

 State opposed and denounced what was then termed the 

 g^range movement. Six years has wrought a, great change 

 in this respect. 



Another important item is the large and increasing 

 attention given to horticulture; the growing of fruits and 

 vegetables, the growth of ornamental trees, shrubs nnd 

 plants, which einbellish and beautify so many hoTnes. 



