46 

 ft 

 acres, the supply of water from large springs whicli_ are 

 one of the sources of the San Saba river. Here the irriga-^ 

 tion is done by letting the water run along a gentle descent 

 between the rows of the plants ; hence, the water runs off 

 rather quickly, taking more or less soil with it. It would 

 be better to have the water run around or along the side of 

 the hill, instead of down it ; then less water would be 

 needed, and the substance of the soil would be less liable 

 to be washed away. 



At Fort Stockton and neighborhood, more than 3000 

 acres are irrigated and cultivated for the growth of barley, 

 corn, oats, wheat, grapes and vegetables. The water sup- 

 ply is from Comanche creek, which is fed by about fifty 

 springs at the base of the hill on which the fort is placed. 

 Some of these springs are very large, over one of which is 

 a fine bath house. The temperature of the springs is from 

 seventy-two to seventy-five degrees, mostly seventy-three 

 degrees. 



Mr. Corbit has the largest irrigated farm. In 1874. he 

 raised about 8,000 bushels of barley, corn 6,000 bushels, 

 wheat 4,500 bushels, and a few sacks of oats. 



He is trying to introduce American plows and improved 

 agricultural machinery, but in this he is opposed by his 

 Mexican workmen, who prefer their old rude instruments. 

 However, last year he had a portion plowed with a steel 

 plow, and another portion adjoining plowed with the 

 Mexican plow, and the result being about twice as much 

 grain from the former as the latter, many were convinced 

 of the superiority of the steel plows. 



The officers of the fort also have a garden for the growth 

 of veg^etables. This is in the valley, about three miles 

 from btockton. 



In the valley of Toy ah creek, about 1500 acres are irri- 

 gated from the creek, which is fed by several large springs 

 gushing up in the plain and running away with suflicient 

 water and fall for mills and much machinery. Wheat, 

 barley and corn are the principal crops. The forts at 

 Davis and Stockton give a good market for the grain 



frown here, and also in the Comanche valley near Fort 

 tockton. The principal settlements on Toyah creek are 

 at San Salomon springs and at Victoria, a few miles below, 

 where Mr. Murphy, of Fort Davis, has several hundred 

 acres iri cultivation. At Davis, Mr. Murphy also has a 

 steam flouring mill. 



