258 
Variation in the Price and Supply of Wheat. 
considerably enlarged when the country is opened up by railroads, and greater 
facilities are offered for exportation. 
Such is the congeniality of climate and soil that Texas wheat matures at 
least six weeks earlier than in any other jjortion of the United States, and new 
flour can be manufactured in the beginning of June ; this will always give it 
an advantage over any other market. 
The tirowth of wheat has received a great impetus since the close of the war 
through the influx of immigrants Irom the neighbouring States: those who have 
cajiitai can purchase lands in any quantities at from two to three dollars per 
acre, and those who have not the means can always find emjiloyment with 
good wages, which, with a little thriftiness, will soon enable them to become 
proprietors, and to cultivate the soil on their own account. 
The common sugar-cane grows luxuriantly in some portions of the valleys 
of the Brazos, Colorado, and Trinity; but owing to the want of capital, 
also to the great expense of sugar-houses and machinery, it is cultivated to 
only a limited extent. The annual production is between 7000 and 8000 
hogsheads. 
Tobacco, rice, hops, flax, and hemp, can be produced in various parts of the 
State. 
Popuhdion and Immigration. — The population of Texas, including whites 
and blacks, is generally believed to be Irom 1,000,000 to 1,200,000; but 
in the absence of statistical information, this report cannot with safety be 
relied on. 
During the war, and since its close, a large immigration has taken place 
from the adjoining States, and since the ports have been opened, several thou- 
sands have arrived from the north and from Europe ; it is the opinion of our 
most intelligent citizens, that within the next ten years, Texas will be one of 
the most [lopulous States in the Union. 
Great eflbrts are being made to induce immigrants to settle here ; companies 
have been organised, subscriptions raised, and agents engaged to further this 
object. 
Prospectuses have been issued setting forth the advantages of climate, soil, 
and production. 
Private individuals have also brotight a number of labourers into the State 
to meet their own requirements, and it appears to be' the general desire to 
supersede, as far as practicable, black by white labour. 
Industries. — The manufacturing industry of Texas has received a consider- 
able impetus since the close of the war, and many Acts were passed by the 
late Lei;islature incorporating various companies. The numerous cotton and 
wool factories now in existence turn out about 11,000 j aids per day. As tlie 
raw material can be obtained on the spot, a great saving is efl'ecied in com- 
missions, freight, and charges of different kinds. 
Numbers who, before the war, depended entirely upon agricultural pursuits, 
are now investing their capital, and devoting their attention to the jjroduction 
of cotton and woollen fabrics. 
The profits generally resulting from these undertakings are enormous, and 
this of itself will serve as an incentive to further exertions. 
Several large orders have been sent to England for machinery to establish 
new mills, and it appears to be the determination of the people to super- 
sede the Northern and European goods, as far as jjracticable, by those of home 
manufacture. 
During the past year the city of Galveston has made rapid strides in wealth 
and pros])erity. Before the war the population was about 10,000; it is now 
nearly 20,000, or twice that number. A charter has been gi-anted by the 
Legislature for the construction of street railroads, one of which has been com- 
