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 wa} 7 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. 
