gannett.] LANDS AND SURVEYS RAILROADS. 15 
LA¥DS AND SURVEYS. 
When Texas became a State of the Union it retained not only juris- 
diction but ownership of its public lands, and it has disposed of them 
as it chose. In its methods of surveying it has not carried out a con- 
sistent system, as has the United States with its lands, but has divided 
up the lands into lots of varied sizes and shapes, and with the utmost 
irregularity. Like the United States it has used its lands to foster the 
construction of railroads and to aid in the maintenance of common 
schools and the university. It has parted title to all its lands, retain- 
ing- control, however, of the school lands, most of which, lying in the 
western, arid part of the State, have been leased for grazing purposes. 
The last of its lands, consisting of 3,000,000 acres, situated in the 
western part of the Panhandle, were deeded to private parties in 
exchange for the construction of the State capitol. 
The State is divided into 244 counties. 
RAILROADS. 
Although Texas contains 9,722 miles of railroad only a small por- 
tion of the State can be said ito be well connected by railway lines, 
and taking the State as a Avhole the development of this form of 
transportation is in a very incomplete condition. The northeastern 
portion of the State, between Fort Worth and Texarkana, and a strip 
of territory between Fort Worth and Galveston are fairly well inter- 
sected by railroads, but elsewhere this means of communication is 
scanty. 
