Freestone County, Texas
History


News of 1878


The New York Times
Wednesday, July 23, 1878

Fruit in Eastern Texas

  The Galveston (Texas) Christian Advocate of the 20th inst. says:  "East Texas,
though its lands may not equal in fertility those of some other sections, has
resources that will insure a large population.  Its mineral resources, its fine
timber, and its fruit lands, will open industries which will make it the home of
a crowded and prosperous population.  Each visit we have made has impressed us 
with the special adaptation of its soil and climate for the production of fruit.
It is only of late years that the attention of fruit-raisers has been turned to 
the choicest varieties.  The results show that it can compete with the orchards 
of Maryland or the finest products of the tree or vine sent out from California.
We were presented with a box of peaches raised by Brother C. B. Richardson near
Henderson, of the Chiese cling variety, which would have averaged over a half 
pound each in weight.  His orchard has varieties which begin to ripen about the
25th of May, and other come on in order until frost.  His Irish potatoes yield
200 bushels per acre, and other vegetables in proportion.  We saw specimens of 
the Texas mammoth apple, grown by G. B. Kelly, some 20 miles from Henderson.
We were ready to believe the statement that this variety is well named.  They
weigh about 22 ounces each.  Pears and grapes do finely.  Many think the pear 
is, of all fruits, specially suited to this climate.  Large quantitis of fruit
are shipped annually from the orchards in this region, and are a source of 
increasing income to those who are paying attention to this industry.  One farm
we visited in Anderson County is shipping about 75 boxes of peaches per day.  
These boxes sell at from 40 to 75 cents in Galveston."