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COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES.
A city situated as is San Antonio, with a broad area on all sides, popu-
lated to-day, although sparsely, sufficient to keep the wheels of prosperity
for 35,000 people revolving in one locality, with this start and her present
importance only waits for the surrounding country's settlement to gain an
additional benefit from the labors of each individual.
We have seen what the present transportation facilities of San Anto-
nio are, let us look into lately discovered resources of her adjoining coun-
ties, their present density of population and their consequent development
in a few years:
El Paso County—Is situated in the extreme western portion of Texas;
bounded by New Mexico and Mexico to the north, west and southwest;
Presidio and Pecos counties to the east and south. The elevation above
sea-level is about 4,000 feet, and area 7,000 square miles. As yet El Paso
county is scarcely settled, and not as' full a knowledge is had of its possi-
bilities as may be expected in a short while from the recently organized
geological parties. However, their reports thus far have been favorable to
rich deposits of minerals, and to induce the establishment of mining in-
dustries. It will be more than necessary to confine ourselves to what is
known, resting assured that the entire county is akin in resources to its
neighboring counties more thoroughly developed.
All lands have their natural disadvantages ; so have El Paso's. But
capital and energy can soon overcome them.
The population is about 12,000, mostly Mexicans ; and are principally
located in settlements along the Rio Grande river. The principal is El Paso
City, opposite Paso Del Norte, in Mexico ; Ysteta is the county seat. So-
corro and San Elizario are thriving towns. The latter is twenty-five miles
below El Paso, with a population of more than 2000 people.
The climate never compels the fruit trees to drop their leaves 'till late
in November ; and only during a norther does the out-door laborer need a
coat. The county produces in abundance and with finest of flavor all the
fruits of northern and half-tropical climates. Grapes form the staple,
nearly a thousand vines to the acre finding ample nourishment, which
produce when converted into wine 450 gallons. The blights known to
grape culture are unknown here. Cherries, pears, peaches, plums, rasp-
berries. strawberries, etc., are produced in great quantities, and of finest
size and flavor. The El Paso onion, which has reputation for its remark-
able size, is grown in abundance, one acre yielding as high as 700 bushels.
Wheat and corn, though not prolific, have an average yield with other
sections, and their culture is commanding more attention than formerly.
Rain is seldom, and necessitates irrigation by means of numerous canals,
both public and private. The water is from the Rio Grande, proverbially
muddy ; and nearly all garden vegetables grow beyond the credulity of
any one who has not seen to be convinced. The mountains in portions
of the county afford exceptional advantages for stock, which thrive the
year 'round. There are over 100 different brands of cattle, sheep and