Page 32 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

32 SAN ANTONIO-HER TRADE,

ter. The springs have poured their volumes for years without tiring. Ar-
tificial powers, namely : artesian wells, can be easily constructed to enlarge
this inexhaustible supply, the forces of our stream can then be utilized to
move the most enormous wheels, and regulated to any amount of speed.
The manufacture of any of our staples, and they are numerous, is waiting
the wheel to turn, and the hand to frame them.

THE WOOL TRADE.
This has ever been the leading industry of the city, and will undoubt-
edly continue to be ; and as statistics have proven, will increase in its im-
portance beyond the proportion of other staples. Through the year 1884
and part of 1885, San Antonio has been more than fortunate in securing
and controlling the greater part of all the wool grown in Texas.. Although
it is natural that this trade should come to her door, the inducements that
guide. it from other districts amply supplied with railroad facilities, are
doubly creditable to the perseverance of San Antonio's merchants ; for
they have convinced the eastern buyers that this city is the headquarter
for this staple in Texas, and have hastened that success which would for
some time have been divided with sister cities.
The enormous quantities of wool of all grades and at all rational
prices, which have been handled through the past year, yielding their ben-
efits to each transaction have again spurred the home capitalists to action;
and with fitting statistics and testimonials of the superior advantages
for the manufacture of the staple, are and have been waiting upon the
monied men of other sections, both in person and through capable repre-
sentatives ; and we may expect in a few seasons from the present, to see
a home consumption of fully one-third the wool product. With these
enterprises in operation, how quickly will the half-decided minds of hun-
dreds of others turn their steps in happy conviction, and with their all, to
the doors of our hospitable city.
In the year 1884, statistics show that there were handled in the city of
San Antonio more than 7;000,000 pounds of wool: What a showing this
is for a market where, as yet, the article is not manufactured! and we
must realize that the season was one of general depression, not only in
Texas but all the other states. Those who were able to do so, held back
their clips for a more favorable price; and the next set of figures pub-
lished will exceed even the report of an abundant crop.
COTTON TRADE.
The child imitates the action of its father; we all know this; and
where an example is set by any one community, particularly in the shape
of manufacture, every staple that can be rendered into a more profitable
shape, soon finds itself in the controlling power of man's knowledge of
adaptability.
There are, of course, other sections in the Southern States that pro-.
duce a greater quantity of raw cotton than that surrounding San Antonio,