Denton County

Denton County is described has having a great variety and all qualities of soil, black waxy, two to six feet deep on the prairie, while in the Cross Timbers, sandy and of various qualities.  The best being black loam, 2 1/2 to 3 feet deep.  Value of improved land is from $2 to $7 per acre.  Land in cultivation ten or twelve years, shows no sign of exhaustion.  Soil well adapted to raising of cotton, but on account of distance from market, it is not cultivated; wheat and corn are the staple produce; the yield of the former being 10-25 bushel per acre and the latter 25-30 in ordinary seasons.  Stock raising is an important business.  There being from 23,000 to 24,000 head of cattle and some 2,000 head of horses in the county.  Sheep are also being introduced, requiring no feeding and but little attention, save folding at night, they are worth from $3 to $4 per head, are very prolific, but little subject to disease, their wool being worth 25 cents at home.

Hogs are easily raised, but are subject to run wild and many are destroyed by bear or fall into the hands of wild hog claimants.  Bear are plentiful, but not profitable being very destructive to corn and hogs.  Fruit consists of peaches and a few apples.

In Texas Almanac for 1868 and also 1869, there are articles on hedging – Bois d’arc hedges are recommended as less expensive and longer lasting than rail fences.  Directions for planting and cultivation are given.  Good fence in three years, if pruned and cared for, especially effective in four years against all animals, even rabbits.