Outdoor
The River was their Highway- Continued
By contributing writer Jerry Williams
The continuing story of the intriguing history revived here concerns the river highways that were used prior to 1803, the date of the Louisiana Purchase. This story unfolded when the decision was made to pursue surface surveying of North Texas by Jerry Williams. It created an opportunity for him to once again view many small rivers and their tributaries that he had traversed years ago when it was possible to canoe down the smaller tributaries. As discussed in the July issue of NTF&R magazine, the French explorers documented their journeys into the heart of America traveling on rivers.
French trappers established an alliance with the tribes on the Red River. They traded on the north side of the river, Jefferson County Oklahoma, with the Taovayas (a branch of the Wichita Indians) and south of the river, Montague County Texas, with the Wichita Indians. In the year 1710 at the Wichita Indian village a French flag was flying. Today at this site Oklahoma archaeologist are excavating the Taovayas village and a Texas team is excavating the Wichita village. The teams have found artifacts of these tribes and their allies, the Comanche and the French. Some details of this site may be found at the Tails & Trails Museum in Nocona, Texas (see the June issue of NTF&R magazine for additional information ).
Trappers/traders were after parchment and coat pelts that were bartered for the production of hats in France. Some women’s beaver hats were broad and sleek with a magnificent feather in them. The popular top hats as well as many military hats were made of beaver. In 1624 it was recorded that trappers in New England shipped 1500 beaver skins to Europe for production of ladies’ and men’s hat wear. As the French Revolution raged in their country in 1789 – 1799, they virtually stopped production of beaver hats. To read more pick up the August 2014 issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch.
By Jelly Cocanougher
Brazen rumbles cut through the daylight stillness. Enamored by the grandiose symphony of the firmament, tinged in anticipation from where the light will snap next.
The clouds dance in the sky as a love letter to the electrically-charged synergy of the ground and air. It moves unashamed, reckless, and bold. It is raw power that could command attention for any being, a reminder that we are attuned to the primal opus of flora and fauna. The spirit of the prairie was awakened, the hands of a cowboy rests at the heart of it all, a symphony in combination.
By Tony Dean, [email protected]
There are a handful of mean-spirited plants that seem to have developed a liking to growing in places where they are a nuisance on North Texas grazing lands. One of those plants is definitely tasajillo. I can not count the number of gates I have had to open that required a fight with this prickly foe.
I now realize there is a plausible reason why so many fence lines and gates are home to tasajillo, being that birds eat the seeds, and then deposit them along the fences thus creating a virtual nursery for this unfriendly species.
Tasajillo is a perennial member of the cactus family and can be found in all areas of the state, but with less presence in deep East Texas. It grows as individual plants or as thicket-forming clumps. This cactus seems to be most adapted to loamy soils and is often found in association with mesquite.
To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Norman Winter | Horticulturist, Author, Speaker
This time of the year you see stories not only looking back at 2023 but, of course, the prognostications for 2024. This is fun to do in the gardening world, too. For instance, the Proven Winners ‘Caladium of the Year’ for 2023 was Heart to Heart Scarlet Flame. This was an eye-opener for a lot of gardeners.
You see we think of caladiums in two basic types or forms, fancy leaves and strap leaves. Fancy leaves are large, heart or semi-heart shaped. Strap or lance-leaves are narrow, some ruffled, and generally shorter. So, this has led many gardeners to choose sides, as in bigger is better.
Scarlet Flame, the 2023 Caladium of the Year, is a strap-leaved selection and won our hearts with the number of leaves produced, vibrancy of color and the ability to work in mixes or partnerships most of us have never dreamed about.
I’ll never forget the combination with Blue Mohawk rush and Sweet Caroline Medusa Green ornamental sweet potato. It is also a caladium for sun or shade. Those of us who paid attention, will never roll our eyes at the suggestion of a strap-leaved variety again.
To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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