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
What an extraordinary end to the Wise County Youth Fair – a fantastic opportunity for the Heart of a Champion participants to show. From rabbits to lambs, to pigs to dogs – we’ve seen it all. Through this unique event, the Heart of a Champion Livestock show aimed to promote confidence, friendship, and a sense of accomplishment within our amazing community. Everyone worked tirelessly to create an environment that fosters growth, camaraderie, and a shared passion for agriculture. Until next year!
By Tony Dean, [email protected]
If moisture is adequate, there are several winter annual grasses that dominate the landscape during early spring in Texas. One of the most common is Rescuegrass.
This winter annual is native to South America but grows over much of the United States and can be found in all ecoregions of Texas. Rescuegrass is easily recognized by its flat seed head.
Numerous seed heads produce seed that is transported by animals and can quickly spread to other areas.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Norman Winter | Horticulturist, Author, Speaker
The National Garden Bureau has designated 2024 as the ‘Year of the Angelonia’ and I am in full celebration mode. As I was preparing for my contribution to the celebration, I was, however, sent into taxonomic trauma.
For the last 26 years of deep love for the Angelonia, or summer snapdragon, I have told everyone via newspaper, radio and television that they were in the Scrophulariaceae family. Since most gardeners don’t like those words, I modified or simplified the snapdragon family, but somebody has tinkered with green industry happiness and moved Angelonia to the Plantaginaceae or plantain family. I immediately reached out to my friend Dr. Allen Ownings, Horticulture Professor Emeritus with the Louisiana State University AgCenter. I said, “Did you know this, or better yet, did you do it?” He said, as I expected, that the Taxonomist group had done it. This reminded me that someone once said taxonomists have to eat, too.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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