Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-06-17
S4.15
S.69


| 1000
have little doubt that proper analysis o
our swamp soil combined with the river deposit
would show very remarkable richness in th
component parts of the rice plant.
The average product of clean or milled ric,
to the square acre in this State can not Civ,
you, but Mr.. G. P. Ayres, in letter of Apri
| last, and recently published in the Daily Delta
puts the average product in the parish o
Plaquemines, at Sc bushels which is equal Il
about 1000 lbs, when cleaned, though at thu
same time says that he himself has made II
bushels, and the quantity could be increased 2:
per cent. by good culture and the use of draining
machines and proper agricultural implements
Of the correctness of this have no doubt what
ever, after close personal examination and in,
quiry. The system of culture pursued by
Creoles generally is very imperfect, and any
stranger would be much surprised at the large
crops obtained by it. I would refer you to the
able and lengthy reports of Col. R. W. F.
Aston, Joshua John Ward, Esq, and also to
the remarks of Mr.. Rufin, which severally have
been copied into De Bows Review for December
1916, December 1S47 md . arch 1852, for the
m0dus operandi of rir 'ture in S. C. You
will there discover with what expense and care
the eastern rice lands are laid out, prepared,
and cultivated. In Plaquemines I have known
the planting to be done before the bitches and
banks were made, and the general practice is,
RI nnU tho 1ond fret hof MI o,,I
with oxen in the mud, then SOW broadcast and
harrow, and when the weeds and grass appear,
to pick out by hand ankle deep in the water.
Some lands have seen we'll covered with rice
that had been merely run over with common
harEST The b hoe M il n4sa Red tbsEs fp
quantity is sometimes done. With good force
on plantation properly laid out, and supplied
with draining machine and thrasher, see no
difficulty in cultivating even more than twenty
acres to the hand; but should dry the land
and plow thoroughly once in the fall and twice
in the spring, SO as to get the grass and weeds
under control, then harrow well and
plant with drill plow, Il have procured one
that will plant over twelve acres per day,) and
cut with the cradle wherever practicable.
As to the whole cost and profits of rice
plantation in this State, properly laid out and
cultivated, make the following estimate. 1t
is based upon careful calculations, and Of course
upon the presumption that the owner is prac-
tcal and prudent manager: 8 .e
CAPITAL. s-. -.-t-.s.-.-s=.
600 acres of which 400 Of land embanked dched
and otherwise improved including ordinary papta
buildings ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $4,000
20 negroes Is beipg effective field hands $1,000
90 good stout mules and woke of oxen.. $500
Plows harrows, CARTS gearing, hoes, etc. .. I,ooo
Engine and boiler, draining and irrigaing machine
and thrasher, erected d....................- 3,voo
Buildings and sheds for do. do...,....... 1900
.4,. -s.t a.. .+ . IF ~, e. ,4a.es. s67, 900
PRODUCT.
the acre at 81 cents $4,000
Deduct expenses for freight to city, milling, in
surance commissions and storage, rs q cent?. 1,0O0
..... ,.-.,.-7. .-........ S2l 900
ANNUAL CHARGES.
Interest at u cent on capital. $3.50
Oyerseers wages .................. 600
Feeding and clothing negroes. 500
incidental expenses say. ay...s.......... 1000 $3.50
Actual net profit -. 31I,740
Actual net profit at x cents. $7s9
:" 2b cents s.......,...... $40
n1.rkc/ /oro n,,k rsonN