Middletown transcript., 1870-04-23

| ana the hoop-poles, Is found IN unlimited
quantities, with good transportation and ar
unfailing market at the door.
The impression which seems to obtain
generally that our climate is too warm for
sheep, is not borne out by facts, nor the
experience of intelligent men here. I'm
ported sheep were introduced before the
war. and fully justified the expectations in
dulged. For the purposes of mutton, they
have never been surpassed, and the yield
of wool was fully the average of other pla-
ces. 1t is certain that the northern part
of our parish, with its hills, short feed,
and large spread of shade, is finely adapt
ed to the rearing of this specios of stock.
Here again, come in the advantages of
climate, and the exemption from diseases /;
the climate enables the sheep fancier to
supply his focks the entire season with
the various kinds of feed suitable to them,
and freedom from diseases entails but a
small per cent. of loss. The average
weight of fleece taken from blooded sheep,
with us. is 8 pounds this year some gave
as much as 10 pounds. The New Orleans
market offers great inducements for the
rearing of these animals for mutton, and
the prices are remunerative.
The Kind of Fruit Suitable to our Ui-
mate.-The varieties which abound here
are the peach, plum, pear, fig, nectarine,
orange, strawberry, and raspberry; the
apple does well if the Seeding be used (;
grapes have been tried with great success,
and where the vines are under the super
vision of expert and practical men, this
valuable fruit can be made source of
great profit. Wine has been produced in
this parish of an excellent quality aud fla
vor, and it is the opinion of Europeans
that St. Landry may become wine grow
ing region; the nearness to a good market
offers great inducements for the cultiva-
ton of this delicious production, both in
green and dried form.
Tocns and Institutions of Learning. -
Washington; This place is located upon
the banks of the Bayou Courtableau; it
has population of some 1900 persons; is
the chief point for shipping, being at the
head of steamboat navigation; and has a
Catholic and Protestant Church, with
the usual primary schools.
Opelousas: The seat of Justice is beau
tifully located upon the edge of the prairie
country, with belts of timber stretching
off in several directions the land is gently
undulating, afording good drainage and
agreeable building sites; the population is
2200; it has two good Protestant church
es; good Female Institute; a good
Boys Academy ; and also several primary
schools. There is large Catholic Church,
large Convent of the same persuasion,
and boys school, all in fourishing con-
dition. The society of the place is culti-
vated and polished, and will compare fa-
vorably with Boston, Mass, or St. Paul,
Minnesota.
Market Facilities Every person seek
ing q new home desires, in addition to the
evidence of success in farming and me-
chanical operations, some information as
regards market fol his productions, the
time occupied in their transportation, and
the probable advantage wSich it offers.
A summary of these points of interest,
will now be given.
From the principal shipping point of
this parish, (Washington) produce reach
es New Orleans in 36 hours. and when
transportation is provided, (Which
will be soon) the time will occupy 10
hours. In this city, all the great COM
mercial and agricultural interests west of
the Allegheny, and east of the Rocky
Mountains, must eventually centre, and
meet the representatives OF all the nations
as purchasers thereof. This parish is re-
moved but step as it were from this de-
pot of staple products; her water courses
10 lao tho ii 81
the wharves and stone-houses thereof, and
in short time the iron horse will be seen
in all the majesty of his power, traversing
our prairies to the western verge of our
State, and thence penetrate the vast plains
of Texas.
The market of New Orleans is perhaps
one of the best for all classes of produc-
tions upon this continent; her large pop
ulation (225, ,000) creates a demand for
the small products of the farmer; and the
experiments tried this year have establish
ed the fact, that great foreign market
can be reached for the disposal of the early
fruits of the earth. In this latter advan-
tage we are, in the South, without compe-
tition. Our vegetables mature fully six
weeks earlier than those of the North and
West, and having the Mississippi river at
command. We are enabled to penetrate
every market on its banks, and those of
its tributaries, and reap the harvest which
lies ready at our feet to give up its wealth.
Price of Lands ds-Land near the navi-
gable streams and towns, can be purchas-
ed at from $40 to $15 per acre; at dis
tance from the centre of business at SO
and So per acre; in the western portion
of the parish at $3.50 and $1.25
There is much public land subject to
entry under the Homestead Act, in tracts
of 80 or 160 acres. costing, (the survey
ing and incidental expenses included)
$23. so per each 80, and $45 for 100
acres; much of this latter quality is COW
cred with fine timber, and near large wa
ter courses. Every class and condition
will be enabled to find lands within their
means, and suitable to their several tastes