The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1870-12-24
For Landowners and Homc-Seckers on
= the ONachita. -


The annoyance, expense and general
experienced in carrying
on large plantations under the present
system of free negro labor, would cause
almost the entire abandonment Of the
plantation plan of planting, if amy other
feasible mode could be asccrtained
whereby the landowner could secure
a reasonable rate oftinterest upon the
capital he has invested in lands, tene-
ments, stock, &c. There are no large
planters in this section, who arc such
from choice. The wear and tear upon
the mind, the aggravating character of
the laborers, the failures and embar-
easements incident to such Il life, are al
most incalculable, and are destructive
of the best aims and results of social life.
But to discover the means of reform,
and to demonstrate their practicability,
are matters not easily done to the salts
faction of the large landed proprietor.
We have long believed that the land
owners were not without Il specific rem
edy, in a combination of elements east
~ brought together; and the plan we
have had in our nlind-not untoltlel
in Difference to croakers-hgs received,
in one of the southern parishes, the
sanction of practical success, upon Il fair
trial. Mr.. Grovemberg, a Creole, living
and owning Il sugar plantation in st.
Marys, contracted with five families
from the parish of Lafourche, to cult
vate his place. These families were al
most destitute, but We're Industrious and
willing to he tenants. About three
building houses and fences for these tal.,-
lilies, and corn, provisions, &C., provid-
ed, the tenants furnishing ponies for
blowing. They purchased a few pigs,
chickens and turkeys for their wives to
tend, and the men and boys went to the
field. The wives have earned largely
from their poultry, one selling $3.50
worth of eggs alone, i'll twelve months
The men have earned $1,000 to the fam.
lily, in corn, sugar and molasscs, and
the little colony is prosperous and con
tented. ......
In the parish of Ouachita there are
not less than fifty plantations, of splen.
did river land, where the plan briefly
detailed might be protitably inaugu-
rated. The plantations could be laid
fin lots of 40, 80 or 100 acres each, with
river front to each lot, and upon the
| front, suitable tcnementS, at Il small eX-
pense, erected. The places are nearly
all ready for the plough and !, crop ut
this time.
West Of this, on the high hills over
looking the magnificent ;lluvial lands
between the Ouachita and the Missis.
sippi rivers, is Il population of frugal
and industrious farmers. They are max
ing living, as the phrase goes, but
every furrow they turn is accompanied
by Il sigh for better lands and better
profits. But how are they to purchase
land at $50 per acre, and when it can be
bought only in bodies of several hun
bred acres: They want richer lands,
but cannot buy. SO, the landowner
wants better blowing, better hoeing and
larger yields, and no trouble.
Is there any obstacle, worth the men
ton, to the accommodation, by cX-
change, of these two wants? BY the
arrangement we have indicated, both
parties would be accomm odated, the
products of the country increased, the
tone of society improved, Il population
of working bees added to the hive and
the face of the country made bright and
cheerful with pleasant little homes filled
with smiling intellectual faces. Who
of our planters will set this ball in mo-
ton?