The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-07-08
The German Colony at FaQuetaique.

In the western portion OF this par
ish, some observations, in addition
to what you may have to make,
may not be amiss.
The people Of this parish ought,
and we believe do take a lively in
terest in the success of this enter
prise, and every facility, as we'll as
courtesy should be extended to the
newcomers. WefOund them located
in the Fa%quetaique Cove, just above
the junction of the Bayous Mallet
and des Cannes, a situation eligible
and pleasing to the eye, and bound
ed by an inexhaustible supply OF
timber of the best quality and of
every variety known to this portion
Of the State-the oaks, pines and
hickories, especially, for size, length
and symmetry of stem, are unsur-
passed. The prairie land which they
design for cultivation is gently un-
dulating, and covered with a luxu-
RANT growth Of the natural grasses
of the country, and no doubt is ex-
pressed of their ability to make it
productive. Much diversity of opin-
ion is felt on this point by the old
citizens, the majority of whom, how
ever, predict the failure and ultimate
abandonment of the colony, on ac-
count of the poverty of the soil.
This opinion is based upon the ex-
perience of the natives, who, here
and there around the edge Of the
prairie, may be found cultivating
small tracts and raising inferior
crops therefrom.
Their method of cultivation is,
however, of the most imperfect des-
cription; indeed, it is hardly more
than surface scratching, and i'll no
sense is a test of the productiveness
of the soil. When turned up with
the pillow the soil has a. dark, rich,
loamy appearance, to which there is
a solid clay foundation; if Thorough
ly ditched,% SUBSIDIZED, pulverized and
carefully cultivated, there appears
no good reason why it should not
produce as abundantly as our best
prairie lands; and the writer is con
WINGED that the patient and 'skillful
cultivation which charactpriZes the
German farmer will demonstrate the
fallacy of the popular belief on the
subject.
We found Oh arrival at the settle
ment that the editor of the Planters
Banner, in his issue of the 14th June,
had not exaggerated either the i'm
portance of the enterprise, the pro-
gress made by those energetic peo-
pie, or the open-handed hospitality
of our host, Mr.. Joseph Fabacher,
who is the founder Of the colony,
and who appears to be the leading
spirit in this new German commu-
nifty.
Our presence was welcomed by
all-big, little, old and young join
ing in the cordial greeting and in
the effort, during otlr stay, to make
it as agreeable as possible. w had
an inside view of German social and
domestic life, and were at a loss
which most to admire-the comfort
of man and beast everywhere pro
vided for; the system of household
management, perfect in it's details
the thrift and economy everywhere
displayed; OF the contentment and
cheerfulness which beamed from
every countenance, and which we
could not help contrasting with the
unrest too often seen around the
domestic hearth of the American.
The labor of the field and farm
yard is lightened with inspiring
songs, in whitehall join ; and after
the days work is done, the SUI
rounding prairie and woodlands are
made to resound with the sound of
many Mices, male and female sing
ing in unison, and inspiring the lis
tener with a high degree Of their
own enthusiasm. To one who has
not hitherto had the pleasure of
mingling socially with German FAM
lilies of this class at their own homes,
such sights and sounds ire highly
novel and pleasing, and exhibit to
the observer d social philosophy,
simpler, happier and better than
that which we witness in the daily
lives of our own people.
Did your space permit, your cor
respondent might dwell longer on
the agreeable Impressions created by
this visit, aud especially upon the
kind and hospitable entertainment
accorded our party by Nh. and Mrs.