The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-01-15
AGRICULTURE.
small Farming.

held an important position in a1eadine
Chicago bank, about ten years ago com.
menced The cultivation of vegetables,
The spot selected is ia q remote suburb
of the city, with o soil composed OF
heavy, black bwamp land, With an adj
mixture of large shells. The attempt
was rather experimental than otherwise,
no effort being made to r~aiseiarge crops,
his other business affording a ready
market for everything produced. As q
result of his industry, it was discovered
that celery Of the very whitest and ten
derest description, c~aulifowers colossal
in size, Irish potatoes which, in favor
and magnitude, compete with the New
York early rose," were produced in
abundance. Nearly every vegetable to
be found in the celebrated gardens of
Pennsylvania iourished, and in addition
his supply Of artichokes, okra, and pro.
duce indigenous to almost any climate
wa almost unlimited. Without expert
erce, and forced through other duties
TO devote but o short time daily to su-
p~erintending the work, he could, never
theless, at almost any season of the
year, produce a display, which, for size
and flavor, would compare fayorably
with a selected assortment chosen from
all our markets.
He estimates the net profits of one
r Of land, cultivated in this manner,
and with proper attention paid to the
necessary series of crops,at one thou
sand dollars per annum. Five hours
per diem, and six days in the week de
voted to the task, he considers ample TO
keep e garden constantly in the most
perfect condition. It is we'll known that
any industrious mar can, should his
produce be of good quality and offered
at moderate prices, dispose of all he can
raise. The wonderful fertility Of our
soil renders a constant succession of
crops almost q certainty, and three
months assiduous toll might place any
one Of the thousands who are unem-
in a position to realize daily
what would provide themselves and
theiFfamilies with every comfort. The
labor involved is far from so arduous as
many would imagine. Were a field
thoroughly plowed, the difficulty
of keeping its soil constantly pulver-
lied would prove mere chiId's play.
Such position is not only az honor
able one, but an independent one. The
man who daily beholds springing from
tho earth the supplies necessary to feed
and clothe his little ones, who realizes
that tho blessings of the world are due
TO natures bounty and his own indus
try, is truly to be envied. Within half
q dozen miles Of the CITY, and in nearly
every direction, are hundreds Of acres
valuable land which to day is q
grievous burden to the proprietors.
Untenanted, changed to q wilderness
through neglect, and eaten up by taxes
is regarded as an eye.sore and a
source of heart-burning by every one
interested. Lounging at nearly every
Corner are who, nnder proper direction,
could make that wilderness blossom as
The rose. They mayhave no experience
whatever Of agricultural pursuits. A
colored laborer from d cane field might
give each every possible advantage and
them all, but surely what a col
pred man has learned by experience his
hyperion Intellect can alsoaequire. The
nardships AZ frstto be. encountered are
admitted, but the knowledge that they
ire only temporary, and That as time
progressed would certainly be over.
'ome, should encourage all. Here We
consider il "a opportunity for d nnion
between labor and capital, which wonh
u the salvation OF both. Were every
ore OF vacant land within d radius Of
I've niles frcm the-centre Of the city
the change it would produce in
ar condition. socially and pecuniarily, /.
simply incalculable. There could be
lo fear of oyerstocking the market.
While the community might be- bene-
By 8 slight reduction in the prise
4 food, the constant demand from other
less favored localities would en- ,
aust the surplus. Not d year would ,
q required to develop this nov source
{ wealth, and the two, fold blessings Of
money into the country, and
Roviding comfortable homes for those /,
destitute all good citizens would I
cause for congratulation. We're i,
be owners Of this property to take the /
Initiative we 81 AZ reason why i reaIi- !
ation of this dosideratum should not /,
. effected. True prosperity consists /
] afEording all d opportunity for re. /
.auneratiye labor. and W. know 81 no /
il which numbers Of those now !
altering for work could be more profit /
bio Or honorably ernployed.-New Or !
sans Times. 7
Jotnt Stock E~aranlng. 1
Companies carry oh many of the i
reat business operations of shis great /
/; therefore Why should The
bore be aonfnad to religious societies?
Was stated some weeks since that j
here were numerous inquiries relative 1