The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-07-18
WEIR MILLION.
ITS Resources and Adyantages-A Splen- |
did Field for Emigraut s--sugar and
Cotton CaItivatiOn-sheep Raising,
[Abbeville Meridional. ]
New IBERIA, May &c

| lADDeville MerldIonal.j
| New IBERIA, May 90, 1877.
| Mr.. Editor-It was my good fortune
to be In the town OF Abbeville last week,
It.pleased me for many reasons. The
| first is that / did not meet set OF ruth
less barbarians, as had been led to ex-
| pect from outside reports, but on the
contrary, a society polished, quiet and
hospitable; the second reason, that /
saw town situated on one Of the most
enchanting and picturesque streams on
the face OF earth, in a country, which for
richness OF soil and adaptabflity to the
| cultivation of the countless products of
agriculture and horticulture cannot be
surpassed anywhere. have Travelled a
great deal and have never yet met a
place more inviting to the stranger and
which offers him more advantages In
every respect.
In conversation with the physicians
of the town, and some of the old resi-
dents, found out that the health Of the
parish was equal, IL not superior, to that
OF any other locality in the country. I
Travelled over the immense parish and
wondered that its vast extent of terri
tory was not filled by a numerous, enter
prising people; and [ would say that
the more travelled through the parish,
the more gazed upon the grandeur of
the scenery. the immense variety of
landscape, the fertility OF its soil, it's
immediate navigation and communica-
ton to every port in the world, the more
wondered that such an Eden spot
should have been so far, 80 ignored.
The parish borders on the Gulf Of Mex
leo. Its northern limits are the parishes
OF Lafayette and st. Landry, it is bound
ed east by the parish Of Iberia and
st. Mary, and west by the river
Mermentau and the parish of Cam
eron, measuring nearly sixty miles
from east to west, and about fifty from
north to south. Only one-third of this
immense territory is under cultivation
What an opening for immigration Ia
quiries may be made by persons wish
ing to change their homes, as to the
fertility Of the soil, to these we would
say that the lands are most fertile, and
the worst acre OF land in the parish will
amply repay one for his labor. On the
banks of the Vermilion and the other
streams that irrigate this vast country,
the lands are more than ordinarily pro-
ductive. yielding in fair seasons as much
as two and three hogsheads Of sugar to
the acre and corn and other produce in
proportion; cotton thrives we'll on all
the lands. gardening can be carried on
successfully, fruits from the orange and
banana to the smallest plum can be
raised with the greatest ease and In count
less quantity. Rice grows and yields
most luxuriantly, and to give your
readers and the public abroad an idea
of the productiveness of the soil in your
parish, I would mention but one planter
in the neighborhood of Abbeville, who
In the course of last year, with the help
Of only three of his children, the oldest
nineteen years Of age, gathered over 300 |
barrels OF rice, put up ten acres Of seed |
cane, made some cotton, 800 barrels of |
corn, and potatoes, pumpkins, peanuts, |
popcorn, and the Lord knows what else, |
enough to feed Turkish regiment for |
one year. Its boundless prairies and |
to stock raising, sheep, 1 find, do we'll,
hogs can be raised countless, chickens
can be raised without any trouble, game |
is plentiful Of every kind, from the deer
and pheasant to the rice bird; the |
health OF the country Is good, society is |
good and, have gone back on the cam
nibal reports that have been going the
rounds concerning your parish, Lake |
Simonette and the Vermilion afford red |
fish, casburgo, trout, etc. The lands
can be had at reasonable prices, say
from l to 3 dollars in good localities, |
and choice from 5 to 10, and in some
e1o lLty bIu ocFo1Uy 1--WE C6uLS.
The town of Abbeville I found to be
is situated on the Vermihon, |
which affords a natural outlet to and |
an uninterrupted communication with |
all the, ports of the world. A new
5chool board has been appointed, and |
,he public schools will soon 20 into full |
operation; there are four churches ir
,he town, one Catholic and three Prot
estant. enc white and two colored.
Mr.. Editor, have taken a great deal
u your space, and fatigued you, per-
maps. with the description of your own
parish, from what could see Of it in a
nasty trip, but your readers and the
people abroad can rest assured that il
'ver move from old Wisconsin, as I
intend to do, no other place shall hold
ne but the parish of Vermilion, for
,ruly 1t offers all the advantages which
he immigrant can desire. MANGER.
-s~A -
Depth of Water at Southwest Pass.
ID Il,