St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1880-08-28

ing black-walnut, chinquapin and
the wild cherry.
The body of timber encircled by
the water courses above named, al
though great i'll extent and valuable
in kind, does not cover the entire
area under considcration-the great
Mammou prairie lying mostly within
the same limits. Here roam some
of our largest herds here is bcheld
one of those great natural meadows,
over which the eye wanders with
delight, affording abundant susie
nance to thousands of dumb beasts.
A few years ago we saw six thou
sand fine beeyes within the compass
of six miles north and south, and
four miles east and west, awaiting
the pleasure OF the New Orleans
butchers.
Tide water ascends the Nez Pique
and Cane some distance above their
junction with the Mermentau river
(the outlet to the Gulf of Mexico;
and the soft and cooling breeze OF
the sea brings to the settler health
and Refreshments. AS we approach
the junction of the last named
streams the timber changes, and we
find, in addition to the other quail
ties, red cypress, sweet and black
gum. dogWood, redbud, and elm.
The streams are wider and deeper,
having a depth of twenty feet the
entire year; and on or near their
banks are found several mineral
springs of considerable medicinal
virtue.
The soil within this belt of country
is not extremely fertile in it's natural
condition. It's character may be thus
stated the surface is a vegetable
mould of from six to fourteen inches,
reposing upon bed of beautiful
clay it is not subject to wash, and
whenever manure is employed its
virtues are entirely secured. In it's
normal condition it produces fair
corn, the finest of potatoes, excellent
vegetables, and is admirably adapt
ed for fruit butts great advantage
consists in the raising Of cattle, hor-
ses, and hogs. For these purposes;
neither Indiana nor Illinois can com
pete with it. It's wealth Of grass for
cattle, it's mas for swine, it's fine
water and timber, give it value for
the small farmer and stock-raiser
beyond computation.
THE WESTERN SECTION.
We shall now take up that portion
of our parish, embraced within the
natural boundaries fixed by the
bayous Cane and Mallet.
This belt of country embraces an
area of nearly 100000 acres, rather
more than one half of which is .praizs
Igiegof a better quality than the pral-
RE of the section just described.
The lands bordering on these, and
the other streams of our parish, were
| donated in former times by the Span
ish Government to individuals, with
a front upon the stream, and extend
| ing back the depth of forty arpents,
OF nearly one and a half miles.
This mode of donating was, i'll a
country like this, divided between
wood and prairie-a wise system.
It enables each proprietor to have
access to the water and enjoy the
advantage of the timber. In the i'm
mediate rear of these tracts lies an
expanse of prairie, having width
Of from four to six miles.
The prairie FaquetaIque Tor Tur-
key hen) is within the area bounded
by these streams, and the soil, i'll
portions thereof, is of excellent quail
i ity. Corn, rice. tobacco, sugar cane,
cotton, potatoes and fruit, do well
and were a better system of culture
developed, more labor-saving ma
chinery introduced, and more brain
/ work evoked, the increase of produc-
ton would be very great.
i The land is gently undulating, not
liable to wash from flooding rains, is
easy of cultivation, and susceptible
I Of perfect drainage with little cost OF
i labor. The streams afford an album
dance Of water for stock, and the
1 prairie q lnxuriant growth Of grass
| for their support. To the north sex-
tends a heavy forest growth, break
ing off from both man and. beast the
chilling blast Of winter; and, at the
same time, affords a grateful retreat
from the heat of summer.
| Hay of an excellent quality can be
made from this prairie grass, and in
quantities to supply dense popula-
ton, and leave a large surplus for
expectation. Men used to the labor
saving machines Of the North and
1 West, and combining Herewith a
/ practical K noWiedge of curing and
| preparing this article Of commerce,
has presented to them sure and
profitable business.
/ Swine In great numbers can be
/ raised, and at small expense-the
oak forests afforfling a heavy mast.
The mildness pf our climate, facility
for procnringssalt, and easy access
to market, combining to render this
!. a most lucIatN We branch of industry.
Timber for making barrels, and for
hoops, as also FOR the construction
.Tofall necessary buildings, is imme-
diatel Eat hand
Sheep raislag can be successfully