St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1880-08-21

OF our largest herds; mere is Deneld
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 asccnds the Eez PiquG
and Cane some distance above theil
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 refreshment. AS we approach
the junction of the last named
streams the timber changes, and VIC
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 theIi
banks are found several mineral
springs of considerable medicinal
virtue.
The soil within this belt of country
is not extremely fertile i'll it's natural
condition. Its character may he thus
stated the surface is a vegetable
mould of flom six to fourteen inches.
reposing upon a bed of beautiful
clay; it is not subject to wash, and
whenever manure is employed its
virtues are entirely secured. In its
normal condition it produces fail
corn, the finest of potatoes, excellent
vegetables, and is admirably adapt
ed for fruit ; but it's great advantage
consists in the raising of cattle, hor
ses, and hogs. For these purposes,
neither Indiana nor Illinois can com.
pete with it. Its wealth of grass fol
cattle, its mast for swine, it's fine
water and timber, give it a value iol
the small farmer and stock-raiscl
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 Mallct.
This belt of country embraces an
area of nearly 100, ZOO acres, rather
more than one half of which is prai
RE of a better quality than the prai
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
or nearly one and Il half miles
This mode of donating was, in d
country like this, divided between
wood and prairie-a wise system
1t enables each proprietor to have
access to the water and enjoy tho
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, in
portions thereof, is Of excellent quail
ity. Corn, rice, tobacco, sugar cane,
cotton, potatoes and fruit, do we'll
and were a better system OF culture
developed, more labor-saying ma
chinery introduced, and more brain
work evoked, the increase of produc
ton would be very great.
The land is gently undulating, not
liable to wash from flooding rains, is
easy of cultivation, and susceptible
of perfect drainage with little cost Of
labor. The streams afford an abun.
dance Of water for stock, and the
prairie a luxuriant growth Of grass
for their support. TO the north ex.
tends a heavy forest growth, break.
ing off from both man and beast the
chilling blast Of winter; and, at the
same time, affords grateful retreat
from the heat of summer.
Hay Of an excellent quality can be
made from this prairie grass, and in
quantities to supply Il dense popula
ton, and leave large surplus for
expectation. Men used to the labor
saving machines of the North and
West, and combining Herewith a
practical knowledge of curing and
preparing this article Of commerce,
has presented to them a sure and
profitable business.
Swine in great numbers can be
raised, and at small expense-the
oak forests affording heavy mast.
The mildness Of our climate, facility
for procuring salt, and easy access
to market, combining to render this
a most lucrative branch Of industry.
Timber for making barrels, and for
hoops, as also for the construction
Of all necessary buildings, is imme-
diately at hand.
Sheep raising can be successfully
engaged in also. The general idea
of the climate being unfavorable
thereto, is entirely erroneous. With
one-half the outlay for sheds and
feed incurred in a more northern
ATTITUDES, a greater amount Of wool
and mutton can be produced, and
the profits realized will be much
larger. The mutton Of this section
is of most delicious flavor, and the