The Louisiana Democrat., 1880-09-08

-
lands of the Mississippi and K ed
Rivers in Louisiana possess In far
greater degree than those of the Nile
valley, the elements of soil inner
emily rich, and lack none of the ben
eflcial effects which are realized from
the flow of constant streams of wa
ter, though but a small area, com
paratively, is subject to inundation.
Rapides Parish embraces the upper
portion of the Red River Delta; the
river flows diagonally across it from
North to Southeast, and its
course through the Parish, by the
meanderings of the stream, is about
sixty miles in length. The valley
lies mainly on the West side and has
I'm average width of about ten miles.
Through this alluvial territory<West
of Red River, and nearly parallel
with it, flow the Bayous Rapides,
Robert and Beuf, forming almost a
continuous stream. The distance in
tervening between the river and these
bayous varies from two TO about sew
en- miles. In this section the plan
tations and farms which are contig-
uous, are located on the river and
along the bayous, near which stand
the residences of the planters and
the quarters for laborers; here, also,
are located the sugar mills, cotton
gins, and the other buildings of the
farm, and near the margins of these
streams run the highways which
traverse the country. The section
which is here described occupies the
middle portion of the Parish, ex-
tending across it from North to
South. 1t may be defined as plain,
intersected at intervals by broad nat
ural canals, called bayous, which
serve two fold purpose-they carry
away the surplus water from rains,
and retain supply for stock and for
the other wants of the farm during
dry seasons. Nearly the whole of
the territory here described is above
overflow, and every acre can be re-
claimed and brought into cultiva'
ton. This section is by far the
richest portion of the Parish, and
here are found many of the largest
and most productive cotton and su
:. gar plantations in the State; it was
originally covered with dense cane
brakes, but these have been destroy
ed by the inroads of herds of stock
or have given place to the varied
J. crops produced in this portion o
= Louisiana. The uncleared parts art
d covered with dense forests Of oaks
{ cypress, ash and other timber, will
J. a thick underground of vines AM
a, small trees, which furnish an abun
f. dant supply for fuel, fencing an
= building purposes. The populatio
'e of the Parish is most dense in thi
Us section, and here is concentrated tn
y bulk of the negro population. Th
AZ landscape which meets the eye as tn
ID traveller journeys through thi
IL charming and delightful country
a. highly pleasing, and everything a
'n tests the prodigal hand with whic
ne nature has bestowed her choices
e" gifts. During Summer, continuot
10 fields of luxuriant cotton, corn, 81
N gar cane and various other crol
greet the view upon every hand, ar
81 extend across the whole breadth
N the Parish from North TO South.
ne Proceeding along the bayous vii
ne their green, sloping banks and inv
es ting shade there is encountered
le' intervals the residences of the pla
ss' ters, surrounded with beautif
or groves. The area of this section
ne abcuL 250,000 acres.
est THE WESTERN SECTION
he Of fhe Parish is an upland count'
ty- thl, ugh which run numerous creel
De- COT punicating with the Calcasi
al RiN or the bayous in the Red Ri'
'oo valley. 1t has considerable poi
lation, mainly Of whites. They 1
LEY thrifty farmers and stock-raise
who have settled along the strea
~ and creeks where the lands are qu
productive. The surface is gener
~ " rolling and in parts hilly, and
w o covered with pine forests and
. wv other portions by mixed grow
The great abundance of pure wa
" and it's extensive range for sto
" render it attractive to those y
would combine farming and sto
49, raising. The fine timber found h
- will yet make numbering the cl
,;sh industry.
nit THE EASTERN SECTION.