St. Landry democrat., 1881-12-10
Communicated
BAYOU BGUF, La, Dec. 4th, 1881.

Mr.. Editor:
For the past two weeks we have been
on the wing looking out for dots, ID
fact anything that came III our way OF
crossed our path.
The planters in this upper country
are most of them through sugar max
ing. From the best information we are
able to get, the yield Of sugar per acre
will be from one hogshead to one ana a
half, which taking into consideration is
fair enough The past season was
drouthy, and plant cane bad, While Ia
Dor in many instances was hard TO con-
troll. All in all our planters have done
we'll.
Considerable improvement is going
on. The farmers of AvOyelles ana
Rapides parishes are giving more at
tention to building than formerly.
They find to secure good tenants TO
cultivate their lands they must hrst
build reasonably good houses for them
to live in. Another advantage is,
lumber is cheaper and they can better
afford to lay out money in improving
and beautifying their farms and homes.
The railroad boom still continues. 1t
is limited that the n 0. Pacific will lay
a branch track to Marksville: our par
ish capital. You see there are hopes
vet in store for our now isolated parish
seat. then we have "hopes" that the
New Orleans, Red River and Texas
Narrow-guage road will be constructed
next wear. This road if built will pass
through or near Marksville. This line
of railroad will connect with the Narrow
suage roads of Texas, of which there
are now some 900 miles in operation.
We confidently believe that in a few
years our State will be checked over
with railroads, and that the tide OF
emigration that has so steadily poured
into Texas since the late war will be
turned to the pelican State.
The press of Louisiana is doing noble
work by their constant vigilance and
energy, they leave no" stone unturned,"
but are ready and up to the front
showing truly and manly the interest OF
the parish and State at large. With
what pleasure we read on taking up our
parish paper that farmer A. has grown
so many bales Of cotton this year or
farmer B. has shipped certain amount
of sugar, again farmer D. has the best
hogs, another some fine horses, cattle
and SO on to the end, such articles in the
parish papers look like life, and that
something was going to be done instead
of stagnation, our people were growing
to a sense OF duty and prospects Tor the
future.
A NEW INDUSTRY.
In conversation few days past with
an enterprising farmer, he assured us
that sorghum was among the best crops
planted, and one that was destined to
be of great benefit to the South, for
said he it's feeding qualities are becom-
ing known. On inquiry he kindly ex-
plains the mode by which the plant
should be used, plant as early as pos
sibe in the spring, drill it in rows three
to four feet apart, cultivate the same as
corn, it grows off rapidly, as soon as the
fodder begins to mature cut and shock
the stalks the same that Western far
mers often cure corn, the cane will cure
up in a few days and is ready for feed.
Mules will grow fat ON this cane while
working or you may feed in small
quantities while green, if let mature go
to seed, the tops should be saved and
the grains tlirashed out, and sacked or
boxed up for feeding stock, the seed
when ground into -four makes good
article Of bread, for cakes there is
nothing better and it is claimed by
many that it is far better for cakes than
buckwheat.
In the last number Of the Globe
Democrat see that it is often the case
ghum seed flour is substituted for buck
wheat. 1t is said to be far sweeter and
palatable than buckwheat. We hope
TO hear from some Of the farmers of this
State if any have tried sorghum to any
extent.
HOW TO KEEP IRISH POTATOES FRESH
THE YEAR ROUND.
Some three years past while travel
ing in Texas | stopped with well-to-
do farmer to rest few days, / believe
near Christmas. / noticed at the dinner
table fresh and apparently young grow
ing Irish potatoes. My curiosity led
me to ask how he obtained such fine
potatoes at that season of the year.
easy enough" said my host "my plan is
Just this: Il plant my potatoes early in
the spring, and again later if the season
is good. | plant in rows three feet
apart and from ten inches to one foot
apart in the row. / procure the best
seed and never cut my potatoes much,
if small not at ALL MY lands are made
rich as soon as the potatoes are sufi-
.ciently up. / have them worked care
fully and neatly, and keep them worked
until they begin to mature, then plow
or run cultivator between the rows,
and SOW oats or rye, or corn will do,
broadcast, this soon comes up and in a
short time will shade your potatoes,
then they are safe. Leave them in the
ground. Let the straw fall down over
and cover them up all the better. That's
how I keep potatoes the year round.''
Further he said, | make money out
of my potatoes. They always bear a
good price at this season." am salts
fed that the above principal will work
equally as we'll here and our farmers
might profit by trying the Texas far
mer's plan.
An intaruiaw with 11nnla Ianlr a.,