The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1884-05-10


DoNALDsoNyILLE La. April 49, 1884.
Dear sir-The Police Jury OF the parish Of
Ascension earnestly call the attention of the cit
liens Of the parish to the following suggestions
of the Board OF State Engineers as to the care
and preservation OF the Ievees. These SUCCESS
tons appear to us simple. practical and of greet
value
The guardianship and improvement OF the
levees deeply concerns every lnhabltant OF the
fort Of every one TO further and insure this good
condition. Unfortunately, there are some who
neglect this duty and appear rather to oppose
than ald IN this good work, Especially would
cessity OF requiring the levees by raising and
strengthening them while the river is within its
banks. By SO doing the cost Of the work will
be vastly lessened and tho terrible anxiety of q
season of overflow diminished.
The heIghth to which the river rose during
this Spring was, II IS beliesed. greater than any
previously recorded In this region, and to pro-
vide against the dangers Of q similar flood in
the future it is recommendation all riparian
owners shall raise their levees SO as to be two
feet above the high water mark of 1884 and at
the same time SO broaden the bases. us to permit
BIT sufficient and solid crown.
SUGGESTIONS RELATIVE TO THE CARE, PREsER-
vATIoN AND PROTECTION OF TIE
PUBLIC LETEE5.
Nearly all 1evee repairs can be made when the
river IL within its natural banks for small
well mp against the leyees. Considerations of
economy. therefore, as well as the public safety
demand attention to such work during low
water.
Leaking places, such as tho holes Of cray-fsh
and other burrowing animals should be marked
during high water, and when ther river is lower
the levee should be dug into and the holes fol-
lowed all the way through the bank within
trench, which should be relied with earth we'll
rammed IN as the filling progresses. Sometimes.
where great number OF leaks occur near each
fExnr kt.rx,y 4 ~.
ut least, by digging ditch along near the foot
OF the river slope. lengthwise of the leyee, deep
aanongh to cut Off the holes, and refilling the
same with earth well rammed.
The closing OF unlicensed rice fumes and
rOadWays Is provided FOR by Act No. IS of 1885,
amended by Act No. iW of 1882. These provi-
sions OF law should be more thoroughly en-
forced than they have been in some of the par
lshes. BUT IN addition to this class of openings
and cuts III the 1eyees, there are In every parish
lnnumerabfe minor defects CAUSED by the grad
ual wear from ordinary travel, the passing OF
stock the roofing of hogs, the natural abrasion
by wllu pad ram, and especially by the Washing
OF waves and the hattering of drift-logs during
high water. These holes and deficiencies should
be- carefuftE reffifed as carly as possible every
season, 50 as to give the fresh earth time to set
tie and bond itself with the old work and to al
low grass to grow and become we'll rooted on
the new earth.
The best protective covering known for leyees
against the ordinary wear and tear of tho ele-
1nents Is close, clean sWard OF Bermuda grass
AUS BF0WtH SAostiu DE- encouraged by transplant
ing snds where necessary, and by cutting down
all weeds, bushes or other large plants, which
tend TO smother its development or unduly
shade it. For the formation of n close. tough
sou 1t IS desirable to have the grass kept short.
The pasturaga Of grazing stock npon the leyee
Of all SEASONS, except during high water, is prob
ably the best, as II is undoubtedly the cheapest.
method of procuring d good protective: sWard;
Though By 2 little care to insure that the grass
ls once we'll set. and an annual burning Oft when
protection. -
When leFees run through the woods sTecial
care 1s requ1red to secure a proper growth of
grass. Branlbles, vines end young trees are apt
TO spring ni; and, if not cleared away frequent
", completely smother the grass Trees grow
ing on the iesee should be cut dnwn, end IL of
considerable size, their sbumpss should be thor
oughly grabhed out by the roots. Trees grow
ing near the iegee should be felled whenever of
sufficient size and Height to fall upon and iniurs
i i accidentally thrown dogn Or blown over;
but other timber, and especially undergrowtf,
between the lesee and the bank of the river.
should, as far as possible, be preserved AS pro-
lection against wares and currents.
matter OF great Importance which should
receive much rnols attention than has been