The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1885-12-05
New onl.EANs I.ETTER.
NEW onurArs, Nov. 80, 1885,

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ceiying additions every day since tho
opening, especially from the country
parishes, and is now one OF The mos
complete in the government building
1t has been divided into four depart
ments, Art, Agriculture, Forestry and
Minerals. Tho first is under the man
agement of the ladies' committee Of
Louisiana, who are securing all the
paintings, illustrations, etc; they can
bearing upon the history of Louisiana.
There is splendid collection of these
embracing portraits of all the Govern
Eors of Louisiana, from Claiborne to
McEnery, as well as all the Pres
idents of the United States. The
great painting of Julio, representing
the meeting Of Lee and jackson at
Charlottesville, is on exhibition here,
and large number of art paintings
by celebrated masters, loaned for this
purpose, also large collection OF
relics and antiques illustrating early
Louisiana history. Immediately next
to this is the Louisiana exhibit of
woman's work, including a large col
lection of shawls, knitting, paintings,
etc, entirely executed by the women
of this State. Mrs. Jennie Caldwell
Nixon presides over this display. The
agricultural department is in charge
OF Mr.. L. A. Flanagan of TangiPahoa
parish, practical agrienlturist.
1t is dependent on the country par
ishes for n fresh supply of agricul-
tural products each week, grain, vege-
tables, fruit, ETC., and is kept abun-
dainty supplied by them. Pointe Con-
pee, Taugipahoa and St. Tammany
being the most generous donors so far.
The agricultural products are divided
off according to parishes, so that each
one gets full credit for what it sends.
The contributions include corn, pots-
toes, yams, rice, turnips, Strawberries,
oranges, pecans, grasses, cotton, jute
AID okra fibre, sugar cane, and indeed
everything that Louisiana produces.
The forest department is under the
management of DIR, Joseph T. Joer a
well known scientist, The doctor be-
lieves that Louisiana has finer as
sortment of valuable woods and bean
tifnl grasses than any State in the
Union. The timber display is large
and fine, about fifteen parishes being
represented here. In the centre of
this department is the pavilion, made
entirely Of ornamental native woods,
| by the students of the Louisiana Agri-
cultural and Mechanical College. The
herbarium OF that institution show
ing all the native and cultivated
grasses of the State, is located here.
The mineral bureau is in charge OF
Prof. Leroy Brown Of the State Uni
versity. 1t contains very large col
lection of orc of all kind, but will re-
ceiye more additions. Some of the
contributions from North not having
reached here yet, on account of low
water.
In addition to these special depart
ments there are other important eX
hibits of natural history, including all
the fishes found in Louisiana waters,
of merchandise and manufactured ar
ticles, curiosities, etc.
In the centre of the Louisiana
space, Col. W. H. Harris, State Com
missioner of immigration has estab-
lished an office TO answer ali inquiries
propounded to him in regard to the
State its productions, value of land,
etc. 1t is thought in this way, a
considerable immigration call be turn
ed in this direction, and the invest
ment of capital here secured.
A week of magnificent weather, no
rain, no fog, 10 frost, has improved
the appearance of the Exposition and
added to the beauty Of the grounds
Much work has been done, yet there
remains much yet TO do. The new
Director General, Captain Buck, who
enjoys a reputation for great execu-
tive ability, has gone to work with
zeal TO hasten matters. He has adopt
ed vigorous policy which will very
soon complete the Exposition. A
number of exhibitors who have taken
spaces in the Main Building, have
been very slow about filling them,
thinking that they could do so when
ever they chose. AS there are hmm
dreds of other applicants asking for
space, but who cannot get it, Direc-
tor General Buck has given the tardy
exhibitors due notice by telegraph
that unless they are in position by
December /, the space assigned them
will be redistributed TO others who
ask for it. He has eonferred with the
State commissioners, and given them
ali the assistance in his power. All
this has been most encouraging and
expedited work, especially in the
Machinery Hall, where there was great
baekwardness.
On the grounds, the electric rail-
way has finally been completed and
gives communication between the two
largest bnildidings; new grand
stand erected at the speeding track
where races will begin in few days;
the horticultural Hall added to, and
other important additions made.
The grounds are more beautiful
than ever, and continue TO improve
every day, while the buildings grow
greeBer and brighter, with the nn-
merous evergreen trees and shrubs
they contain.
The distinguishing features of the
present Exposition, as Of its predeces-
scr, the Worlds industrial and Cotton
Centennial, are the exhibits of the
States and Territories of the Union,
and Of the countries of South and
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