The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-05-15
lscclaiminS Marsh land

EcclaiminS Marsh Land
We give in a letter elsewhere very
interesting account OF the operations OF
the Watkins syndicate engaged in caca.
sieu and Cameron parishes in reclaiming
the sea marsh ana bringing it under cu.-
tivation. Since the heavy purchase Of
swamp lands this has been subject Of
general discussion in Louisiana. There
We're not few persons who thought the
sale Of so large body of land, amount
ing to over one and quarter million
acres, at so low 4 price-twelve AMI one.
half cents an acre-unwise: believing il
would create IA great monopoly that
would retard the settlement and deyol.
0pment OF western Louisiana.
Our correspondent, after thorough
investigation Of the operations OF the
Watkins company. points ont how erro-
neous is this view Of the matter. The
land SO sold. and now being reclaimed,
was OF no value. had remained value.
less to the state and people, was, indeed,
an absolute injury and a hindrance 10
settlement on the cultivatable lands near
these swamps. OF no value whatever,
contributing nothing tn the wealth or
income OF the state. these marshes have
since their sale appeared for the first
time on the assessment rolls; and they
now contribute not only their purchase
price, but annually. in the way Of taxes.
10 the revenue Of the state; they have,
in fine, become at least paying property.
This, however. is only an incident.
The chief advantage to Louisiana from
the sale of this marsh land AMI i,s recla-
nation lies in tn" Immigrants II will at
tract to the state, the acres il is already
placing under cultivation and the pro-
ducts Yielded Of what has been &C.
complished, and is yet to br done, our
correspondent describe, at length.
The Watkins purchase was one OF the
largest ever made in this country. eN.
cepting. Of course. tho great Disstun
purchase in Florida. which hears very
great resemblance TO it, and which ia
productive Of much the SANE results.
The total area obtained, more than
1850. GOO acres. is considerably greater
than Rhode Island or Delaware. 1t ex-
tends along the Louisian, coast "A dis.
tance of one hundred miles, running in.
land from fifteen TO thrty.hve miles.
The greater portion Of tins region was
totally unexplored until purchased by
this company-how unknown to the
world is well shown by tho discovery Of
n large lake in its center. never before
seen by the white man. and marked solid
ground on every map that has ever been
published.
The company Ia, been nt work on the
land ever since the purchase. II ha,
been fenced in and interior fences built,
dredges and cultivators purchased and
land redeemed and placed in cultivation.
Already S216. 900 has beer expended in
the improvement and reclamation Of this
tract, and. it will require 81 900 to
bring all the marsh under cultivation.
The company is paying now in wages
100000 a year, and expendng other
large sums in improvements
The feasibility Of recovering all this
vast territory has been established. The
marsh is being rapidly reclaimed. plant
ed in rice in fruit and other crops, cat
tie farms established. and much else
done to add to the wealth and prosperity
of the state.
Does this count ~ nothing; Would II
have been wiser to have left this land
still swamp, unredeened and nnre..
claimed: for private enterprise would
never have undertaken, could never
have accomplished this gigantic work.
The company having invested so much
money in Louisiana, naturally wants to
make the investment pay. II can io 80
only by inducing immigrants 10 settle
on the lands, by holding out the great.
est inducements to them. II Is v'taIly
interested in this and has already begun
the work of immigration agents. having
pursuaded number Of families from
iowa to make their homes in Louisiana.
It offers any arrangements settlers may
desire to make, will ,ell the land, rent il
or work it on shares, and will certainly
bring many families here.
We agree with our correspondent. that
such an enterprise is to the benefit, not
to the injury Of the state.-New Orleans
Times Democrat.