The Opelousas courier., 1886-02-06

2nd. That however hot the day is, it is al.
ways cool and comfortable in the shade.
3rd. The nights are always delightful, the
sea breeze tanning you to sleep. They scout
at the notion SO prevalent north, that white
men cannot work in this climate, and that 9th
er-that the climate is enervating. As to the
first, they speak from experience.
HAVING LABoRED DAILY
at the hardest outdoor labor for the two sea-
sons last past, without Inconvenience or injury.
AS to the second they referred first to their own
experience, and second, enquired why such
charge should be laid to Louisiana, when no
one thinks of making it against Florida or
southern California-countries with climates
identical with that Of louisiana | confess
to inability, to answer. In this connection ]
may remark that within the past three years
principally within the past two, some
THREE HUNDRED NORTHERN EoPLE
principally from northern Iowa, have settled
here, part in this parish, but more in Calcasieu,
and are doing well and are delighted with the
change. The climate is very healthtul.
Typhoid fever, diphtheria, and diseases Of that
nature are almost unknown. There is some
malaria, but not more I think than in Page
county. / saw and heard of but little sickness,
either among natives or others. The region is
not as good for corn as southwestern Iowa,
though the yield is from rs to SO bushels per
sore. If put in early it is a certain crop. The
natives raise but little and pay but little attens
ton to it, scarcely ever cultivating it more than
once, and that with a pillow that Page county
farmer would not allow to be seen On his
farm, much less used The price ranges from
40c to $l.00 per bushel-sometimes higher
than that. 1t ought to be successful crop.
Potatoes, both sweet and Irish are easily raised
and yield ~abundantly Two crops per year
are raised on the same ground. They COM
mand a good price and are q profitable crop.
! have seen many bee hives, and those engag-
ed in it claim that the country and climate are
peculiarly adapted to that culture. Grass
grows with
WONDERFUL LUxURIANCE.
Among the natives making hay is almost IN.
known, aud is not fed, except to work horses
in the towns, but the Iowans settling here
have been putting it up for the New Orleans
market. where it has been selling this winter
al $l3 per ton. On the prairie over which
the stock ranged they cut and put up 3 tons
per acre. Some of these grasses remain green
throughout the winter, and perpetuatly green
pastures can be had as easily as not. The ma
tive cattle betake themselves in winter, in
large numbers, to the swalnps where the
switch cane abounds and upon that they
get very fat. In these swamps, TOO. hogs
thrive through the winter.
SMALL GRAINS DO WELL,
but no one ever attempted to raise wheat here,
SO far as / can hear, and as to whether it could
be successfully cultivated, | can not say.
Vegetables of all kinds thrive wonderfully and
the gardens are, or should be, green all the
year. The present crop of cabbage is just
heading The New Orleans papers state that
strawberries from the open field have been
brought into town within the past day or two.
In this town are a couple of apple trees
which are doing well, They are seedlings, but
it is believed that fruit will do. at least, fairly
well. The orange is a tender tree. and this
town is too far north for its culture, though a
few miles south, particularly along the streams,
they are easily raised. They eau be raised
here easily. sufficient in number for the family
use, by planting near buildings, LISA
GREAT PEAR COUNTRY.
Ounces in abundance and the finest | eve
saw figs, peaches, nectarines, a~pricots, black
berries, raspberFies. Strawberries caunot re-
member all-can do no better than here.
Ii is impossible that any country shcsld
surpass this for cattle, horses or hogs. The
abundant pasturage, the plentifuland palatable
water, the easy culture Of the many grains,
upon which to work or fatten, insures the
largest returns for the smallest investment of
labor. Poultry do far better than with US. /
heard of no disease among them they lay as
well in winter as in summer and the market
for both eggs and fowls is as good or better
than with us.
o CHOLERA TOO, Is UNKNOWN HERE,
swine are so scarce that it would take
a good while for the news to become general
had it invaded the country.
The cost of living is or ought to be low.
The products of the garden, yard and farm
nearly to sustain a family though moth.
ing were sold. How could an Iowa farmer,
conducting his business here as be does there,
fail to become rich7 Why can he not make
here two dollars for every one possible there 7
IF he comes and sees for himself, / am persuad.
ed that he viii conclude he can. Are not
these people prosperous you inquirel No
The country is rs poor or nearly so, as at the
Of the war. 1t seems paradoxical that
prior statements can be true and this last
true too, yet it is correct. The causes are
The war left
THIS COUNTRY PHOSPHATE,
4