St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-04-27
AN OPENING FOR CAPITAL.
OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED AT oPELoUsA
AND WASHINGTON, LA.
Correspondent N. o. Times.Democrat,

Correspondent n o. Times. Democrat
AS the press is teeming with arti-
cles about the growth and develop
ment of the ''New South,' the es-
Establishment of manufactures, and
the investment of capital in various
paying industries, it is well that
such laudable journalistic labors
should be supplemented by point
ing out to people and capitalists
abroad such localities as present
strong inducements for the build
ing up of certain enterprises, so that
inquiry and investigation will bring
about the more speedy consumma-
ton of these Objects.
With this view, your corrcspon-
dent desires to call the attention OF
your readers, particularly the enter
prising ones who desire and are
not afraid to invest capital, to a
few industries that would certain
" flourish either in Opelousas or
Washington, the two leading towns
of this parish. There are no SINH
lar enterprises in operation any
where near, the material and pro-
ducts for their support are cheap
and abundant, and being without
competition would bring splendid
profits aud dividends to their pro-
,jectors. The first and most impor
tant to our people is the establish
ment OF a rice cleaning mill. Many
thousands OF barrels of rice are
raised here annually, and the area
is being largely increased every
year. A new stimulus has been
given to rice planting by the intro
duction of a large number of labor
saving machines, such as improved
plows, harrows, mowers and bind
ers, and steam threshers; besides
the low price of cotton, compared
to the high and firm figures which
have ruled the sales OF rice, will
cause q great many Of our farmers
to plant rice hereafter, who have
never given it any attention in the
past. There are thousands OF acres
of excellent rice land yet to be
brought in cultivation, but it will
not remain idle much longer. In a
very few years more every acre will
be bending under the weight ofrich
harvests to gladden. the toll OF in
dustrious farmers and add to the
prosperity of orr parish.
En- passant, / would mention an
experiment OF one of our farmers
during the past year. He had a
niece of land that he had been
planting Tor years in cotton, which,
with the yield and low price of cot
ton, had proven unremunerative
and discouraging. He plowed up
this plat OF ground, laid it off i'll
rows two feet apart, drilled the rice
and narrowed it in. When we'll up,
he barred it of with a small turn
ing pillow, and at intervals afterward
plowed out the middles with
sweep. His venture gave him
twelve barrels OF clean rice per acre
with less than half the culture bes-
towed Oh cotton, and netted him
double the amount ever received
from cotton on same land. This
will encourage others to do likewise
and increase the bulk OF the rice
crop in future years. The people
want ricemill, and when that de-
sideratum is supplied, our prairies
will be golden with almost illimita-
BILE stretches Of rice fields Let
capitalists come aud investigate ana
be convinced OF the feasibility OF
this great industry.
Another very important enter
prise greatly needed here is . can
ming factory. 1t would require but
little capital to start one, and it is
a matter OF surprise that some OF
our own citizens have not Inaugural |
ted it before this. Several canning
establishments for fruits aud vege-
tables have been put in operation
in several parishes OF the State, and
in every instance they have proved
highly reinuneratiye. One would
certainly pay in Opelousas and
Washington. There are great
many orchards, comprising fine, and
choice fruits throughout the parish,
which could amply supply the de-
mands of a canning establishment.
lin the spring and summer vegeta-
bles of every kind are superabund-
ant and sell for almost nothing. |
DeWberries and blackberries are SO
abundant as to be bought for ten,
and even ala low as five cents per |
gallon. The bayou swamps are full
Cp muscadiaes and wild grapes in
the summer. With such an abund-
ance DC cheap material, why should
not d canning establishment bring
ID satisfactory profits to capital and
energy
The aggregate business OF our
parish is quite large and amply suf.
iieient to justify the establishment
of q bank in Opelousas. Our bust
ness men and planters are all anx-
ioRs for these enterprises, and it is
hoped ere long they will be permit.
aently erected here. +
J. NJ. +.
Teacher--W What is the plural oft
'hildi Boy promptly Twins. L