St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-02-16
English Immigrants.

Mr.. James Maund, living in the eastern
part of Calcasieu parish, has been writing
letters to the agricultural districts of Eng
| land, pertaining to Louisiana.
| Several years ago number of immi-
grants from England settled in the parish
of East Feliciana and began farming oper-
atoms. Since then every year brings
| recruits to their number, and they were
represented last year as being the most
thriving farmers in the parish. Some of
them had started with very little capital
and purchased lands on credit that were
considered by some as worn out. They
have paid for their lands and are making
money, raising principally cotton. Below
we give one of Mr.. Maunds letters to the
Hereford Times:
As see by various reports in your valu-
able paper, that the Herefordshire farmers
are still suffering from the great depres-
sion that has so long existed in agricul-
tural pursuits, cannot resist the tempta
ton to call attention to the many advan-
tages offered here to all who are disposed
to emigrate. In the first place, | would
strongly urge the farmers not to try any
of the Northern States. When l first
came out went to the North, but found
the cold so severe there-the Thermometer
often going many degrees below zero
that it was quite useless for me to think of
doing any good there at farming. | was
induced to come to Louisiana, where, am
pleased to state, found very different
climate, having spent four winters here
without seeing ice much thicker than
pane of glass. 1t is a mild and equable
climate, and the land cheap and fertile.
There is some land yet open to settlement
under the homestead laws of the United
States at Sc for 1850 acres other lands can
be bought at 81 per acre, with ample
time for payment, if required, at which
price there are thousands Of acres in this
Immediate vicinity and far superior in
fertility to many parts of your country.
The lands will grow an almost endless
variety of crops, as maize, rice, cot
ton, sugar cane, tobacco, ETC., also all
kinds of vegetables and fruit, including
oranges, in sheltered situations. 1t is
good section for raising live st K, as
stock will live on these prairieshre year
round, without care or alter We are
within easy reach of*hil l PRS, town
of $500 inhabitants., PI1ere is a
good market for all fap | Plce, with a.
good demand for frus - ! vegetables.
There is in New Orleans State immigra-
ton office, where information is cheerfully
given to all newcomers respecting the
most desirable locations to settle, and also
the best way or mode of travelling Here
the new settler can have his choice either
of prairie, timber land or the rich lands of
the Teche, where crops have been grown
for upwards of century without needing
fertilizing The great forests of pine and
other timber that abounds in this State
makes Lumber for building and fencing
very cheap.
| am certain there are many struggling
farmers in your county who could here
build up comfortable homes, surrounded |
by their own land, and soon obtain posi-
ton which will never be possible in the
old country. Mechanics, especially car
penters, are in good demand, and would |
do we'll here. What I would suggest is |
that few farmers would join together
and send one or more out here and see the |
country. They could then form a colony
to themselves and assist each other to
build up the same There is q kind of |
dread with many people at the thought of
the ocean, but the comforts and
facilities given now by the great steam
ship companies render the voyage quite a
pleasure trip. The cheapest way is to
take the steamer direct from Liverpool to
New Orleans, otherwise by steamer to
New York, thence by rail 70 New Orleans.
If any one who contemplates coming
over will write to me, shall be pleased to
give all the information in my power from
gained on the spot.
JAMES g. MAUND.
Jennings, Calcasieu Parish, La, U. S. A