St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-02-25
Rice Exhibit.
wORK OF THE COMMITTEE or TIE
BOARD OF TRADE.

The following circular has been cent
by the committee of the Boald OF
Trade, John 4. Hubbard Chairman. lily
II. Smith, Secretary, to 5. Joseph Will
sor, Esq, one of the members OF the
committee for this parish together with
the accompanying letter which ex-
plains ITSELF
NEW OELSA>s, Feb. IL. 1893
Mr.. 5. JOSEPH WILSON,
Opelousas, La:
Deor lSiy-We had the pleasure on the 18th
Instant Of advising yOn OF your appointment
on this Boards committees who are endeav-
ing to make superior display at the World =
Fair of our rice industry, aud stated at the
same time that Mr.. a. Levy had also been
appointed on the same committees.
We are to-day i'll receipt of a letter from
Mr.. Levy stating that bis expected absence
from OpelOusas will prevent his serving. but
assuring us of his warm sympathy and sup
port.
Mr.. Joseph Bloch. has, therefore. been APP
pointed to serve with You aud our Board
hopes that you will be enabled to make an
early report upon the success Of your under
taking. Very respectfully,
Hr II. SMITH.
Secretary.
Hcu' Sir-Within the past five years the
production Of rice in Louisiana has SO rapidly
expanded that the consumption OF that ar
tic!c has failed to increase in proportion, and
as a natural consequence the prices prevail
ing on this crop. the largest ever known, are
so low that planters are offered no further
encouragement to continue their labors III
the production Of this cereal
IL is our opinion that by .judiciuus manage
ment i'll the way of briniug it before the peo
Of ft,n mil u toto fl,nn nj
duct as d daily article of food can be SO great
ly.increased that not only would crop of
the present size be easily handled but one
even of much larger proportions be readily
disposed of at prices to Justify the labor aud
risk Of production.
The industry has grown 50 steadily that
~>ver 5000 900 bushels have been harvested
ill.,, year. and with the proper fostering there
is no reason why this amount cannot be
doubled i'll the future.
The knowledge required for the proper
preparation OF rice tor table use has
always been the great drawback t" it's
general adoption rs an article OF regular
diet.
Thruu ghout tue North and West il is used
merely as a desert, for tue reason thu, lhe
people Of those sections are unacquaiuttd
with tile various lbc- methods Of preparing
il. We are confident however, that when the
numerous recipes are made generally known,
rico VIII be as mitch sought fur auu used as
any other cereal or oven any vegetable,
Tho World 5 Fair opening at Chicago next
May, presents the opportunity Of advertising
and properly placing before tho people of this
country the merits Of lice rs au article Ut
food.
Our Worlds Fair Commissioners for Lou
lsiIna are anxious for the rico industry to
come prominently forward, aud those who
have the welfare Of rice at heart i,o!lcve such
d move Is essenlial TO its future euccess.
The question now arises, will those who arc
Interested in this Industry rcspord literally,
aud by their aid help to make d display of
which al! Louisiana will be proud
In order to accomplish this it will be ne.
oessary 10 raise considerable funds aud ana
terial. aggrcgatihg i'll amount not less than
so 900, and for tho purpose tho general cuiu-
mlttce ON the Worlds Fair rice Ahibt Of the
New Orleans Board Of Trade, Limited, have
appointed solicitors, to whose appeal it is
hoped that liberal response vii be made,