The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-18
Louisiana Sugar Fields.

When people speak of the Mississippi
| river they usually mean that part Of the
stream between the mouth Of the Mis-
| sour river and the city OF New Orleans.
| II is this section which Mark Twain has
used as the groundwork Of his "Huckle-
berry Finn stories and 50 the route is
familiar TO many Who have never seen
the Big Muddy
Put that part of the great river which
extends 10 the sea from New Orleans
seems 20 have almost entirely escaped
the nOice Of tourists. partly because the
| means Of land communication are scanty
and imperfect, and partly owing TO the
fact that the water travel presents no
very attractive features. Yet the lower
Mississippi is really even more interest
Ing than the upper section.
Not many miles below New Orleans
may be found the sugar belt Of Louisiana.
and here il is that the scenery reminds
the traveller Of Cuba and Hayri. Though
the temperature IS never so high as on
these islands.
The culture OF the sugar cane and the
manufacture Of the sacchari1c product
is an interesting study, for there are so
many strange and novel details involved
When FIRST seen by tn Northern visitor
sugar-cane field looks very much like a
field of Indian corn, the only difference
berg THAI the plants have 4 icsper
emerald hue and the stalks are thicker.
W hvii the care is rip IL has reache
the ful head of sap. and If Permitted t.
stand would quickly run dry" and begin
heading for seed AS soon - a ftcid is
entered each man seizes stalk with
one ta"d. willie by a swift blow r bis
reaping knife he cuts it within three or
four inches Of the ground. BY a dex-
ferrous motion the stalk is reversed and
the Top rUt Of
These stalks are quickly gathered and
carried 70 the mill. where children are en-
pioyed 10 strip the leayes. The dcnud Fl
stalks then pass under the crushing rollers
and are thrown aside, almost dry enough
TO burn; ii only requiring a few hours
IN the sunshine TO render this pumice tit
Tor the furnaces, and they form the only
fuel for the machinery steam boilers or
the kettles In which the sap is cooked.
Nature seems TO be in her most gen
erOus mood in the sugar-cane region, for
vegetation is rank and luxuriant. but the
cultivation Of the cane requires great
care and labor 10 bring IL 10 perfection.
owing TO the fact that the climate is
not so reliable for continuous heat as
in the tropics. The scenes at night I'm
and around the boiling houses are weird
and startling. The bright fires OF dry
cane the reverberations of the ponder
Gus machinery. the clouds OF steam and
me busy movements OF the negroes who
are constantly stirring the boiling sap,
make up picture more like one Of
Dore's Illustrations OF Dantes Inferno"
IMAM scene in an American State.
NO part Of Picturesque America" is
more interesting than that which des-
crioes the sugar region. Fenn's illustra-
IONS depict the wonderful foliage to be
found there, while he has caught most
happily the free and easy life OF the peo-
pie. Originally this great work was is
sued at 20 cents a part. but THE TINES
now offers It to its readers for 10 cents
eri guarantees every copy 10 be fully
equal TO the initial edition-the same
paper. the same steel ergrsvings, and
Inc same letterpress. the latter being
corrected up to date. Don't forget that
10 cents week and three coupons in
sures you two magnificent volumes. Now
Is the time TO begin.