New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-22
VAST DAMAGE TO AGRICULTURE

VAST DAMAGE TO AGRICULTURE.
A REPORT FROM THE BUREAU OF STATISTICS ON
THE LOSS IN THE SUBMERGED REGION.
Washington, April 2i.-The Bureau of Statistics Of
the Treasury Department has made the following re-
port on the damage to agricultural interests on the
Mississippi River by the flood:
since the publication on April II Of statement
relative 10 the agricultural interests OF the sub
merged districts of the Mississippi Valley south OF
Cairo, Ill., the area under water has been consider
ably extended. This extension Is below Vicksburg,
Miss but the right west side Of the river and
is mainly due to break 1000 feet In width. In the
levee at Biggs. The outflow OF water at this point
has totally submerged four parishes (counties) OF
Louisiana and partially overlooked five others, while
a break at La Fourche Crossing. in the southern
! yart OF the State, has resulted In the SUD-
mergence OF an additional area OF nearly three hun
dred square miles in La Fourche and Terrebonne
parishes In this newly submerged region there was
IN 1890 total population OF S2356 in the proportion
OF four colored persons to one white.
THE region contained In the last census I7S7
farms with a total Of over 100000 acres. OF
which 10000 were improved. OF this last-men-
toned $4,000 acres, or over one-half. were
last year devoted to cotton, over $1,000 acres to
corn, 600 sugar cane, 1000 acres TO nay.
and an inconsiderabe acreage TO other crops. The
total value of these farms, including fences and
buildings, but exclusive OF their movable equip
ment was In 1890 close upon 81 100000. and the
value OF the implements and machinery upon them
was over $685. OO On January Of the present year
they contained live stock to the value Of ST. 900.
and so late they were estimated
10 have still hand about 100000 worth OF the
crops OF last The total value OF the farms
submerged BY the breaks in the levees that have
occurred since the 10th inst. with their farm I'M
Elements live stock and crops on hand Is. there
fore close upon $3.oOoOOO.
.'This region produced last year nearly 10000
bales of cotton 100000 pounds OF sugar, over
200 900 bushels OF corn besides hay poa toes, oats
and other minor products. the entire production
areregating n value. at the low prices that
have pre JAILED OF more than A250.000
THE total area submerged at this date Is over
% 900 square miles 1t contained at the last census
AZ 93s farms with total area OF 1904 466 acres.
nearly one-halt OF which was improved and total
population agricultural and other. Of 1901. II to
the value OF its farms, farm buildings and farm
machinery according to the census OF 1890. there
be added the value OF Its live stock on January l
last (ssl74636). and OF Its produces OF last season
stl on hand on March | last (N5951I9, the total
OF 500 i7e177 will represent the approximate value OF
the agricultural property of the submerged region.
Among the products OF this region last year were
.eG 056 bales OF cotton. worth Sl6;32NN l2o2o 645
bushels of corn worth s3995.27S and 9033SS pounds
OF sugar worth $270i6, the total production nclud.
Ing minor crops. representing value OF s2's2lS0
on he plantatlOn.'