New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1903-07-04
Reclamation OF Swamp Land

out Louisiana in the reclamation
of swamp lands, and within the
last few months several large
companies have been formed for
this purpose.
The Louisiana swamp lands
when improved are among the
most productive in the world.
There was a time when it was
belived that it was impossible to
bring these lands into cultivation.
but at this time the energies Of
thousands of men and millions of
capitalare interested in this work,
which promises 50 much to add
millions to the taxable property
of the State and bring wealth to
those who have undertaken the
almost herculean task of improv-
ing these lands for cultivation.
1t costs thousands of dollars to
reclaim a tract of land from the
ravages OF the waters, but those
are engaged in the work hold
that the quarry is worth the
game, and that within a few
years time they will not only
have been repaid for their efforts,
but that they will have a valuable
property, upon which can be
grown almost any product.
John r. Gheens, one of the
foremost planters of Lafourche
parish, was a pioneer in this work,
and tells of the comments of his
neighbors when he undertook to
improve tract Of swamp lands
u few years ago with agreat deal of
amusement, says theTimes- Demo
cract. The tract of land in ques-
tion was covered with water all
the year to depth of several feet.
aud when he began to dig his
drainage canals and build his
levees planters in the neighbor-
hood laughingly asked if he had
money to burn. But Mr.. Gheens
continued his work, and in due
course of time he had the land
well drained and leveed, and it is
to-day among the most produtive
in the State, yielding thirty-five
tons OF cane to the acre last sea-
son. While he planted the re-
claimed land in sugar cane, it is
well adapetd, he said, to rice cul-
ture, and the first year it was
cultivated he planted it in corn,
the crop being the finest in that
section.
What Mr.. Gheens has done in
the way of reclaiming swamp
lands is being followed by others,
and oil along the fresh water
lakes and bayous in the south
western part of the State this
work 10 now in progress, which
that many thousands of |
acres that have been given over
10 the waters for the last several
years will become q source of |
revenue both to the owners and
the State.
When / first began work on
the canals and levees," said Mr..
1heens at the st. Charles Hotel,
my neighbors gave me the
augh. They believed / was
throwing my money away, as
hey did not think it possible for
ne to drain the old swamp.
But | continued, and my efforts
we're rewarded with success. In
'eclaiming this land / used mud
md slush from the drainage Ca
lal for the building of a system
# levees, which, baked by the !
Jun, have become almost solid
walls, which hold the water
'plendidly. There is no seepage,
nd yet in case Of drouth / can
rrigate the land without much
lificulty. The first year after
completing the levee and canal
ystem I planted the land in
orn, and / have never seen a |.
lner crop anywhere, while the
'ield was splendid. Last year I
'lanted cane and the yield was
he BEST / have ever known
hirty-five tons to the acre.,
which is pretty near a record.
1wlf Coast Farmer and Rice Josynal.