The Washington herald., 1909-06-20
WEALTH IN THE SOIL
Government Makes Report
on BienVille Parish.
OFFERS MANY SUGGESTIONS
Experts Learn that Rich Region Is
Injured by Lack of Proper Care
Recommends DiversiacatiOn Of
Crops, Deep Flowing, and Means
10 Check Erosion.

That northern Louisiana is a land OF
possibilities, capable OF paying its people
greatly increased profits over those now
being derived is shown IN a report soon
70 be published by the United States
Bureau Of Soils.
In addition 70 the general information
concerning agriculture and related in
dustries. now published for the first time.
the six government experts who have re-
Gently conducted soil survey work IN BIZ
enville Parish, offer IN their report val
liable suggestions 10 the residents Of the
parish surveyed and the surrounding
country which should assist materially
IN the development Of the section and OF
the state. The Bureau Of Soils shows
that the possibilities Of the section are
not appreciated. and points out simple
and practical means whereby the none
tary returns from some $4,000 acres
might be greatly increased.
Soil and Climate Ideal.
The soil survey report OF Bienville
Parish shows that the temperature and
climate are ideal for the crops to which
it's soils are best adapted. that rainfall is
abundant. and that the section IS well
supplied with streams and branches.
There has been a noticeable progress IN
the parish for the past twenty-five years.
accompanied by a constantly increasing
population, largely due 70 q marked
growth IN the lumber and railway indus
tries.
It is surprising that only about half Of
a ~ - 10
southern part Of the section has ever
been farmed- In the northern section the
land has en- average value OF SO 20 SIS
an acre. while in the southern section
its value ranges from $ 20 SO, although
this section offers excellent opportuni-
ties for Improvement through drainage
and other simple means which receive
practically no attention at present.
Farms Average I25 Acres.
Farms average about 125 acres Good
churches and schools are established. and
! the roads are excellent in summer and
unusually good in winter. while the
transportation facilities furnished by
/ several intersecting railroads are all that
could be desired.
A long growing season Is particularly
( favorable TO the principal crops-cOtton.
corn, and potatoes, two crops Of the lat
! ter IN one season always being possible.
Vegetables, small fruits and peaches may
be grown with profit. and in this conneo-
! ti0n II is noticeable that the canning in
dustry has great possibility before IT,
] The red soils of the northern section
are adapted TO a fine grade OF tobacco.
Throughout the southern section forest
Z ,rF Frr0ro
/ land having increased in value from 81
or 50 to So and $40 an acre. Timber now
sells for 81 10 s. a thousand feet. Through
out the section, however, the problem Of
/ farm labor Is serious.
One-third Improved Land.
I Only about one-third Of the parish is
improved land. Practically no attention
is paid to a proper rotation OF crops, by
which means alone the profits OF farmers
might. in many cases. be doubled. and
| erosion and washing Of soil Is permitted
without any effort toward It's control.
/ The greatest loss TO the farmer at pres
ent is from destructive erosion, and the
report shows how this menace might be
/ wholly eliminated by simple methods,
such as terracing. and deep ploWing. by
which means also production may be
| greatly increased by retaining moisture
for seasons OF drought
In addition to proper crop rotation, fall
blowing and the planting OK cover crops
are among the many excellent sugKes-
/ tions offered. An enormous amount OF
money Is spent by farmers annually for
| commercial fertilizers, and the report
points out simple. practical means Of saw
Ing this outlay by proper handling OF
/ the soils.
While the principal crop at present Is
/ cotton. there are great possibilities IN
the extension Of the corn industry, an IN
/ creased production OF this crop being
necessary 10 supply the unsatsfed local
demand. The potato crop Is not nearly
! as important as It promises TO be, and
peaches may be grown prohtably on ele-
i waited areas. ]. A. BONSTEBL.
Chief Eastern Division Soil Survey.