The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1916-05-19
THINGS IN GENERAL HERE
ARE JUST ABOUT RIGHT


time, nor were prospects ever so
brigh those we face. Farmers,
SLoc.....-.., .ue.chants, mechanics pro-
fessional men and laborers all are
working with an added zeal and as
sured purpose.
The rice crop, the principal support
of this section, is away above the av-
erage for this time of the season.
About ninety per cent of the crop is
planted, and most of it is up to a
fine stand. Much of the early plant
ing is twelve to fifteen inches IN
height. A remarkable feature Of the
crop this year is the almost perfect
stands of rice which have been OBJ
tanned throughout the whole rice Sec
ton. Ordinarily the farmers have
been well satisfied with a good stand
on a majority of their lands, but this
season has developed an almost per-
feet stand in every field. Another
feature of the crop this year is the
condition of the land. 1t is clean and
free from red, due to the fact that
during the past few years many of
the fields have not been planted and
have in the meantime been prepared
for the coming crop. Weather condi-
tons, too, have been very favorable
for the planting and caring of the
crop. The acreage this year will be
considerably increased over that of
the past few years.
Prospects point to a very fair price
for this seasons product from for
eign countries who's commerce and
agriculture is disrupted by the great
European war.
The influence of the Southern Rice
Growers Association, the farmers
marketing organization, will reach its
high level this year. It's efforts, since
its organization a few years ago, have
gradually borne fruit in stabilizing the
market, and during the past season
it's ability to absolutely control the
market, regardless of antagonistic in
terests.
The live stock industry in this sec
ton has grown to enormous proper
tons, and the stock is in splendid
condition. Many blooded animals
have been added to the herds during
the past few years, and at this time
Jefferson Davis Parish can show some
of the finest herds Of blooded stock
to be found in the state. Buyers are
coming in here from all sections Of
the country buying large herds and
choice individuals. During the past
fifteen days less than five thousand
head of cattle have been shipped from
the country adjacent to Welsh.
Hogs and poultry are very plenti-
full too. Nearly every farmer has
a drove of from ten to one hundred
head of growing porkers, and shortly
home cured hams and bacon will rival
in popularity the now famous Armour
& Co.
Modern farm homes, comfortably
equipped, well kept, surrounded by
beautiful orchards and gardens, each
shadowing a neat auto garage, are
replacing the makeshift houses of pio-
neer days, and lend their air of home
illness ara prosperity to tia coun-
try.
The merchants of Welsh are all hap
Ply and content, stores are full, shell
yes stocked to capacity, and all en-
joying a good patronage, WarehOus-
es are stocked with supplies for the
farmers. The rice mill has just clos
ed very successful seasons run. Ma
chine shops and garages are all run
ming full time. The bank has ist re-
Gently been reorganizedl, capita stock
increased, with sufficient funds to
properly facilitate the handling OF
all lines of bsiness.
Numerous irrigation plants are be-
ing completed throughout the coun.
try, and expensive, modern, econom.
iOal machinery installed for their op.
GRAFTON.
The town is kept clean and law ant
order prevails. Although a new jail
has recently been completed it is sell.
dom occupied.
The new court house viii soon BE-
completed in Jennings and the par.
ish is preparing to vote S5OO.O0C
bond issue for the building of GOOD
roads.
The telephone comrar iame in
stitution owning the I>"o' "'change