Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1922-03-10
THE SUBSTANTIAL BENEFITS
RESULTING FROM FLOOD
CONTROL. WORK.

W1CnOuL Sucn WOTk even mOOCioIS
development would have been i'm
practicable.
In order to ascertain the extent
of the benefits ,due to flood control
under the Mississippi River Commits
sion, data has been derived from the
U. S. Census reports Of 1900, 1910
and 1920 covering the increase in
farm areas, farm values and popu-
lation as compared with like items
in the non-delta portions Of the
states which are above the reach Of
Mississippi River floods.
The counties lying wholly or large
Iy within the overflow basins OF
Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi and
Louisiana are included in these in
vestigations. The census data are
given by counties, few Of which con-
tain considerable hill areas, and a
sharp line as to flooded area Alone
which is by far the major part Of the
area considered, cannot be drawn.
At the lower ends Of the delta
basins, the Upper st. Francis, Lower
st. Francis, Yazoo, White and Ten
sas, where tributary streams enter
the Mississippi River, the levees are
not yet completed and the delta
lands are subject to overflow to q
certain extent from backwater, but
the counties covering the same are
included in the general investigation
Of benefits.
Keeping these limitations clearly
in mind the favorable results OF the
work done should be highly gratify-
ing. The delta counties lie in the area
formerly overflowed from the Mis-
sissippi River.
The State Of Missouri has ia
counties, six Of which lie in the delta,
known as the St. Francis basin.
The total value Of "all farm prop
erty" of the six delta counties In
1900 was $25,11s,167 and in 1920,
s17O,079,7O5, a gain in value OF
$144,9 4,961,538. The percentage OF IN
crease is about two and . half times
that of the state at large.
The total acres Of improved land
in farms" in the six delta counties
in 1900 was 6O4,A75 and in 1920,
1.O72,133, a gain Of 467,66S acres
which is more than one-fifth Of the
gain in all the other counties OF the
state combined.
The average price per acre OF
.land in farms" in the six delta
counties has increased from $ls.72
in 1900 to $1O1.S7 in 1920, while IN
the state at large the increase has
been from $20.46 to $74.60.,
The six delta counties have In
creased 55,s12 in population in the
same period, while 80 counties show
decrease in population and ovs'
one-fifth Of the total gain Tor tne
entire state, including cities belong
to the six delta counties.
The State Of Arkansas has o.
counties, seven of which lie alont
the Mississippi River, largely In TN
delta district, but also embrace con
siderable areas Of hill lands.
The total value Of "all farm prop
ertv'' in these seven counties wa
s22, ,602, 1888 in 1900 and $l6S,Sso,
216 in 1920, a gain Of $l4e,7S1'zI'
which is about one-ffth OF the IN
crease for the entire state.
The total acres Of improved Ian
in farms in the seven counties wa
5e2 .151 acres in 1900 and 1,024,94
in 1920, a gain Of 432,796 acres whic
, :. about one-fifth of the increase TO
3 the entire state.
The average price per acre Q
Gland in farms" in these seven cour
/ ties was $12.s2 in 1900 and $77.s
3 in 1920, while in the state at lare
3 the increase was from $6.32 to $S4
5 SO.
8 These delta counties increased
8 population from 120,079 in 1900
3 22O,442 in 1920, q gain Of 100,So
8 which is about one-fourth OF Il
q total gain for the entire state.
8 These delta counties increased
8 cotton acreage from 341,222 acr'
3 in 1910 to 639,550 in 1920, with
3 increase Of 6s,493 bales Of cotte
3 in same period.
q The State Of Mississippi is divide
Is into 81 counties, twelve Of which
g in the delta.
8 The total value of "all farm pro
8 erty' in these delta counties was $6'
q 071,432 in 1900 and $442, ,481, ,342
q 1920, q gain Of $382,409,910, viii
) is equal to one-half the gain for t
T. entire state.
p The total acres Of improved La
= in farms" was 1,466,41S in 1900 a
Z 2,O67,384 in 1920, a gain Of 600,9
= acres which is equal to one third
y the gain for the entire state.
Z The average price per acre Of ia
= in farms" was $17.29 in 1900 q
B s121.61 in 1920, while the state
Z a whole gives $3.50 per acre in 19
Z and $35.27 in 1920.
B These IL delta counties have
4 creased 107, $50 in population fr'
z 1900 to 1890, while 40 Of the COZ