Glass . Book. Many parishes having failed to furnish up-to-date information, the data from our last publication was given and figures concerning prices of land mighl be misleading. However, land can be bought in various sections of the State at from $5.00 to $75.00 per acre, some plantations even double that figure. Developments of resources also fail to appear under the parishes failing to send in data, but in the main body of the book they are given and the parishes referred to. New railroads are constantly being built and are passing through parishes where no mention of such has been made, and the interior of almost every parish can now be reached either by rail or some of the many water courses throughout the State A Hand-Book of Louisiana Giving General and Agricul- tural Features, together with Crops that can be Grown Description of each Parish, Climate, Health, Education, Industries, Railroads, Water- Courses, Forestry, Etc. : : Issui d by Ha Louisiana Matt Board of Agriculturt and Immigration E. 0. BRUNER, Commissioner, Baton Roniji, La. ' I V HE following pages were compiled and given to the publisher under the administration of my -*■ predecessor, the late lamented Col. Chas. Schuler, and, in assuming control of the Agricultural Department, I am gratified to find this Hand-Book about to be given to the public. To those who contemplate moving — the home-seeker — I would commend these pages. A careful perusal will give some idea of Louisiana's resources and her wonderful possibilities; and, if further information should be desired, it will give me great pleasure to furnish it, because I can unhesitatingly and unequivocally recommend the delightful climate, the unsurpassed productiveness of the soil, its adaptability to diversified farming, and the whole-souled, generous-hearted people of our State. E. 0. BRUNER, Commissioner of Agriculture and Immigration. ft m • PREFACE. IN THE preparation and compilation of data for the publication of such a book as will give with accuracy and clearness the varied and immense resources of a State which is only yet in the infancy of its development, it is necessary to cull from former publications, and, from our last hand-book, most of which was taken from the hand-book written by Dr. Win. C. Stubbs while Director of the Louisiana State Experiment Stations, this book is largely made and copious extracts are taken from the Hon. Jos. E. Ransdell's "On to Dixie" speech in the House of Rep- resentatives in the Sixty-first Congress, several of his valuable appendices being given in full. It is sincerely hoped that this general review will so interest homeseekers as to cause them to come and receive a cordial welcome to this land of plenty, this land of sunshine and flowers — beau- tiful Louisiana. CHARLES SCHULER, Commissioner. E. O. BRUNER, Commissioner of Agriculture and Immigration. CHARLES SCHULER, Late Commissioner ot Agriculture and Immigration. STATE CAPITOL — SOUTHWEST VIEW. \ LOUISIANA'S GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR HIS EXCELLENCY JARED YOUNG SANDERS. HON. PAUL M. LAMBREMONT. w*. ONE OF LOUISIANA'S GOOD ROADS— FROM MONROE TO CALHOUN. LOUISIANA'S INVITATION. THE HOSPITALITY of Louisiana is proverbial, and she now stands with open arms at her borders to welcome the stranger. Nature is exceedingly bountiful within her gates; agriculturist, manu- facturer or artisan will find here what all men should seek, "a festival of well requited labor," with a ger.ial climate, an honest, sunny-tempered people, and all the advantages of Twentieth Century civilization. Those who have come to her in recent j'ears stand ready to testify in her behalf. Her marvelous development of the past ten years is but the forerunner of a more mar- velous development in the future. She invites you to come and be a part of this development. The last United States Census Report shows that capital invested in farms, yielded, in Louisiana, an income of 27.3 per cent annually on the investment, and this, gentle stranger, is 70 per cent higher than the general average for the whole United States. Corn, cotton, sugar-cane, rice, fruits and berries, truck, forage crops, and almost every- thing grown under the sun, can be raised on her rich and responsive soil. Her advance as a manufacturing State has been by leaps and bounds. In 1S90 she was the sixth ranking manufacturing State in the South, and in 1900 she had jumped to second place. Large and valuable deposits of coal in the northwestern, and an unlimited supply of fuel oil in the various parts of the State, are the additions to her mineral wealth, dis- covered during recent years. Situated in the heart of the raw material district, with the richest soil on earth, with cheap fuel, oil, coal and gas, with nearly four thousand miles of navigable streams and three thousand miles of railways, with the Panama Canal now nearing completion, can you have one lingering doubt of her future greatness and imperial splendor? If this material side appeals not to you, examine her aesthetic beauty. She has her throne builded beneath the sunniest sky that lights the globe, and her shores are laved by the waters of the great Gulf. She lives perfumed by the choicest flowers, when bleak winter's chill has enclasped her more northern sisters. Boreas, when most furious, stops in his maddened career, to pet and woo her. She is rich in all and holds out a generous and charitable hand to the children of her poorer sisters. AN HISTORICAL SKETCH. LOUISIANA was named in honor of Louis XIV, King of France, by Robert Cavalier de la Salle, in 1682. The Louisiana of the seventeonth century extended from the Alleghanies to the Rocky Mountains, and from the Rio Grande and the Gulf to th? dim regions ■which now constitute British America. It was first visited by Europeans in 1541. De Soto, the Spanish adventurer, with his followers, explored the coast west of Florida to the Mississippi River and beyond, and he visited the country on both sides of the river, where now stands the City of New Orleans. In 1542 he was taken sick and died. In order to conceal his body from the Indians, his followers buried him in the Mississippi River, at the point where it is now met by the Red River. Father Marquette. In 1673, Father Marquette and his Canadians, start- ing from Canada, descended the great river from Illinois to the mouth of the Arkansas. The river was again descended by La Salle, in 16S2, who took possession of the country in the name of Louis XIV, and for him named the land Louisiana. He explored the river to its mouth, and, returning to France, organized plans for establishing a colony. The ship failed to reach the mouth of the Mississippi, and the colony landed in Texas. It is doubtful whether any colony was established in Louisiana before 1699, when Iberville, with a company, attempted a settlement at Biloxl. This was the chief town until 1702, when Bienville moved the headquarters to the west bank of the Mobile River. The soil of Biloxi is very sterile, and the settlers seem to have depended mainly on supplies from France or San Domingo. The Western Company. On the 26th of September, 1712, the entire commerce of Louisiana, with a considerable control in its govern- nient. was granted to Anthony Crozat, an eminent French merchant. The grant to Crozat, so magnificent on paper, proved to be but of little use to him, and of no benefit to the colony, and in 1718 he surrendered the privilege. In the same year, on the 6th of September, the charter of the Western, or Mississippi, Company, was registered in the Parliament of Paris. The exclusive commerce of Louisiana was granted to it for 25 years, and a monopoly of the beaver trade of Canada, together with other ex* traordinary privileges, and it entered at once on its new domains. Bienville was appointed Governor of the colony for the second time. He had become satisfied that the chief city of the colony should be situated on the Mis- sissippi River, and, therefore, in 1718, New Orleans was founded. First Plan to Build Jetties. It was about this time that the engineer, Panger, reported a plan for removing the bar at the mouth of one of the passes by a system very much the same as that so successfully executed in recent years by Captain James B. Eads. It was a mooted question, however, for some time, whether New Orleans, Manchac or Natchez, should be the colonial capital; but Bienville had his own way, and removed the seat of government to New Orleans in 1722. Under Spanish Rule. The Western Company possessed and controlled Louisiana some fourteen years, when, finding the prin- cipality of little value, it surrendered it in Jamjary, 1732. In 1763 occurred an event which left a deep impression on the history of Louisiana. On the 3d of November of that year, France, by a secret treaty, ceded to Spain all that portion of Louisiana which lay west of the Mis- sissippi, together with the city of New Orleans and the island on which it stood. The war between England and France was terminated by the treaty of Paris, in February, 1764. By the terms of this treaty the boundary between the French and English possessions in North America was fixed by a line drawn along the middle of he Mississippi from its source to the river Iberville, and 'rom there by a line in the middle of that stream, and Lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain to the sea. The .Trench inhabitants were astonished when they found themselves transferred to Spanish domination. Some of them were so rash as to organize in resistance to the cession, and finally, in 1766, ordered away the Spanish Governor, Antonio di Viola. In 1769, Alexander O'Reilly, the commandant of the large Spanish force, arrived and reduced the province to actual possessions. The colony grew slowly from this time until the administration of Baron de Carondelet, but under his management, from 1792 to 1797, marked improvements were made. In 1794, the first newspaper was established, "The Moniteur." The Purchase of Louisiana. The beginning of Jefferson's first term found the United States threatened by the dangers and complica- tions of an international struggle across the water. Napoleon was engaged with plans hostile to England. France had obtained from Spain a secret cession to what was known as the Louisiana territory. The British Government was covetous of American territory and was interested in limiting the expansion of the United States to the westward. The United States Government had become seriously concerned over the question of the com- mercial outlet to the Gulf. Spanish officials at New Orleans were imposing restrictions which materially hampered the commerce of the Valley and which were the occasion of bad feeling. Marbois was Napoleon's Minister of the Public Treasury. Napoleon needed money for his war budget. But of stronger influence with him was a policy which might cripple England. Under such conditions, Presl- 10 dent Jefferson opened, through Mr. Livingston, the Amer- ican Minister to France, negotiations for the purchase of so much territory as would control the mouth of the Mississippi. The inspiration for this diplomacy was the increasing clamor of the people in the great Valley against the interference with American commerce on the river. To aid Mr. Livingston, Mr. Monroe, afterwards President, was sent as a special Ambassador. Xapoleon met the negotiations with a counter propo- sition. According to Marbois, who became the historian of the transaction, Napoleon said, in a conversation on the 10th of April, 1803, speaking of the proposed cession, with special reference to the desire of the BrU'sh: "They shall not have the Mississippi, which they covet." Twenty days later the treaty had been consummated, and the great territory of Louisiana ceded to the United States for $12,000,000, and the assumption of certain claims amounting to $3,750,000 more. It was in commenting upon the accomplishment of the purchase that Napoleon remarked: "This accession of territory strengthens forever the nower of the United States." The secret treaty of St. Ildefonso, by which the ter- ritory passed to France from Spain, was made in 1800. I' was known to the Government of the United States, but the actual transfer from Spanish to French authority had net taken place. The trouble from which American commerce suffered was with the Spanish omcials at New Orleans. President Jefferson, however, knew that the solution of the difficulty must come through negotiations with France. It is an Interesting fact that in 1802 there sailed out of the Mississippi 158 American vessels, of 21,383 tonnage. This was the American commerce endangered. It was the arbitrary order issued on the 16th of October, 1802, by the Ir.tendant Morales, "suspending the right of deposit" at the port of New Orleans, which created the outburst of indignation along the Mississippi, which prompted President Jefferson to enter upon the negotia- tions for the purchase of the territory. According to Marbois, Napoleon realized in some degree the mag lficent territory which he was trans- ferring to the United States. He realized, however, that it was impossible for him to hold territory without send- ing a fleet and a strong force. He understood, also, that this transfer of Louisiana Territory to the United States would be the strongest bio."' he could deal to England. Napoleon met the offer of the United States to pur- chase the mouth of the river with this answer to his Minister, Marbois: "Irresolution and deliberation are no longer in season. I renounce Louisiana. It is not New Orleans only I will cede; it is the whole colony, without any reservation. I know the price of what I abanden. I renounce it with the greatest regret To attempt to retain it would be folly." The treaty of the purchase was signed on April 30, 1S03. The transfer at New Orleans took place on De- cember 20, of the same yeu.r. 11 Second Growth Pine. A Trout Stream. Louisiana Planter's Home. A Gravel Bed on the Amite. THE OLD CABILDO IN NEW ORLEANS. IX WHICH THE TRANSFER OF LOUISIANA TOOK PLACE ON DECEMBER 20, 1803. The Immigration Division of the State Board of Agriculture and Immigration now located here. AN AVENUE OF LIVE OAKS IN AUDUBON PARK, NEW ORLEANS. DR. MILLER'S HERD OF JERSEY CATTLE, IN OUACHITA PARISH. 15 In 1S04, the territory of Orleans was established by order of Congress. The rest of the immense purchase was at first erected into the district of Louisiana; then, in 1S05, into the Territory of Louisiana, and in 1S12, into the Territory of Missouri. At the time of the Amer- ican possession, in 1803, Laussat, the French colonial prefect, declared that justice was then administered "worse than in Turkey." With the American domination came new ideas. In 1808 a civil code of laws was, for the first time, adopted by Legislature in Louisiana. It was based, to a large extent, on a draft of the Code Napoleon. By act of Congress, in November, 1811, the inhabitants of the Territory were authorized to form a Constitution with a view to the establishment of a State Government. The debates in the National House of Representatives on this bill were long and interesting. The bill having been passed, however, the Constitution of 1S12 was framed and adopted, and on April 30, 1812, Congress passed an act for the admission of. Louisiana into the Union. Three months after this war was de- clared against England by the United States. The con- test was continued until the treaty of Ghent, December 24, 1 S 14. But before the news of peace could cross the ocean a force of 12,000 English soldiers, under Sir Ed- ward Pakenham, landed in Louisiana, and made an attack on New Orleans, which was successfully resisted by General Jackson, with only 5,000 men, most of whom were militia from Tennessee and Kentucky. The prog- ress of the State from this time and until the outbreak of the Civil War was very rapid. Louisiana had a large interest in slavery. On account of the extensive culti- vation of cotton, rice, and sugar-cane, and the conse- quent demand for labor, her slave population almost equaled her white. At the outbreak of the war, Louisiana promptly took a position in favor of secession. Her ordinance of secession from the Union was passed December 23, 1S60, by a vote of 113 to 17. On March 21, 1861, the same convention adopted the Confederate Con- stitution, without submitting it to the people, and, in order to conform it to their State Constitution, passed amendments for that purpose. From this time until the close of the war, the State Government was nomi- nally in the hands of the Confederates, though for the last two years of civil strife, its territory, for the most part, was in the hands of the Federals. Some of the earliest, as well as the latest, scenes of the war were enacted in this State. In April, 1862, Farragut's fleet entered the Mississippi River. He succeeded in passing, and in silencing, Forts Jackson and St. Philip, which defended the approaches to New Orleans, and captured the city on the 25th of April, 1S62. By July, 1S63, all the Confederate strongholds on the Mississippi were reduced, the towns captured, and the river opened to navigation. In 1S63, General Banks brought the Attak- apas country into subjection to the United States, and, in 1864, other excursions into the region of the Red River were made by him with but partial success. Constitutions of 1864 and 1868. In April, 1864, a new Constitution was drawn up preparatory to the act of re-admission of the State into 16 < h CO H J K < W o 7. 5 i-j h H H 55 U CD ■mamttSF *» w JM. , ^ 3 § n o> bo TO OJ November • 61 68 54 S5 30 63 72 52 December 56 64 49 81 20 57 6S 47 January 54 62 47 82 15 55 64 44 February 58 65 51 S2 16 60 70 50 Season 57 65 50 S5 15 59 68 4S 81 81 84 26 19 15 14 86 14 56 52 50 52 64 57 56 58 59 TO OJ 50 47 44 45 46 tog x° 78 72 69 76 7S - t. Is 41 34 29 J5 29 ..■ ■ . " ■ ft fell . 1 £,£§& Corn and Cowpeas in East Baton Rouge Parish. A Louisiana Sweet Potato Field. 24 ^SBSssbJj&ffii A BOSSIER PARISH ROAD. ON A BAYOU. 25 Regarding the heat of summer In Louisiana, there prevails in many parts a totally erroneous opinion. It is believed that it must be warmer here than in other States because Louisiana is located farther South. Such reasoning is utterly false; living in close proximity to the Mexican Gulf, and having during the month of March, April, May, June, July and August, almost con- stantly south winds, we always have a cooling sea breeze. Another widespread error is the impression that a white man cannot work in this climate during the sum- mer, and that only the negro can stand the heat. As far as the heat is concerned, the truth has been stated above; in regard to labor, it should be said that there are .certain people who can never work, because they do not want to — during the summer it is too hot, and during the winter too cold for them, and they are will- ing tu believe that only the negro can stand the heat. Our German gardeners and farmers, as well as thou- sands of other nationalities, have performed labor in garden and field for many years. They need no negroes, and feel so comfortable that they prefer the summer to the winter. On extremely hot days they work in the field only during the morning and afternoon hours, "laying off" during the midday heat, as they do in other sections under similar .conditions. Cases of sunstroke are reported from Northern and Western cities by the half hundred; they occur here but seldom. Rainfall. The average yearly rainfall at New Orleans is about 70 inches, decreasing in quantity as one goes northward, with 45 inches as an average in the extreme northern portion.' The heaviest showers fall in summer during the growing season. Winter comes next in its quantitv of rainfall, while our springs and autumns are our dry seasons, with only occasional showers. Such seasons are conducive to the welfare of our staple crops — - cotton, sugar-cane and rice; dry springs permitting a successful planting and cultivation of these crops, and dry autumns, so essential to the rapid and economical harvesting of them. Our regular rains are from the southwest, yet in summer they sometimes come from the northwest, and when they do they are usually accompanied by thunder and lightning. 26 BURNSIDE SUGAR REFINERY. RIVERS AND WATER COURSES. NO STATE in the Union has so much alluvial lands or so many miles of navigable waters. The widest part of the flood plain, as well as the delta of the Mississippi River lies within its border. The alluvial and marsh lands derivable from this river are over 13,000 square miles. The bottoms of thj Red, and its tributaries before it enters this valley, about 1,700, the marsh lands vest of the delta about 4,000, other alluvial and swamp lands about 600 square miles, making in the aggregate a little over 19,000 square miles of alluvial land, or nearly one- half of the State. The Mississippi and the Red are the chief drainage channels of the State, and almost all of the larger streams of these basins diverge from them, and hence, are called bayous. Before the days of levees they formed so many channels, or outlets for the escape of water in floods. Such a network of connection has thus been formed that it is now difficult sometimes to trace the course of an individual stream. As a rule, some large bayou flows along the edge of the bottom plain. Bayou Macon is on the west of the Mississippi flood plain, Ouachita River on the extreme west of the central plain, Bayous Boeuf, Cocodrie and Teche, on the west of the flood plain of the Red River. In North Louisiana the rivers follow the trend of the subterranean rocks. In the east they flow southeasterly in the Ouachita, and southward into the Red. In the extreme south those west of the Mississippi flow southward into the Gulf; those east, southeast, into the lakes- Navigable Waters in Louisiana. (In all of which boats operate during some season of Streams — the year.) Miles of Navigation 61 Head of Navigation. .Port Vincent 78 Red River .Harvey's Canal *Bartholomew Bayou . ... 145 25 State Line. Ark. .Florence 30 Ferry Landing 70 .Mouth of Ouachita 10 .Lake Lafourche 11 ... 132 60 25 . Grand Ecore 50 .Spearsville 75 75. . Washington Farmervill 6 32 Minden 28 GOING TO DINNER— ASCENSION PARISH. OFF ON A SCHOOL, PICNIC— ASCENSION PARISH. Streams — Grand Caillou Bayou Lafourche Bayou Laeombe Bayou Little River (including Catuhoula Lake) Miles of Head of Navigation. Navigation. 13 .. 318 Donaldsonville 15 Bayou Laeombe Louis Bayou Macon Bayou Manchac Bayou Mermenteau Bayou •Mississippi River Natalbany River . . •Ouachita River . . Palmyra Lake •Pearl River Petite Anse Bayou •Red River Rouge Bayou Sabine Bayou Sabine River Teche Bayou Tensas River Tickfaw River Terrebonne Bayou . Tangipahoa River Tchefuncta Bayou . Vermilion Bayou . . Other Streams 150 Ct L., I. M. & S R R Bridge 15 Bayou Castor 200 Floyd 18 Hope Villa 81 Lake Arthur 560 St. Paul, Minn. 12 Springfield 217 State Line 25 Palmyra 103 Carthage, Miss. 8 Salt Mine 510 Fulton, I. T. 15 Shoals, Texas 75 Catahoula Lake 387 91 St. Martinsville 150 V., S. & P. Bridge 16 V., S. & P. Bridge 15 20 Covington 49 Pin Hook Bridge 155 Total 4,794 •Portion of navigable stream lying in other States. Miles of Navigation in Each State of Mississippi Valley. Louisiana 4,794 Arkansas 2,100 Mississippi 1,380 Montana 1,310 Dakota 1,280 Illinois 1,270 Tennessee 1,260 Kentucky 1,027 Indiana 1,230 Iowa S40 Indian Territory 830 Minnesota 720 Wisconsin 660 Ohio 560 Texas 550 Nebraska 440 West Virginia 500 Pennsylvania 380 Kansas 240 Alabama 200 New York 70 Railroads in Operation in Louisiana, Showing Total Mileage Operated. Arkansas, Louisiana & Gulf Ry. Co 43.40 Arkansas Southeastern Railway Co 37.55 Bernice & Northwestern R. R. Co 27.00 Brimstone Railroad & Canal Co S-.27 Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Ry. Co 147.74 SO [* pft. w iL , * ''V4 ^w^^B ^BPS* swar* I fV B^ v . r .- V . r :---:A^ ; Kreak of Nature : Double Cypress Tree. A LOUISIANA HOME. 31 Chicago, St. Louis & New Orleans R. R. Co (Operated by the Illinois Central R. R. Co.) Dorcheat Valley R. R. Co 13.50 Engelwood, Alexandria & Southwestern R. R. Co. S.00 Farmerville & Southern R. R. Co 24.57 Franklin & Abbeville Ry. Co 27.12 Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Ry. Co 63.. Gulf & Sabine River Railroad Co 31.10 Houston & Shreveport R. R. Co 46.45 Iberia & Vermilion R. R. Co 20.16 Illinois Central R. R. Co 302.85 (Lessees Chicago, St. Louis & New Orleans R. R. Co. Jackson Railroad Co 4.60 Kansas City, Shreveport & Gulf Terminal Co 1.0C (Operated by Kansas City Southern Ry. Co.) Kansas City Southern Railway Co 317. 25 Kentwood, Greensburg & Southwestern Ry. Co.. 16.20 Kentwood & Eastern Ry. Co 54. Tu Lake Charles Railway & Navigation Co 20.00 Lake Charles & Northern Railroad Co 52.90 Leesville East & West R. R. Co 15.50 Little Rock & Monroe Ry. Co 43.06 Loring & Western Ry. Co 18.00 Louisiana Railway Co 30.00 Louisiana Central R. R. Co 45.12 Louisiana Railway & Navigation Co 3S1.66 Louisiana Southern Ry. Co 52.51 Louisiana Western R. R. Co 259.94 Louisiana & Arkansas Ry. Co 20S.5S Louisiana & Northwest R. R. Co 107.15 Louisiana & Pacific Ry. Co 59.70 Louisville & Nashville R. R. Co 63.81 (New Orleans and Mobile Division.) Mangham & Northeastern Ry. Co 3.00 Mansfield Railway & Transportation Co 15. S5 Missouri, Kansas & Texas Ry. Co. of Texas 19.29 (Leased from V., S. & P. Ry. Co.) .Monroe & Southwestern Ry. Co 17-41 Morgan's La. & Tex. R. R. & S. S. Co 555.59 Natchez, Urania & Ruston Ry. Co 14.00 Natchez & Western Ry. Co 17. 5S New Orleans Great Northern R. R. Co 76.06 New Orleans, Natalbany & Natchez Ry. Co 25.97 New Orleans Southern Ry. Co 65.6S (Former New Orleans, Ft. Jackson & Grand Isle R. R. Co.) New Orleans Terminal Co 77.00 New Orleans, Texas & Mexico R. R. Co 164.30 New Orleans & Northeastern R. R. Co S3. 62 New Orleans & Northwestern R. R. Co 137.25 North Louisiana & Gulf R. R. Co 13.75 Opelousas, Gulf & Northeastern Ry. Co 64.65 Ouachita & Northwestern R. R. Co 44.36 Pontchartrain Railroad Co 9. S3 (Branch of the Louisville & Nashville R. R. Co.) Public Belt R. R. Co 10.00 Red River & Gulf R. R. Co 12.75 Sabine & Northern Ry. Co 9.50 St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Ry. Co 340.76 St Louis Southwestern Ry. Co S0.61 St. Louis, Watkins & Gulf Ry. Co 110.99 St. Louis & San Francisco R. R. Co (Co-Lessees Nev, Orleans Terminal Co.) Sibley, Lake Bistineau & Southern Ry. Co 30.75 Texas & Pacific Ry. Co 969.42 Tioga & Southeastern Ry. Co 18.00 Tremont & Gulf R. R. Co 92.37 Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific Ry. Co 227.67 Victoria, Fisher & Western R. R. Co 56.00 Woodworth & Louisiana Central Ry. Co 24.00 Yazoo & Mississippi Valley R. R. Co 331.67 Zachary & Northeastern R. R. Co 10.73 Zwolle & Eastern Ry. Co 18.00 Grand total June 30, 1909 6,271.76 Grand total June 30, 1908.: 6,093.88 Increase all tracks 177.88 List of Other Railroads, Including Plantation and Saw- mill Roads. Alexandria Lumber Company 10.00 Argyle Planting & Manufacturing Co Arkana & Eastern R. R 8.00 Arkansas & Gulf Ry 12.50 Baldwin Lumber Company, Limited 7.00 Baldwin Lumber Company, Limited 4.00 Bell Lumber Company, J. A 6.00 Bennett & Eastern Ry 7.55 H B— 3. Bering Lumber Co 9.00 Bienville Lumber Co Big Creek Lumber Co.'s R. R 19.20 Big Pine Lumber Co 8.00 Black Bayou Railroad 1° 00 Black Lake Lumber Co 6 - 00 Blackman & Dorcheat Ry. (tracks taken up; Bodcaw Valley R. R i 24.00 Boleyn, Natchitoches & Western Ry 7.00 Bowie, Lafourche & Northwestern Ry 14.00 Bradford-Kess Lumber Co 4 - 00 Brakenridge Railway & Navigation Co 14-00 Brooks-Scanlon Company 600 Brooks-Scanlon Company 5 - 00 Brown Lumber Company 12.00 Burton-Swarts Cypress Company 8.50 Calcasieu Long Leaf Lumber Co 18.50 Caldwell-Norton Lumber Company 9.00 Central Coal & Coke Company 7.61 Central Coal & Coke Company 9.65 Cinclare Central Factory Railroad 5.00 Crowell & Spencer Lumber Co.'s Railroad 3.50 Culbreath Logging Company 1-50 Cummings-Moberly Cypress Company 7.00 Dallas, Sabine & New Orleans Railroad D' Arbonne Valley R. R 30.00 Davis Brothers Lumber Company 10.00 Day Lumber Company 4-50 Delhi, Baskin & Southwesten Ry 18.00 DeSoto Land & Lumber Co.'s Railroad 12.00 33 Dibert, Stark & Brown Cypress Co., Limited 5.00 East & West Ry 7.00 East & West Louisiana Ry 5.00 Edgwood Log & Land Company, Limited' Enterprise Railway IS. 40 Frierson Southern Railroad Genesee Lumber Co 12.00 Globe Lumber Company 15.00 Golden Logging Co Goodland Cypress Company. Limited 5.00 Grace Logging Co Gravell Logging Co Great Southern Lumber Company 23.00 Greenlaw Lumber Company 3.00 Gulf Lumber Company Gulf, Sabine & Red River Ry 11.50 Hall & Legan Lumber Company 6.00 Hammond & Eastern Railroad 32.00 Iatt Lumber Company Industrial Lumber Co 31.60 Jeanerette Lumber & Shingle Co., Ltd 6.00 King Ryder Lumber Co 10.90 Kingston Railroad S.00 Lee Logging Co Learned's Logging Railroad 6.00 Little River Valley Navigation & Ry. Co 8.00 Lock, Moore & Company Lockport, Raceland & Lafourche Ry IS. 00 Long-Bell Lumber Company Long-Bell Lumber Company Long Leaf Lumber Company Longville Lumber Co 6.50 Louisiana Logging Co Louisiana Midland Ry 17.00 Louisiana Northern Railroad Company 5.00 Louisiana Saw Mill Company 6.50 Louisiana & Eastern Ry 10.00 Ludington, Wells & Van Schaick Lumber Co 10.00 Lutcher & Moore Cypress Co 10.00 Lyon Cypress Co 20.00 McDonald Brothers 6.17 Martin Tram Co : 13.00 Martindale & Ouachita River R. R. Co 17.00 Mathews, C. S 20.07 Mill Creek & Little River R. R. & Nav. Co 8.50 .Mississippi River Sugar Belt Ry 24.00 Missouri & Louisiana Railroad Co .• 6.00 Missouri & Louisiana Railroad Co 21.00 Moeling & Northwestern R. R 9.00 Moore & Company, J. T Natchez, Ball & Shreveport R. R 16.00 Natchitoches Ry. & Construction Co 5.00 Nigh Rutledge Lumber & Mnfg. Co 1.S9 North Louisiana Railway Company 6.00 Oakley Planting Company, Limited 8.00 Old River & Kissatchie R. R. Co . 16.00 Orangeville & Sabine River R. R. Company Owl Bayou Cypress Co 8.00 Ozone Lumber Company Patent & Burguieres 3.69 34 Pennamtch Lumber Co 3.75 Port Barre Lumber Co Quitman & Southeastern Railroad 5.00 Raceland Plantation R. R. Co 12.00 Ramos Lumber Company, Limited 5.00 Rapides Lumber Company 18.00 Red River & Rocky Mountain Ry 15.00 Rogers Company, Limited, Ernest 9.04 Roosevelt & Western Railroad 9.00 Rose Hill Sugar Company Railroad 5.60 Ruddock, Bonnet Carre & N. R. R. Co 33.00 Ruddock-Orleans Cypress Co 10.00 Sabine Tram Company 10.00 Sabine & Eastern Railway Saint John Lumber Company Saint Tammany & New Orl. Ry. & Ferry Co.. 12.50 Salmon Brick & Lumber Company 14.08 Salsburg Refining Company, Limited 2.S4 Sanders-Trotti Tram Co 30.00 Segura Operating Company 25.00 Shady Side Company, Limited 16.00 Shady Side Company, Limited 3.00 Shamrock & Western Ry 9.00 Shreveport, Noble & Southern Ry 10.00 Sims Lumber Company Smith Lumber Co., C. L Standard Cotton Seed Oil Company Star & Crescent Lumber Company. .' 14.00 Stevens Logging ompany, C. H 7.00 Stevenson Southeastern 7.00 Sulphur Timber & Lumber Co 6.00 Swartz & Ouachita City Ry 22.00 Sweet Home Plantation Company 8.00 Tannehille & Western R. R. Co 6.00 United Lumber Company 5.00 Valley Lumber Co 5.00 Waverly Sugar Mfg. & Plantation Co 5.00 White Castle & Lake Natchez Ry 10.00 Williams Cypress Company 7.00 Winnfield Oil Wells Railroad Co 3 50 Winona & Western Railroad 10.00 Wyatt Lumber Co 8.00 Wyatt & Donovan Railway 9.50 Zimmerman, Leesville & Southwestern Ry 28.00 Total 1,238.87 35 GEOLOGY OF LOUISIANA. GEOLOGICALLY speaking, Louisiana is a young State, it had no existence at the end of the Paleozoic Age. Only a few closing chapters of the world's history are here recorded, and these have been written by water, which is now, as ever, the great factor in landmaking in this State. Extent of These Formations. Beginning in the southern part of the State, one finds the coast marshes, consisting of the blue clay of recent date, upon which the mud and clay, brought by modern floods and tides, have been deposited. They are now in the process of formation, and are overflowed daily by the tides. Near the bayous and rivers the alluvium brought down by the floods have been piled upon this clay, elevating the adjacent surfaces above the level of the marshes and making arable land. By leveeing against high waters, these lands have become the permanent abode of a prosperous population engaged in cultivating the soil. Throughout this territory (sea marshes) live oak ridges are found, which were reserved until recentlv from sale or pre-emption. The timber from these ridges was formerly used by the Govenment in building Its ships. In modern times iron ships have supplanted the wooden ones, and accordingly these ridges are now subject to the same laws as apply to other public lands. Much of these coast marshes that are now covered with reeds and grasses are susceptible of reclamation. Dikes similar to those constructed in Holland for the reclamation of the land from the Zuyder Zee could be built here and thousands of acres of extremely fertile lands could be placed under cultivation. This, to a limited extent, has already been accomplished in south- west Louisiana. Recent contracts, involving the modest sum of $35,000,000, have been made for further land reclamation in Holland. Simliar sums spent here would reclaim much larger and more fertile areas. Bluff Lands. Above this similar, but somewhat older clay occur the carcereous silts and brown loams, brought down by streams which antedate those which exist at the present time. After the deposition of this clay in a sluggish, shallow sea, running well up to Cairo, 111., a gradual elevation took place, and this bottom became the outlet for the great volume of water falling between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains. This ancient, enormous river extended from the present Bayou Macon on the west to Vicksburg on the east. It had, like our present Mississippi, its high water and overflows. The current was, however, not so great, and hence its deposits were of a silty or loaming character. These deposits continued until both sides of this great stream were walled in by high bluffs ten to fifteen miles wide. From S< Steamboat Loading at Shreveport for New Orleans. SULPHUR MINES IN CALCASIEU 1'AIUSII. S7 Vieksburg, Miss., to Baton Rouge, La., on the eastern banks, these bluffs are continuous. At the latter place they swerve to the left and are soon lost against the older formations. On the western side these bluffs have been partially destroyed, but enough remains to trac? the exact position in former times. Upon the western banks of Bayou Macon may now be plainly discerned the bluff formation constituting what are known as Bayou Macon Hills. These bluffs follow this stream through West Carroll, Richland, and Franklin. From Harrison- burg, in Catahoula Parish, they may be traced by occa- sional outcrops through Rapides, Avoyelles, St. Landry, Lafayette, Iberia, and St. Mary parishes. The five islands jutting out of the sea marshes are of this formation. The hills of Opelousas, Grand Coteau, Carencro am 1 Cote Gelee are remains of these bluffs. The western banks of this ancient stream have been almost destroyed by water. Between the Ouachita and Bayou Macon they have been spread out over nearly the entire country, form- ing some of the best lands of the State. Jefferson and Mer Rouge prairies of Morehouse, Holloway of Rapides, and Marksville of Avoyelles, have all originated from disintegrated materials of this ancient ridge. But the largest results from this distintegration are to be found in the parishes of west Louisiana. They extend from Franklin, St. Mary parish, on the east, to the Texas line on the west, and from the coast marshes of the south to near the extreme northern limit of St. Land.y parish. This entire prairie has been reclaimed from the salt marshes by the deposition of the material derived ' 38 from the western bluffs of this ancient stream. The area of this bluff formation is, therefore, quite large in this State. Stratified Drift. North of the pine flats, and participating in the gen- eral southward dip of the formations of the State, occur, at or near the surface, beds of sand or gravel of the stratified drift. This formation is found on the tops of the hills of the State as well as below the blue clay of the Mississippi River. It is the presence of these sands or gravels which cause so much trouble with cav- ing banks along this stream. The channel of the river has cut its way through the blue clay into these sands or gravels. At high water the velocity of this stream is considerably augmented, and, therefore, the increased erosive force of its waters wear away these underlying sands and gravels, and leave the superimposed clay stratum undermined, which, when the flood recedes, un- supported by the buoyancy of the water, yields to the force of gravity and falls into the river, giving in many instances, disastrous caves. The gravel of this forma- tion is found overlying the salt beds of Avery Island, and underlying the bluff strata. This is its most south- ern exposure. Rising as one proceeds northward, it becomes more or less abundant throughout all of the uplands of the State. Tertiary System. The formations of this system are well represented in Louisiana, though they are very generally concealed by more recent deposits. LIQUID SULPHUR. OIL GUSHER NEAR JENNINGS, LA. The Neocene beds are met only In the deep oil wells sunk In the southern parishes of the State to a depth ot from 1,500 to 2,000 feet. The drill proves their pres- ence between the depths referred to In many ca^es. The Oligocene beds are divisible Into the fresh or brackish water Grand Gulf and Vicksburg marine marls The former serve to give the principal topography to the central portion of the State. They consist of light and colored sandstone as exposed at Harrisonburg, Alexan- dria, and along the Texas and Pacific Railroad, above the last mentioned town. Intercolated with these are gray and light green clays. The comparative hardness of the layers has produced a series of hills extending in a southwesterly direction from Sicily Island and Harrison- burg, through Hornbeck to the Sabine river. The Vicks- burg beds are exposed only In Catahoula in the vicinity of Rosefleld. Beneath the Oligocene beds Just described occur the selenitic and lignitic clays and marls of the Jackson stage. They occur on Sandy creek near the Sabine: on the Kansas City Railroad north of Hornbeck; at Mont- gomery on the Red river; throughout the calcareous prairie region to the east, and at Tullos; again in exten- sive bluffs on the Ouachita, north of En.erprise P. O. They are usually recognized by the large number of Zen- gloden cetnides bones they contain. This animal was, as the name suggests, whale-like in character and was most characteristic of the Jacksoh stage. Most of the "red-lands" of Hie Slate belong to the Claiborne stage. Along the Sabine, where the southern dip is considerable. this stage has but a very limited areal development, though it can be seen fairly well near Florien and in the redlands of the Negreet. Above Provencal and Natchitoches it is better displayed and from St. Maurice it deploys north and east and occupies the j.eatest portion of the State between the Red and Ouachita rivers north of the Jackson areas described above. Its dip is here very slight, southward or eastward. That portion of the State west of Red river and north of the Claiborne beds is mainly of the Sabine or Lignitic stage. About Many and Mansfield the sands and clays of this stage are well shown. They contain huge, gray calcareous concretions, and also at least three extensive beds of lignite. In general, the surface features pro- duced by the erosion of these deposits can scarcely be distinguished from those of the Claiborne. The Midway stage is hardly exposed at the surface in Louisiana. A few fossils from Sabine and Winn par- ishes have been referred to this stage. Cretaceous System. Rocks of this system peep out from under the over- spreading Quaternary and Tertiary clays and sands In several places. The salt licks of North Louisiana, the Winnfield "marble" quarry, the St. Landry limestone de- posits are of this system. So far as square miles are concerned, their outcroppings are insignificant, but their good quality of lime-making and building materials, as well as their oil and salt-bearing properties in the ex- treme southern part of the State renders them of the highest economic value to the State. 40 v*. y** > ..«» JAPANESE PERSIMMON TREE IN FRUIT. Seam of Coal in the Doler Hills, iy 2 r\ei lliick. LEVEES OF THE STATE. A LARGE portion of the State of Louisiana, amounting to 23,000 square miles, which is about one-half of the total area of the State, is of alluvial formation. By alluvial formation is meant that territory which was deposited in geolog- ical ages by the Mississippi River. It was slowly formed by the mighty river dropping the sediment which it carries to the sea and this sediment thus deposited rising higher and higher and filling up the estuary which extended as far up as Cairo, became in the course of ages the richest agricultural ground in the United States. It has been often said that territory thus formed was the "cream of the soil of the United States." This alluvial part of Louisiana through which the Mississippi, Red and the Atchafalaya rivers flow in their onward course to the sea, is thickly settled and highly cultivated; but at the time of flood in these rivers the extreme high water which they carry to the sea would overflow this alluvial territory were it not for the artificial embankments, or levees, as they are called, which line the side of these streams. The earliest set- tlers in the State of Louisiana first occupied the highest spots in these valleys, spots which are rarely overflowed and only by extreme high waters. Even then, at times, they found it necessary to surround their properties by artificial embankments or levees, in order to protect themselves from overflows at times of extreme flood period. Little by little, as the country became more settled, additional alluvial territory was occupied by civilization, and these levees had to be extended along the banks of the streams. At first the levees were built by the riparian inhabi- tants themselves and at their own expense. In the course of time, however, the State appropriated monej for the construction of levees, and later on, the alluvial territory was divided, by legislative enactments into levee districts, which taxed themselves varying amounts in order to maintain these levees. Finally, the United States Government, recognizing that the' levee system was necessary to improve and maintain the navigability of the Mississippi River, devoted a certain amount of money annually to the construction of levees. At present the levee line by which the State of Louisiana is protected from overflow is about 1,430 miles long. Of this, 815 miles is situated on the Mississippi River, 395 miles on the Red River and tributaries, 70 miles on the Atchafalaya River, and 150 miles on Bayou Lafourche. The State of Louisiana levies, for levee purposes, a 17-20-mill tax on all assessed property within its boundaries, whether it be situated on alluvial land sub- ject to overflow, or hill lands above overflow. This yields approximately $315,000 a year. In addition, the alluvial territory has been subdivided into 16 levee districts, 42 'Wi&mmwm *£ft^--JsK» '■' ^'^^•**^ ~>^SSJfe ^a.--**" 1 " ; i - LEVEE CAMP ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. and 2 sub-dlstrlcts, vhlch, by local taxation, raise a. revenue of approximately $1,000,000 a year for levee- building. This revenue is raised, first, by an ad valorem ta:: on the assessed value of the property, which is generally ten mills on the dollar; second, by a land tax, which is generally 2% cents per acre; third, by a produce tax levied on cotton, sugar, sugar-cane, mo- lasses, potatoes, onions, rice, and even oysters; fourth, by a tax on every railroad, varying from $20 to $100 per mile. In addition to this the various levee districts have the right to issue bonds, the proceeds of which are devoted to levee building, and the total authorized issue of which amounts to $4,999,000. The United States Government, through the Mississippi River Commission, has been disbursing about $700,000 per year for the last several years in levee building on the Mississippi River. These taxes, high as they may seem, are easily and cheerfully met by the residents of the alluvial portion of the State of Louisiana. The planters find their levee tax is cheap insurance against the floods which formerly used to inundate their crops; and, moreover, the pro- ductiveness of the alluvial lands of the State of Louis- iana is so great, and the returns yielded by agricultural products raised on these fertile lands so far exceed in value those obtained from the less productive hill lands, that this tax, or insurance, is considered cheap and easily met. The levee system, although not yet complete, either in extent, or in size, has substantially and practically protected the State of Louisiana from overflows since 1893, and the day is not far distant when its completion will insure full protection to the inhabitants of that most fertile section of the State. AGRICULTURAL DIVISIONS OF THE STATE. T HE STATE may be divided agriculturally into five parts: First, alluvial region; second, bluff soils; third, good uplands; fourth, long-leaf pine region; fifth, central prairie region. First, Alluvial Region. This region may be conveniently subdivided into three parts: First, alluvial of Mississippi River and its outlying bayous; second, alluvial of Red River and its outlying bayous; third, the "larshes of the coast and lakes. As before remarked, this region occupies about 19,000 square miles, and its vast possibilities in the near future for supporting millions of beings are simply in- conceivable. The lands of this section are now leveed against the annual encroaching floods of the rivers which traverse them. Several millions of dollars are annually spent in enlarging and strengthening these protecting earth walls. When these streams, as they will be in a few years, shall be safely controlled in their annual rises, and the confidence of the people established in the ability 44 *%m Live Oak on Bayou Teche BLACK GUM OR SATIN WALNUT. Picking Cotton. At end of row. 46 of levees to thoroughly protect, then will a full appre- ciation of the intrinsic merits of these lands be realized, and high values be established. Dr. Hilgard speaks of this region as "the most fertile agricultural lands of the State, equaled .by few and surpassed by none in the world in productive capacity." Alluvial Region of the Mississippi River and Its Out- lying Bayous. The parishes of this region north of the mouth of Red River are East Carroll, Madison, Tensas and Con- cordia, entirely, and parts of Morehouse, Ouachita, Union, West Carroll, Richland, Franklin, Caldwell and Cata- houla. South of the mouth of Red River the whole of the following parishes are included in this region: Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, Ascension, Assumption, St. James, St. John, St. Charles, Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Lafourche and Ter- rebonne. Parts of Avoyelles, West Feliciana and East Baton Rouge are also alluvial. In treating of the soils of this region it would be best, perhaps, to adopt the local custom and call all of that portion north of the mouth of Red River north Louisiana, and all south of it south Louisiana. This should be done, also, from an agricultural standpoint, since the soils of the northern section are of a lighter, sandier character than those of the southern section. Cotton was the chief crop in the former, while sugar-cane dominates among crops in the latter, but now corn, rice and peanuts are planted in large areas in the northern section. Alluvial Lands of Mississippi River in North Louisiana. Crossing the State from the Mississippi River west- ward along the Arkansas line, one encounters alluvial bottoms separated by spurs of hill land running down from Arkansas, until the hills west of the Ouachita are encountered. Bayous Macon and Tiger are encountered after a journey over alluvial bottoms of eight miles from the river. Westward of these bayous begin the Bayou Macon Hills (bluff formation), which are here about eight miles wide. They extend in a widening belt to the southward eighty-five miles, terminating in Sicily Island. Their widest extent occurs just north of Winns- boro, in Franklin parish, and is here nearly twenty-five miles. Descending from these hills, going westward along the Arkansas line, the valley of the Boeuf River is entered. This extremely fertile valley is here also about eight miles wide and extends southward, with about the same width until it merges into the valley of the Ouachita River, eighty miles distant. Westward of the Boeuf River "alluvials," we en- counter a true ridge of the tertiary formation stretching out from Arkansas well down into Louisiana, and cut off at some remote day from the main hills by the Ouachita River and its tributaries. This ridge has been intersected by Bayou Bartholo- mew (which empties into the Ouachita), leaving a nar- row tongue between it and its confluent. This ridge varies in width from four to thirty-five miles, and is known locally as Bastrop Hills, the town of Bastrop, the parish seat of Morehouse parish, being situated thereon. 46 TRUCK FARMING (TOMATOES)— L. P. ALEXANDER'S TRUCK FARM, OUACHITA PARISH. 47 The Ouachita River forms the western boundary of the flood plain of the Mississippi Valley, and borders the hill country (good uplands) of Union, Ouachita, Caldwell and Catahoula parishes. Along this river and its tributaries, Bayous d'Arbonne, De Siard and Bar- tholomew, some of the finest cotton plantations of the State are situated. These alluvial lands are in many respects most desirable, since their easy culture, profuse fertility and absence of levees (the upper Ouachita being above the highest overflow), all conspire to give profit- able returns under good culture and management. The tertiary ridges mentioned above are similar to the good uplands described elsewhere. There are some "prairies" scattered through these ridges, with soils varying from pure sands to whitish clays. In Ashley County, Ark., similar prairies, with the latter soils, have, by drainage and tillage, been made highly profitable. Seymour's and Dubull's, in northern Morehouse, and Prairie du Bois, in southern Ouachita, are of sufficient size to merit a distinct coloring on the agricultural map of the State. Prairies Mer Rouge and Jefferson lie at the eastern foot of the ridge in Morehouse parish. They are extremely fertile tracts of a few thousand acres each, and properly belong to the "bluff formation." The name of the former, Mer Rouge (Red Sea) is derived from the prevalence of a sumac (Rhus copalina), whose leaves and berries in autumn are brilliantly red. This shrub, and a few hawthorns, are the only tree growth on these prairies. Descending the western banks of the Mississippi River from the Arkansas line to the Gulf, no uplands are found, and the entire country adjacent is wholly alluvial. Levees constructed and maintained at public expense extend this entire distance, and protect the lands from overflow in high water. Examination will show that the highest lands of this alluvial region are immediately on the banks of the river. This is true of every stream that overflows its banks in high water. It is accompanied throughout its course by a ridge, the resultant of the debris deposited by it in each successive overflow. From this ridge the lands slope gently to a low-lying cypress swamp, which is usually the drainage basin between the two streams. The bank of the Mississippi Ri\er in Louisiana, opposite Vicksburg, Miss., is eight feet above the banks of the Tensas, twenty above the Lafourche, and ten above Monroe, on the banks of the Ouachita. Before the days of levees, every overflow carried the waters to these lower levels and frequently filled the entire alluvial district, even up to the banks on both streams. These floods restricted settlement on these lands in the past, but now, with our system of levees perfected, it is expected that they will be rapidly occupied. The soil next to the river is not only the highest in elevation, but is, as a rule, the lightest, or sandiest — the amount of sand depending largely upon the size and velocity of the stream depositing it. Hence, on the Mississippi River, soils too sandy for profitable cultiva- tion are sometimes found. These sandy or loamy front lands can easily be istinguished from the stiff back 4S H 73 z § o « 3 « Oh 03 02 M w a u o « z o H oa -- V. £ V o C en H - = 7. 5 H 0) ■A "3 C X •— O D C H b OJ '. A 7. a ^ a> S _. 3 t-H III '-' C K O H. B.— 4 49 lands by th^ tree growth, tn north Louisiana the tr^e growth of the front land is Cottonwood, which is sup- planted by the willow on similar lands in sou'li Louis- iana. As explained elsewhere, the front lands are formed of the deposits from the present river, while the back lands are the deposits from an ancient stream which antedated our present river, and one which possessed little or no current. The. closely resemble the clay soils now being formed in our swamps. They are uni- versally known in north Louisiana as "buckshot" lands, on account of the excellent quality which they possess of crumbling into small roundish fragments on drying — a property which gives them the highest agricultural value, since they combine the high fertility of clay soils with the easy tilth of light, loamy ones. The dark buck shot soils are esteemed, for permanent productiveness, the finest soils in the world. Analyses made of similar soils from Mississippi by Dr. Hilgard, show them to contain the largest amount of plant food, and "justify the reputation of being the most productive and durable soil of the Mississippi bottoms." Unlike most other clay soils, they may be tilled at almost any time when the plow can be propelled through them, because, on drying, they crumble spon- taneously into a loose mass of better tilth than many an elaborately tilled upland soil. It is of s jch a depth thai the deepest tillage, even by the steam plow, would nol reach beyond the true soil material; and its high absorp- tive power secures crops against injury from drought. At the same time (owing, doubtless, to its being traversed by Innumerable fine cracks and underlaid by gravel of sand), It drains quite readily. The front lands are also highly esteemed, and but for the proximity of the "buck- shot lands," with which they are compared, they would be held of the highest value. Drainage and proper tillage will always evoke from these soils the highest yields. South of Red River. Here the scene changes. Both the crops and the landscape vary from those described. Sugar-cane now becomes the chief crop, while the cultivable soil adjacent to the banks decreases in width as we descend the river. Above the Red River all of the so-called bayous become ultimately tributaries of the Mississippi. Below Red River there is a perfect network of bayous, leaving the river outlets to the Gulf for the enormous volumes of water pouring through the Mississippi in times of flood. Along thes>'- bayous lie extensive areas of arable land, cultivated in sugar-cane, corn, rice, etc. Here, as well as on the banks of the Mississippi, extensive and highly improved sugar plantations, with palatial homes, large and splendidly equipped sugarhouses, and well arranged laborers' quarters, are everywhere to be found. Between the bayous and back from the main river occur extensive swamps of cypress and swamp cane, the latter less abundant near the coast. The land cultivated on the river varies in breadth from one to three miles, while on the bayous it is from a few hundred yards to one or two miles. Back nf the cultivated lands are the vooded swamps, into which the drainage of the planta- ilon Is sent. Eu Sometimes detached portions of high land, having no present reference to any of the existing streams, are found four to ten miles from the present water courses. They are usually covered with timber, and in clearing, the latter is burnt, hence, such clearings are usually known as "Brulees." Again, small islands jut up out of the marsh and abound in swamp cane,' which furnishes excellent grazing for stock in the winter. To these lands, cattle were formerly sent in larero numbers, and hence, were called "Vacheries." As we descend the Mississippi, the soils are less varied in character. As a rule, they are less sandy, and true buckshot soils are rare. The latter are probably too deep to take part in soil formation. Usually the soils of this region are divided into three classes — "sandy," "mixed," and "stiff." They vary only in the proportion of clay they contain — those with the least are called sandy, and those with the largest amount stiff. The mixed soils are intermediate in character. As a rule, the sandy soils are the most esteemed, being easier tilled and drained. Their relations to bent is such that they are the last to start vegetation in the spring and the last in the fall to be affected by frosts. The con- verse of this is true in regard to the stiff soils. Being dark in color, they absorb heat rapidly in the spring, and thus force an early vegetation. In the fall, on account of rapid radiation of heat, they are the first to be hurt by the fr..st. They are difficult to drain and cultivate. nnd hence, are not in high request. On the other band. tliej usually «ive a sweeter cane, but a lower tonnage per acre than other soils. Mixed soils possess properties intermediate between those described and are very valu- able. It is probable that for all purposes they are the most valuable of the three. It frequently happens that all three of these soils may occur in a small field. In fact, so frequent in the immediate past have been crev- asses and overflows that the entire alluvial soil of south Louisiana may be ascribed to them The original deposits made by the river when its banks were being formed, and before the days of the levees, are rarely within the reach of the plow. Hence, the diversification of soils within a small area. Numerous analyses of soils taken throughout south Louisiana have been made, covering every variety from the sandiest to the stiffest clay, and they all show them to be rich in the essential elements of plant food, and, as a rule, require only physical amelioration (chiefly drainage and good culture) to produce excellent crops. Since all these lands slope away from the river to the swamps, they can, as a rule, be easily drained by open ditches. Tiles have also been used successfully and ex- tensively. Their great cost have prevented their general use. The total area of the State is 45, same time, will be ready for harvest in May. If. therefore, we desire an early crop of corn, we obtain seed from the Xorth, and if an Lnrly crop of oats, wheat, barley or rye be desired, we .'end South for the seed. The reasons are obvious, when we remember that each comes to cs inheriting the habits of the count rv from which it came. In the North the summers are short, and the time of the growth of the corn is, therefore., limited. In the South, the winters are short, and. there- fore, the period of repose 's materially shortened, and early maturltj follows. This involves the whole question nl .h < in, i i ,< n. In Louisiana, under good culture, the corn crop will be from 20 to 100 bushels per acre. The latter, of course, being the fancy figures and as yet only made in exceptional cases. German and cat-tail millets, the sorghums, both sac- charine and non-saccharine, clovers, grasses and root crops, cow peas, teosite and other forage crops can be grown over the entire State in larger quantities per acre than elsewhere, since the tendency of our climate and th? extreme fertility of our soils are to make "weed." Vegetables of all kinds can be, and are, grown in largo quantities. Besides those grown in the North and West are many other's, peculiar to the South, such as okra, globe artichoke, lima beans, etc, beets, cabbagf, lettuce, radishes, turnips. Mustard, cauliflower, English peas, etc., are grown through the winter in open ground. In fact, every home, however, humble, has its garden, in which most of the vegetables are grown. Besides these home gardens there are thousands of acres devoted to truck-growing and market-gardening. From the latter our own cities and towns are supplied, while the former utilize many thousands of cars in transporting their products to the Western markets. Of fruits a variety of superior excellence can bo grown here. The apple is grown in the northern part of the State. The pear, particularly the Chinese type, all over the State. The peach will grow everywhere, hut it fruits best in the hill lands. The native and Japanese varieties of plums do well everywhere. Grapes can begrown in every parish, but succeed ' st in the uplands. Blackberries, dewberries and mul- 64 a < p- H cc aj O o .-. o M o K 0< 55 berries grow wild in every parish; so do the wild plu us in the hill lands. Strawberries are perfectly at llo:iie everywhere, and in some sections are largely grown iov the markets. As early as February 18 they were on sale in the markets this year. Raspberries, currants and gooseberries do not thrive so far South, Pecans grow and bear abundantly all over the State. Some of the larger varieties, especially the paper shell, command fancy prices on the market. English walnuts are grown in some of the southern parishes. Oranges, kumquats and pomelos are grown through- out south Louisiana, while lemons, guavas, bananas and pineapples are grown on the extreme Gulf coast. Tlie kumquat and pomegranate are found in nearly everv yard of south Louisiana. Figs are cultivated in every parish, while in south Louisiana they are largely gro.vn for the canneries. No mention is made in this article of our staple- crops — cotton, sugar-cane and rice — since they are in- separably connected in every man's mind with Louisiana and New Orleans. This bare recital will show the wonderful capabili- ties of our soil and climate from an agricultural stand- point. Turning to the forests, we find a wealth of Nature's products ready for the harvest, to be turncJ by man's skill and ingenuity into the various forms and shapes suitable for man's varied wants. Timber nnr! lumber trees, stave timber, box timber, hub timber, spoke timber, tray timber, hoop timber, ship timber, bucket timber, etc, crown our hills, decorate our valleys and fill our swamps. Shade trees of the densest foliage anJ of most beautiful shape everywhere abound. The ever- greens and deciduous trees grow side by side In every forest. The magnolia and the live oak intertwine their boughs with the beech and the ash, while the holly and the dogwood bask in their shadows. "Willows abound in our swamps, ready for conversion into charcoal or to be made into baskets and boxes. Louisiana does not appeal alone to the utilitarian. Her aesthetic products are perhaps more wonderful than her useful ones. Flowers of brilliant tints and attractive forms fill her fields, her woods and her swamps. Her climate favors the growth of native flowers as well iw the delicate and highly-prized exotics. Roses bloom in great profusion throughout the winter in open air, while japonicas, hibiscus and poinsettias of beautiful shades and brilliant tints are found in many yards. Tea olives and magnolias (fuscata), and cape jasmines perfume U~.e air with their delicious fragrance, while chrysanthemums and geraniums give brilliancy to every garden. Palms of endless varieties furnish the center pieces of many private yards, and ornament our parks and public squares. Such, in brief, are the products of our soil. For the guidance of those seeking a home in our midst the following details of crops from here are given: 56 CUTTING LESPEDEZA HAY IN SEPTEMBER AFTER HAVING HARV ESTED A FULL CROP OF OATS IN MAY ON THE SAME GROUND. 57 SUGAR CANE. WAS first introduced in Louisiana by the Jesuit Fathers in 1751; but it was not until 179 1 or 1795 that Etienne DeBorc made the first com- mercial crop of sugar therefrom. A large number of planters soon followed Mr. DeBore's example and began the erection of sugar-houses all over Liie southern part of the State. With each succeeding year names were added to the list of sugar planters, and all of them rapidly accumulated wealth. The first cane cul- tivated was the Creole variety, which in turn was fol- lowed by the Tahiti variety. Neither of these was very satisfactory, and an additional impulse was therefore given to the industry in 1S20 by the introduction of our striped and purple varieties by Mr. John J. Coiron These varieties were brought by Mr. Coiron from Sa- vannah. Georgia, and were imported and planted upon the 'St. Sophie Plant.-.tion," below the City of New Or- leans-. These canes were found so admirably adapted to the soils and climate of Louisiana that they have sprea '. all over the State, and now, with few exceptions, occupy all the plantations. Recently, however, seedlings D. 71 and D. 95 have been introduced from Demerara an propagated by the Louisiana Experiment Stations. These seedlings have been distributed all over the State and ire now supplanting nil other varieties. Sugar-cane is a gigantic grass, often reaching ten to fifteen feet in height, straight during growth, but Is bent or declined often by its own weight, or by tin winds, at maturity. Its roots are fibrous and lateral, stretching in all directions, and usually not penetrating the soil to any depth. The cylindrical stalk is romposeJ of nodes and internodes (joints), with alternate leaves, clasping during growth, receding and falling off at maturity. Under the base of each leaf in the i.ode is j bud, or eye, which contains the germ of the future cane. Experiments first made by Messrs. Harrison and Boveli. of Barbados, and since successfully repeated by maiiy experimenters in tropical countries, have shown that the panicle of flowers produced in tropical countries, where the cane arrows contained a few really ferli : e seeds. By planting the latter a large number of "seed- lings" have been produced, and by selection several of these are now coming forward with prominent qualities to displace the varieties heretofore used. The seed of cane are so small, and so many of them infertile, that they are useful only for augmenting new varieties. The cane crop of the world is therefore still produc."! in the usual way, by planting the entire, or portions of, the stalk, and raising young plants from the eyes or the buds of each joint. The following is the method pursued In Louisiana. The ground is thoroughly prepared by deep breakl i<, 68 The End of Two Centuries. A 12 O'CLOCK SCENE AT A LOUISIANA SUiJAR HOUSE. 59 followed by pulverization. Rows from five to seven feet wide are laid off and thrown up with high ridges. T'le crest of these ridges is opened with a double mould board plow, and into this opened furrow stalks of cane (1 to 3) are placed in continuous lines and carefully covered Well plow or hoes. The drainage is established by quarter drains, ditches and canals. From each bud on the cane deposited comes a young shoot of cane which tiller.s rapidly, giving later a continuous stand of crowded cane. In recent years the fields have been greatly enlarge:] and the yields largely increased, and, with improved implements and more careful cultivation, it is safe l.o say that the acre yields have already been doubled. T'ie spirit of progress is in the air and increasing results are annually obtained from both field and factory. Area in Cultivation. The following parishes grow sugar wholly or in part, and the yields given may be taken as about the average crop produce in this State: Pounds. Ascension 63,860,069 Assumption 3S.991.14S Avoyelles 1,825,870 Calcasieu 1,000,000 East Baton Rouge 5,400,000 Iberia 50,S87,0S1 Iberville 56,889,314 Jefferson 7.4S4.437 Lafayette 19.S61.895 Pounds. Lafourche 72,356,638 Orleans 4,691,456 Plaquemines 30.5S9.962 Pointe Coupee 3,066,680 Rapides t . 6,681,169 St. Bernard 3,S50,000 St. Charles 20,900,020 St. Martin 61,258,4S0 St. John 34,147,557 St. Landry 2,144,436 St. James 13,144,SS7 St. Mary 121,013,131 Terrebonne 59,833,028 Vermilion 4,365,721 West Baton Rouge 32,271,899 Other parishes 2,259,997 The above gives a total crop of 720,554,948 pounds of sugar, and was accompanied by a crop of molasses of several million gallons. There are now in operation 225 sugar houses using vacuum pans, which give an output of 95 per cent, of the sugar of the State, with an aver- age of 160 pounds of sugar per ton of cane ground, and over 3,000 pounds of sugar per acre. The rest of the crop is harvested by "Open Kettle" sugar houses, with a yield of not far from 2.000 pounds of sugar per acre. The area devoted to cugar-cane in Louisiana is about 300,000 acres. This can be almost indefinitely increased. Even in those parishes where sugar-cane growing is the chief industry, there are still large areas which may be 60 PLANTING CANE IN ASCENSION PARISH. 61 profitably devoted to the cultivation of this plant, and will be in the near future, wl.en central factories become more numerous, or those already erected shall increase tin. ir capacities. Some of our parishes are growing cane only in very limited area, while every acre in them can be profitably used in the cane culture. In the sugar parishes there are over fifteen thousand square miles, or about 10,000,0u0 acres of land. There are in cultivation at the present time about 1.000,000 acres, or one-tenth of the area, of which only about 300, 00C are in cane, producing annually over 300,000 tons of sugar, or about one-seventh of the total amount consumed in the United States. If the entire area now in cultivation in these parishes could be devoted exclusively to cane, this section would produce one-half of the sugar consumed in our entire country. Furthermore, vast areas of these parishes are susceptible, with but little expense, of being brought under cultiva- tion, and many companies have recently been formed with the view of developing this area. If they succeed, which doubtless they will, in their efforts, the total area available for sugar-cane culture in these parishes would be amply sufficient to grow all the sugar demanded by the people of this ent'ire country. It is not, therefore, impossible for the southern portion of the State of Louisiana to grow all the sugar consumed in the Unite! States. There are other parishes adjoining the sugar be t proper which are beginning to grow cane. The parishes of Acadia, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge and the two Felicianas, with sin aggregate area of nearly 6,000 square miles, and with little or tu unavailable lands In their borders, could easily devote the larger part of their lands to sugar, and thus greatly increase the sugar output of Hie State. This will ultimately be done when the sta- bility of the sugar industry will command the capital tJ erect the necessary central factories. Central Factories. The cost of a central factory capable of working daily from 400 to 2,000 tons of cane, with all model' l machinery suitable for the manufacture of the best sugars, will be from $100,000 to $400,000. The profits of such factories, if well located, will be sufficient to justify capitalists in erecting them. At the same time, thou- sands of small farmers and planters stand ready to grow the cane whenever the factories are assured. Formerly every cane culturist was also a manufac- turer, and upon every plantation of sugar-cane was to be found a sugar-house of sufficient capacity to work up the crop grown. To-day the scene is changing, changing rapidly. Central factories exist (some that do not cultivate cane at all, but purchase every stalk crushed; others that grow only a part, large or small, of the amount consumed). The presence of central factories presupposes the existence of cane farmers in close proximity. Central factories are greatly increasing. The fierce conflict between low prices and profitable re- turns has forced out of existence many a small and incomplete sugar-house, and will ultimately drive out the remaining ones. Ponderous machines with extensile capacities must hereafter manufacture the crystalline 62 Wt. Carmel Convent. ; .;^r*-. -- — ... -- *.' " v.". •'-- . ' A Relic of the Past — An Old Open-Kettle Sugar House. Sugar Welinery at New Orleans. Convent at Covington, La. 63 product of the sugar-cane. It requires a large area of cane to supply the daily demands of a large central factory; 1,000 to 2,000 tons per day is now a moderate allowance for the largest. Under these new conditions the growing of sugar-cane for sale to these factories Is quite extensively practiced. Small farmers with t<;u acres of sugar-cane can find as ready a market for it a» the large planter with one hundred times this crop. The crops of both are in demand. Growing cane by the ton for sale to central factories is quite a profitable business, and many have embarked therein, and there is no in- dustry in this State offering to the prospective settler a greater inducement than the growing of sugar-cane for sale in this manner. Sugar-cane is usually bougni upon a basis of values for a certain grade of sugar, and hence, when the latter is ruling high, the former con- forms to it in price. Lands in any quantity may be purchased or rented well adapted to the growth of cane. The capital re- quired will depend largely upon th,e magnitude of t'u- enterprise. One's own labor, if intelligently directed, will accomplish a great deal towards the cultivation of twenty to thirty acres of cane. Additional help will be required in planting and harvesting the crop. Good land will make from 20 to 40 tons of cane per acre, an 1 at present the factories are paying from SO cents to ( 1 per ton for each cent per pound that prime yellow clari- fied sugar brings in the market of New Orleans. There Is a large field in Louisiana for the investment of capital in central factories, and for intelligent labor to grow the cane. Syrup Making in Louisiana. In addition to the regular sugar crop an enormous quantity of syrup is manufactured upon a small scale by the farmers of Louisiana. Nearly every farmer, lar^e or small, grows sugar-cane for manufacture into syrup, both fqr his own use and for sale. This industry has assumed enormous proportions throughout the Soutu, and to-day it is estimated that over half a million bar- rels of syrup are annually produced outside of the sugar belt proper. Patches of sugar-cane, varying in size from a fraction of an acre to 10, 15, 20 acres, are not uncommon throughout the State. This cane is harvested and manufactured on a small scale with an inexpensive outfit, consisting of a horse-mill and evaporator, wi.'h boxes and barrels used as juice tanks, sulphur machine, etc. With these little horse-mills, extracting not over 50 to 60 per cent, of the juice of the cane, and with these evaporators, losing a large amount of the skim- mings, a syrup is produced which sold at prices varying from 20 to 50 cents per gallon, insuring to the producer an excellent article for home use, and frequently giving an increased quantity, which is sold in the local markets at good profits. This syrup industry is capable of both improvement and extension. The world is hunting for pure sugar-cane syrup, and with this increased demand is coming increased intelligence and efficiency in the manufacture of the syrup, and our planters are ready to meet the demands of the market. This syrup is now sold in enormous quantities for adulteration with glucose by the manufacturing houses all over the country. This practice, however, is greatly to be condemned, since It 64 destroys largely the value of pure syrup, and the large amount of adulterated goods now on the market branded as pure prevents the use and consumption of the pure article. Those houses which have established a reputa- tion for purity and excellence of their products are sell- ing them at highly remunerative prices, and yearly there is an increase In the number engaged In this business. Syrup making bids fair to be one of the most profitable industries that can engage the attention of the farmer and planter in Louisiana. H.B.— 6 A SUGAR MILL, IN ST. CHARLES PARISH. STORING CANE ON A TROLLEY. 65 RICE. FORMERLY, all the rice grown in this State was cultivated on the banks of the Mississippi River and its outlying bayous, and watered by these streams. Pumps and syphons were used to ele- vate the water over the levees. Upon these alluvial lands growing rice was an expensive business, involving the outlay of a large sum of money, and the expenditure of a great deal of labor. A few years since, southwest Louisiana began the cultivation of rice upon its own prairie in a most primitive way. Rain water was 'col- lected by levees and used when needed upon the fields of growing rice. So successful were these primitive methods, that thousands were attracted to this section for the avowed purpose of embarking in rice culture. Rice grown only by the aid of rain water is styled "Providence rice," and was found, in the long run, to be devoid of the large profits which were possible under abundant irrigation. Hence, capital soon combined, and dug irrigation canals, connecting with some bayou or river, from which the water was lifted by large steam pumps, for the purpose of irrigating rice. So great has been the development along these lines, that in Acadia parish alone there are now over 500 miles of canals and laterals. Millions of dollars have been spent in irrigation, thousands of acres of waste land have become rich and productive rice fields, and every running stream or bayou is called upon to deliver its full quota of water for irrigating rice fields. The planters willingly pay large water rents, for the water used upon their fields, and both the capitalists owning the canals, and the planter using the water, are satisfied with the profits upon their investments. Under such powerful stimulants, rice culture has grown in this section of the State by "leaps and bounds," and to-day Louisiana grows four- fifths of all the rice produced in the United States, her crop, annually, approximating four millions of sacks of the weight of one. hundred and sixty-two pounds each. This remarkable development in the field has been paralleled in the factory — for almost every town or village in this rice section has one or more rice millr, which buy their rough rice directly from the planter and ship their finished products to the markets of the world. There is ample room for the expansion of this industry, which is growing yearly at a rapid rate. Grad- ually "Providence rice" has been superseded by the more certain irrigation rice — as the canals afford the necessary water. There are still abundant opportunities for the construction of more canals, and thousands of acres awaiting, but the revivifying touch of irrigation waters, to be transformed into productive rice fields. Thousands of Western farmers have transferred th?ir wheat implements and machinery from the West to this 66 z i < - a Kg Reclaimed Alluvial Lands on Atchafalaya River. / \ ■■■'^^^ : - ; Interior of Rice Warehouse. Field of Sugar Cane in East Baton Rouge Parish. Log Tram. -**> ■■•/...' .v. , , ■ o n f, o Eh Eh O o M w o •4 t> o 2* M O z H o ►J GW y to Cm o Eh H o o D H H tc O g 3 section, and are now successfully using them in the growing- of rice, whose cultivation is similar in many respects to that given wheat. The following is the usual method pursued: Lands are well broken with riding plows and pul- verized with large harrows, and the rice seeded witii broadcast seeders or drills. After germination, the fields are flooded and the water kept on them until the rice is nearly ready for the harvest, when it is drawn off and fields permitted to dry. "When dry, the rice is quickly harvested with self-binding reapers. Steam threshers convert the rice into a marketable form (rough rice), which is sold to some of the numerous mills of the State where the finished rice of commerce is pre- pared with the accompanying by-products, "rice polish," "rice bran," and hulls. The last are used under the boilers to furnish steam, while the others are most valu- able for. stock feed, equaling in nutrition the middlings and bran from the wheat. The straw is either left on the field or fed to the stock, additioned by cotton seed meal or rice bran or polish. "So cheaply and successfully has rice been grown on the prairies, that they are now but little more than continuous rice fields. Good lands produce from ten to twenty sacks of rough rice per acre, which sell at prices varying from $2.50 to $5.00 per sack. Rice belongs to the cereal fam- ily of grasses, and any one familiar with wheat culture can easily grow rice. COTTON AND COTTON FACTORIES. THE COTTON INDUSTRY in Louisiana is one of tremendous import and significance. The power- ful influence it exerts on trade, its absorption of capital, both as product and manufacture, places it high in the scale of commercial economics. There is no section of the world more fortunately situ- ated for the production of cotton than Louisiana. In the past it has been of such potent significance that it has been called "King." Its future depends on the establishment of factories in the South. Cotton producing offers an inviting field for speculative investors, because the lands which grow it can be purchased cheaply; it can be produced at a 'nominal cost. The first thing to be done is for the raisers of cotton to send less cotton to the East, and manufacture more of it at home. Of all the industries which Louisiana has which offer inducements, that of cotton manufacturing offets supreme attractions. The advantages of location of i cotton factory anywhere in the State, on the scene i f the production of raw material, is now a trite top.c. Fifteen or twenty years ago New England contend'-d that it was preposterous for the South to think of manu- facturing any grade of goods from cotton. In a few years the South has practically driven the East out 70 COTTON COMPRESS AT LAFAYETTE, LA. of all lines of coarser manufacture, and now Is demon- strating that this promise was not over-estimated. This subject is receiving a great deal of attention in Louis- iana. It has been successfully tried In the Carollnas. The inducements in this field are tremendous. There are many things which place Louisiana at the head of cotton producing States, as a field for the erection of factories. First, the cheapness of fuel, oil and coal and natural gas; second, the cost and quality of labor; third, the abundance of raw material; fourth, the facilities for transportation, both rail and water, and the opportunities for export trade, furnished by the great port of New Orleans. Free sites can be obtained In many of the smaller towns for the erection of factories; cheap brick and lumber are always plentiful for the erection of tae factory; cheap labor is abundant, and is always obtain- able in Louisiana. Shreveport, Monroe and Clinton have tried cotton factories, and other cities and towns are moving actively. New Orleans has had a number of successful mills, all turning out a good grade of goods, which have never failed to find a quick and ready market and pay good dividends. The cotton seed oil business has grown to be one of the most important industries of the State. Nearly every town has one or more mills, and there are now fifty-one of these mills located in the State. TOBACCO. THE oak and short-leaf pine hills and the long-leaf pine country are eminently adapted to the growth of the type of yellow-leaf tobacco, which is now in such large demand for plug wrappeis and smoking tobacco. Experiments all over north Louisiana have demon- strated these facts. Experiments at Hammond, in eastern Louisiana, made under the direction of the State Experiment Stations, have confirmed the opinion pre- viously entertained of the adaptability of these pine lands to its growth. In growing tobacco, care must be taken to grow the best The process of curing is an important factor. In the experiments in this State the "New Barn," the invention of Captain W. H. Snow, of North Carolina, has been adopted. Curing is accomplished in these "barns" in about three days. On the lighter soils of the hills and long-leaf pine sections a most excellent type of cigar leaf has been profitably and successfully grown. Cigars in large quantities have been made wholly from tobacco grown on the Experiment Stations, and after trial, have been pronounced of a most excel- lent type by expert smokers. Upon the alluvial lands of this State, especially in St James parish, is grown the far-famed Perique to- bacco, which is preferred by many to any tobacco 72 *- H 1 * § mr ' 1 — ^ BBHEki i i up is JttWjp . - L y LOADING WITH COTTON AT NEW ORLEANS. Capital City Oil Mill at Baton Rouge. 71 CURING TOBACCO AT STATE EXPERIMENT STATION. BATON ROUGE. 74 Tobacco Barn at State Experiment Station. grown. This tobacco owes its excellence to the peculiar manner in which it is cured and prepared for the market, being practically cured in itj own juice. This crop, limited in quantity, finds its way into all of the markets of the world at highly remunerative prices It is one ->f the ingredients in the famous "mixtures" prepared by many manufacturers. Unfortunately in this, as well as in many other instances of manufacture, adulteration has largely superseded the pure goods, and to-day it is believed that nine-tenths of the so-called Perique mix- tures contain really not an ounce of pure Perique to- bacco. Those wishing to obtain the pure article hud better buy it from first hands in New Orleans than risk their purchase through manufacturers in other parts of the country. In north Louisiana as much as 1,600 pounds per acre of Yellow-Leaf have been produced. In south Louisiana, with cigar types of tobacco, the yield has reached over 2,000 pounds. Tobacco growing could be made one of the chief industries of the State, and with it would come factories for its manufacture, and thus the State of Louisiana could supply the States west of it with smoking and chewing tobacco. FRUIT. LOUISIANA produces a number of delicious fruits, 'the various soils of the State govern these to a great extent, but there are some which grow in all sections. Among these we have the black- berries, dewberries, .figs and pears. The berries grow luxuriantly in all sections, but there are cultivated va- rieties which are very desirable — namely, the Austin and Manatee dewberries. Figs grow in great abundance ail over Louisiana, and seldom ever fail 'o produce a full crop. The ordinary blue fig, known as the Celeste, easily leads in popularity. It is the hardiest, and is very sweet and prolific. Other desirable varieties are the Brunswick. White Ischio, Angelique, Mission, Lemon and Reine Blanche. Besides furnishing a full amount of material for daily home use, and home preserving, an abundance is produced for a commercial canning product. The great need is for factories in Louisiana to take care of them. They are perishable, hence, refrigerator service is demanded for shipment, and then it is doubt- ful if much profit could be realized, as decay sets in as soon as the figs are exposed, and, besides this, few people out of the fig district appreciate the exquisice lusciousness of a ripe fig. The only pears grown with profit are the varieties of the Oriental or sand pears. Of these we have the Le Conte, Garber, Golden Russet, Smith and Kieffer. The prevalence of blight prevents the culture of any of the European pears, hence, little is done with them, but the sand pears offer by far the greatest resistance to this troublesome disease, and, although often fatal 75 . r- >'m &*&; ' ** b* STRAWBERRY FIELD AT INDEPENDENCE. 71 ^f •*. •s. *■ to them, with proper care little damage will result. Many of the European plums do well, also many varie- ties of the Japanese sorts, but the European varieties, such as the Gages, are not able to stand the long moist warm season. Of the Japanese sorts the leading ones are the Burbank, Abundance, Satsuma, Kelsey and Charbot. Another Japanese fruit of great promise is the Japanese persimmon. The fruits are large, showy, and will stand transportation well. The few sent North sell for seventy-five cents and upwards per dozen. Some of the finest varieties are the Hyakume, Kuro Kume, Nero Zami, Hachiya, Tsurn and Among. In the sandier portions of the State — that is, in the eastern and northern parts, very good peaches are grown. Among the peaches we find the Elberta, Rivers, Snejl, Chinese Cling, General Lee, General Taylor and the Peentoe. They bear abundantly, but are not as long lived as the trees further north. In the southwestern part of the State, nearing the Texas line, very good grapes are grown, among them being the Concord, Champion, Niagara, Eaton, Moore's Early, Herbemont, and the Scuppernong. Among the apples we have the Red June, Shannon, Black Twig, Horn, Astrachan, Yates and Transcendent. Below New Orleans is found the orange section, which is a most profitable fruit in Louisiana, and is treated of fully in the article which follows. ORANGE-GROWING IN LOUISIANA. SWEET ORANGES were once grown chiefly from seed planted in some' corner of the yard, garden or lot, and when germinated, permitted to grow, unaided by cultivation, pruning or fertilization. In the course of time the straggling, neglected trees bore fruit — delicious fruit — for home uses. Thus, a home knowledge was obtained of the character of Lou- isiana fruit, but so little found its way to the outside world that the latter knew absolutely nothing of its merits. The neglected, enfeebled trees were frequently killed by cold or insects or by diseases. The rapidity with which orange trees under such adverse conditions were destroyed, soon engendered a popular sentiment that oranges could not be profitably grown in Louisiana. This opinion, however, has now almost entirely been dissipated. Profitable orange groves are found all along the gulf coast and on both banks of the Mississippi River, below the City of New Orleans, and these grov«s now receive careful cultivation, pruning and an annual destruction of insects. It is true that such winters .°s '99 destroy completely the ordinary sweet oranges, but such winters are like angels' visits, "few and far be- tween." Besides, remedial efforts against such influences of cold have been successfully tested and are now almost universally practiced. Oranges are now usually propa- gated by budding. The different varieties of sweet 78 GRAPES AT EXPERIMENT STATION, CALHOUN. A LOUISIANA BAYOU STEAMBOAT. 79 oranges are propagated upon either the sour or sweet orange stock or the citrus trifoliata. The citrus trlfo- liata is a very hardy plant, standing the climate of even Philadelphia. It is dwarfish in its habits, and therefore, is to the orange what the quince is to the pear. By budding on this stock, small trees are obtained, which may be planted closer together in the orchard. Like the dwarf pears, they bear earlier than the standards. New varieties of oranges have been introduced from all over the world; some of these, notably the Japanese contributions, are very hardy. The Satsuma (known 'n Japan as Oonshiu) budded on trifoliata will grow and bear fruit up to the City of New Orleans. It will stand the greatest cold of any citrus fruit. This combina- tion is now largely used for growing in half-barrels, In northern conservatories. Frequently, trees of this com- bination will in three years bear over 100 .-.ranges. With provision against these occasional freezes, it may be asserted that the sue essful culture of this fruit can be carried on in southern Louisiana, provided proper attention be paid to the following: First — Selection of the hardier varieties upon the hardiest stocks. Second — To cultivate carerully and keep the orcha r d clean of insects and diseases. Third — To fertilize properly when needed and to select early maturing varieties that can reach the market before the Florida and California crops are ready. Below the City of New Orleans there is a large area devoted to orange growing, affording a livelihood to a large number of inhabitants. Recently, attempts have been made and which are now full of promise, to produce a cross between the hardy trifoliata and some of our best varieties of sweet oranges and thus obtain a hybrid which will withstand the occasional cold of our winters and at the same time give us a marketable fruit. Experiments by the Agricultural Department at Washington and the various State Experiment Stations, have demonstrated the possibility of obtaining this re- sult, and it is highly probable that in the next few years, orange growing may be largely extended in a northern direction, by the use of the products of these scientific efforts. Loujsiana's crop for 1910 was 181, 8S0 boxes. 80 s PL1 Z H. B. —6 SI TRUCK INDUSTRY IN LOUISIANA. FEW PEOPLE are aware of the extent of the truck industry in Louisiana, nor do they appreciate Its importance. The leading varieties of all our garden vegetables are grown in all portions of the State, and while the home garden furnishes an abun- dant supply during all seasons of the year, under proper management a large number may be grown for commer- cial purposes. The commercial truck sections are found in various portions of the State. Along the Illinois Central Rail- road, which leads from New Orleans, north through the sandy pine lands, a direct line to Chicago, the most extensive truck farms are to be seen. The vegetables grown are, radishes, beans, cucumbers, cantaloupes, cab- bage, cauliflower, lettuce, eggplants, sweet peppers and tomatoes. One town alone, Roseland, shipped 65,000 bushels of radishes in the earlier part of 1903. Hundreds of carloads of these vegetables are sent to Chicago, Cleveland and St. Louis markets, during March, April and May. This section also furnishes enormous quanti- ties of early strawberries, as hundreds of carloads are harvested each year, and shipments sent by carload lots at nearly every small place in Tangipahoa parish on the Illinois Central line. The plants are set in August and September of each year, and, as a rule, are kept but one year. Abundance of pine straw is used for mulch, and, when a spring frost threatens, this is also used ;.o cover the blooms as well, oftentimes protecting them so that the first fruit will ripen, thus saving the most profitable berries borne. The strawberries grown are very numerous, with the Klondike as the favorite. The Japanese plums are also grown in this section, the most desirable varieties being the Abundance and the Burbank. Another great truck section is found in the imme- diate vicinity of New Orleans, and along the River towards the Gulf of Mexico, on the New Orleans, Port Jackson and Grand Island Railroad. New Orleans is supplied mainly from this source, and at the same time enormous amounts are sent North. The vegetables grown for the latter purpose are, cabbages, onions, toma- toes, beans, peas, eggplants, cantaloupes, spinach, rad- ishes, beets, carrots, shallots and kohlrabi. Cucumbers are also grown, both in hot beds and in the open fields, oft-times bringing high returns when sent North, the winter prices ranging from 30 cents to $2.50 per dozen. In the northern part of the State, leading out from Alexandria, along the Iron Mountain Railroad, is found a section in which the truck industry is just gaining a foothold. So far, tomatoes, potatoes, watermelons and cantaloupes only have been grown, but the facilities for transportation are so good, and the soil and drainage so well suited for successful effort, that a rapid devel- opment of trucking along this line is soon to be expected. 82 -^. ,, • >l \amg&m -^mZ mw-^mm • , |S&3& "/?-: . ■^ s ! : :'; : ? r - ^H 1 uc£q3&B££Pj£? j£u|iJ||2:* ^ts^w^^&bt^ ^44! bSs^S^L ?*" «**^ ; : Jh jfll ^"oi ^^^'riSli^KS Packing Vegetables at Kenner. Cowpeas in the Drill. Experimental Engineering Building, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. Elise Reuss Memorial School — Presented by her Par- ents to the School Children of the First Ward of Ascension Parish. From Vicksburg west to Shreveport, along the Vick.s- burg Shreveport and Pacific Railroad, is found another section where profitable truck growing has been in- creasing from year to year. Irish potatoes are grown mainly and, when poperly handled, bring in good re- turns, producing from 100 to 300 bushels per acre. Fre- quently, the second crop is grown from which seed is saved for the spring crop, and which also bring good returns from the market. The spring crop is planted in January and February, and harvested in May and , June. The seed for the second crop is prepared for planting by special treatment, consisting of gradually exposing the tubers to the light and moisture, which matures them and excites eyes into active growth. As soon as this is accomplished they are ready for plant- ing, which is usually in August. Potatoes planted then will mature in November. Along the Mississippi Valley Railroad north of Baton Rouge, through East Feliciana parish, on the Baton Rouge, Hammond and Eastern Railroad, fro in Baton Rouge to Hammond, and in the southern portion along the Southern Pacific, and in the western parts of the State, along the Kansas City Southern Railroad, and especially around Shreveport, are now being annually made extensive truck shipments. Other north and south lines of railway now building in the State open up vast territory in the light lands of north Louisiana hitherto inaccessible. These lighter sandy lands, so cheap, will soon be the truck gardens of the State. The varieties of vegetables grown for the Northern trade are as fol- lows: The Acme and Beauty tomatoes, Chartier radish. New Orleans Market eggplant, Peerless and Triumph Irish potatoes, New Orleans Market White Spine cu- cumbers, New Orleans Market cantaloupe, Drumhead, Flat Dutch, Succession, All Seasons,, and Nonesuch cab- bages, the Italian and Bermuda type of onions, First and Best, and Alaska peas, and the Early Mohawk and Valentine bean. Sweet potatoes are sometimes grown also for truck purposes; but the home demand almost always prevents shipment. It is estimated that the annual crop approximates four million bushels. The sweet potato is at home anywhere in Louisiana, yielding from 150 to 350 bushels per acre. It is an important hog and stock food. The varieties most popularly grown are Pumpkin. Red and Yellow, Nansemonds, Hayman, Providence, Vineless, Jersey, Bermuda, California and Southern Queen. A close study of their condition, and a compilation of shipping statistics obtained from all the railroads of the State, show that the entire weight of all kinds of truck sent out of the State for the year ending June, 189S, was very close to one hundred thou- sand tons. Although this seems like a very large amount, there is every reason to believe that the time will come soon when that amount will be doubled again and again. When the fertile lands so well adapted to truck growing are taken up, and new lines of railroad spread out to afford the transportation required. 84 A LOUISIANA TRUCK FIELD. 85 GRASSES, CLOVERS AND FORAGE CROPS. THROUGHOUT the entire South, two well-known grasses furnish pastures and hay of the best quality, and in practically large abundance. These are Bermuda (Cynodon dactyon), the finest pasture grass in the world, and crab grass (Pan- cura sanguinale), which springs up in every cultivated field in early spring, and if not disturbed will furnish a large cutting of excellent hay in summer. These grasses grow all over the South, and, in the past, have been considered our worst enemies. In south and middle Louisiana, upon the alluvial plains, bluff and pine lands, occur many varieties of paspulums, several of which are highly esteemed, both for hay and pasturage, viz: P. distichium and P. platy- caule. These are known by the Creoles as Gazon, and by the Americans as Carpet grass. A fox-tail grass (Setaria glauca) • also grows luxu- riantly all over south Louisiana, and furnishes a fairly good hay and pasturage. In north and middle Louisiana, and even upon the pine hills and flats of east Louisiana, Lespedeza striata (Japan clover) covers every available space of unoc- cupied ground, even in the forest, affording excellent grazing throughout the summer for stock. When cul- tivated, particularly upon the bluff lands of the State, it makes large crops of a very palatable hay. Many thousands of acres are now annually grown, and a num- ber of colts and calves are raised exclusively upon it. It is especially luxuriant upon the bluff lands, and is there worthy of cultivation. In the alluvial lands it has not been given extensive trials. The varieties of grasses cultivated successfully in the North should here be tried only on a small scale, since experiments so far conducted have proven thsm to be, in many cases, unprofitable. The first essential for successful growth of grasses and clovers Is to sow them in the early fall, upon well prepared seed beds. They spring up at once and get sufficiently rooted by spring to resist the encroachments of the native grasses, and withstand our long summers, the chief obstacles to successful grass culture all over the South. The best cultivated grasses are the following: Tall meadow oat grass (Arrhenathirum avenaceum), planted in early fall upon good, well-pulverized soil, will secure a good start by spring and make one or two cuttings of hay during the summer. It will last for several years and affords an excellent pasturage. It has suc- ceeded on the alluvial, bluff and oak uplands. One bushel (fourteen pounds) of seed required for an acre. Italian rye grass (Lolium Italicum) sown early in the fall upon rich, moist land (not wet) will afford two large cuttings of excellent hay. The first cutting must be made before it flowers, since this grass is an annual, and after seeding, dies; forty-five pounds of seed re- 86 BOSSIER PARISH EXHIBIT AT THE LOUISIANA STATE FAIR. 87 quired for an acre. Succeeds everywhere on good, moist soil. Rescue grass (Bromus Shraderi) sown in the first cool days of the fall, upon well-prepared, fertile soils, will give excellent results. Cut before it goes to seed, it will give two crops of hay. The last cut (after the seed are matured) will drop enough seed to re-seed the ground next fall. A good annual for this climate, and, if properly managed, will make a perpetual winter grass. The following have been partial successes: Red top (Agrostis vulgaris), on damp, low soils; orchard (Dactylis glemerata), on good soil; English blue grass (Festuca pratensis), especially in shady, damp places; velvet grass (Holcus lanatus), Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis), on good soils containing lime, and crested dogtail (Cynosanrus crystatus). The following new and imported grasses have been very successful, but the seed are difficult to obtain: Hairy oats (Avena sterilis), growth like common oat (Avena sativa), and is an annual; Japanese rye (Agro- pyrum Japonicum), a perennial of great merit, growing through the fall, winter and spring, and eaten greedily by stock. Bromus pinnatus, a coarse, rank grass, growing main- ly in winter; Phalaris coerulescens, a summer grass of great merit, and Panicum palmeri, a summer grass jf wonderful growth and strong reproductive power, with large, wide blades and full seed heads. Bromus Inermis has succeeded upon dry, rich soils. Texas blue grass, propagated best from roots, is strongly recommended for high lands as a winter pasture. It must be remembered that no cultivated grasses will succeed upon poor, badly prepared soils; therefore, in going into grass culture, prepare lands thoroughly by growing first crops of clovers, cowpeas, vetches or alfalfa, which prepare the soil for all kinds of gram- nacae. Of the clovers: White clover grows in great luxuriance, naturally, all over the bluff and alluvial lands of south Louisiana. It furnishes an abundant pasturage in winter and early spring. Red clover can be grown anywhere in the State, provided the soil be first enriched and sown in early fall. It is, however, not so certain a crop as crimson clover, which, when sown in the fall upon fairly good soil, will nearly always give a remunerative return ot hay. It is an annual, and the seed must be carefullv harvested each year for reseeding, since those dropped by the plant germinate at once and are killed by thd heat of the summer. This clover is particularly to be recommended upon the light lands of the State, as the clover best adapted to them, but it would be better even here to grow and turn under a good crop of cow- peas before seeding the land in it. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is wonderfully adapted to the alluvial lands of Louisiana. It can also be grown upon the best uplands. It should always be sown in September or October, at the rate of fifteen pounds per acre, upon well drained, deeply plowed, and thoroughly pulverized soil. If a good stand be obtained, it will afford the first cutting early in March, followed by six or seven more cuttings during the year. In fact, six to eight cuttings may be realized each year for several 88 * ',. gH^BHBWS^St r^tc". *■-•■•• -; :P a - :t. * — .- / w<$mM3 % • '- V 1 1* • TRUCK FARMING — IRISH POTATOES. O. O. CLARK'S PLANTATION, OUACHITA PARISH. 89 years. It produces a most excellent hay, rich In albu- minoids (14 per cent.), and relished by all kinds of stock. It is now finding a ready market in New Orleans at $18.00 per ton. Several thousand acres have been planted in this crop in the last year or two in this State, and the acreage is annually increasing. It is easily cured. It is the only forage crop known that will afford a cutting of green matter every day in the year. It grows continually in winter and summer. Lathyrus — Of the three varieties, sativus, sylvestris and hirsutus, which have been tested, only the last is to be recommended. It springs up in the late fall, grows through the winter, fruits in the spring and dies. From the seed dropped, it springs up again the next year. Vetches — Vicia villosa, sown in the fall, have given fairly good results. The other species have not proven successful. Soja beans (Glycine hispida) have done well upon the light hill lands of north and east Louisiana. Else- where in the State they have produced good vines, but little fruit. California, or burr clover (Medicago maculata), grows well all over the State, but it makes an inferior hay, not generally relished by stock. Beggar lice, or ticks (Desmodium molle and Tor- tuosum), grows luxur antly most anywhere in the State, and when cut young gives a hay which is greatly relished by stock. Velvet bean (Mucuna utili=) is a most wonderful success all over the South. Planted in five-foot rows, and seed dropped in hills two feet apart, It will give the largest amo.unt of vines of any plant known. It affords an enormous amount of food for stock, which is highly relished, or when turned under, a vast quantity of vegetable matter for the production of humus in ,the soil is furnished. It is an excellent soil restorer, the tubercles on its roots being larger than any found on any other plant. The pods, enclosing large speckled beans, grow in racemes on the end of stems scattered throughout the mass of vines. It is a valuable addition to our leguminous plants, and will be found very useful in reclaiming wornout soils. Spanish Peanuts — This plant is now grown largely for forage. The vines, with their adherent pods, are cured into hays and fed to all kinds of stock. They also are great sail improvers. See special article on another page. German and Golden Wonder Millet have been grown successfully all over the State. For hay purposes it should be cut before it forms seed. Cowpeas (vigna sinensis) is the "boss" crop of the Southern States. It can be used as a soil restorer, a hay crop, and a grain crop. There are many varieties — some bunch and some runners. When the berries are desired for food the former is best used; when hay or soil improvement is desired the latter subserves our purposes. The clay, red, black and unknown are run- ning varieties. The last is perhaps the best pea known, making a large quantity of vines, and, late in the season, a full crop of berries. 90 IRISH POTATOES. CABBAGE AND CORN IN THE BACKGROUND— CADDO PARISH. n There is not a well-drained acre in the State that cannot, by the application of mineral manures, in con- junction with the growing of cowpeas, be made very rich. All rational farming involves a system of rota- tion of crops, and any rotation of crops in the South that omits the cowpeas is an egregious blunder. Soiling and Forage Crops. The saccharine sorghums are perhaps to be preferred to all others. Planted in early spring, two or more crops can be cut during the year. All stock relish them and at least six to ten tons of dry fodder may be had at a cutting. Next to these come teosint (Reana luxuriaus), which on rich land gives an immense crop. Of the non-saccharine sorghums the yellow milo maize is prob- ably to be preferred, if forage is desired, followed bv white milo maize, large African millet, Kaffir corn, Jerusalem corn, Egyptian corn and wheat. If seed be desired the large African millet and Kaffir corn will give the best results. Pearl millet (Penicellaria specala) is used largely for i soiling in the spring and fall. FIBRE CROPS RAMIE (Boehmeria Nivea), which furnishes a fibre nearly equal in value to silk, can be easily grown all over the State, and nothing is needed to make it a leading crop in Louisiana but a successful machine to decorticate it. The recent trials of machines for decorticating this plant, at the sugar experiment station, Audubon Park, New Orleans, gave promise of an early solution of this vexatious problem. When the farmer can obtain a ma- chine to work up the product of his soil he will not be slow in cultivating this plant, since the demand for this fibre is practically unlimited. So, too, with jutes (Corchorus Capsularis and Olito- rius), the fibre from which is used to make grain sacks and cotton bagging. These plants can be grown to great perfection, and will be largely cultivated when the fibre can be successfully detached by machinery. Kentucky hemp (Cannabis sativa) can also be grown successfully upon the alluvial lands of the State, 92 21 a to - K E-i 93 FORESTRY AND LUMBER. THE following are a partial list of the more im- portant trees and shrubs of the State: Oakti — Quercus alba, white oak; quercus aqua- tica, water oak; quercus catesbaei, turkey oak; quercus cinirea, sand jack oak; quercus falcata, Spanish oak; quercus lyrata, overcup oak; quercus michauxii, cow oak; quercus nigra, black jack oak; quercus obtu- siloba, post oak; quercus palustris, pin oak; quercus p'.-.ellos, willow oak; quercus punus, swamp chestnut oak; quercus tinctoria, black chestnut oak; quercus virens, live oak. Hickories — Carya alba, scaly-bark hickory; carya amara, swamp hickory; carya aquatica. water hickory, carya porcina, pignut hickory; carya tomentosa, black hickory; carya olivaeformis, pecan. Ash — Fraxinus Americana, white ash; fraxinus platycarpa, water ash; fraxinus veredis, green ash. Elms — Ulmus alata, wahoo or winged elm; ulmus fulva, slippery elm; ulmus Americana, white elm. Gums — Nyssa sylvatica, black gum; nyssa aquatica, tupelo gum; liquidambar styraciflua, sweet gum. Magnolia — Glauca, sweet bay; grandiflora, magnolia macrophylla, cucumber tree. Pines — Echinata, short-leaf pine; palustris, long-leaf pine; taeda, loblolly, or old field pine. Maples — Acer bactatum, hard maple; acer rubium, red maple; acer saccharinum, sugar maple. Prunus — Americana, American plum; augustifolia, Chichasaw plum; serotina, wild cherry. Buckeye — Aesculus indet, buckeye; aesculus pavia, red buckeye. Marshmallow — Hibiscus incanus, marshmallow; hi- biscus moschentos, marshmallow. Sumach — Rhus glabia, sumach; rhus copallina, su- mach. Haw — Viburnum, medium haw; viburnum prunifo- lium, black haw; viburnum scabrellum, haw. Other trees — Ostuja Virginica, ironwood; cornus fioida, dogwood; sassafras officinale, sassafras; diospyrs Virginiana, persimmon; asimiara parviflora, Papaw; gleditschia triacanlhos, honey locust; gleditschia mono- sperm , water locust; hamamelis Virginica, witch hazel' oxydendrum arboreum, sour wood; myrica cerifera, wax myrtle; alnus serrulata, alder; castanea pumila, chin- quepin; junipirus Virginiana, red cedar; fagus Ameri- cana, beech; tilia Americana, linden tree; carpinus Ameri- cana, hornbeam; ilex opaca, ho'ly; enonymus Ameri- canus, burning bush; liriodendron tulipifera, tulip or poplar; Crataegus apiifolia, hawthorn; sambucus Cana- densis, alder; chronanthus Virginica, fringe tree; moms rubia, mulberry; maclura aurantiaca, Osage orange; betula rubra, red birch; populus monilifera, cottonwood; Salix — , willow (many species) ; catalpa bignoides, catalpa; plntarius occidentalis, sycamore; negundo 94 *- »B. 95 aceroides, box alder; celtis occidentalis, hackberry; tax- odium distichum, cypress; juglans nigra, black walnut; xanthoxylum clava, prickly ash. When the areas devoted to the above trees are known, some idea of the quantity of timber existing in Louisiana will be formed. Of the entire forest wealth of the United States over 60 per cent, is situated in the South, and of this amount Louisiana possesses the lion's share. In fact, it may be said that 75 per cent, of this wonderful forest wealth is lying along the tributaries of the Mississippi River or Gulf of Mexico, and is readily accessible to the wharves of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Millions of dollars have been recently invested in these timber resources, and the sawmills and planing machines of the North, like the cotton factories, are gradually moving South for large profits. The greatest timber wealth of this State is in its immense areas of long and short leaf pine, and its unparalleled forests of cypress. While other Southern States share with us the claims for superiority, in both quality and quantity of the former, of the latter we stand without a rival, in both the immense quantity available and the excellent quality of the lumber made therefrom. Only a few years ago and our cypress lumber was but little known and appreciated; today it ranks with other varie- ties of timber in quantity and surpasses all other in quality. The Cypress Lumber Manufacturers' Associa- tion, which meets monthly in New Orleans, represents an output of over 300,000,000 feet of finished lumber per year. The adaptability of the cypress to the many uses in building — doors, blinds, windows, floors, inside finish, outside work, bevels and drop siding, etc., and its won- derful powers of duration, even when exposed to the vicissitudes of sunshine and rain, heat and cold, dry and wet climates, have made it a favorite wherever known since the times of the Pharoahs of Egypt. So highly has it been appreciated of late, that its current market prices have scarcely depreciated at all during the recent trying financial depression. It will receive paint easily, or can be hard-finished with the most beau- tiful effect. Other Woods — Next to cypress stands in importance, both as regards the quantity and excellent quality, our long-leaf pine. This tree furnishes also a large industry in each of the States of Albama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas, and is well-known all over the Americas, if not over the civilized globe. The area covered by the long-leaf pine in this State is enormous. The short-leaf pine forests abound in the region of oak uplands, and furnish, a large number of square miles of available timber. Ash, oaks, magnolia, beech, walnut, gums, cotton- wood, maples, etc., are found in large quantities upon the bluff lands and inland streams of the State, and nowhere on earth is there presented finer opportunities for all manufactories of wood than here in Louisiana. Factories for wagons and carriages, hollowware, barrels, staves, hoops, ax and hoe handles, etc., could all be 9« < d « o - a ?: o p b successfully with the materials gathered cheaply from our forests. Our Cottonwood and tulip (poplar) trees could be converted into boxes and paper, right on the banks of our streams, with cheap, deep water transportation to almost everywhere. Next to the wealth of our existing soils, comes the wealth already drawn from these soils in the shape of forest growth. The long-leaf pine is found more or less over the hill country of the State, yet it may be said to have two important centers, the eastern and western. The former embraces the parishes of north St. Tammany, Washing- ton, north Tangipahoa, most of St. Helena and East Feliciana. There is a considerable area of pine flats in north St. Tammany, south and west Tangipahoa and east Livingston parishes, and a narrow rim in southeast St. Helena parish, and in Calcasieu. The western center of the pine is situated in northwest Catahoula, west Cald- well, southeast Jackson, all of Winn, nearly all of Grant, except the narrow rim in the Red River Valley in the southwest portion of the parish, northwest and all west Rapides, a small area in northeast St. Landry, all north Calcasieu, south and west Natchitoches, and southwest Sabine. Alexandria is near the geographical center of the State, and within a radius of seventy-five miles of this important railroad center is situated the bulk of t! e great pine area of the State. The bulk of red cypress is situated south of the Red River and west of the Mississippi to the Sabine. The white cypress is a more generally diffused wood, and is even found as far north as Delaware. In Louis- iana it Is to be found in all localities adapted to Its growth. The sweet gum has no particular locality. It is a considerable feature in most forests; is rather plen- tiful in the Mississippi bottom and the river parishes. The tupelo gum is abundant in many wet bottoms of the State. The holly is everywhere as a scattering tree; the magnolia is found in great quantity on all the bluff lands of the State. Both these woods have a great future value. The ash, hickory and various oaks are common to the State. The live oak is found on the southern, or Gulf coast, on the Chenieres and buck ridges and bayous along the banks of the streams in many, if not all, the alluvial regions of the State. No mention has been made of the ash, which is scattered throughout many of the upper parishes of the State, also the maple, and in a few localities the black walnut. The pecan is quite common in small bodies throughout the State, and is commonly preserved for the Kreatly increasing value of the "thin-shelled Louisiana pecan nut." Great numbers are being planted, and the young trees grafted with the most perfect samples form a profitable industry. Poplar and Cottonwood are also quite generally distributed in the upper parishes near the river, the hackberry, dogwood and sycamore like- wise. In localities the sassafras grows so abundantly as to deserve mention. As to facilities for transporting and marketing the lumber, the primitive methods of river rafting are being rapidly supplanted by the railroads, and every modern appliance. There is very little timber in the State now 98 I *J> nm .' Mm'" ■ is ; '\ 4-/1 o o J H that is not accessible to some means of transportation. With 5,000 miles of railroads, 322 miles of logging tram roads and nearly 4,000 miles of navigable streams, the transportation question is not a difficult one. Thus, in extent, in variety, in favor, as to locations and facilities of transportation, the lumber interests of Louisiana merit the attention of the wealthy capitalist, the competent, energetic manufacturer, and, above all the man of family who seeks to make a home where opportunity to "grow up with the country" makes a small investment in the present sure capital for the future. There are hundreds of sawmills of large cut located on the several lines of railways and water courses, and enormous shipments are annually made to the North, East and West, and even to foreign countries, of both cypress and pine, unequaled in finish anywhere. FISH. APROPOS of lakes, rivers and streams may be men- tioned the varied and abundant fish supply found in them all over the State, affording unending sport to the lovers of the piscatorial art. Every stream and lake has its own peculiar fish, fancied by the dweller on its banks to be unexcelled in gastronomic qualities. Besides the inland streams, Lakes Pontchar- train, Maurepas and others along the Gulf Coast, furnish an abundance of fish, and are often resorted to by amateur sportsmen from New Orleans. But, beyond these, on the Gulf Coast, lies a mine of wealth but par- tially developed. The fish and oyster industry, which, if prosecuted to the same extent as is done on the north Atlantic coast, or on the Chesapeake Bay, would render Louisiana more famous in this line than she is now for her profusely fertile soils. The red fish, the pompano, Spanish mackerel, the mullet, the trout, the red snapper and the perch, and many other fish of large size and excellent quality are to be found all along the Gulf Coast from the Pearl to the Sabine River. So, too, with oysters, that delicious bivalve, which here rivals in flavor the far-famed Cherrystone and Horn Harbor products of the Chesapeake Bay. If the cultivation of oysters was practiced upon our bays, inlets and bayous to the same extent and with the same intelligence as is followed upon the Chesapeake Bay, New Orleans would soon become a center of oyster packing houses, and share with Balti- more in the enormous profits now incident to such in- dustry. The West should be supplied exclusively with Gulf oysters, and nowhere can they be more cheaply or profitably grown than alonr the Gulf Coast bordering Louisiana. 100 Oyster-Canning Factory. A FINE CATCH NEAR NEW ORLEANS. 150 pounds of Spanish mackerel in two hours. 101 OYSTERS THE great resources of Louisiana in its large pro- duction of sugar-cane, cotton, rice, lumber and fruits have hitherto kept in comparative ob- scurity what are generally deemesl the minor — and wrongly considered the less remunerative — fields for the employment of capital and intelligent labor. Prominent, if not the principal, among these neglected industries are the vast fishery interests of the State, which, under energetic labor and scientific cultivation, will in a few years equal, if they do not surpass in the way of pecuniary profit, the aggregate value of the en- tire State. The extent of the oyster territory is so vasi, th« supply so abundant and cheap, and so little labor and capital are required for its development, that its wonderful advantage's and enormous profits once known, capital And labor will inevitably seek employment in what must eventually become a leading industry, far surpassing that of any State in the Union. On the eastern boundary, starting from the Rigolets, the small gut or strait connecting Lakes Borgne and Pontchartrain. and following the shore line southward and westward, around the mouths of the Mississippi River to the Texas line, there is a coast of about 600 miles in length, if measured on straight lines from point te point. Making an allowance for the curvatures of the coast, the shores of salt water bays, inlets, lakes and islands, which fret this part of the State like net work, the littoral line will not fall short of fifteen hun- dred or two thousand miles. Taking into consideration the shelving, shallow beach adjacent to it, experts well acquainted with its geographical features estimate that the area suitable to planting and growing oysters is over 7,000 square miles or greater than the amount of. acreage available in all the other States of the Union combined. The coast abounds in suitable places "o which the mollusk can be transplanted from the seed bed, and under proper care developed into an oyster, which, for delicacy of its flavor, cannot be excelled the world over. East of the Mississippi River these natural beds are still numerous, and transplanting is carried on at an increasing rate yearly. Not only do these beds supply the wants of the people of the Lower Coast, but quantities are shipped to New Orleans and Western markets. The flavor of these bivalves here taken, although of excellent quality compared with those of the Atlantic States, yet is by no means equal to those taken from the choice planting grounds across the Mississippi, ffoing west from the great river. Bayou Cook, Grand Bayou, Bayou Lachute, Grand Lake, Bayou Lafourche, Timbal- lier Bay, Last Island, Barrataria Bay, Vine Island Lake, Vermilion Bay and thj Calcasieu grounds furnish the best, those of Bayou Cook having par excellence the highest reputation in the markets of Louisiana and 192 . • -: ".-- — HARVESTING OATS— INGLESIDE PLANTATION, OUACHITA PARISH. 103 the neighboring States, and bringing a correspondingly higher price. The difficulties, dangers and delays of transportation are now overcome by railways and canals, some already built and others projected, penetrating the best oyster regions; and capital is encouraged and protected in its investment, by recent State legislation, and the day is not far distant when the production will be immeasur- ably increased, the price for home consumption greatly reduced, and an export trade established which will supply the whole of the western territory of the United States, from the Mississippi to the Pacific Coast, at reduced prices. Not only to the capitalist is the field open, but to the skilled oyster culturist of Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, Long Island Sound, and the shores of Connecticut, the State offers cheap oyster lands for sale or to rent, and a free supply of seed. To all such, with a minimum of capital and skilled industry and energy, she opens her arms to welcome them to a home on the verge of her "summer sea," beneath skies where is hardly known what winter is, and to cheer them on to fortune and her own industrial development. This is no fair-seeming false promise, but one tendered in ;.U sincerity, and based on facts which the writer has been careful to understate rather than overestimate. STOCK RAISING AND DAIRYING. NO PORTION of the globe is better adapted to stock raising than the State of Louisiana. Our soils unaided will supply native grasses suffi- cient to maintain cattle and horses through at least nine months in the year. The great variety of grasses, clovers and forage crops which can be grown so successfully upon all of our soils; our short winters, requiring shelter and extra feed for only a few months in the year; our numerous water courses, with the>r in li nite number of tributaries, furnishing an abundant supply of water at all seasons, all conspire to make Louisiana a most desirable location for stock raising. The question may be asked: If these natural advantages exist, why is it that more have not engaged in this industry? The ready reply is found in the fact that heretofore our entire agricultural world has been ab- sorbed in the growing of our leading staples, sugar-cane, rice and cotton. Another potent reason may be found in the absence of packing factories, where a ready mar- ket for cattle, sheep and hogs might be found the year round. Both of these reasons are now gradually melting away. Sugar-cane and cotton no longer afford the hand- some profits of th aj J «! o k, Q %x m m <-} H« < fc s Q O o a m Q s Q Z En CO OS aj H. S Eh ~ CO "^ Z » •-H 5 a Q ° - C3 O 105 tention, the finest and largest can be grown here, but only In a few instances has mule raising been pursued as a profession or special oecupatior But many farmers are now raising both mules and horses for home demand, and some to sell. This home raised stock shows greater superiority for work than those raised elsewhere. The same natural conditions and advantages apply as to cattle. In addition to ample pasturage ana luxurious forage for cattle raising, fattening cattle for market has supe- rior advantages in Louisiana, as Is shown in many .--rticles further on. Cotton seed meal and hulls from the many cotton seed oil mills, th« rice bran, polish and shorts from our rice mills, and cheap molasses from our sugar factories, /rovide' superior economic feeding rations for cattle feeders. Annually thousands of head of c: ttle from this and other States are fattened at our mills, and shipped to the Xorthern and Western markets. Improved breeds of the dairy type, Jersey and Guernsey, and the beef type, Herefords, Durhams, Polled Angus and Devons, a-e being rapidly adopted, and the State is making great strides now in this direction. Hoots, likewise, are easily raised, and rreat interest is now being manifested in that line of farming. T119 "razor back" is fast disappearing, and in his place comes the Poland China, the Berkshire, Red Jersey and Essex. There are now several breeders in the State with herds as good as any. Hog raisins, by the adoption of a proper rotation of crops, making the hog gather each crop, can be made exceptionally profitable, provided one can find a ready home market when they are fit for the shambles. With packing houses convenient, hog raising will soon be- come a leading industry of this State, and a most profit- able one. By planting an acre or two in February or early March, of a variety of early ripening sugar corn, in rows three feet apart and six to twelve inches in iriil, it will be ready for the hogs in Ma.y. Succeed this with a similar patch of early sorghum, which will oe ripe in June. Follow with Spanish peanuts, ripe in Inly, or early cowpeas, ripe at same time. Add to these Chufas and artichokes a late corn field with cowpeas, and a good let of sweet potatoes, and you have the material to grow and fatten many hogs. These lots should be arranged so that the hogs could gather thsm all, and simultaneously have access to a field of grass or clover, with an abundance of fresh, pure water. This is possible on nearly every farm. By adopting such a plan as the above, some of our best farmers have raised hogs for half a cent a pound. JOS A CARLOAD OF POLLED ANGUS CATTLE, FATTENED AT STATE EXPERIMENT STATION AT BATON ROUGE, AND WHICH TOPPED THE CHICAGO MARKET ON JAN. 8, 1S04. EXPERIMENTS WITH BEEF CATTLE. THE carload of grade Angus steers that were shipped from the Experiment Station at Baton Rouge, and topped the market early in January, 1904, at Chicago, demonstrated beyond a doubt the possibilities 01 beef production of the highest order in Louisiana from feeding the by-products of our sugar- houses, rice mills and cotton seed oil mills, provided the right kind of animals are utilized for consuming these products. They further demonstrated that the immunization fever does not permanently impair the development of a steer into a first-class beef type. There has been such universal interest in the results of these experiments that a brief statement regarding the history of the steers and the manner of feeding will be of value to all who contemplate investigating the possibilities of beef production in Louisiana, or adjacent States. Dr. W. C. Stubbs, Director of the Experiment Stations, planned the experiment and committed the execution of the plan to W. R. Dodson, Assistant Director of the sta- tion at Baton Rouge. The cattle were purchased at Clinton, 111., through Jacob Ziegler and W. H. Wheeler, who were very much interested in the enterprise. The calves secured were from four to eight months old, and arrived in Baton Rouge In good condition. In November, 1901, a few days after arrival, they were each inocu- lated with a small quantity of defibrinated blood from a native animal, which produced a mild form of immuniza- tion or Texas fever. Until they recovered from this artificially produced fever they were kept free of ticks. They were fed on rice bran, cotton seed meal and sugar- house molasses, with Bermuda and Lespedeza hay, which had been grown on the Station. As soon as the grass began to grow in the spring of 1902 they were placed on pasture, but a partial ration or concentrated feed continued. The amount varied somewhat according to the condition of the pasture. Each steer was weighed at frequent intervals and a record kept of these weights. The gain was very satisfactory until the ticks began to be very numerous and the animals very heavily infested. As the season was unusually dry and the pasture crowded (fifty-five head of stock were pastured on less than twenty acres) the cattle became grossly infested with ticks. Consequently a very severe test was made of the efficiency of the immunization. All the steers developed more or less fever and during the month of August a number of them lost in weight. However, they began to recover soon after the application of an insecticide to kill the ticks on them. The middle of November the cattle were placed in a lot where there were very few ticks, and every animal sprayed to destroy the ticks ad- hering to him, and each animal was fed in a stall a full ration twice daily. For ninety days the gain was a little over two pounds per day. However, they were not as fat as desired, a considerable portion of the gain 108 a c o K o E-i m (*" Q co J a O 3 O CO CO a j H tM > < I « a £-< CO " ft, O H K a m 109 having been utilized in growth. The feed was reduced to maintenance ration till the pasture was again good, and they were put on pasture the same as the previous season, for the purpose of making observations of the effects of a second summer. It was discovered late in the first season that the ticks that had developed several successive generations on these partially susceptible ani- mals had developed a great degree of virulence, and when they infested a native born animal produced a degree of fever almost equal to that developed in these recently immunized steers. These steers, therefore, suf- fered more from the ticks than they would have had they been associated with a large number of native ani- mals, or had it been possible to have changed the pasture once or twice during the season. During the second season they were not allowed to be continuously infested with as many ticks as had been on them the previous season, and the results were much more satis- factory. Early in the fall they were put on full feed, and made a gain of a very small fraction under two pounds per day. It ivas our purpose to market them during the early winter, but the market was not favor- able and they were held till the first of January. They were sold in Chicago for $5.65 per hundred. A few days later, a good native, fairly fat, was sold in Baton Rouge from the station for $2.75, the highest price offered. Since It cost as much to put a pound of flesh on the native as It did on the high-grade Angus, it does not take a mathematician to figure that there was consider- able difference in the profits from the feeding. The following, by Hon. P. L. Maxwell, of Mound, Louisiana, formerly of Indiana, will further emphasize the preceding facts: "I have fed a few head of cattle nearly every year for the past ten years. I have used corn meal, cotton seed, pea hay, turnips, pumpkins, cab- bage leaves and sweet potatoes, all with success. All of the above can be raised very cheaply on our Southern farms and all can be used in feeding cattle, hogs and sheep with success. In connection with the above, I would recommend to farmers who have facilities for shipping at cheap rates, to sell their cotton seed, and buy hulls and cotton seed meal instead. "I made the following test on cotton seed hulls and meal alone: I purchased twenty-six tons of cotton seed hulls and five tons of cotton seed meal, the former at a cost of $3.90, and the latter at $22 per ton delivered. The above was all fed to twenty-three head of steers in forty-three days; the gain per head, per day, was three and one-half pounds. I was offered two cents per pound gross for the cattle the day they were put in the lot; at the end of forty-three days I shipped them to market and sold them at four cents per pound gross. I know of other gentlemen that have had more experi- ence in feeding than myself, and they have not only made plenty of money, but, on land that they could not raise more than fifteen to twenty bushels of corn, they are now raising eighty bushels of first-class corn, and good crops of peas on the same land. "The farmers of Louisiana ought to raise their own horses, mules, cattle, sheep and hogs, and can do so with greater profit than in the Northwest. They have ad- 110 I wnti* Ti-ainV! '■^."UHitvimninwnat, |ffl33 Steamboat Making a Landing. FIRST PRIZE JERSEY BULL .rvND COW. J. W. Jones of Natchitoches. Xll vantages in climate and soil, and can raise so many things in abundance, and so cheaply that our Northern brothers cannot raise. I would recommend Louisiana farmers to try a few head of good steers or cows, and prepare plenty of food crops, and then feed hulls and cotton seed meal with it; they will be surprised to see how quickly they can fatten the cattle, and what profit there is in it, besides t>.e rich fertilizers they make clear, if they will only save it. After experimenting with these things, I am thoroughly convinced there is money it in. I am preparing large pastures, and am now buying all the cattle I can, with a view of feeding on a larger scale. I know of a gentleman in Illinois wno has just invested in a large tract of land in the Tensas River swamp, is fencing it, and will put 600 head of cattle in it at once. "In regard to feeding horses and mules while at hard work, I have had splendid success with cut oats, ground corn and peas mixed, two parts of corn to one of peas. I would advise all farmers to raise plenty of oats and feed less corn. I cut my oats with a large ensilage cutter, and use a three-horse tread power. In regard to raising mules, I think I can safely say it is a success. I have them from sucking colts to five years old, and am pleased with the experiment. I have nine- teen colts this year." DAIRYING IN LOUISIANA. THE production of milk and its products is still in its infancy in Louisiana, although this State o.Ters the dairyman many advantages over other States. Nature affords a splendid climate, native pastures, and an abundance of pure water and plenty of cool shade. Besides these, the Southern dairyman has the advantage over his Northern competitor in that our short winters require shelter and extra feed for only a few months in the year. Moreover, the feed for the winter, such as hay, turnips, etc., can be raised in winter months. Oats ^nd vetch sowed in September and October furnishes satisfactory feed for January and February- Cotton seed meal and hulls from the many cotton seed oil mills, the rice bran from our rice mills, and the molasses from the sugar factories, provide superior economic feed for the cattle. The branch of the dairy business yielding the quickest and most immediate profit is doubtless the supply of sweet milk to nearby towns. New Orleans, with a population of 350,000, should consume about 55,000 gal- lons per day in comparison with other cities of its size. The fact is, however, that New Orleans consumes only about 1,000 gallons of fresh milk daily, or 43,000 gal- lons less than would be the case if the business were properly developed. The reason for this apparent de- ficiency is that the people have resorted to the use of condensed milk as a substitute, and New Orleans is still 112 H B— 8 HOME-RAISED HORSES AND HULKS — BOSSIER PARISH. 113 reputed to be the greatest consumer of condensed milk of any city in the country. Only within the last few years the attention of the people of New Orleans has been pointedly drawn to the 'matter of its milk supply. Heretofore, nearly all the milk used in this city was produced in dairies within the city limits. It is now recognized by all au- thorities and scientists that milk should not be produced in thickly populated centers, but in the open country, and the dairies within the city limits were closed by law and compelled to move outside of certain prescribed and safe lines. As a result the supply of milk was still further reduced, though the quality and cleanliness, thanks to the strict supervision of the Board of Health. has been improved. Large dairies have also been estab- lished at some distance from the city, in localities that can be reached in one or two hours by rail. Hammond, which is fifty-two miles from New Orleans, furnished a large part of the milk consumed in this city, and a number of farmers at Roseland also ship fresh milk daily to New Orleans. In this city a company with a perfect and sanitary plant and proper facilities for pasteurizing milk is buying and disposing of all the milk it can secure, and will help much to develop the dairy industry of the country adjacent to New Orleans. The net price paid to the producer is 20 cents a gallon in summer and 22 cents in winter, or 4 1-2 cents per degree of butter fat. This company and other respon- sible parties will make a contract for all the high-grade milk the farmers can produce, and every farmer who delivers his milk at the railway station can collect his payments weekly. It will thus be seen that New Orleans is in need of thousands of gallons of milk and its need will increase with each year. In the production of butter, cheese, and other milk products, too, a rational management can introduce many improvements and no better opportu- nity can offer itself to those seeking to establish the dairy industry in this vicinity. The selection of the proper dairy cow, improved dairy machinery and appli- ances, and the necessary knowledge to operate the dairy become the only considerations. Otherwise the conditions for success in dairying in this vicinity are the most favorable. Cheap land suitable for this pur- pose in great abundance and conveniently located near the city, on either side of the fourteen railroads entering the city, and which deliver the milk here in one or two hours; a strong demand which assures to the pro- ducer a firm price and ready sale of all the milk he has to offer; and, lastly, climate and agricultural con- ditions which furnish the dairyman advantages such as he will not find in regions further North. Under these circumstances the dairy business in Louisiana properly handled offers rare opportunities to any one with the necessary experience and small capital required, and there is not the least doubt that the time will corns when it will be one of the most important industries of the State. The butter and cheese industry comes under the heading of the dairying industry. 114 A GROUP "'•' NATIVE CATTLE IN NORTH LOUISIANA '•Possum fat and taters." 115 Yearly New Orleans alone receives 19,312,000 pounds of butter and cheese from the East and West. Besides this New Orleans consumes a small portion of butter and cheese made out of milk produced in Louisiana. From all standpoints, it will be noted how badly the milk industry needs to be cultivated in Louisiana. PEANUT CULTURE IN LOUISIANA. WHO does not know the peanut, that delight of of children and many grown people? A visit to the circus with the little ones is hardly conceivable without a bag of "fresh roaster], well toasted" peanuts to munch during the per- formance. But how many know that peanuts are used for many other purposes besides eating them in a roasted condition and that, indeed, they form a very important article of commerce':' Many a one may have discovered to his chagrin that the" confectioner, instead of using almonds had stuffed the cake with peanuts, but few even dream that the "genuine, imported olive oil" on their table is nothing but peanut oil, and yet in most cases it is either that or cotton seed oil. Uses of the Peanut. Three-fourths of the American crop are sold to vendors of the roasted peanut. They use only the best grades. The inferior grades are sold to confectioners to be used in the marketing of 'burnt almonds," peanut candy and cheaper grades of chocolate. The extent of the use of the peanuts by the American people will be appreciated when it is remembered that they use 4,000,- 000 bushels of nuts annually, at a cost to them of $10,- 000,000. The farmer uses the nut to fatten his hogs. He also makes use of the vine to feed to all kinds of live- stock and it furnishes the best and cheapest hay to be found in the peanut section, comparing favorably with the most highly esteemed forage plants. These are the uses to which tlje peanut crop is commonly put in this country, but it is not improbable that in the course of time the peanut may subserve other valuable ends here. Millions of bushels are being used in the countries of the old world for the production of oil, in which the nuts are very rich. This oil is regarded as equal to olive oil and may be employed for every purpose to which this is applied. It forms from 30 to 50 per cent (by weight) of the shelled nut. It has an ageeable taste and smell and is more limpid than olive oil, which it very much resembles. Peanut oil is also used as a light- ing fluid, in the manufacture of soap, and as a lubri- cant in machine shops. After all the oil which can be expressed has been secured, there still remains con- siderable fatty matter in the cake, which, together with its other contents, makes a most valuable animal food. It is readily eaten by most horses. As a food for dairy cows it is admirable, both increasing the yield of milk 116 |3 o X j w th bj the civil war and its i a m-iis industrial results, the South has arisen from Iter ashes a fairer and a mightier land. She has laid aside her sable garments and bedecked in a gown of In iu.it colors is lookin , confidently to the glorious future that awaits her, for she knows that a benign Providence has favon I hi r above other lands, and that by virtue of her natural advantages she will become the most pros- perous section of our great, common country. We have marvelous resources of every kind and sort which are just beginning to be developed, and in no por- tion of the world are there as good opportunities for suc- cess as in the land of Dixie. If Horace Greeley were alive today his advice to young men would be, "Go South!" When he said to them, "Go West," a great field opened there, and many fotrunes were made by following his sage counsels. The scene has shifted. The great oppor- tunities of the West have been seized, but there are innumerable openings in the South awaiting fertile brains and vigorous hands. If the new settler is accustomed to grain and cereals, with cattle and hogs, he need not change his crops or methods in the South, unless it be to substitute rice for wheat, should he settle in the lower half of the Gulf States, although wheat does well in northern portions. He need not become a cotton grower unless he wishes to, for corn and the cereals, with forage crops of many kinds, coupled with some branch or branches of animal industry — especially hogs — will furnish the most attract- ive and profitable employment. If he be a dairyman, 130 that line is open to him with marked advantages in many respects. If he be a gardener or fruit grower, the Gulf and lower Atlantic coast sections, with immunity from cold and delightful climate, can not be excelled. Indeed, he can choose his own branch of agriculture and find ideal conditions in the South. And we would welcome them gladly. We need a great many of them. Why, sir. the last federal census showed the density of the population in the State of Texas as something like 11.6 per square mile, in Louisiana 30.4, in Georgia 37.6, and in Arkansas 24.7 per square mUe, while of New York, your State, it was 152.6. in Xew Jersey 250.3, in Ohio 102, in Pennsylvania 140.1, and in Massachusetts 34S.9 per square mile. The South has not been peopled yet; it is a new land. The best oppor- tunities of the North and West have been seized and developed; but such is not true of the South, which still offers exceptional inducements in amy line of business that a good, industrious man wishes to pursue. .1 XIMAL INDUSTRY. With corn and forage crops naturally goes animal industry. There are no enemies to hogs, sheep, horses, and mules in the Southern States which do not exist everywhere, and all of these animals succeed well. Our winters are so mild that with a proper variety of crops grazing can be secured every day in the year, and animals require much less dry food and close attention than in the Xorth. Conditions with us are especially favorable to hogs, and I dobut if any State in the Republic has as many advantages for the lowly porker as my own Louisiana. Food crops of every kind grow in great pro- fusion throughout the year, so that no housing is neces- sary, and the health of the pigs is fine whenever properly cared for. The same is true of horses, mules, and sheep. Kentucky and Tennessee are justly famous for the best horses and mules on the continent, but I have seen as good animals raised in Louisiana as ever trod the ground. I am sometimes asked if we can make good butter in Louisiana. Yes; most emphatically. And why not? We have the most succulent grasses and clovers, and every variety of food necessary for good milk thrives with us. Dairying can be made a very profitable industry in many parts of the South, including Louisiana. CLIMATE. In point of climate the South compares favorably \\ ith any other section. Her summers are longer, but the extremes of heat are no greater than in more northern regions, and the change from cold to heat is so gradual that the system becomes accustomed to it. Sunstrokes of man or beast are very uncommon in the South. I was born and reared in Louisiana, where my life has been spent, and I remember only one slight case of sunstroke in human beings. The nights are usually pleasant and sleep refreshing in the hottest weather of July and August. While our summers are long, our winters are very short and mild, and the seasons of spring and fall are delightful. Great extremes of cold are never experienced, and when we get a cold snap it lasts only a few days. followed by a greater period of warm sunshine. Farming 131 operations, such as the preparation, seeding, and culti- vation of the soil are interrupted by freezes only for very brief periods in the lower tier of States, and are ticallj continuous throughout the year. Interruption of general business by cold is almost unknown. Prof. Willis L. Moore, Chief of the Weather Bureau, has fur- nished me some very interesting data on climatic condi- tions in Louisiana, as compared with the British North- Territories, and in the States of North Dakota and Iowa,' which I attach hereto as Appendix H. HEALTH. There are many false impressions about the health of th«- South, and misrepresentations on this subject are prevalent. Owing to the fact that our system of securing vital statistics is imperfect in rural districts, just as it is in most of the States, I can not make accurate compari- sons between different sections, but will produce enough to show any fair-minded man that the whites of the South are as healthy as any in the Union. We have in round numbers in the Southern States about 19,000,000 whites and 9. 500,000 negroes. The latter race is not healthy for reasons which the scope of this speech pre- vents me from discussing. Statistics show a much heavier mortality among negroes than whites, hence I shall refer only to Caucasians in making my comparisons. The mortality statistics of the United States census for 1908 show tint in Boston, which I take as a typical northern city, the death rate from all causes was as follows: In the year 1906, IS. 9 per 1,000 souls; 1907, 19.2 per 1,000 souls; 1908, 19.1 per 1,000 souls. While in New Orleans it was: In 1906, whites. IS. 1 per 1,000 souls; 1907, whites, 20.1 per 1,000 souls; 190S, whites, 19 per 1,000 souls. So it appears that by comparing the whites of New Orleans with the entire population of Boston, where practically all are Caucasians, we find exactly the same average death rate in the two cities. And I wish to add that since the completion of a splendid system of sewers and waterworks, the health of New Orleans has improved materially, and in 1909 the death rate was only 15.52 per 1,000, according to the city officials. These same census tables show: At Detroit, Mich., in 1906. 17 per 1,000; 1907. 16.5 per 1.000; 190S, 15.6 per 1,000. At SavannaK Ga., in 1906, whites, 17.2 per 1,000; 1907, whites, 17.9 per 1,000; 1908, whites, 15.1 per 1.000, or a very slight advantage for Detroit, which is considered one of the health resorts of the Great Lakes. And again they show: New Haven, Conn., in 1906, 19.1 per 1,000; 1907. 18.6 per 1,000: 1908, 16.9 per 1,000. Memphis. Tenn., in 1906, whites, 16 per 1.000; 1907, whites, 15. S per 1.000; 1908, whites, 15.6 per 1,000. Which is a decided advantage for the southern city. And finaly: Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1906, 20.8 per 1,000; 1907, 18.5 per 1.000; 190S, 18.5 per 1.000. Mobile, Ala., in 1906, whites, 21 per 1,000; 1907, whites. 19 per 1,000; 1908, whites, 17.3 per 1,000. 132 Or an advantage for the city on the Gulf. A very interesting table giving a comparison of general death, rates in American cities from 1871 to 1904, inclusive, was compiled by Mr. Frederick L. Hoffman an.l published by the American Statistical Association, March, 1906, pages 5-7, which I annex as Appendix J. it shows that for the twenty years 1SS5 to 1904, inclusive, the average mortality per 1,000 of population in northern and western cities was 19.75 per annum, and of whites in the southern cities it was 19.34, or a lower death rate in the cities of the South, Mr. Goulden. Will the gentleman permit an inter- ruption there? Mr. Ransdell of Louisiana. With pleasure. Mr. Goulden. As an insurance man for forty years, to my personal knowledge up to twenty-five years ago, all the leading life insurance companies of the country de- clined to write risks in the southern towns and cities, and then only when they were placed in a distinct class. For the last twenty years that has all been done away with, and today life insurance companies of the United States write as freely and upon the same conditions in Southern States as they do elsewhere. This is as it should be, and I congratulate my friends in the South on this happy condition of affairs. Mr. Ransdell of Louisiana. I thank the gentleman for the statement And in considering the death rate of the South for the past twenty years it must be remembered that two of the most fatal diseases of that section — yellow fever and malaria — were not understood until recently. The last yellow fever outbreak that was in scourge could readily be controlled and there is no longer any reason for alarm about it. Scientists have shown our people how to prevent malaria by screening their houses against mosquitoes, and also that common disease bearer, the house fly. No intelligent immigrant from Europe or the North need have any greater fear of sickness in the South than he is subject to at home. A thoroughly reliable, disinterested and competent witness on this subject is Dr. Walter Wyman, Surgeon- General of Public Health and Marine-Hospital Service of our Government, who delivered an admirable address on "Southern health conditions" before the Southern Com- mercial Congress in this city December 7, 190S. He said: "Impressions have prevailed concerning health condi- tions in the South which, though perhaps justified twenty-five years ago, are now entirely unwarranted. A principal cause for false impression is undoubtedly due to yellow fever, which formerly so frequently afflicted our Southern States, but which, it may fairly be claimed, is no longer a factor to be considered in the determina- tion of health conditions. "Such diseases as malaria and typhoid fever are sub- ject to the same causative agencies as prevail elsewhere; and as to tuberculosis, the climate is favorable in that it freely permits and encourages life in the open air. With regard to this and other diseases, the conditions seem more favorable than in colder localities where people are prone to shut themselves up with the disease. "I would not be understood to claim that sanitary or health conditions throughout the South are all that could 133 be desired, nor could I say the same concerning the North or any foreign country, but I do mean to say that with its salubrious climate, one may settle in any ot our Southern States, and by observing for himself and his family the sanitary laws and principles now so well understood, he will be under as favorable condi- tions for health and length of life as he could be any- where." A witness from my home town, Lake Providence, in northeast Louisiana, on the banks of the Mississippi, in the very center of the big bottom lands, is Hon. E. J. Hamley, one of the best men in the States. He states, in a recent letter to me: "I will say that I left the northeastern part of Mis- souri for Lake Providence, La., in October, 1879, and I havp lived here continuously since that time. All of my children have been born and reared in this town. "I know of no healthier part of the United States than I have found right here. My health and the health of my family has always been good, and I believe that I can honestly say that I have not spent $100 for doctor bills for myself in the whole time I have been living here. "I know of no better and healthier country for a young man to make a start in than right here, provided he is willing to take off his coat and go to work." One of the many splendid citizens contributed by Iowa to Louisiana is Mr. S. L. Cary, of Jennings, who never ceases to thank his stars for finding a home in the Pelican State. He writes me: "Next to Vermont, Louisiana has most old people to population, and the Gulf Coast line the lowest death rate in the States. In 1S80 the southwest Louisiana census gave the average family nine persons. For home- making, the easiest, best condition I have ever seen, and next to this, money-making easy. "I was here at 56; now S3; and the last twenty- seven years the healthiest and happiest of all my life. "As school children we were taught that Louisiana was a low, swampy, unhealthy country, the home of the alligator. The truth says, 'Thank God for the low- lands of Louisiana: SO bushels of rice, 40 tons of sugar cane, and $300 in oranges are entirely possible on a single acre of land." Another good man who went from Minnesota to Livingston Parish, La., is Mr. M. M. Garig, of Denham Springs, who writes' "The number of very old people will attest to the healthfulness of the country. Myself and boys work in the fields in the sun. In thirty-five years I have not seen a case of sunstroke. It is not nearly as hot as in Minnesota. Allow me to say the man that wishes to escape the rigors of northern winters will make no mis- take by visiting this part of the sunny south — Livingston Parish, La." And I conclude this branch of my subject with an extract from a letter of Dr. B. A. Ledbetter, of New Orleans, president New Orleans Medical Society, and a member of the Louisiana State Board of Health, as follows: "Your inquiry as to general health conditions of Louisiana has been received, and it gives me pleasure to say to you that I believe Louisiana, from a health stand- 134 point, is second to no State in the Union. It is useless for me to state that Louisiana, like Texas, has a variety of climate suoh as few other States enjoy. In the north- ern portion of our State you find a high, dry climate, particularly free from malaria and one of the best in the world for tubercular and similar diseases. In the central and southern portion of Louisiana the altitude is not so great. In south Louisiana, which includes the city of Xew Orleans, we have the delightful Gulf breezes, which make Xew Orleans one of the coolest and most delightful summer as well as winter resorts in the world." These two States — Louisiana and Texas — are typical of the entire South, and I say with the utmost candor that health, prosperity, a warm welcome and happiness await every immigarnt to Dixie who comes to bear an honest man's part in his new home, and does his duty. THE LANDS OF THE STATE. Speaking of the Mississippi Valley, Mr. Joseph E. Wing, of Mechanicsburg, Ohio, who is familiar with lands throughout the Union and a scentific as well as a prac- tical Ohio farmer and leading business man, recently wrote me as fell ws: "There are millions of acres in the South that have soils richer than those of central Illinois, that garden spot of the corn belt. These lands are unoccupied or thinly inhabited. They are now dreary, desolate, mos- quito-inhabited, moss-hung lands along the various southern streams, the swamp lands. The lands bordering the Mississippi River are made from the very cream of northern soils. These soils to an immense depth are the deposits of silt brought down by floods from wash- ings of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and other rich.-soiled northern States. Technically these soils are immensely rich in potash and phosphorus, the essential elements of fertility. The black "buckshot" soils bordering the Mississippi River are also very rich in carbonate of lime. Carbonate of lime is the thing in soils that has always stood for enduring fertility. Carbonate of lime makes land ready for alfalfa and other soil-enriching clovers. "A man can take that land along the Mississippi River in Louisiana or one of the adjoining States and grow on it more alfalfa per acre than he can grow in Illinois or Iowa. On the alfalfa sod he can grow as much corn per acre as he can grow in Illinois, and perhaps he can grow more corn. He can live in a mild climate, delightful nearly every day from middle September till middle June. 1 firmly believe that, living right, the- health of the white man in Louisiana will be better than the health of the man in Illinois, and the same is true of his family. He can grow there cheap bacon, beef, mules. He can grow rice, cotton if he desires, corn, alfalfa, wheat. Why, then, does he not do it? "The reason is not far to seek. The land is undrained. Only here and there are dry fringes along the margins of bayous. Nearly the whole of it is unbroken forest, sub- merged during part of the year. The descent of the stream is too slight for drainage, the surface of the land too flat. A few years ago the levees along the Mississippi River were too weak to afford protection. Now they are made strong, but the trouble from deficient outlet for 135 the heavy rainfall remains. The sluggish rivers need straightening. The Tensas has a channel four times as long as it would be if a few short canals were dug across bends; maybe it is ten times as long as it nebd be, because of its tortuous course. Other streams and bayous are similarly tortuous. "Individual effort, unfortunately, can not accomplish much in solution of this problem. Some of the streams that block drainage are navigable streams. A compre- hensive system of drains must be inaugurated. There must be main canals; these must lead to large streams; these must be widened in places, deepened in places, straightened. It is not a difficult problem. It is not even an expensive or costly thing to accomplish. A dollar spent in drainage here will do more than four spent in difficult irrigation enterprises in the West. These irriga- tion works are good; we rejoice to see them done; the whole people will be the richer for them, yet the Gov- ernment ought not to forget its other needy territory. "I know well the lands of America from one end to the other. I have studied soils and farms and farmers from Boston to San Francisco and from Washington to Florida. Thus I speak with knowledge when I say that we have no more priceless treasure than this Delta region of the Mississippi. It can be made to hold thousands of farms, small farms, each with its home, its children, and schools. I have lived in the Delta in July and been there during nearly every month. White men can there keep strong and will if they can escape mosquito infection and sleep oul of doors behind screens on porches during the warm weather. Malaria is easily escaped. When drainage comes, mosquitoes can be nearly eradicated, and then there will be no more malaria there than there is in Illinois." I thank Mr. Wing for these frank, truthful words. PRICES OF LAND. Coming back to the practical side of this question, I wish to say that most of these valley lands, which are covered with a tine growth of forest trees, can be pur- chased at from $7.50 to $20 per acre, according to loca- tion and character of the trees, and in most cases the hard-wood timber thereon is worth considerably more than this sum. Drainage, reclamation, preparing for the plow, buildings, and so forth, will cost from $17.50 to $35 per acre, according to character of improvements and various conditions; hence if reasonable allowance is made for the value of the timber, these splendid lands, im- proved and ready for homes, will stand at from $22.50 to $40 per acre, and when handled in large bodies by im- provement companies, or a consolidated band of colon- ists, a considerable reduction in these ligures can be secured. This is extraordinarily oheap when we consider that every acre will produce annually crops worth more than $50 cultivated by ordinary farm methods, and double that amount if handled with the high skill and intelli- gence of the best Iowa farmers. Forty acres of such land would support in comfort an average family of five persons, and on this basis these bottom lands would support a population of 600,000 families, or 3,000,000 people, and add enormously to the national wealth. 136 Mr. Cox of Indiana. Will the gentleman yield for a question? Mr. Ransdell of Louisiana. I will be delighted. Mr. Cox of Indiana. In my county lands sell at $125 to $200 an acre. Several of our farmers, especially young men, who owned from 40 to 80 acres, sold their lands and moved South, and particularly into Arkansas and Louisiana. They say to me that they get better land down there for $15 to $25 per acre than our lands, which sell at $125 per acre, and their new farms produce the same crops grown in our county. Now what do you know about that? Air. Ransdell of Louisiana. It is as true as Holy Writ, as I will show later. Mr. Cole. Will the gentleman yield? Mr. Ransdell of Louisiana. Certainly. Mr. Cole. Has the gentleman any information upon the reclamation of swamp land in the State of Louisiana, or any other Southern State, as to the cost of the re- clamation, the value of the land, the selling price when once reclaimed? Mr. Ransdell of Louisiana. In response to that ques- tion I will say within the last few months a company from Chicago bought 1,000,000 acres of land from Mr. Edward Wisner, of New Orleans, and they have begun to reclaim 50,000 acres. It is marsh land near the Gulf of Mexico, and it costs more to reclaim that kind of land by drainage than the land up on the Mississippi River where I live. According to Mr. Wisner, drainage of marsh lands costs an average price of about $20 per acre, while ordinary bottoms along the Mississippi can be drained thoroughly at from $3 to $5 an acre. When reclaimed it will produce more than any other land in the United States every year. It is remarkably fertile and has plenty of rainfall to fructify the crops. Mr. Cole. Mr. Chairman, I might add that there are two Ohio men who went to Louisiana about two years ago. They took up 30,0000 acres of this swamp land, and are now reclaiming it with a ditcher that is made in my home town, the Buckeye ditcher. It is well adapted to the work down there, and they expect to make a for- tune out of the redemption of those 30,000 acres of land; so the opportunities, I might add from personal knowl- edge, in the reclamation of these swamp lands in the State of Louisiana are considered very great. LOUISIANA QUEEN OF TJIE SOUTH. Mr. Ransdell. I must now emphasize some of the strong points of my native State, Louisiana — the queen of the South. Louisiana is unique in several particulars. A large portion of her surface is of recent formation, caused by the rich sediment of the Mississippi settling and making land as its rushing floods commingle with the quiet waters of the Gulf. This makes her, geologically speak- ing, the youngest of our States, and, like Benjamin, she occupies a tender spot in her father's heart. Louisiana has four great crops — sugar, rice, cotton, and corn. She easily leads the Union in the production of sugar and rice and is a heavy producer of cotton and corn. Practically every soil product and fruit of the Temperate Zone does well except wheat. Her grasses 137 and climate are admirably adapted to animal industry; cattle for beef and dairying, horses, mules, and sheep thrive; and she is the natural home of the hog, which does exceptionally well. Indeed, it is said by competent judges that Louisiana is the best State in the Union for raising hogs. Col. F. L. Maxwell, a Union soldier from Illinois, who cast his lot at Mound, Madison Parish, La., forty-five years ago, and has accumulated a large fortune by farm- ing, says: "As requested, I give you imy opinion on the advan- tages of Louisiana to the investor and home seeker. Louisiana has some 14,000,000 acres of alluvial lands, only one-fifth of which are in cultivation. All of this land is capable of being cultivated and can be easily and cheaply drained. "The opportunities in Louisiana for profitable invest- ment to both the home seeker and the investor are greater than in any other section; the climate is mild and healthful, without the extremes of heat and cold; and plenty of sunshine and rainfall (an average of about 52 inches per annum). We have no sunstrokes or cold blizzards; we have excellent churches and schools; quick and easy transportation facilities. "As a corn country this is not excelled by the famous Wabash and White River bottoms of Indiana or the corn belt of central Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, or Kansas, and excels all other States in ribbon cane, cotton, rice, clover, alfalfa, Bermuda, peas, soya beans, and all kinds of vegetables. "Louisiana produces the finest oranges that grow; she produces apples, peaches, figs, and all kinds of fruits, and is the home of the large pecan. The wonderful crops of succulent grasses grown nearly all the year make this a great stock and dairy country, and the best mules I have ever owned are those I raised on my own prop- erty. Hogs, cattle, mules, and horses can be produced cheaper than in any other section I know of." LOUISIANA FISH AND GAME. In addition to animal and vegetable life, Louisiana has a vast storehouse of wealth in its fish and game. It is a veritable paradise of the sportsman. I have eaten oysters in every section of our coasts, and none of them equal in flavor the famous bivalves of Bayou Cook. The oyster-shipping industry is very important, and our oyster beds are much greater in area than those of any other State. Many varieties of the finest fresh and salt water fish literally swarm in our waters; innumerable game birds and fowls, including the delicious wild turkey, exist in every quarter; and the fierce black bear of our canebrakes tempted to its lair even the mighty nimrod whose recent exploits in Africa have caused suoh inter- est in the world'of sport. MARVELOUS LUMBER AND MINERAL WEALTH OF LOUISIANA. As a lumber producer we were exceeded in 1909 only by the State of Washington, our cut being two and three- quarters billion feet, and we led easily in production of cypress, one of the most valuable trees of the forest. The amount of outstanding timber is immense and will last 138 many years, especially if the wise conservation measures now being agitated are carried out. In geologic wealth Louisiana occupies a high place. Her sulphur deposits near Lake Charles and her gas wells near Shreveport are the richest known supplies of sulphur and gas on earth, and it is said her salt mines would supply the world for a great many years. She is also well supplied with oil, gypsum, sand for glass, potter's clay, and so forth. We have an ingenious process of forcing superheated steam through a large pipe into the sulphur deposits, thereby melting the sulphur and causing it to flow out as a liquid, practically pure and ready for commerce. It is so much cheaper than ordinary sulphur mining that we are driving out of business the other sulphur mines of the world. An eminent geologist of the National Government re- ci ntly told me that the gas fields near Shreveport, where this pre Mm, _• is now being wasted in large i titles, is the largest known to scientists and that it would generate more electrical power than all the waters of Niagara Falls, and a great deal cheaper. He said it was an ideal spot for -many enterprises requiring cheap fuel, especially in view of the proximity of sul- phur, salt, gypsum, and sand. He also mentioned that it.-, the mineral base of aluminum, is found in great quantity in \merica only in Arkansas, near Shreveport, whence it is carried thousands of miles to the cheap elec- tricity of Niagara, whereas an enormous saving might be effected if the Arkansas and Louisiana products, bauxite and gas, lying side by side, could be worked in co-operative unison. This is a great opportunity for some man of brains, and many others are offered by this wonderful gas field. Our whole Nation is aroused on the subject of con- serving our natural resources. Location and ownership of waterpower sites out West cause the fiercest contro- versy. Cabinets tremble at the mere mention of "con- servation." Captains of finance and industry are search- ing the world for profitable investment, and yet this marvelous wealth of gas in Louisiana, better than a dozen power sites in the West, equal in electrical pro- ductivity to the mighty How of Niagara's cataract, is wasting into air, actually going begging for some one to conserve and use it GOME TO DIXIE. In conclusion, let me again invite to Dixie the sturdy citizens of the North and West who have gone to Canada, or contemplate a change of domicile, and all good immigrants. The South wishes them and will wel- come them with open arms. My own Louisiana will gladly receive a million such people as are exiling them- selves from the best country on earth and the dearest flag that ever floated over freemen. The South has fields for corn and wheat and the cereals peculiarly classed as northern. She has fields for rice, cane, and cotton. She has lumber and minerals for the Nation. She has waters for power and upon which to float the richest argosies. She has a climate far superior to Canada, and is as healthy a land as any in the Union. "Come, then, to the Southland, and make it your home; come to Louisiana." 139 APPENDIX F. United States Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry, Office of Farmers' Cooperative Demonstration Work, Washington, D. C-, February 25, 1910. Hon. Jos. E. Ransdell, If. C, Washington, D. C. My Dear Congressman. You have asked me to give an opinion on the agricultural possibilities of the South. The subject is so large that it will be necessary for me to classify and consider it under about four heads, as follows: 1. Corn, hay, pasture, and forage crops. 2. Stock raising. 3. Fiber plants. 4. Truck farming. It has been thought till recently that the South would not raise large crops of Indian corn, but a little demon- stration has proven that the soils and climate are spe- cially adapted for that purpose and that larger crops can be raised than in the so-called corn States. Climatic conditions are much more favorable for the corn plant, and as a large portion of the plant is of atmospheric origin, climate is of primary consideration. All that is necessary is to prepare the soil in the best way and use good farm methods, and the South will develop into one of the best corn regions of the Unted States. We have produced the past year under test from 80 to 150 bushels of corn per acre. For pasture and hay the South is also superior to most of the Northern States, first because of the greater rainfall and secondly because of more favorable climatic conditions. The reason the South has not developed in this line is because the farmers have been so engrossed in other crops that they have paid but little attention to hay and pasture lands and have failed to use the best methods. Under trial the past. year we have been able to produce from 4 to 6 tons of hay per acre where the soil was thoroughly prepared and the proper seed used. Then, there is a great variety of forage plants, such as the velvet beans, the cowpea, soy beans, Japan ribbon cane, etc., that grow with amazing vigor in the Southern States and arc- exceedingly nu- tritious, so that there can be an abundant supply for stock all seasons of the year. In three respects a large portion of the South is superlatively adapted to stock raising. First, because of the abundant forage that can be provided, as stated above; and secondly, because of the temperature, which is so mild that it does not tax the vitality of the animal, and It reduces the amount of food necessary to sustain life and vigor. Thirdly, as compared with the extreme North, there is a great reduction in the expense of pro- viding shelter in the winter, all of which means an addi- tion to the vigor of the animal and its immunity from disease, such as tuberculosis, etc. Then, the longer pe- riod of pasture makes it more economical. The com- paratively low price of lumber for building purposes is another important item. These facts are especially emphasized in case of pork production. Hogs can be pastured the year round on a variety of pasture forage that will nearly mature them for market without the addition of corn. Under the 140 I adjustment of agriculture in the United States I .e that a large portion of the South will be found ninently adapted to dairying; to the production of ■ S, mules, and swine: poultry; and in the mountain districts to sheep; that it will be found that they can be ed more economically there than in most any other portion of the world. It is simply necessary to call attention to the great value of southern conditions for the production of the semi-tropical plants, sugar cane, rice and cotton, three of the best cash crops in the world. The United States ady produce 70 per cent of the flb^r that practically i '1'dhes the world. The rich alluvial lands along the are well adapted to the sugar cane. The river bo'ttoms and the coastal prairies take kindly to rice and uce it in great quantities. The past year an experi- i made by our department showed 93. bushels per of rice. Nearly all the Southern States produce >n. .As an example of what can be realized in cotton, e of the very sandy lands the past year produced as high as 2 bales, netting the owner more than $100 per acre. Along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and even in the interior, are large tracts of sandy loam land perfectly ted to truck-growing. They have not as yet been rtially developed, but ultimately they are going to constitute the permanent garden lands of the ed States. Single acres have yielded in celery, let- tui crops more than $1,000 per acre. Is unnecessary to dilate upon these facts. The South has not been understood; neither its soil nor its climate has been appreciated. Lands are far below their value at the present time, and there is no better place on the continent for young, thrifty, and vigorous men to start in a:ik ulture than in many of these Southern States. Respectfully submitted. S. A. KNAPP, Spcial Agent in Charge. APPENDIX H. Exhibit 1. United States Department of Agriculture, Weather Bureau, Office of the CI Washington, D. c., June 1, 1910. Hon. J. E. Ransdell, United States House of Representativtes, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: In connection with your request to be fur- nished with a comparative statement regarding the cli- mate of the British Northwest Territories and that of the State of Louisiana, I have pleasure in advising you as follows: Meteorological observations covering the past thirty or forty years are now available from the respective sections, and it is possible to give you statistics that may be assumed to represent the extreme weather con- ditions that are liable to prevail over those districts. I have had tabulated and transmit herewith sum- maries of the more important climatic elements of the two districts from which comparison can readily be made, and in addition submit for your consideration the 141 following remarks regarding some of the features of the climate in the two sections not readily shown in the (;i bles: Probably the most important feature in the climate of the two sections, as affecting both animal and vege- table life, is the temperature. In this there is of course a wide difference; for instance, in the British Northwest Territories the winters are long and cold, the temperature reaching points as low as 50 degrees below zero; and temperatures of freezing- or lower are liable to occur in all except the three summer months. The average crop season therefore is limited to a period of little more than one hundred days, and on account of the cold nights and probability of frost, only the more hardy cereals, fruits, and vegetables are successfully grown. ( in the other hand, over large portions of the State of Louisiana the temperature rarely goes as low as zero, and only during the colder months of the year does it reach the freezing point, thus giving a long period of crop growth, ranging from about two hundred and fifty days in the northern portion of the State to more than three hundred days in the southern portion. This long period of orop growth permits the cultivation of nearly every variety of agricultural product, and not only one but frequently two or three different crops may be secured from the same soil in a single year. While the summers are short in the British Northwest Territories, the maximum temperatures are frequently as high as in Louisiana, temperatures as high as 104 de- grees having been recorded at Swift Current, Saskatche- wan, while the highest ever recorded at Shreveport, La., is 107 degree, and at New Orleans maximum tempera- tures of 100 degrees are of rare occurrence. In the matter of rainfall, these Territories receive not more than 15 to 20 inches annually, while in Louisiana the amounts range from 45 to more than 50 inches. Despite the fact that the greater portion of the precipi- tion in the first-mentioned locality occurs in the growing season, frequent periods of drought occur, and water for all purposes becomes scarce. The precipitation in Lou- isiana is comparatively uniform throughout the year, is generally abundant for agricultural purposes, and short periods of drought that sometimes occur do not seriously affect the water supply. In these northern districts snow occurs in every month of the year, except those of sum- mer, and killing frosts are of frequent occurrence in May and September, and occasionally they do damage in June and August. On the other hand, in Louisiana the snowfall is very light, confined to the winter months only, and along the Gulf coast is of rare occurrence, while frosts seldom occur, except from November to February, and rarely do serious damage. I have included in addition to the data for the British Northwest Territories and Louisiana similar data from points in North Dakota and Iow-a for comparison of the climates of those States with that of your own. Very respectfully, WILLIS L. MOORE, Chief United States Weather Bureau. 142 EXHIBIT 2. — Comparison of Climate MEAN TEMPERATURE. Stations k d 2 a a a u d § 3 d to s i g 3 u a E to D, o CQ u 0) D o O o. a S M V 6 V O Q d 3 C S < Edmonton, Brit. N. W 1.8 8.3 24.2 39.9 50.8 56.9 60.6 58.8 49.3 41.1 22.9 13.1 35.6 — 8.4 3.1 — 3.0 8.0 12.0 22.0 36.1 41.3 47.6 50.7 57.7 60.0 61.9 66.5 58.9 64.0 48.4 53.1 37.1 42.1 15.4 23.2 2.8 16.0 30.5 Swift Current 37.5 — 6.S 6.7 20.4 — 1.6 8.3 24.1 12.3 22.1 35.7 35.9 42.6 50.6 51.6 55.2 61.6 62.2 64.2 70.4 66.0 70.2 75.5 63.4 68.1 73.0 52.5 57.1 65.0 39.1 44.1 52.5 18.0 26.0 36.8 4.1 15.0 25.7 33.1 40.0 Dos Moines, Iowa 49.3 Shreveport, La 46.2 50.0 58.2 65.8 73.2 79.6 82.1 81.4 75.7 65.6 55.3 48.9 65.2 New Orleans, La 53.0 56.3 62.0 67.9 74.5 79.6 81.3 81.0 78.0 69.5 60.6 54.4 68.2 mean maximum temperature. Edmonton . . . Prince Albert . Swift Current Winnipeg Bismarck Des Moines . . . Shreveport. . . . New Orleans. 23 22 34 56 65 69 74 71 60 55 34 26 12 12 27 51 64 69 73 71 58 50 29 16 23 19 33 56 65 70.9 7S 77 64 56 36 27 13 12 28 54 68 73 78 76 66 54 33 16 24 22 37 56 70 77 85 83 71 57 36 29 29 32 44 61 72 so 86 83 75 64 46 34 55 59 68 77 83 90 93 92 86 77 65 58 61 64 70 76 S3 87 89 88 85 7S 69 63 143 EXHIBIT 2. — Comparison of Climates — Continued. MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE. HIGHEST TEMPERATURE. Stations d 3 C tS E a 3 a < 5? a a c 3 hi >> 3 1-5 m S 3 u m a E 0) o. w u a a o o O u V a S > o z u E 0) o 3 C 3 4 1 10 31 39 45 50 47 38 32 17 9 —10 4 — 9 —11 — 1 —11 4 14 7 26 30 29 35 41 40 46 59 49 50 52 54 48 50 52 38 40 42 30 33 32 12 19 15 — 3 10 — 2 Swift Current Winnipeg Bismarck 2 11 29 40 49 53 51 42 30 14 8 11 14 26 41 51 61 65 65 54 43 28 18 38 42 49 57 64 70 73 72 66 56 46 41 New Orleans 47 50 55 61 68 74 76 75 72 63 54 48 Edmonton . . . Prince Albert. Swift Current Winnii" Bismarck .... Des Mo New Orleans. 48 56 61 84 90 86 94 92 87 78 74 59 53 52 62 79 90 93 87 88 S4 75 66 52 59 58 70 86 92 104 102 101 90 83 77 54 42 44 58 81 92 100 94 93 99 82 71 41 60 64 78 90 96 99 106 105 102 89 73 64 64 70 88 90 94 101 109 103 99 91 76 69 80 81 90 96 101 104 107 106 101 95 86 79 82 82 86 89 94 98 102 100 96 94 85 S3 144 EXHIBIT 2. — Comparison of Climates — Continued. LOWEST TEMPERATURE. Stations b d 3 a a -> a 2 a fa I a < a 9 1 1 I 3 < u « s 01 a da j o u O s 5 i u or a a § 1 1 — 50 — 60 —41 —45 —44 —30 1 15 —43 —48 — 41 —39 —43 —26 — 5 7 —31 —37 —22 —24 —36 — 8 22 30 — 5 — 14 — 2 2 — 3 11 32 38 15 g 12 11 13 26 42 52 29 30 32 23 31 41 53 58 36 36 38 36 32 48 62 66 29 32 32 32 32 40 54 63 12 18 18 22 10 26 45 55 2 — 4 4 6 — 2 14 35 40 —27 —28 —22 —29 —28 —10 18 29 —36 —40 —27 —34 —38 —20 10 20 MEAN MONTHLY PRECIPITATION. Edmonton Prince Albert.. Swift Current. Winnipeg Bismarck Des Moines.. . . Shreveport New Orleans. . 0.68 0.67 0.72 0.88 1.55 2.86 3.03 2.13 1.33 0.70 0.58 0.70 .97 .69 .77 .83 1.26 2.51 2.05 2.15 1.28 .83 .83 .74 .64 .74 .81 .93 1.76 2.67 2.44 1.91 \:ll .88 .69 .78 .88 .98 1.03 1.05 2.28 3.29 3.08 2.67 2.03 1.70 1.08 .91 .54 .50 1.04 1.88 2.50 3.54 2.14 1.98 1.19 1.03 .68 .62 1.21 1.08 1.65 2.98 4.56 4.96 3.86 3.61 3.07 2.68 1.48 1.31 4.42 3.61 4.52 4.58 4.16 3.58 3.72 2.24 3.22 3.18 4.08 4.37 4.63 4.47 6.30 4.91 3.88 6.16 6.47 5.61 4. SI 2.93 3.79 4.46 H B— 10 145 EXHIBIT 2. — Comparison of Climates — Continued. AVERAGB HOURS OF SUNSHINB. Stations d 3 C 3 5 1 s u d 7 0. < >> d 3 c c p 1-5 3 n 1 a 93 to u o o o O u o & u o £ V V •Battleford 107 106 162 162 126 133 197 172 167 141 230 198 210 216 275 237 199 243 288 270 213 234 330 284 250 294 290 327 249 255 237 293 157 181 202 237 142 120 139 227 89 80 121 155 73 62 143 134 148 136 186 231 214 210 234 226 163 148 •Average hours of bright sunshine. Not strictly comparable with data from other stations. P. C. D. MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY. Bismarck . . . Des Moines . . Shreveport . . New Orleans. 72 72 72 66 65 70 66 64 66 70 72 78 77 73 66 64 70 72 71 69 70 73 74 70 69 70 74 74 76 76 74 72 73 78 78 78 76 74 76 78 80 78 74 78 LENGTH OF THE CROP-GROWING SEASON. Days Edmonton (approximately) 114 Prince Albert (approximately) 114 Swift Current (approximately) 118 Winnipeg (approximately) 121 73 78 72 78 Bismarck (approximately) . . . . Des iloines (approximately).. Shreveport (approximately)... New Orleans (approximately) . Days . 123 . 163 . 262 . 310 146 EXHIBIT 2. — Comparisons of Climate — Continued. AVERAGE NUMBER OF DATS WITH 0.01 OR MORE PRECIPITATION. Edmonton . . . Prince Albert. Swift Curernt. Winnipeg Bismarck Des Moines. . . Shreveport . . . New Orleans . Stations d 3 £ 3 U XI u 3 a < & s to a 3 Ha >> 3 Ha 5 3 < |4 O -** a, a m u O o O u a 1 a> > o z u s o to Q 7 5 7 6 7 8 11 11 8 6 7 6 8 '8 10 10 7 1 7 | S | 9 1 8 | 9 | 10 1 9 1 5 4 5 6 8 10 9 7 10 8 12 9 11 12 8 S 15 13 15 12 12 11 9 13 13 11 11 11 10 10 9 15 11 11 9 10 8 9 7 14 9 7 7 10 6 9 7 11 5 5 6 7 6 8 6 6 7 6 6 7 7 6 8 8 7 7 7 10 7 8 » 10 AVERAGE DEPTH OF SNOWFALL. 7.4 5.1 5.8 7.1 5.4 9.9 0.6 0.2 8.9 8.9 6.0 5.8 4.9 6.1 0.7 0.3 8.7 7.0 7.S 13.0 7.7 4.9 0.2 4.1 3.1 2.5 4.2 2.5 0.8 2.0 1.0 2.1 0.8 1.4 T. 0.1 0.1 1.4 1.5 0.6 0.2 4.0 2.4 2.0 1.0 0.8 0.8 6.2 9.5 4.5 7.7 6.3 2.7 147 EXHIBIT 2. — Comparisons of Climate — Continued. AVERAOE DATE OF FIRST KILLING FROST IN AUTUMN. •Edmonton, September 9. ♦Prince Albert, September 9. fSwift Current, September 11. t Winnipeg, September 14. Bismarck, September 11. Des Moines, October 8. Shreveport, November 11. New Orleans, December 10. AVERAGE DATE OF LAST KILLING FROST IN SPRING. •Edmonton. May 17. •Prince Albert. May 17. tSwIft Current. May 15. tWinnlpeg, May 15. Bismarck, Mav 11. Des Moines. April 28. Shreveport. March 4. New Organs. February 3. EARLIEST DATE OF KILLING FROST IN AUTUMN. •Edmonton. August 25. •Prince Albert, August 25. Swift Current. Winnipeg. Bismarck, August 23. Dps Moines, September 12. Shreveport. October 20. New Orleans, November 11. LATEST DATE OF KILLING FROST IN SPRING. •Edmonton, May 31. •Prince Albert, May 31. tSwift Current. tWinnlpeg. Bismarck. June 7. Des Moines, May 22. Shreveport, April 2. New Orleans, March 27. •Not much data available. tKrom hourlv temperatures; 32 degrees Fahrenheit con- sidered as a frost, APPENDIX J. Comparison of general death rates of American cities, 1871-1904. fFrom tables in paper by Mr. Frederick L. Hoffman In publications of the American Statistical Association, March, 1906, pp. 5-7.) Death Rate per 1,000 Popu- lation. Southern Southern Northern cities, cities, and white colored Year western popula- popula- citles tion tion 1871 23.7 26.7 38.1 1872 28.7 29.2 41.2 1873 25.7 28.0 45.8 1874 23.7 26.2 39.3 1875 24.7 24.1 36.8 1876 24.0 23.4 38.7 1877 21.1 23.4 41.0 1878 20.2 *32.2 41.9 1S79 20.3 21.2 ■ 35.0 1880 22.0 21.5 34.8 1881 24.9 23.3 37.4 24.6 21.9 37.5 1883 22.3 23.5 40.3 1884 21.9 22.2 38. 5 1885 .' 21.6 21.4 35.4 1SS6 21.4 20.6 32.9 1887 22.3 19.8 32.4 1888 22.0 20.8 32.4 1SS9 20.9 19.8 31.3 1S90 21.5 21.4 33.9 1891 25.4 20.7 32.7 1S92 22.2 21.8 33.4 148 APPENDIX J.— Continued. Death Rate per 1,000 Popu- lation. Southern Southern Northern cities, cities, and white colored Year western popula- popula- citles tlon tlon 1S93 21.6 20.2 32.3 1894 19.8 19.0 31.3 1885 19.7 20.1 32.4 1896 18.9 19.0 31.6 1897 17.5 17.7 27.9 1898 17.4 17.8 29.2 1S99 17.7 19.1 31.0 1900 17.7 18.2 31.3 190i 17.3 17.8 28.4 1902 16.7 17.0 28.0 1903 16.2 16.9 26.8 1904 17.2 17.4 28.1 •Yellow-fever epidemic. APPENDIX L. "A Belgian's Opportunities in Louisiana." (Speech of August Van Asselburg before the Louisiana. Farm Lands Congress at Alexandria, La., April 22, 1910.) Louisiana is the home of a Belgian farmer. As I say this, I am talking about that farmer what got to rent his farm. The poor farmer in Belgium never will be the owner of a farm. Plenty of it never will be the owner of a horse. Some of it can go as far that they got a little old Shetland pony, but the most of it do the plow work with his milk cow and the wagon work with the wheel- barrow, and then he make only one crop in the year, and pays $10 to $15 per acre for rent and about $1 per acre for license (contribution). I was working a farm in Belgium of 30 acres. It cost me every year $240 rent, license included, and I was as good a farmer and as good a worker as any Belgian man, and at the age of 36 years, working day and night to save expenses of hired hands, I got nothing. Was not paid for my work. I could show no money, only we was making a living; what are called at the present day a poor living; and I was thinking on giving up farming, for it was too hard to keep it up any longer. But it happened that an old Belgian farmer came to the old country on a visit from Alexandria, Rapides Parish, in May, 1902. The people told me that he was good looking and that he got plenty of money and that he got a farm of 100 acres of his own. It was a wonder to me how that could be, for I know that he left the old country without a nickel. But one time I meet the old man, and he told me the story in Belgium. He told me of the happy farm life in Louisiana. It was hard to believe it, but today it is proven to me that the old man was right, and it was more happy than he told me. I came to Alexandria in September, 1903, beginning to farm in 1904. and right now I can =ay that a good and saving Belgian farmer in Alexandria can furnish his tahle with that stuff to eat the year around as the rich man do in Belgium, and generallv that it left always a little money on top of each year. This Is proven by every Belgian farmer of Alexandria; about all of them got his own farm and nobody came here with money. 149 Some of it count his property by hundreds of acres and all that came from the farm, and no wonder to me. We make here two and three crop per year, and each one is more valuable than the one crop in Belgium, and we pay here not half of the rent, and the expenses are not as big as in Belgium. To close, I can say, and It Is proven by me, that I make during five years working as a truck farmer several thousand dollars clear money, and It happened last year, 1909, that I make between $4,000 and $5,000 clear money on not quite 50 acres of ground; and then another thing, if it was that you not make that money that I am talking about, what is possible to do for a Belgian farmer, it will pay him all right to come here and go to farming and see the happiness of his family. THE PARISHES OF LOUISIANA. THE STATE OF LOUISIANA is divided Into sixty parishes, or counties, the word "parishes" being strictly a localism, and has exactly the same meaning as county. Of these sixty parishes, fifty- five are reached by navigable streams, which are open nearly all of the year, and furnish means of transportation by this cheapest of all methods. They also create great competition among the railroad lines, and thus it is that Louisiana enjoys unusually low freight rates. These parishes are naturally divided into certain classes, which classification is based on the char- acter of soil found in different sections of the State. Starting With the north Louisiana parishes, we find the first great agricultural division known as the Good Up- lands. These lands are from 300 to 500 feet above the level of the sea. The soil is gray or yellow sandy loam, and very fertile. It washes easily, however, unless culti- vated by horizontal plowing or embankments. The sub- soil is a deep, sandy clay, and retains fertilizers well. Under this classification we find the parishes of Caddo, DeSoto, Sabine, Bossier, Webster, Red River, Claiborne, Bienville, Union, Jackson, Ouachita, Morehouse, and parts of Caldwell and East and West Feliciana. The red lands are on high ridges, but are very tena- cious, and are not easily washed. They are very fine cotton and corn lands, but are especially adapted to small grain. The natural forest growth of these lands are oaks of different varieties, dogwood, beech, sassafras, gum, ash, maple and short-leaf pine. Most of the parishes placed under this head have alluvial land bor- dering on the streams which intersect them. The alluvial region comprises the most fertile agri • cultural lands of the State. They are those parishes which border on the Mississippi River, the Red River, the Ouachita and their tributaries, the Gulf Coast ani lakes. This region occupies about 19,000 square miles, and its vast possibilities are inconceivable. The lands of this section are now leveed against the annual en- 160 croachlng floods of the rivers which traverse them. These levees are maii.tained by the United States Gov- ernment and the State Government, and several millions of dollars are spent every year in enlarging and strength- enirj them. The lands in this region are higher priced on account of their great producing value; but can be bought at rates that are reasonable when the value of the land is considered. The parishes which consist of or contain portions of alluvial lands are East Carroll, Madison, Tensas, Concordia, Morehouse, Ouachita, Union, West Carroll, Richland, Franklin, Caldwell, Catahoula, Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, Ascension. Assumption, St. James, St. John, St. Charles, Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Lafourche, Terre- bonne, parts of Avoyelles, West Feliciana and East Baton Rouge. The bluff lands are those which are so called on ac- count of the existence of a ridge or bluff which runs along the eastern side of the Mississippi River, from about Baton Rouge until the intersection with the Mis- sissippi is reached. These bluffs are the first undula- tions of the great Appalachian system of mountains. The lands on the bluffs are composed of clays, but are fertile and productive. They are among the oldest lands in the State; having been cultivated for long years. On the western side of the Mississippi River only scattering bluff lands are found. These run through West Carroll, Richland, Franklin, and then in scattered patches on to the Gulf coast. ALL the parishes were requested to write their own descriptions, but only about twelve responded, and hence a general outline of the locations and characteristics of the others are all that can be presented. Below will be found the assessments for 1910, given in alphabetical order, followed by the populations as given by the United States Census of that year: TOTAL ASSESSMENT STATE OF LOUISIANA FOR THE YEAR 1910. Parishes — Acadia $ 7,419,900 Ascension 4,150,613 Parishes — Assumption 3,738,250 Avoyelles 4,641,320 Bienville 4,108,282 Bossier 3,406,449 Caddo 20,457,065 Calcasieu 23,907,880 Caldwell 1,820,340 Cameron 1,395,640 Catahoula 2,108,045 Claiborne 2,530,460 Concordia 2,009,540 DeBoto 4,193,570 East Baton Rouge 8,921,161 161 Parishes — East Carroll 1,918,620 East Feliciana 2.499.908 Franklin 2,783,156 Grant 4,148,648 Iberia 7,669,228 Iberville 4,442,192 Jackson 2,259,036 Jefferson 5,682,378 Lafayette 5,564,105 Lafourche :.. 4,966,770 LaSalle 3,731,926 Lincoln 2,656.601 Livingston 3,095,920 Madison 2,779,560 Morehouse 3,944,560 Natchitoches 7,344,570 Orleans • 231,045,937 Ouachita 7,811,155 Plaquemines 2,555,235 Pointe Coupee 3,093,523 Rapides 10,695,730 Red River 1,510,491 Richland 2,914,325 Sabine 3,939,580 St. Bernard 3,661.121 St. Charles 2,980,676 St. Helena 1,381.265 St. James 4,964,790 St. John 3,554,703 Parishes — St Landry 11,195.820 St. Martin 3,720,570 St. Mary 7,959.245 St. Tammany 5.985,950 Tangipahoa 8.55S.230 Tensas 2,087.590 Terrebonne 4,927,981 Union 2,704.275 Vermilion 4,873,970 Vernon 10,182,820 Washington 4,544,870 Webster 3,393,263 West Baton Rouge 2,251,861 West Carroll 1,935,900 West Feliciana 2,044.961 Winn 5,002,360 Grand total $527,773,950 POPULATION OF PARISHES. The population of the State of Louisiana is 1,656,3SS, as compared with 1,381,625 in 1900 and 1,118,587 in 1890 The increase from 1900 to 1910, therefore, is 274,763, or 19.9 per cent, as compared with an increase for the preceding decade of 263,038, or 23.5 per cent. The distribution of the population of. the State by parishes is shown by the following table: 1910. 1900. 1890. The State 1,656,388 1,381,625 1,118,587 152 Parishes — Acadia 31 Ascension 23 Assumption 24 Avoyelles 34 Bienville 21 Bossier 21 Caddo 58 Calcasieu 62 Caldwell 8 Cameron 4 Catahoula 10 Claiborne . . '. 25 Concordia 14 DeSoto 27, East Baton Rouge 34 East Carroll 11 East Feliciana 20 Franklin 11 Grant 15 Iberia 31 Iberville 30 Jackson 13, Jefferson 18, LaSalle 9 Lafayette 28 Lafourche 33 Lincoln 18 Livingston 10 Madison 10 Morehouse 18 ,847 23,483 13,231 ,887 24,142 19,54: r. ,128 21,620 19.629 ,102 29,701 25,112 .""6 17,588 14,108 .738 24,153 20.330 ,200 44,499 31,555 ,767 30,428 20,176 ,593 6,917 5,814 .288 3,952 2,828 .415 16,351 12,002 .050 23,029 23,312 ,278 13,559 14,871 ,689 25,063 19.S60 ,580 31,153 25,922 .637 11,373 12,362 ,055 20,443 17,903 .989 8,890 6,900 ,958 12,902 8,270 ,262 29,015 20,997 ,954 27.006 21,848 ,818 9,119 7,453 ,247 15,321 13,221 .402 ,733 22,825 15.966 .111 28,882 22,095 .485 15,898 14,753 ,627 8.100 5,769 ,676 12,322 14,135 ,786. 16,634 16,786 Parishes — Natchitoches 36 Orleans 339 Ouachita 25 Plaquemines 12 Pointe Coupee 25 Rapides 44, Red River 11 Richland 15 Sabine 19, St. Bernard 5, St. Charles 11 St. Helena 9 St. James 23 St. John the Baptist 14 St. Landry 66 St. Martin 23, St. Mary 39 St. Tammany IS Tangipahoa 29 Tensas . 17, Terrebonne 28 Union 20, Vermilion 26 Vernon 17 Washington IS, Webster 19 West Baton Rouge 12 West Carroll 6, West Feliciana 13 Winn 18 ,455 33,216 25,836 ,075 287.104 242,039 ,830 20,947 17,985 ,524 13,039 12.541 ,289 25,777 19,613 545 39,578 27,642 ,402 11,548 11,318 ,769 11,116 10,230 ,S74 15,421 9,390 ,277 5,031 4,326 ,207 9,072 7,737 ,172 8,479 S.062 ,009 20,197 15,715 ,338 12,330 11,359 ,661 52,906 40,250 ,070 1S.940 14,884 ,368 34,145 22,416 ,917 13,335 10,160 ,160 17,625 12,655 ,060 19,070 16,647 ,320 24,464 20,167 ,451 18,520 17,304 .390 20,705 14.234 ,384 10,327 5,903 ,8S6 9,628 6,700 ,186 15,125 12,466 .636 10,285 8,363 ,249 3,685 3,748 ,449 15,994 15,062 ,357 9,648 7,082 153 ACADIA PARISH. Acadia Parish is situated in the southwestern part of the State, and contains 394,240 acres of land. The formation is prairie; soil fertile and productive. It is drained by Bayou Nezpique to the west, and Queue de Tortue on the south, and through its central portions by Bayous Cannes and Plaquemines Brulee. Water is plentiful and good throughout the parish. Oil has been discovered in paying quantities. The Mamou field has furnished several gushers of consider- able magnitude. The Southern Pacific Railroad and branches pass through the parish; Crowley, situated on this line, is the parish seat, and one of the most prosperous cities of the State. Rice and sugar are the principal crop productions; the largest rice producing parish in the State; corn, cotton, hay, oats, sweet and Irish potatoes, and cowpeas are also produced. The fruits and nuts are the orange, grape, pear, prune, peach, fig, pomegranate and pecan. Timber is found along the bayous and coulees, suitable for build- ing and fencing, embracing the varieties of oak, cypress, cottonwood, elm, gum, ash, sugarwood, sycamore, persim- mon and willow. The raising of live stock is a profit- able industry, and sheep, cattle, horses and hogs thrive and Increase remarkably well here; many of the farmers being largely interested in wool growing. Game is found, such as rice birds, partridges, plovers, becasine and jack snipe, and papabot and doves. Land Is worth from $5.00 to $50.00 per acre. 154 ASCENSION PARISH. This parish, In the southeastern part of Louisiana, about forty miles northwest of New Orleans, with a population of about 28,000, Is unequally bisected by the Mississippi, that section east of the river being the larger. Its cultivated lands (98,118 acres) range in value from $20.00 to $75.00 per acre, its uncultivated lands (102,500 acres) from $10.00 to $25.00. Climatic and health conditions are excellent. Its level, incomparably fertile land, protected by a perfect levee system, is intersected by good roads. The railroads of the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley, the Louisiana Railway & Navigation Company and the Frisco Lines over the same road, on the east bank — on the west the Texas & Pacific, with its two branches, together with the Mississippi and the Amite Rivers, transport her products to the great markets. Two privately owned roads enable many farmers of the eastern section to ship cane to the factories of the railroad owners. The chief product is cane, converted by six factories into sugar, which averages 160 pounds to the ton. Rice is extensively grown, yielding about fourteen bags to the acre. The rental system obtains partly. Corn and hay are raised for home use. Cotton, once the principal crop of the New River and Brusles sections, has, because of the boll weevil, given place to cane, corn and hogs. Stock does well, but Is not extensively raised. The mild climate and va- riety of forage plants should promote a large dairy In- 03 H - a o H ^'M - .«aw5P*W*« - f&Ji i i z o tH 03 z m o to 1 Z Z o M H D O v. 156 dustry. Two crops of many vegetables may be grown the same year. Blackberries and figs abound. Trucking and canning will pay farmers and promoters when or- ganized according to western methods. Loquat and Kumquat oranges. Japanese persimmons and quinces and certain varieties of peaches and pears thrive if tended. Pecans abound.' The national Agricultural Depart- ment, finding a pecan of superior quality, sent a special agent, Mr. Reed, to trace its source. He found the parent tree here in the yard of Mr. G. B. Reuss. Hun- dreds of its cuttings are now in the government's propa- gation nurseries. Poultry thrives, and the industry is capable of in- definite expansion. Shrimp abound and would justify canneries. One immense sawmill and six smaller ones convert into lumber the hardwoods, cypress, oak, ash and gum. Catfish, buffalo, sardines, trout, bream, bass, perch and sacalait swim in river and stream — deer, quail, plover, snipo, dove, papabotte and poule d'eau run in field and forest. Donaldsonville, fronting the Mississippi, its popula- tion about 6,000, is the parish seat. Her mercantile business is large. Three banks, ice factories, rice mill, foundries, asphalted streets, waterworks, churches, schools, newspaper, opera house and business league at- test her prosperity. Parish affairs are efficiently and economically ad- ministered, public improvement continuous always, well ] within the Constitutional tax limit of ten mills. High license prevails. Labor is abundant. The people are kindly and orderly, churches are numerous, the schools are full, the jails nearly empty. Ascension enjoys a goodly measure of prosperity, but material wealth is not the only measure of value. She is rich in her schools, which are now found in her I every section. Her leaders having stressed the educa- tional need of the children, the people quickly responded, and aided them in their establishment of more and better schools. Children and teachers now occupy handsome, I comfortable,' well-equipped schoolhouses. Her school system is unsurpassed by that of any other parish. Ascension invites the capitalist, the man of modes means, the promoter of small industries, to an investiga- tion of her resources. Her rich soil, delightful and healthy climate, well-ordered ' society, churches and schools, these she would share with the stranger beyond her gates, and, so sharing, incrca.sc her own prosperity along with his. ASSUMPTION PARIS' . This parish is situa ' ed in the southern part r '.he State, and contains 227,200 acres of land. The formation is composed of alluvial land and wooded swamp; soil rich and highly productive. It is drained by Bayous Lafourche, Grant and Vin- cent, and Grand River and Grand Lake. The Southern Pac'fic (main line) runs through its extreme southern sections, and has a branch line, run- ning from Napoleonville, south, connecting with the 156 tW ■&;?tm®m RACING AT A PARISH FAIR. «Hbb |B|^^3| *'T\$M Bitf^ Sri HOli &? ' ™ *nfe Jh Giant Pecan Tree, Aso-nison Par- ish, said to be the largest in the South. 157 main line at Schriever Junction. The Texas and Pacific Railway also has a branch line, traversing the parish north and south, along the east bank of Bayou La- fourche, connecting with the main line at Donaldson- ville. Napoleonville, situated on Bayou Lafourche, is the parish seat. Sugar is the chief crop, and rice, corn, hay, oats, sweet and Irish potatoes,, peas, tobacco and the garden varieties are produced. The fruits and nuts are the orange, fig, pear, plum, peach, persimmon, pomegranate and grape, pecans and English walnuts. The timber is chiefly cypress, oak, gum and persim- mon with some Cottonwood, willow and sycamore. Some live stock is raised, mostly cattle and hogs. There is such game as partridges, rice birds, plovers, snipe and becasine, coons, opossums, mink and squirrels; also, in season, wild ducks, wild geese and woodcock. 1 he bayous and lakes furnish varieties of fish, among them trout and black bass, and white perch. I and in Assumption parish is worth from $1.50 to $60.00 per acre. AVOYELLES PARISH. Avoyelles parish is situated near the central part of the State, and contains 539,520 acres of land. The formation is of several varieties; alluvial land, prairie, bluff land and wooded swamp, the latter pre- dominating. The soil is fertile and productive. It is drained by the Red, Saline and Atchafalaya Rivers, and Bayous Long, Natchitoches, Avoyelles, De Glalse and Rouge. Water is plentiful and of good quality. The main line of the Texas and Pacific Railroad passes through its southwestern section, and has two branch lines taversing the parish east and west and a portion of the northern central part of the parish. Louis- iana Railway and Navigation Company's line crosses the parish from northeast to southwest. Marksville Is the parish seat. The products arc chiefly cotton and corn; sugar-cane, alfalfa, oats, hay, peas, sweet and Irish potatoes, sor- 3hum and garden varieties are also produced. The fruits and nuts succeed well here, such as peaches, pears, pecans, apples, figs, plums, quinces. jrapes, pomegranates, persimmons and the smaller kinds. The live stock industry is profitable and cattle, sheep, hogs, horses and mules are raised in abundance. (lame is plentiful, such as bear, deer, foxes, coons. -urns, squirrels, rabbits and wild turkeys, partridges, rice birds, robbins, snipe, woodcock, wild duck, wild geese, pheasants and plovers. Fish of excellent quality and large quantities abound in the lakes and streams. The timber of this parish is very extensive, comprising oak, ash, cypress, gum, elm, Cottonwood, poplar, pine, locust beech, maple, hickory, holly, magnolia, walnut, hackberry, sycamore, persimmon and willow. Land is worth from $2.50 to $25.00 per acre. This parish is not only the center of the State geo- graphically, but the very center of the alluval district of 158 A FARMER'S BUNGALOW IN BOSSIER PARISH. Vineyard at Plain Dealing. 159 the State. A glance at the map of Louisiana reveals the fact that Avoyelles parish is traversed on the nortli by the Red River, on the east by the Atchafalaya, with the Mississippi only a short distance further east, and the further fact that the parish is traversed by in- numerable smaller streams, all running from the north- west to the southeast, accounts for the rich alluvial farming lands, and explains the free and easy drainage. Forty tons of cane have been produced to the acre, but cane is not the only moneyed crop; this parish has produced 54,000 bales of cotton in a season, and the Avoyelles Boys' Corn Club took first prize at the State Fair last year. This corn was of such good quality that the Progressive League of Alexandria borrowed the exhibit and placed it on exhibition at the Land and Irri- gation Exhibition in Chicago, where it attracted marked attention. Aside from its agricultural resources, this parish contains many thousand acres of virgin timber as named above. There are several large lumber manu- facturing companies in the parish, and room for more. BIENVILLE PARISH. This parish is situated in the northwestern part of the State and contains 547, S40 acres of land. Its forma- tion is good upland, red, sandy clays, the soil being- fertile and productive. It is drained by Lake Bistineau on the west, and by Bayous Blacklake, Saline, and the headquarters of Dug- demona River in other sections. The Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Railroad passes through the northern portion of the parish. The Louisiana and Northwestern Railroad runs north and south, from Gibsland, .on the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Railroad, connecting on the north with the Cot- ton Belt, and on the south with the Texas & Pacific and the Louisiana Railway and Navigation Company. Water is abundant and good. Many springs, creeks and branches. Arcadia, situated on the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Railroad, is the parish seat, and has a cotton compress, cotton oil mill, ice factory, electric light plant and other industries. The timber is oak, pine, ash, cypress, persimmon, gum, beech, elm, holly, hickory, sycamore, poplar and Cottonwood. Cotton is the chief crop product; corn, hay, oats, peas, sugar-cane, sweet and Irish potatoes, sorghum and tlie garden varieties all do well. A diversified farming section. The fruits and nuts are apples, pears, peaches, pe- cans, plums, quinces, grapes and figs. Cattle, hogs, sheep and horses are raised and thrive well. Game is found, such as deer, coons, opossums, foxes, squirrels, rabbits, mink, wild turkeys wild ducks and geese, partridges, snipe, and woodcock. Fish of goo J quality are found in the lakes and streams, among them bar fish, trout, bass and perch. There are deposits of salt, fireclay, potters' clay, marl and green sand. Lands are worth from $2.00 to $15.00 per acre. 160 RAJf^I nfl^Y^ WET v o H H o H « H. B.— 11 161 BOSSIER PARISH. Bossier parish is located in the northwest corner of the State. Bounded north by Arkansas, east by Webster parish, and south and west by Red River, across which lies Caddo parish. Along the river there is a belt of alluvial bottom lands consisting of 120,000 acres; back from the river lie the rolling hill lands amounting to 385,000 acres. Across the river, midway the western boundary, is the city of Shreveport, the second city of the State. The rolling country has in the main a sandy soil with a red clay subsoil, and often yields as well as the alluvial lands. Good water is found at a depth of from 20 to SO feet, and there are springs throughout the hills. This section of the country is equal for truck, fruit and other farming to many of the more widely advertised parts of the South; such pasture grasses as Bermuda grass, Carpet grass, Japan clover, etc., make live stock a profitable industry. The great attraction this section has for the northern farmer is the climate; it is practicable to farm eleven months in the year; freezing weather will not occur more than twenty or thirty days in the winter season, nor last more than a day or two at a time. Extremes of heat, often occurring in the west, seldom happen here. Lumber is the principal manufacturing industry. There is a large amount of second growth pine that offers a good opening for investment capital, some of it scaling as high as 12,000 feet to the acre. Gum, oak, ash, hickory and other hardwoods are still available for manufacturing. There are several deposits of iron oro and fireclays which are thought to be of commercial value. Many acres have been leased for oil and gas devel- opment, as the great oil and gas fields of Caddo are just across the river. The principal towns are Plain Dealing, Benton, Bos- sier City and Haughton, with populations varying from 300 to 800 people. Four railroads enter the parish and terminate at Shreveport, the St. Louis and Southwestern (Cotton Belt) from the north, the Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific and the Louisiana and Arkansas from the east, and the Louisiana and Red River Navigation Company from the south. Good material for the building of roadways, a dis- integrated iron rock, is abundant, and some very satis- factory results have been attained. Schools consisting of the usual primary and high school grades are conveniently located throughout the parish. Churches of all the different denominations are rep- resented both in town and country. Agriculture is the main occupation n* the people; cotton, corn and hay are the staple crops. Alfalfa grows luxuriantly in the bottom lands, and is a finer quality than that of the north or west, pro- ducing about four tons to the acre. 162 Q Q .d 1S1 Irish potatoes and peas being also extensively raised. The fruits and nuts are peaches, pears, plums, pecans, apples, quinces, grapes, and all do well. Cattle, hogs, sheep, horses and mules are raised on farms. Game is found, consisting of deer, coons, foxes, opos- sum, s squirrels, rabbits, wild turkeys, wild ducks, wood- cock, partridges and robins. Deposits of marl, potters' clay, fire clay and lignite are found. The timber is pine, oak, poplar, hickory, beech, maple, gum, elm, walnut and persimmon. Lands are worth from $2.00 to $20.00 per acre. LIVINGSTON PARISH. This parish is situated in the southeastern part ot the State, and contains 379,520 acres of land. The formation is bluff land, pine flats, alluvial land and wooded swamps; the soil being generally fertile and productive, some of which is exceedingly rich. It is drained by the Amite and Tickfaw Rivers and Colyell Creek, and their branches. Water is abundant and of good quality. Springfield, on the Tickfaw River, is the parish seat. Cotton is the chief crop product; corn, hay, oats, sorghum, sugar-cane, sweet and Irish potatoes, peas, tobacco, and rice are raised. The fruits and nuts are peaches, plums, pears, pecans, apples, grapes, figs, pome- granates and quinces. Cattle, sheep, hogs, and horses are raised. The timber is pine, oak, beech, magnolia, ash, holly, gum. hickory, poplar, persimmon and cypress. Game is abundant, such as deer, coons, opossums, squirrels, rabbits, wild turkeys, wild ducks, partridges, woodcocks and robins. Fish are found in the rivers and streams, such as trout, bass, channel catfish and perch. Lands are worth from $1.50 to $15.00 per acre. MADISON PARISH. Madison parish is situated in the northeast portion of the State, East Carroll being the intervening parish between it and the State of Arkansas. It is bounded on the north by East Carroll; on the south by Tensas; on the west by Franklin and Richland and on the east by the Mississippi River. Its western boundary is Bayou Macon, and its northern is the half township line of Township 18 North. The acreage of the parish is placed by the Assessor at 397,605 acres. There are in cultiva- 76,480 acres and uncultivated 321,125 acres. The land is all alluvial, composed of loam and buckshot. It is fertile beyond belief, producing nearly all kinds of crops; especially cotton, rice, corn and truck. The principal streams are the Tensas River, Bayou Macon, Roundaway and its connections known as Walnut and Brushy, Wil- low Bayou, Little Tensas, Bayou Vidal, etc. Its lakes are Bear Lake, One Eagle Lake, Grassy Lake, Swan Lake, etc. There are two railways which run severally east and west and north and south, to-wit: the Vicks- burg, Shreveport and Pacific Railway and the Memphis, Helena and Louisiana Railroad, the latter being the north and south road, connecting with all points north and south. These roads run through the center of the parish, and through the parish seat, Tallulah. There is 182 only one incorporated municipality in the parish, the vil- lage of Tallulah. The population of Tallulah is about 1000. Within its limits there is a hoop and stave factory, a cotton oil mill and an ice plant, besides a public ginnery. There is one bank. There are two churches for whites — the M. E. C. S. and the Episcopal. Several negro churches of the Methodist and Baptist faiths. There is one high school building in Tallulah, besides lesser school build- ings in the parish. Efforts are now in progress to erect a fine high school building at Tallulah. Nearly all kinds of crops can be grown, including fruits of all varieties and pecans. Attention has been given since the advent of the boll weevil to raising stock of all kinds, including hogs, etc., and this departure has become almost universal. The fish abound of all varieties in our lakes, and Bear Lake is a noted resort for the sport, where a club house is located. The timber lands are very valuable and little of it has been cut. This consists of all varieties of oak, pecan, willow, Cottonwood, gum, hackberry, elm, some cypress, but no pine. The game is also quite plentiful, consisting of deer, bear, squirrel, wild cats, opossums. The price of land varies according to its location near lines of communication. The im- proved lands are held from $40 to $25, while the timber land ranges from $6 to $15 per acre. There are two other villages, Mlllikens Bend and Delta, both unincorporated, with a population of from 400 to 500 each. MOREHOUSE PARISH. This parish is situated in the northeastern part of the State, and contains 4S6.400 acres of land. The formation is alluvial land, good upland and wooded swamp; soil rich and productive. It is drained by the Ouachita and Boeuf Rivers, and Bayous Bonne Idee, Bartholomew and Gallion. Water is abundant and of good quality. The Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Railroad passes through the extreme southern point; the Iron Mountain Railroad passes through the parish, north and south, while the New Orleans and Northwestern Railroad passes through from southeast to northwest. Bastrop is the parish seat, located on the uplands. Cotton is the principal crop production for export; corn, oats, hay, tobacco, sweet and Irish potatoes, peas, sorg- hum and sugar-cane are also raised. The fruits and nuts are peaches, pears, pecans, apples, plums, quinces, and grapes. The timber is oak, pine, Cottonwood, gum, elm, cypress, poplar, hickory, holly, beech, magnolia, wil- low and persimmon. Live stock, such as cattle, hogs, sheep and some horses are raised. Game is found, consisting of deer, coons, foxes, opos- sums, squirrels, rabbits, wild turkeys, wild ducks, wood- cock, snipe, robins, partridges and rice birds. Fish of good quality are found in the streams. There are several thousand acres of United States Government land in the parish. Lands are worth from $2.00 to $20.00 per acre. 183 NATCHITOCHES PARISH. Natchitoches parish is situated in the west-central part of the State, and contains 825,600 acres of land. The formation is alluvial land, good upland and pine flats; soil generally good, and very productive. It is drained by Red and Cane Rivers, and Bayous Saline. Pierre and Natchez and the Rigolet Du Bon Dieu. Water is abundant, and of good quality. The main line of the Texas and Pacific Railroad runs through the parish, with branch line to the Red River through the town of Natchitoches; this town is also the terminus of the Louisiana and Northwestern Railroad, and has a branch line of the Louisiana Rail- way and Navigation Company. It is the parish seat and a thrifty, progressive town. Here is located the State Normal School, with over 700 students. Cotton is the chief crop raised for export, while corn, oats, tobacco, hay, peas, sorghum, sugar-cane and sweet and Irish potatoes are produced. The Natchitoches to- bacco enjoys a world-wide reputation. The fruits are peaches, pears, apples, plums, quinces, pomegranates, figs and grapes. The timber is pine, oak, gum, Cottonwood, elm, willow, cypress, holly, magnolia, hickory, walnut, poplar, maple, and persimmon. Cattle, sheep, hogs and horses are raised. Game, such as deer, coons, foxes, opossums, rabbits, squirrels, wild turkeys and ducks, woodcock, partridges and rice birds, is found. Fish of good quality are found in the streams. Deposits of lignite, marl, marble, lime- stone, kaolin, Iron, fire clay and potters' clay exist. Truffles are also found in this parish. Land is worth from $2.00 to $25.00 per acre. ORLEANS PARISH. This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State, and contains 127,360 acres; it being the small- est parish in area in the State. The formation is alluvial land, coast marshes and wooded swamp. It is drained by the Mississippi River, Lakes Pontchartrain and Borgne, and Bayous St. John and Gentilly. Most of the railroads of the State converge here in the City of New Orleans, which is the parish seat. The chief crops grown are garden truck, an immense industry; and corn, sugar-cane, rice, jute, sweet and Irish potatoes are raised. The fruits are the orange, lemon mandarin, olive, prune, grape, fig, pomegranate, pear, peach, and the smaller varieties. The timber is cypress, oak, gum, elm, hackberry, Cottonwood and willow. Some cattle, hogs and horses are raised here. Very little game is found, though fishing is very good in the lakes and brackish waters, where oysters, crabs, terrapin, and the varieties of Gulf fish are taken. The city of New Orleans and the parish of Orleans are practically one and the same thing, as the city now embraces within its limits all of the parish. OUACHITA PARISH. Ouachita is in the second tier of parishes from the Arkansas line. It has about 398,720 acres of land. As 184 - CO til) a! pa — /, fl : nt d -■ £ c < O o j b 0) - r: c, - ft E C efi o -0 Z j: W - - tJ - - OJ > 3 < M CO - - © - . a 1 1* — H 1 fn nj -. 0- rr Ef 2 B o '— o : succeeded in making sugar of satisfactory quality. The parish has still another claim to fame; it was on her Plains of Chalmette that the battle of New Orleans was fought and won; it was in the then "Palace of Ver- sailles," a beautiful home in all its glory of fine Italian marble, that General Packenham had his headquarters. It was under four oaks of St. Bernard, back of the Mercier place, that the English General, from his horse, directed the battle, and thence, desperately wounded, was taken back to the "Palace" (from whose floors trees now spring) and then on down to the Villere home, near which, under a pecan tree, the heart and entrails of the General were buried. The lower part of this old house still stands in fair preservation, one hundred and seventy-five years old. ST. CHARLES PARISH. St. Charles parish, incorporated March 31, 1S07, is In the southeastern part of Louisiana, and has an area of 251,520 acres. It is bounded on the north by Lake Pont- chartrain and the Parish of St. John the Baptist, south by Lafourche parish and Lake Salvador, east by Lake Salvador and Jefferson parish, west by the Parishes of Lafourche and St. John the Baptist and Lake Des Allemands. The population is approximately 15,000, of which about 9,000 are negroes and 500 Italians. The number of acres in cultivation and outlying is 28,000; about 23,000 in cultivation, and nearly 5,000 lying out and not in cultivation. The land consists of a rich alluvial soil, having much organic matter and being ex- ceptionally fertile. The drainage takes place from nat- ural causes, water running from the bluff on each side of the Mississippi River, to bayous and swamps in the rear. With the exception of these bluffs, the land is practically level, and the drainage is hastened by ditches. The Mississippi River runs through the parish. There are numerous small bayous, the most important being Bayou Des Allemands and Bayou La Branche. Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Salvador and Lake Des Allemands all border on the parish. There are six railroads running through the parish. The Texas & Pacific Railroad and the Morgan's Louisiana & Texas Railroad, on the west side of the river, and the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad, the Louisiana Railway & Navigation Company, the Frisco Lines and the Illinois Central Railroad, on the east side of the 195 river. The Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad and the Texas & Pacific Railroad both run alon? the river. In the parish are nine sugar-houses, and there is a large sawmill at Taft, which saws cypress timber. The reclamation ot swamp lands is beginning to be done on a large scale, and several thousand acres have already been reclaimed at La Branche and at Paradis. Reclaimed land has been sold for $135 per acre, as it produces excellent crops of all kinds. The seining and shipping of fish at Des Allemands has grown into an important industry. The buffalo fish is caught and packed into barrels for shipment to north- ern packeries. Large quantities of minks, raccoons and musk-rats are caught yearly during the trapping season and large quantities of game are killed. There are two Catholic churches in the parish, one on each side of the river. St. Charles has made impor- tant strides along educational lines within the past decade, having built schoolhouses in each of the five wards. Sugar cane, rice, corn, all kinds of vegetables and some tropical fruits are produced. The principal crops are sugar and rice, the production of which for the year 1909 was: sugar, 21,573 barrels; molasses, 5,342 barrels; rice. 46,535 sacks. Large quantities of corn are also produced. The raising of vegetables at St. Rose, where unusu- ally large cabbages are produced and shipped to north- ern markets in refrigerator cars, is an important fea- ture, and vegetables can be successfully raised during the entire year. Little attention is given to planting fruit trees, and cattle- raising is not given the attention it deserves. Farmers are beginning to raise hogs more abundantly. Cattle find good grazing nine months a year, and poullry-raising can be carried on successfully throughout the year. Almost every kind of game is in the woods, almost every species of fish in the river, lakes, and bayous. The rainfall is abundant. The dirt roads are as good as any other roads of a similar character. The price of improved land ranges from $35 to $150 per acre, according to the quality of the soil and the location. Unimproved land can be bought at $10 to $75 per acre. There are about 200,000 acres of marsh lands in the parish that can be reclaimed and put under culti- vation. These reclaimed lands are the richest in the world. ST. HELENA PARISH. This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State, and contains 264,320 acres of land. The formation is pine hills, flats and bluff land; soil fer- tile and productive. It is drained by the Amite and Tickfaw Rivers and their branches. Water is abundant and of good quality. A logging steam tramroad connects Greensburg, the parish seat, with the main line of the Illinois Central Railroad. Cotton is the chief crop production; corn, oats, hay. peas, sweet and Irish potatoes, sorghum, tobacco and sugar-cane are raised. The fruits and nuts are pears, 196 05 < Oh CD A < U Eh CO I CO < Oh En BJ O ■J 197 grapes, plums, pecans, apples, peaches, quinces and the smaller varieties. Live stock are cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. The timber is pine, oak, beech, magnolia, holly, gum, hickory, poplar and persimmon. Long-leaf pine is ex- tensive. Game is found, such as deer, coons, opossums, foxes, squirrels, rabbits, wild turkeys, wild ducks, part- ridges, woodcock and robins. Fish are found in the rivers and other streams, the Tickfaw being noted for its fine quality and quantity of trout. Lands are worth from $1.50 to $15.00 per acre. ST. JAMES PARISH. This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State, and is divided by the Mississsippi River. It contains 219.520 acres of land, the soil being very fer- tile and productive. The formation is alluvial land, wooded swamp, and a little coast marsh. It is drained by the Mississippi River, Bayou Des Acadiens, nnd several small bayous. Water is plentiful and good. The T. & M. V., L. R. & N., Frisco and Texas and Pacific Railroads pass through the parish. Convent, situated on the east bank of the Mississippi River, is the parish seat. Sugar is the chief crop product; rice, corn, tobacco, hay, oats, beans and sweet and Irish pota- toes arc raised. The famous Perique tobacco is almost exculsively raised in this parish. Figs, oranges, lemons, mandarins, guavas, plums, peaches, pears, pecans, grapes and pomegranates are grown. Game consists of becasine, snipe, rice birds, squir- rels, coons, opossums, rabbits, and some few deer and bear. Fish are found in the bayous and lagoons, of good quality, amnog them bass and pike. The timber is cypress, oak, gum, elm, willow and Cottonwood. Lands are worth from $10.00 to $40.00 per aore. ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH. This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State, and is divided by the Mississippi River. It contains 147,200 acres, and the formation is alluvial land, wooded swamp and coast marsh. The soil is rich and productive. It is drained by the Mississippi River and Lakes Pontchartrain, Maurepas and Des Alle- mands. Water is abundant and fairly good. The Tazoo and Mississippi Valley, the Illinois Cen- tral, L. R. & N., Frisco and the Texas and Pacific Rail- roads extend through the parish. Edgard, situated on the west bank of the Mississippi River, is the parish seat. Sugar is the chief product; rice, oats, corn, hay, sweet and Irish potatoes, peas and jute are also pro- duced. Oranges, figs, grapes, plums, pecans, guavas and pomegranates are grown. Some few cattle and hogs are raised. Game consists of squirrels, coons, opossums, rabbits, wild ducks, becasine, snipe and rice birds; some few deer and bear are found. Fish, of good quality, abound in the lakes and bayous. The timber is cypress, oak, gum, elm, cottonwood, and willow. Land is worth from $10.00 to $40.00 per acre. 198 ST. LANDRY PARISH. St. Landry is situated in the south-central part of the State, and contains 1,077,120 acres of land. The formation is prairie, alluvial land, pine fiats, wooded swamp, and bluff land. The soil is very fertile and productive. It is drained by the Atchafalaya River, and Bayous Rouge, Courtableu, Teche, Boeuf, Cocodrie, and Xezpique. Water is plentiful and of good quality. The Texas and Pacific Railroad passes through the northeastern portion, and the branch road of the South- ern Pacific, extending from Lafayette to Cheneyville, runs through the parish. Opelousas, situated on Belle- vue Bayou, is the parish seat. Cotton, rice and sugar are the chief crops produced for export; and corn, oats, hay, sweet and Irish potatoes, beans, sorghum, and the garden varieties and truck are extensively raised. The fruits are peaches, pears, plums, apples, grapes, quinces, figs, pomegranates, persimmons and the smaller varieties. Live stock is extensively raised; sheep, cattle, horses, and hogs, all do remarkably well here and are a very profitable investment. Game is found, consisting of squirrels, opossums, rabbits, beavers, deer, wild turkeys, wild ducks and geese, woodcocks, becasine, partridges, pheasants, snipe and rice birds. Fish abound in the streams, such as bass, trout and pike. The timber em- braces pine, oak, beech, magnolia, holly, gum, elm, per- simmon, hickory, pecan, walnut, willow and sycamore. Lands are worth from $2.50 to $30.00 per acre. ST. MARTIN PARISH. This parish is situated in the southern part of the State, and contains S9."-,520 acres. The formation is wooded swamp, prairie alluvial land, and a small area of bluff land; soil fertile and productive. It is drained by the Atchafalaya River, Bayous Teche, Tortue, La Rose, L'Embarras and Catahoula Coulee. St. Martinsville, situated on the Teche, is the parish seat, and is connected with the Southern Pacific Rail- road at Cade Station. Sugar is the chief crop proau- tion; rice, corn, oats, hay, sweet and Irish potatoes, tobacco, cotton and the garden varieties are also grown. The fruits are oranges, lemons, mandarins, guavas, grapes, plums, prunes, pomegranates, peaches, pears, figs, apples, persimmons and quinces. Cattle, sheep, hogs and horses are raised. Game, such as partridges, rice birds, pheasants, wild turkeys, squirrels, rabbits, coons, opossums, deer and bear are found. Fish are plentiful in the bayous, lakes and lagoons. The Anse la Butte oil field lies just within the borders of this parish. Good results have already been obtained in this field, and much greater ones are ex- pected when it is fully developed. The timber embraces cypress, oak, gum, elm willow, cottonwood, sugarwood and sycamore. Land is worth from $5.00 to $50.00 per acre. ST. MARY PARISH. This parish is situated in the southern part of the Stat3, and contains 414,720 acres. Its formation is coast 199 marsh, alluvial land, prairie, wooded swamp, and a small amount of bluff land. The soil is exceedingly rich and productive. It is drained by the Atchafalaya River, Grand Lake, and Bayous Teche, Sale and Cypremont. The Southern Pacific Railroad extends through the par- ish. Franklin, situated on the Teche, is the parish seat. Water is plentiful and good. Sugar is the chief crop product; rice, corn, oats hay, peas, sweet and Irish potatoes and garden varieties are extensively raised. This is one of the best sugar parishes in the State. The fruits and nuts are the orange, lemon, mandarin, fig, grape, persimmon, pomegranate, guava, plum, peach, pear, pecan, olive, banana and prune. Cattle, hogs and some horses are raised. Game con- sists of snipe, becasine, pheasants, rice birds, partridges, squirrels, rabbits, coons, opossums, and deer. Fish are plentiful in the bayous, lakes, lagoons and inlets, and oysters, crabs and terrapin are taken in the brackish waters. The timber is cypress, oak, cottonwood, gum. elm and willow. Lands are worth from $10.00 to $50.00 per acre. ST. TAMMANY PARISH. This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State, and contains 590,720 acres of land. The for- mation is pine hills, pine flats, alluvial land and wooded swamp: soil fertile and productive. It is drained by Pearl River. West Pearl. Chefuncta (or Tchefuncta) River, and Bogue Chitto, Bogue Falia and other streams. The New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad, belonging to the Queen and Crescent system, passes through the parish. Covington, situated on the Bogue Falia, is the parish seat. It is connected with the New Orleans and North- eastern Railroad at West Pearl Station. Sugar, rice, cotton, corn, hay, oats, beans, sweet and Irish potatoes and truck garden varieties are extensively raised. So famous has this parish become as a health resort, that it is known everywhere now as the "Ozone Belt." Thousands of cases of lung complaints have been suc- cessfully cured by this salubrious climate. Beautiful springs, whose waters are recognized as of great medici- nal value, abound. throug'h the parish. The most famous of these is the Abita Spring, which has a capacity of 40,000 gallons daily. The fruits and nuts are peaches, plums, pears, pe- cans, apples, figs, prunes, grapes, pomegranates, quinces and persimmons. Cattle, hogs, sheep and a few horses are raised. Game consists of squirrels, rabbits, coons, opossums, deer, wild turkeys, wild ducks, papabots, becasine, snipe, partridges, and rice birds. Fish are plentiful in the streams and lakes; fine trout, bass and pike are taken. The timber is pine, oak, cypress, gum, elm and hickory. Lands are worth from $1.50 to $25.00 per acre. TANGIPAHOA PARISH. This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State, and contains 505,600 acres of land. The formation is pine hills, pine flats, wooded swamps, and a small amount of alluvial land. The soil is fertile an^ 200 productive. It is drained by the Tangipahoa, Chefuncta, Natalbany and Ponchatoula Rivers, Chappapeela Creek and numerous smaller streams. Water is abundant and of good quality. The Illinois Central Railroad extends through the parish, north and south. Amite City, situated on this - I*-*- tMSP*^ 9 M II "1 ■•'"■■ Courthouse and Jail in Tangipahoa Parish. line of road and near the Tangipahoa River, is the parisn seat. Hammond has become very popular as a winter resort. Cotton is the chief crop product, and corn, oats, hay, sugar, rice, tobacco, sorghum, sweet and Irish potatoes, peas and truck and garden varieties are grown. Along the line of the Illinois Central truck and strawberries are extensively grown and shipped. Fruits are peaches, pears, apples, plums, grapes, quinces, figs, pomegranates, persimmons and a variety of smaller kinds. Cattle, hogs, sheep and horses are raised. The timber is pine, oak, ash, gum, elm, hickory, poplar, cucumber, Cottonwood, willow, beech and sycamore. fig. A l I i ■ • ifl «:*"■ Taking Thing Easy. Game is found, such as squirrels, coons, opossums, foxes, rabbits, deer, wild turkeys, wild ducks, woodcock, snipe, becasine, rice birds, partridges and robins. Fish of excellent quality are taken from the streams; trout, bass, pike and blue cat are found. Land is worth from $1,00 to $25.00 per acrQ. 201 TENSAS PARISH. This parish is situated in the northeastern part of the State, and contains 410,240 acres of land. The formation is alluvia] lands and wooded swamp; soil very- rich and productive. It is drained by the Mississippi and Tensas Rivers, and Bayous Vidal, Durossett, Choctaw and Clark's. Water is plentiful and good. St. Joseph, situated on the Mississippi River, is the parish seat. The new Gould line traverses the parish from north to south, furnishing direct communication with New Orleans and St. Louis. Cotton is the chief crop product for export; corn, hay, oats, sweet and Irish potatoes, peas and garden varieties are grown. This is one of the chief cotton parishes. The fruits are peaches, plums, pears and ap- ples. Cattle, hogs, and some sheep and horses are raised. The timber is oak, gum, cypress, Cottonwood, pecan, persimmon, magnolia, elm, sycamore and willow. Game is found, such as squirrels, rabbits, deer, bear, wild turkeys, wild ducks and geese, woodcock, snipe, part- ridges, plover, rice birds and robins. Fish, in quantity, are taken from the lakes and bayous; bass, trout, white perch and pike are found. Land is worth from $1.00 to $30.00 per acre. TERREBONNE PARISH. This parish is situated in the southern part of the State, and contains 1,265,280 acres. The formation is largely composed of coast marsh with a considerable area of alluvial lands and wooded swamp. The soil is exceedingly rich and productive. It is drained partially by Black, De Large, Grand and Petit Caillou Bayous, and Blue and Blue Hammock Bayous. Houma, situated on Bayou Terrebonne, is the parish seat. It is connected with the Southern Pacific Railroad at Schriever Station. Sugar and rice are the chief crop productions; jute, peas, hay and Irish potatoes are grown. The fruits are oranges, lemons, mandarins, olives, ba- nanas, prunes, figs, pomegranates, guavas and plums. The timber is oak, cypress, gum, elm and willow. Some cattle and hogs are raised. Game is found, such as wild clucks and geese, papabots, jack snipe, becasine, pheasants, rice birds, squirrels, deer and bear. Fish of fine quality are found; sheepshead, pompano, salt water trout, Spanish mackerel, pike and crabs. Oyster and shrimp canning is quite an important industry. Land is worth from $5.00 to $50.00 per acre. UNION PARISH. This parish is situated in the northern part of the State, and contains 5S2.700 acres of lands. The forma- tion is good upland, red, sandy clay, and some alluvial lands. The soil is very fertile and productive. It is drained by the Ouachita River, Bayou D'Arbonne, and affluents of these streams. The Arkansas Southern and the Little Rock and Monroe Railroads run through the parish, north and south. The Farmerville and Southern Railroad runs from main line of the Little Rock and Monroe to Farmer- ville, which is the parish seat. 202 A TYPICAL ANTE-BELLUM HOME. Water Is abundant and of good quality, good springs and wells, and numerous branches and creeks. Cotton Is the chief crop product, and corn, oats, hay, wheat, buckwheat, sorghum, peas, sweet and Iri-sl potatoes, tobacco and sugar-cane are raised. Diversified farming is practiced. The fruits are peaches, apples, pears, plums, grapes, pomegranates, figs and quinces. Excellent fruit is raised. The timber is pine, oak, beech, hickory, maple, wal- nut, holly, gum, elm and poplar. Live stock, raised on the farms, comprise cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. Game consists of squirrels, rab- bits, coons, opossums, foxes, deer, wild turkeys, wild ducks, woodcock and partridges. Trout, bar fish and speckled and blue cat are found among the fish in the streams. Land is worth from $1.00 to $10.00 per acre. VERMILION PARISH. Vermilion parish is situated in the southwestern part of the State, and contains 800,000 acres of land. The formation is coast marsh, prairie, alluvial and bluff lands; soil rich and productive. It is drained by the Vermilion River, and Bayou Queue de Tortue and Fresh Water. Abbeville, situated on the Vermilion River, is the parish seat. A branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad runs through the parish. Rice is the chief crop product; sugar, corn, oats, hay, peas, sweet and Irish potatoes, and truck varieties are raised. The fruits and nuts are oranges, lemons, man- darins, plums, pecans, guavas, figs, peaches, prunes, pomegranates and grapes. The timber varieties are oak, um, elm, cypress, Cottonwood and willow. Live stock raised are cattle, hogs, sheep and horses. Game consists of rice birds, pheasants, becasine, snipe partridges, papabots and wild ducks and deer. Fish are taken from the streams and inlets, and crabs, oysters, diamond-back terrapins, and salt water varieties of fish are found. Lands are worth from $2.00 to $30.00 per acre. VERNON PARISH. This parish is situated in the western part of the State, and contains 986,600 acres erf land. The forma- tion is chiefly pine hills, with a little prairie and alluvial lands. The Kansas City Southern Railroad runs from north to south through this parish. It is drained by the Sabine and Calcasieu Rivers, and Bayous Comrade, Castor, Anacoco, and numerous small streams. Water is abundant and of good quality. The soil is fairly productive. Leesville, on the Kansas City Southern Railroad, is the parish seat. Cotton is the chief crop product, and corn, hay, oats, peas, sweet and Irish potatoes, and sorghum are grown. The fruits and nuts are peaches, pears, pecans, ap pies, figs, pomegranates, plums and grapes. Live stock comprises cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. Game consists of deer, squirrels, coons, opossums, rabbits, beaver, wild 204 turkeys, wild ducks, partridges, woodcock, pheasant, becasine, snipe, plover and rice birds. There are fine varieties of fish found in the streams, among them trout, pike, bar fish and bass. The timber is pine, oak, elm, gum, willow, hickory, and Cottonwood. Extensive areas of long-leaf pine exist. Lands are worth from $2.00 to $20.00 per acre. WASHINGTON PARISH. This parish is situated in the northeast corner of the southeast portion of the State, and contains 427,520 acres of land. The formation is pine hills and flats, with a little alluvial land along its eastern border. The soil is fairly good. It is drained by Pearl River, Bogue Chitto and Chefuncta Creek. Water is abundant and good. The Kentwood and Eastern Railway runs through the northern part of the parish. Franklinton, situated on the Bogue Chitto, is the parish seat. Cotton is the chief crop product; hay, oats, corn, sweet and Irish potatoes, tobacco, sorghum, peas and the truck varieties are grown. The fruits are peaches, pears, plums, apples, figs, quinces, pomegranates and grapes. Live stock are cattle, horses, hogs and sheep. Game is found, such as deer, foxes, coons, opossums, squirrels, rabbits, beaver, wild turkeys, wild ducks, partridges, woodcock and rice birds. Fish abound in the creeks, and among the varieties are trout, bar fish, bass and pike. The timber is pine, long-leaf, beech, holly, poplar, gum, elm, magnolia, oak and maple. Lands are worth from $1.00 to $10.00 per acre. WEBSTER PARISH. This parish is situated in the northwestern part of the State, and contains 393,600 acres of land. The for- mation is good uplands and some alluvial lands. The soil is very good and fertile. It is drained by Dorchite, Crows and Black Lake Bayous and Lake Bistineau. Minden is the parish seat. The water is plentiful and good; springs, wells and small streams abound. The Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific Railroad ex- tends east and west, and the Louisiana and Arkansas Railroad north and south through the parish. Cotton is the chief crop product, and corn, hay, oats, peas, sorg- hum, sugar-cane, swuet and Irish potatoes and tobacco are grown. The fruits are peaches, pears, apples, plums, figs, grapes, pomegranates and quinces. Salt deposits exist, and beds of potters' clay, fire clay, lignite and marl are found. Timber is pine, oak, gum, hickory, beech, holly, elm, poplar, walnut and maple. Live stock raised are cattle, hogs, sheep, and a few horses. Game consists of squirrels, deer, foxes, rabbits, coons, opossums, wild turkeys, wild ducks, woodcock, robins and partridges. Fish of good quality are found 111 the streams. 205 WEST BATON ROUGE. This parish is situated in the south central part of the State, and lies west of the Mississippi River. In area it is the smallest parish, except Orleans, in the State, and contains 134,400 acres of land. The formation is alluvial land, and wooded swamp, very fertile and productive. The Mississippi River drains the eastern borders, and Bayous Grosse Tete, Poydras and Stumpy the other sections. Drinking- water is good. The Texas and Pacific Railroad passes through the southern part of the parish, and has a branch road lead- ing from Baton Rouge Junction to the Red River. This branch line will form part of the main line of the new Gould line, St. Louis to New Orleans. Port Allen, situated on the west bank of the Missis- sippi River, is the parish seat. The timber consists of oak, cypress, pecan, persimmon, gum, poplar, Cottonwood, hackberry and willow. The general crop of the parish is sugar; rice, corn, hay, oats, sweet and Irish potatoes, peas, cotton, and the garden varieties are produced. Fruits are pears, peaches, plums, apples, figs, and grapes. Some live stock are raised, such as cattle, hogs, sheep and horses. Game and fish abound; deer, bear, squirrels, coons, opossums, wild turkeys, wild geese and ducks, becasine, jack snipe, partridges, rice birds and robins are found. Lands are worth from $2.50 to $30.00 per acre. WFST CARROLL PARISH. This parish is situated in the northeastern part of the State, and contains 243,200 acres of land. It is of bluff formation chiefly, with some wooded swamp and alluvial land, the soil of which is rich and productive. It is drained by Bayou Macon on the eastern and Boeuf River on its western borders. Floyd, situated on Bayou Macon, is the parish seat. Water is abundant and of good quality. • Cotton is the chief crop product, and corn, hay, oats, sugar-cane, sweet and Irish potatoes, sorghum, peas and the garden varieties are raised. The timber varieties are oak, cypress, ash, beech, elm, gum, cottonwood, pecan, locust, hickory, magnolia, holly, Imulberry and per- simmon. Live stock, such as cattle, sheep, hogs and horses, are raised. Game abounds, among which are deer, bear, squirrels, rabbits, coons, opossums, foxes, wild turkeys, wild ducks and geese, robins and woodcock. Fishing is good in the streams, and bass, bar fish, white perch and trout are found. Private lands are worth from $2.00 to $10.00 per acre. WEST FELICIANA PARISH. This parish is situated in the southeastern part of the State, and contains 246,400 acres of land. The formation is bluff and alluvial land, with some wooded swamp. It is drained by the Mississippi River, Bayous Tunica and Sara, and Thompson's Creek. A branch line of the Mississippi Valley Railroad, from Slaughter Sta- tion to Woodville, Miss., extends through the parish. 206 J 3 'J z 3 o ■ a — x. - z ffi O H O H o JS E-i «! P o a a a -i j o & Q H « 207 The new line of the Louisiana Railway and Navigation Company traverses the parish. St. Francisville, situated on the Mississippi River, is the parish seat. The water throughout the parish is abundant and of good quality. The chief crop product is cotton; corn, hay, oats, peas, sweet and Irish potatoes, sorghum, sugar-cane and tobacco are raised. The timber is cypress, Cottonwood, willow, oak, pine, beech, gum, elm, magnolia, holly, hackberry, hickory, poplar, syca- more, walnut and persimmon. The fruits and nuts are peaclies, pears, pecans, apples, prunes, pomegranates, figs, quinces and grapes. Live stock thrives remarkably well, and this parish has long been noted for its superior breeds of blooded cattle. Hogs, sheep and horses do well here. Game abounds, such as deer, coons, opossums, foxes, rabbits, squirrels, beavers, wild turkeys, wild du< k« and geese, partridges, snipe, rice birds and voodcock. Excellent varieties of fish are taken from the lakes, bayous and creeks, among which are trout, bass, white perch and bar fish. The Tunica hills are most suitable for grape culture and horticulture, the soil being a rich marl loam. Lan 1 is v nr'h frorr 52.00 to $25.00 per acre WINN PARISH. Winn parish is situated near the central part of the State, and contains 610,560 acres of land. The forma- tion is pine hills, with a small amount of good uplands. The soil is fair, and in the creek bottoms very good. It is drained by the Dugdemona River, Saline Bayou, Flat Creek, Bayou Jatt and other streams. The water is abundant and good. The Louisiana Railway and Navigation Company and the Arkansas Southern Railroads run through the parish. Winnfield, situated near the center, is the parish seat. Cotton is the chief product; corn, hay, oats, peas, sweet and Irish potatoes, sorghum, sugar-cane and tobacco are grown. The fruits and nuts are peaches, pears, plums, apples, figs, pecans, English walnuts, quinces, grapes and pomegranates. The timber comprises pine, oak, elm, hickory and gum. There are extensive areas of long-leaf pine. Live stock are cattle, sheep and hogs. Game con- sists of deer, coons, opossums, foxes, squirrels, rabbits, wild turkeys, robins, woodcock and partridges. Fish of good varieties are found in the streams. There are de- posits of salt, marble, li nite. kaolin, gypsum, limestone, iron, fire clay, ami potters' clay. ' ands are worth from $1.00 to ?10. 00 per acre. 308 A Louisiana Cypress Tree, LOUISIANA'S METHOD OP CLASS WORK IN PRACTICAL AGRICUL- TURE AT HER INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTES. H. B.— 14 209 FORCES AT WORK IN BEHALF OF THE FARMER. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND IMMIGRATION. TO THIS DEPARTMENT is entrusted the di- rection of the Experiment Stations. The De- partment endeavors to get as close to the farmers as possible. Periodically, crop re- ports, setting forth the prospects, conditions and va- riety of crops in Louisiana, accompanied with one or more papers relating to some particular question of im- portance in agriculture by some distinguished agricul- turist, are distributed free to the farmers of the State. As a Bureau of Information, the Department invites, re- ceives and answers thousands of letters annually, seek- ing agricultural information. It issues, from time to time, other agricultural literature for distribution. THE LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY AND AGRI- CULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE, Is doing a grand work in the education of young men of the State in Agriculture and its underlying sciences. Special courses are provided in Agriculture, the Me- chanics, Chemistry, and the culture of sugar-cane, Veter- inary Science, Entomology, Horticulture, Geology and Biology, which fully equip many young men to engage in agricultural pursuits, where they become teachers and leaders in their reipective communities throughout the State. The foundation is here being laid for an advanced and modern system of agriculture, which a great agri- cultural State like Louisiana stands in need of. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS. The Agricultural Experiment Stations of the Louisi- ana State University, created by an Act of Congress, known as the "Hatch Bill." passed in 1S87, appropriates $15,000 annually for the establishment of Experiment Stations in connection with the State Agricultural Col- leges. The Legislature of Louisiana appropriates annu- ally a like amount for the maintenance of these Stations. The Board of Supervisors of the State Universit- 1 - divided these funds equally between three Stations. One is located on the College grounds at Baton Rouge, Louisi- ana, known as the "State Experiment Station," and deals with general agriculture upon the bluff lands of the State. One is located at Audubon Park, New Or- leans, Louisiana, known as "The Sugar Experiment Sta- tion," and deals especially with sugar-cane and its manufacture and, incidentally with oranges and semi- tropical crops. It is located upon alluvial lands. One located in north Louisiana, at Calhoun, Louisiana, known ■ as "The North Louisiana Experiment Station," in tho | Parish of Ouachita, on the line of the Vicksburg, Shreve- port and Pacific Railroad, deals with general diversified agriculture, dairying, live stock and poultry. It is situated on the oak, hickory, and short-leaf pine lands EXPERIMENT STATION AT AUDUBON PARK, NEW ORLEANS. of the State, geologically known as "good uplands." Thus, it is seen, Louisiana has three Experiment Stations, located upon the different types of soils, each studying and solving the problems that concern education of the farmers of the* State, and one at Crowley, which deals with the rice industry of the State. PARISH AGRICULTURAL FAIRS Are being organized and conducted in a great many of the parishes of Louisiana, the Department of Agriculture taking a leading part in this work, contributing liberally to the premium fund of each fair. Quite a number of these fairs have already been organized, and a great many more are planned for organizing during the fall of 1911. The Farmers' Institutes, Agricultural Clubs anl Parish Fairs, form a trinity of educational forces at work in the several parishes of the State that cannot be equaled. FERTILIZER LAW. The Department of Agriculture has the enforcement and control of the Fertilizer Feed Stuff and Paris Green Laws, which secure to the farmer unadulterated fertili- zers, cotton seed meal feed stuff and Paris green, anl protects him against fraud in their purchase. This is a most important work in behalf of agriculture. GOOD ROADS. THE Legislature at its session of 1910 enacted laws on this subject that can and will redound in great benefit to the entire people. In sub- stance, they are as follows: The State em- ploys a Highway Eng!neer, who will supervise the con- struction of all roads, the expenses for building the roads to be borne one-half by the State and one-half by the parish or town. The roads shall be built as far as practicable in the order of the date of receipt of tho applications from Presidents of the Police Juries of thj respective parishes. In order to further carry out the provisions of the act and provide sufficient labor tj construct and maintain the public roads as provided for, the convicts of the State may be worked as authorized by the Constitution. The labor furnished by the con- victs shall be secured by the State Highway Engineer making application to the Board of Control of the State Penitentiary, who shall furnish such convicts in case they are available, and free of charge; provided, how- ever, that the cost of maintenance and operation shall be borne by the parish, municipality or road district having the work performed. The Board of Control of the State Penitentiary shall at all times retain control and supervision over said convicts. 212 In compliance with these provisions, De Soto Parish made the first application and work was commenced then, and today they have twenty-five miles of splendid highway. This has been followed by fifteen miles from New Orleans to Chef Menteur. sixteen miles from Baton Rouge to Hope Villa and three miles on the Bayou Sara road. Ouachita Parish has seventeen and one-half miles (a picture of which can be seen on another page). Natchitoches has thirteen miles and Rapides has three miles. The law was enacted on the 29th of June, 1910, an 1 to make all preparations to commence work and have completed ninety-two miles of first-class roads by Feb- ruary following is a splendid augury for Louisiana s wonderful improvement. ED U C A T 10 N . M ANY years ago the people of Louisiana, realizing the vast importance of education, determined to aim high in this grand work, and, step by step, as the years rolled 'round, the onward and upward march has continued. The Legislators have always shown a liberality in appropriations commensu- rate with a great State's great cause. The Police Juries and City or Town councils have kept an even pace with the State, and a combination of all the various elements is a motive power so potent that no fears are now appre- hended as to Louisiana's place among her sister States. A glance at the following figures will show what te being clone and the various sources of revenue, whicn revenue, except where specially mentioned, is to be applied strictly and solely to the establishment and support of free public schools, and there is a special Constitutional inhibition against appropriating any part of it to the support of sectarian schools. Appropriations for support of free public schools for 1911 % 900.000.00 For public school agricultural branches 25,000.00 For high schools that maintain a specific standard 50,000.00 For holding Teachers' Institutes 15.000.00 Out of the Interest Tax Fund 45.234.70 For payment interest on Seminary Fund.... 5,440.00 For payment of interest on funds due the Agricultural and Mechanical College.... 9,115 63 Total $1,349,790.33 Louisiana State University — For support, maintenance of library, etc 100,000.00 State Normal— For support, maintenance of additions to buildings, etc 67.5no.O.'> For purchase of land 10.5'J 5.00 213 For new buildings out of revenues of 1912 50,000.00 Louisiana Industrial Institute— For support, maintenance, erection of new buildings, etc 60,000.00 Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute.. 25,000.00 For insurance on building and contents for three years 1,500.00 For repairs 1,000.00 Southern University — For support for edu- cation of persons of color, including in- surance . . . 10,000.00 For repairs and improvements 750.00 State Reform School — For support, mainte- nance and improvements 10,000.00 Louisiana Institute for the Blind 12,500.00 For general repairs 500.00 For insurance for three years 700.00 For library 250.00 Louisiana School for the Deaf — For sup- port, etc 25,000.0;) For general repairs 500.00 For insurance on buildings and con- tents for three years 700.00 Total amount appropriated by the State for 1911 $1,726,285 39 Total receipts for the school year of 1909-10, including State appropriation, Police Jury appropriation, Town Council appro- priation, poll taxes, fines and forfeitures, Sixteenth Section, interest on daily bal- ance, rent of school lands, special school taxes, donations for libraries, other sources, high school appropriation, etc... 4,936,300.34 Value of all school houses, sites and furni- ture 6,776,167.07 Value of school libraries 107,004.58 Value of all wagonettes 21,624.95 Total value of all school property, white and colored, including office fixtures, approx- imate value of Sixteenth Sections, etc... 7,815, 296. S5 Total number of children enrolled in 1909-10 253,846 "Total number of pupils in parish schools.. 41,064 (About one-third of above are colored.) Briefly our educational systems are: I— SCHOOL SYSTEMS. (1) A State system of public schools supported partly by State taxation, partly by police jury, and other local appropriations, and supervised by a State super- intendent of public instruction, a State board of educa- tion, and parish school boards. (2) The city school systems separate in organiza- tion and supervision from the State system, but partially supported by the prorated school revenues of the State. II.— HIGHER EDUCATION. (1) High schools officially recognized by the State Board of Education as pursuing an approved curriculum. 214 Dormitory for Girls, Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute, at Lafayette. Young Ladies' Dormitory, Louisiana Indus- trial Institute, at Ruston. Mt. Lebanon University — Established Over Fifty Tears Ago. 215 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. (2) The State University and Agricultural and Me- chanical College. (3) Tulane University of Louisiana, which, although exacting tuition fees, may be considered a semi-public institution, owing to its scholarship system, and the fact that the State contributes indirectly largely to its sup- port by exempting its investments from taxation. III.— PROFESSIONAL EDUCATIONAL TRAINING. (1) The State Norm. 1 School at Natchitoches. (2) The New Orleans Normal School. Both of these institutions are preparing for the public school service of the State a corps of fully equipped and professionally trained teachers. (3) State Teachers' Institutes and Summer Normal Schools. These give the opportunity of one month's training and professional study ti teachers who are un- able to take the more extended courses of the State Normal School, and are supported largely by annual appropriations from the Peabody fund. (4) Parish Teachers' Institutes of one week's dura- tion required by law to be held under the auspices of parish superintendents of education. (5) Educational Associations, such as the annual convention of parish superintendents of education; the annual meeting of the State Teachers' Association; ths monthly meetings of parish and city teachers' associa- tions, all of which exert an influence in the direction of professionalizing the business of education. IV.— INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION. (1) The State Industrial Institute at Ruston, giv- ing, free of charge, admirable instruction in Englisn, science, mechanics, trades, occupations and industries to both sexes. (2) The Southwestern Industr.dl Institute, at Lafay- ette, is an institution doing work along the same lines. V.— PRIVATE AND SECTARIAN SCHOOLS. There are many of these for both sexes diotribute.l through the State. VI.— EDUCATION OF THE COLORED. (1) Public schools in every town, city and parish. (2) Southern Universtiy for the higher and indus- trial training of negro youth. Much of what the State might do for negro education is rendered unnecessary owing to the large number of prosperous special institu- tions in our midst thrt are supported by endowment. 216 TULANE UNIVERSITY, NEW ORLEANS, LA. LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURAL AND MECHAN- ICAL COLLEGE. THE Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College had its origin ii. the ad- ministration of President Jefferson. Then a town- ship of land, north of Red River, was voted to the Territory of Orleans to found a seminary of learn- ing; afterwards, in the administration of President Mad- ison, another township of land, south of Red River, was voted for the same purpose. The State of Louisiana, formed from the Territory of Orleans, fell heir to these townships of land; but the "Seminary of Learning'' was not established, organized and opened near Alexandria for the reception of stu- dents until January 2, 1860. - A faculty of five professors was appointed, and the organization and discipline of the school was military. It was a military academy. The institution was becoming quite prosperous; it had about 125 cadets present when the Civil War closed its doors in 1861. An effort was made in 1862 to reopen it; and, con- sidering the troublous times, it was quite successful; but the Federal invasion of the Red River Valley in 1S62 closed its doors again, not to be reopened until October 2, 1865. The school was progressing finely; it had nearly 280 cadets present, when, October 15, 1S69, the College build- ing was destroyed by fire. Given shelter by the State in the commodious Deaf and Dumb Asylum Building at Baton Rouge, the exercises were resumed there November 1st, 1S69, and the name of the Institute was soon changed to "The Louisiana State University." Its course of study accordingly became broader. The life of the school ran smoothly — the number of professors and facilities for instruction greatly increas- ing — until 1S73, when, as a logical result of the "Politi- cal Reconstruction" of the South, there were two con- flicting State Governments of Louisiana, and for four years no appropriations were made for the school; that is, the annual interest on its National Endowment was not paid. Professors had to leave — for bread for them- selves and families — and the number of students was reduced to a mere handful. Still life was kept in the organization; it was not permitted to die. In 1877, the State's political and financial affairs having become somewhat settled, the appropriations for the support of the school were resumed. Then, too, it was that the Agricultural and Mechanical College was united with the State University; and the joint insti- tution took on new life, with soon a largely increased faculty and number of students. 218 STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, AT BATON ROUGE. 219 The Agricultural and Mechanical College Is also a gift of the National Government — in the administration of President Lincoln. To found the College, 30,000 acres of land were voted for each representative and senator in Congress from Louisiana. In common with the other State Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges, the University receives annually (since 1SS7) from the United States Treasury $15,000 for the maintenance of one or more "Experiment Sta- tions." There are now four st-tion In the State — No. 1, Sugar Station," at Audubon Park, New Orleans; No. 2, "State Station," at Baton Rouge; No. 3, "The North Louisiana Experiment Station," at Calhoun, in north Louisiana, and the Rice Experiment Station, at Crowley. The University also receives annually (since 18901 from the United States Treasury its pro-rata (with the Southern University in New Orleans) of $15,000 with an annual increase of $1,000 for ten years— thereafter to be a fixed annual sum of $25,000— "to be applied only to instruction in Agriculture, the Mechanical Arts, the English Language, and the various branches of Mathe- matical, Physical, and Economic Science." Under the State Constitution of 1S9S, the University receives $15,000 per annum from the Legislature for sup- port, and special appropriations are made for repairs, insurance, etc. The Constitution was amended by a vote of the people, and there is now no limitation as to the amount that can be appropriated by the Legis- lature for support. Tuition is free to all residents of Louisiana, and board and other expenses are reduced to a minimum. In 18S6 the National Government remembered the University in a most princely manner by giving it the use of the extensive grounds and buildings of the Mili- tary Garrison and Arsenal at Baton Rouge. By Act of Congress, approved April 2Sth, 1902, the "full and com- plete title" to this property was transferred to the Uni- versity. And here, on this romantic and historic spot where the Great Nations battled so often and so long for the Great River — here the school is to-day. Here, too, was the home of Zachary Taylor, President of the United States, and was the birthplace of his illustrious son Richard, of Confederate fame. Since its founding, the University has had eminent men in its faculty — men distinguished in war, literatura and science: General William T. Sherman and Admiral Raphael Semmes, leaders in the Civil War; Col. David P. Boyd, one of the most learned, eminent and indefati- gable educators that Louisiana has ever had, successor to General Sherman as Superintendent (Col. Boyd had served with distinction under "Stonewall" Jackson, and on the return of peace he reorganized the school. To his indomitable courage and unflagging zeal, under the most discouraging circumstances, was due Its preservation during a most eventful period of transition); Doctors An- thony Vallas and James W. Nicholson, mathematicians of great fame; Colonels Samuel H. Loekett and Richaid S. McCulloch, noted scientists and engineers; Doctors Mark W. Harrington, late Chief of the U. S. Weather 220 Cutting Cane on N. S. Dougherty's Plantation, East Baton Rouge Parish. LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY BARRACKS. Free Trah'ic Bridge at Monroe. DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTE AT BATON ROUGE. Bureau, and Williams C. Stubbs, so widely known in Agriculture; Richard M. Venable, Baltimore's great law- yer and professor of law at Johns Hopkins, and Doctor John R. Page, professor of agriculture in the University of Virginia; Doctors James M. Garnett and C. Alphonso Smith, among the ablest English scholars and writers of this day; and Colonels William Preston Johnston, afterward President of Tulane University, and Thomas D. Boyd, ex-President of the State Normal School, and now President of the University, and many of the alumni are holding high positions of honor and trust in civil and military life. The University is proud of its past, but it looks to a future full of rapidly expanding usefulness and pros- perity. During the past few years many improvements have been added; an electric plant has been installed which gives light to the buildings and grounds and power to the laboratories and workshops; and three handsome buildings have been erected, making thirty-four in all. The new buildings are the Hill Memorial Library, do- nated by Mn John Hill, of West Baton Rouge, in memory of his son, John Hill, Jr., who graduated at the University in 1873, and served as one of its supervisors until his death in 1S93; the Heard Hall, a laboratory for Physics, Electricity and Civil Engineering; and the Robertson Hall, a large and well equipped mechanical workshop. Also the Alumni Memorial Hall, which is the handsomest building on the campus. This is an offering of love from the alumni of the Universtiy. The University campus contains 52 acres, ajid is acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful spots In tha South. It is on a bluff, high above the Mississippi River, and is well drained. The health record of its students is excellent. The University has a strong faculty of about forty professors, and an attendance of about 600 students from ten States and six foreign countries. It is now co-educational and also has a professional department of law. There are nine regular courses of study, leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Art's and Bachelor of Science, as follows: the Literary Course, the Latin-Science Course, the Agricultural Course, the Mechanical Course, the Civil Engineering Course, the Electrical Engineering Course, the General Science Course, the Sugar Course, and the Commercial Course, to which must be added Law. Graduate courses are offered, which lead to the de- grees of Master of Arts and Master of Science; and special courses are arranged for students who have not the time or the inclination to pursue a full four years' course. It is believed that the Sugar Course, in which excep- tional opportunities for practical instruction are afforded at the Sugar Experiment Station, offers better training for experts in that important industry than can bo found anywhere else in the world. Mr. Xorman Lamont, in an article in the Empire Review, London, August, 1902, concerning the sugar industry in the West Indies, says: "The proprietor may officer his plantation with trained American men; and the parent may send his 222 p o K z o p 223 son to receive that superlative technical education freely ottered to all comers of whatsoever nationality by the State University of Louisiana, to whose gifted professor of agriculture I am very deeply indebted, not only for valuable Information placed at my disposal, but for the facilities given me for studying, on the spot, the work- ing of that admirable sugar school, over which he pre- sides." Robertson Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. Heard Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton itouge. 221 = PL, H. B.— 15 THE TULANE UNIVERSITY. THE TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA, as now constituted, is the result of a contract entered into in 1884 by the State of Louisiana and the Board of Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund. This contract placed the existing University of Louisiana under the perpetual care of the Tulane Ad- ministrators, with all its property, powers, privileges, immunities, and franchises, and with such other powers as might be necessary to enable them to "foster, main- tain and develop a great University in the City of New Orleans." By the Act, No. 43, of the Session of 1884, making this contract, the name of the institution was changed to "The Tulane University of Louisiana." In 1S82, Mr. Paul Tulane, for many years a resident of New Orleans, made to the Administrators appointed by him his first donation "for the higher education of white youth of Louisiana." This gift was only the beginning of his generous endowment of the University. In 1SS6, Mrs. Josephine Louise Newcomb, whose husband, Warren Newcomb, formerly a resident of New Orleans, donated to the Tulane Educational Fund "the sum of $100,000, to be used in establishing the H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College, in the Tulane Uni- versity of Louisiana, for the higher education of whits girls and young women." In thus perpetuating the memory of an only child, Mrs. Newcomb enabled the Tulane Administrators to round out the ideal of a Uni- versity by the creation of an institution that would give to women all the educational advantages which had before been offered only to men. Mrs. Newcomb added largely to her original endowment, and enabled it to build the handsome group of buildings in which it is now domiciled. The Newcomb College is one of the best endowed institutions for women in the United States. The University in all its departments is located in the City of New Orleans, the metropolitan city of the South, a city long noted for its refined and cultivated social life, and destined to become one of the great com- mercial centers of the country. The Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Technology, and the Graduate Depart- ment are on St. Charles avenue, opposite Audubon Park, in the handsomest and most rapidly growing suburban residential district. The H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College is located in Washington avenue, in one of the most attractive parts of the city. The Law and Medical Departments are in Canal street, in close proximity to the great Charity Hospital, the unrivaled facilities of which are freely used in the instruction of the students of the Medical Department. The University comprises the following departments: Graduate Department, College of Arts and Sciences, Col- lege of Technology, H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial Col- lege for Young Women, Law Department, and Medical Department. 226 The College of Arts and Sciences offers two courses, Classical and Literary, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and a Scientific Course, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science. These courses furnish a broad, secure foundation of liberal education. The College of Technology offers four courses, lead- ing to the degree of Bachelor of Engineering. The courses are denominated, according to the special branch, Mechanical (including Electrical) Engineering, Civil En- gineering, Chemical Engineering, and Sugar Engineer- ing. This College is devoted to the higher education of young men in engineering. While emphasizing the purely technical side, due consideration is given also to culture studies. The training of this college aims to produce men of broad scholarship, capable of leadership in other than technical lines as well as in engineering. The H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College for Toung Women offers a course of study extending over four years, and leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts. The facilities for work in art are exceptionally fine, and there is a course in Normal Art, extending over four years, for which a diploma of graduation is awarded. While the civil law is taught in the Law Department as the basis of the civil code and of the whole legal superstructure of the State, the course of instruction is sufficiently comprehensive to prepare students for admis- sion to the bar, not only of Louisiana, but also in any of the Common Law States of the Union. The course of instruction in the Medical Department Is thorough, and with the new, well-equipped laborato- ries, added to the unrivaled practical advantages of the Charity Hospital, this department offers unsurpassed facilities for medical education. Medical students are given access to the Charity Hospital, without extra, charge, and far better opportunities for the study of diseases therein than are usually enjoyed in the hospitals of other cities. The University has exceptional facilities for labora- tory woa-k in the natural sciences and for experimental training in the engineering courses. Few institutions are so well equipped in this respect. A separate build- ing is provided for the subject of Chemistry, with hand- some laboratories and all necessary apparatus and facili- ties, where all branches of the subject, including sugar and industrial chemistry, can be studied under most fa- vorable conditions. A similar building is devoted to Physics and Biology, with complete equipment of the modern apparatus for advanced work in these branches. Extensive laboratories and shops have been erected tor the engineering work of the College of Technology, fur- nishing unsurpassed facilities for the training of me- chanical, electrical, and civil engineers, and industrial chemists. The University libraries contain about forty thousand well-selected volumes, including unbound sets of pamphlets, and the reading rooms are supplied with complete files of the leading reviews and magazines and standard works of reference. The total teaching force numbers about one hun- dred professors and instructors, and the total number of students, in all departments, approximates 1,500, th« 227 largest student enrollment of any institution in the Southern States. In all its departments the University occupies twenty distinct buildings, nearly all of which have been con- structed within the past ten years, and are in every respect modern in their design and appointments. LOUISIANA STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. T HE most important agency for the special training of teachers maintained by the State is the State Normal School at Natchitoches. The normal buildings stand upon a hill overlooking the valley of Cane River, one of the channels of Red River, which is three miles away. This valley is one of the richest and most beautiful in the world. Elevated pine forests border the valley, ?.nd the school is locate 1 on the eminence, or plateau, where the pine hills verge upon the alluvial lands. The grounds now include over two hundred and eighty acres, about fifty acres of lawns, studded with live oaks, pines, elms, cedars and China trees, with fine avenues of pines and Chinas, and fifty acres of unbroken forest pines, cleared of under- brush and set in grass, with drives and good paths for bicycles. The front lawn borders on Chaplin Lake, a sheet of clear water about a mile and a half long. The buildings are situated near the middle of the grounds, and are about a half mile distant from the central portion of the town of Natchitoches. There are four buildings, besides the president's cottage. The matron's building is a large two-and-a-half story resi- dence, in Virginia style of architecture, erected for .1 plantation mansion about 1840. It has a fine gallery in front supported by lofty columns. The rooms are very large, well lighted and conveniently arranged. This building contains the matron's room, reception room, the infirmary, two halls and five large bed rooms. Adjoining this is the convent building, a large two- story brick building, with attic, in the mission style of architecture, erected in 1857 for the Convent of th» Sacred Heart, at a cost, it is said, of $75,000. During the current year this building has been thoroughly recon- structed for the purpose of adapting it for use as the ladies' dormitory. It is now in better condition than when it was erected, is finished in natural wood, painted and papered throughout, and contains as comfortable and attractive bed rooms as are to be found in any school in the country. In this building are the presi- dent's office, the library and reading room, two largo halls for the literary societies, the supply room and thirty-five bed rooms. About twenty feet from the con- vent building is the new normal building, a handsome structure of modern design, erected in the summer Df 1895 at a cost of $20,000. This contains the assembly room, an audience room with a seating capacity of S00, ten large class rooms, two smaller recitation rooms, the chemical and physical laboratory, two dressing rooms 228 two cloak rooms, three practice school rooms and three janitor's closets. The new building is connected with the other buildings by a covered walk-way. The fourth building is known as the dining room building. It has been recently reconstructed, being more than double In size, and connected with the others by double galleries. This contains a dining hall 58x38 feet, to accommodate 200 persons, a large kitchen, serving room, two store rooms, and on the second floor eight bed rooms and nine bath rooms. The president's cottage, a neat residence for the use of the president of the Normal School, occu- pies a position near the buildings. Recently a concrete fire-proof dormitory for girls has been completed. An up-to-date electric plant installed; a modern motor- driven steam laundry; a sewer system throughout the grounds established, and a fire-proof dining room with seating capacity of 1,000 will be ready for use for th9 summer term. The school comprises two departments — the Normal department, which has for its object to furnish scholastic and pedagogical training for the teacher's profession; and the practice school, in which methods of teaching are exemplified, and in which the Normal students of the senior class do one year of actual teaching, under the direction and guidance of the training teachers. The Normal course covers a period of four years, each session being divided into two terms of four months each. New Normal classes are organized at the beginning of each term, October 1st and February 1st, so that students who cannot attend school continuously until graduation, mav attend either term of several successive sessions, until they complete the course of study. LOUISIANA INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE. THE LOUISIANA INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE was created by the Legislature of 1894, Act No. 68 of that body, providing for the organization and sup- port of an institution for the industrial education of both sexes. It is recognized in the Constitution of 1S98 as a part of the educational system of the State. It opened its doors in September, 1895, with a faculty of five mem- bers, and enrolled during the first session, 202 students. It now has twenty-nine teachers in the faculty, and, notwithstanding the fact that -a higher standard of admission was required at the opening of the session of 1909-10, one hundred and fifty applicants were denied entrance, but 522 entered. Its growth in all the elements contributing to its usefulness and efficiency has been steady and rapid. Since the first session the quarters for academic and industrial work have been more th;m doubled, and the equipments for practical and scientific instruction have been increased more than ten-fold. There are three large brick buildings. The main ha'l is a three-story building, containing auditorium, labora- tories, shops, offices, class rooms, library, and other rooms. The Girls' Dormitory, likewise a three-story 229 brick building, is capable of accommodating over 260 young ladies. The Mechanics Hall, or Arts Building, is a handsome three-story pressed brick structure. The Boys' Hall, a two-story frame building, will accommo- date about 120 people. Besides these a laundry building and some three or more cottages are on the grounds. In addition to the above a president's cottage, at a cost of $5,000, and a Domestic Science Building, at a cost of $20,000, are in course of construction. The school is organized into the following depart- ments: Language and Literature; Pure and Applied Mathematics, History and Civics, Biology, Physics and Chemistry, Mechanics, Business, Domestic Science, Print- ing and Music. The work in each is intensive and prac- tical; in the higher classes it becomes technical. In the Department of Domestic Science, sewing, cooking, do- mestic dairying and gardening are taught. The following equipments have been provided for the work of these departments: For English and History: 1200 volumes of standard works; wall maps, relief maps, and current magazines. For Mathematics. Mathematical models, surveying instruments. For Biology: Twenty-four Reichert's microscopes, one extra bacteriological microscope, one miorotome, camera lucida, dissecting microscopes, reagents for mi- croscopic work, rearing cages, aquarium, collection of marine invertebrates, collection of marine fishes, etc. For Physics and Chemistry: Thirty sets of appa- ratus for individual use. chemicals for course, analytical balance spectroscope, barometer (Bunsen), thermome- ters, induction coil, Edison Lalande battery, platinum crucibles, dishes and cones, graduated cylinders, flasks and pipettes, burettes, water baths, distilling apparatus, blast lamps, reagent bottles, etc., etc. For Drawing: Twenty drawing tables, twenty 'sets drawing instruments. For Mechanics: Woodshop, twelve double work- benches, twenty-four complete sets of tools, one power rip and cross-cut saw combined, twelve wood turning lathes, one band saw, complete assortment of special tools. Forge Shop: Twelve blast forges, twelve anvils, complete set of sledges, hammers, tongs, etc. Machine Shop: Six engine lathes, one planer, one shaper, one drill press, two speed lathes, eight vises, sef of wrenches, taps, dies, hammers, chisels, etc., for con- structing all kinds of machine work. Steam Plant: One 60-horsepower Corliss engine, one 60-horsepower water tube boiler, one steam pump, one Hancock inspirator, one Crosby engine indicator, calorimeters, thermometers, etc., for testing engines and boilers. For Business. Six Remington typewriters, eight complete tables for bookkeeping, office outfit. For Domestic Science: Five Cabinet sewing ma- chines, cutting and fitting outfit, food charts, one steel range, one coal oil stove, one Aladdin oven, kitchen uten- sils, dining room outfit. For Printing: One Prouty news press, one Chindler 230 & Price job press, one paper cutter, one stapler, complete assortment of type. For Telegraphy: Batteries, instruments and wire connections for twelve students. All class rooms are furnished with single desks and slate blackboards. SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE. THE SOUTHWESTERN INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE, established by Act No. 1G2 of 1S9S for the education of both sexes of the white race in Louisiana in the arts and sciences and prac- tical industries of life, opened for the first time on September 15, 1901, and will complete its tenth Main Building, Southwestern Louisiana Indus- trial Institute. Lafayette. school year on May 27, 1911. It now has an at- tendance of nearly two hundred and fifty students, of whom about one hundred are girls. All students are oyer fourteen years of age and are required to be as far advanced as the eighth grade for admission. The Insti- tution now owns fifty acres of land and eight substantial High School, 231 buildings, four being of brick and four frame. The main building is a large two and one-half story and basement brick building erected at a cost of $50,000.00. There is a two-story brick dormitory for boys and an- other for girls, and a two-story brick arts and crafts building. There is a President's residence, a residence for members of the Faculty, a model barn, and a frame galvanized iron-covered boys' gymnasium. The total value of the property of the Institute is $200,000.00. In the first ten years of its life the local community, town and parish of Lafayette, has contributed $87,500.00 for buildings and equipment, which amount has been exactly duplicated for the same purpose by appropriations from the State, making a total of $175,000.00 for buildings and equipment, while the State has appropriated for run- ning expenses a total of $136,000.00, or an average of $13,000.00 a year. However, for the present biennial pe- riod this appropriation has been increased to a total for the two years — including both support and equipment — of $53,500.00. The school has in successful operation a department of instruction in Agriculture, Home Econom- ics, Farm, Tool and Shopwork, Telegraphy, Stenography, Commercial subjects and a thorough Academic-Industrial Course of four years. These, together with a department of music, both instrumental and vocal, drawing and sing- ing in all departments, gymnasium and physical educa- tion for both boys and girls and helpful student organiza- tions, constitute a thorough, modern industrial school, which, if properly supported and maintained by ade- quate appropriations from the State, will prove one of the most helpful factors in the educational and industrial progress of the State. SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY. THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION of the State of Louisiana, in 1S79, in its wisdom, estab- lished in the City of New Orleans an institution to be devoted to higher education of persons of color, to be entitled the Southern University. The support of this institution was secured by constitutional provision, en titling it to an annual appropriation for its current ex- penses, by the State Legislature, of not more than ten thousand dollars, nor less than five thousand dollars. At the session of the General Assembly of Louisiana, in April, 1S80, an act was passed, "To establish in the City of New Orleans, a university for the education of persons of color; and to provide for iP proper govern- ment." Although this charter was gotten out in Marnh, 1SS1, we find that the school was in existence half a yiar or more previous to that date. For, on October 10th, 1880, the Board of Trustees held a meeting and passed laws designating the proper officers of the Faculty of the school. And another meeting was held December 1st, 1880. The school started in a very slow way at first, and continued at that pace for some years. 232 When the act was passed by the Legislature estab- lishing the school, through some oversight the idea seemed not to occur to any one that a building would be necessary in which this school should hold its daily session. A building was essential. The Board of Trus tees did about the only thing it could do under th-? Main Building Southern University and A. and M. College (Colored), New Orleans, La. circumstances. Money, annually appropriated to pa.' teachers' salaries, was applied to secure the first essen tial — a school building — although a number of teachers had to be dispensed with. A building was purchased on Calliope street, New Orleans, and as much money as could be spared was paid towards the same, while a mortgage was given on the house for the rest. There were no graduates of the school before 1S87. Since, and including 1902, the total from all departments is 213 graduations. The highest number for one year, 32, was in 1902. The University now has an Agricultural Department on a farm of 100 acres, a Mechanical Department, a 1 insmith Shop, a Printing Department, Dairy, and Girls' Industrial Department, supported Jointly by the Unite.! States and State Government. It has also the usual Academic Course. The attendance now is over 500. In the past five years the following amounts have been expended: On University main building $6,500 On farm 4,500 .Mechanical building 1,125 Printing department 250 Domestic Science and Girls' Industrial Depart- ment 1,000 Physics and Chemistry 250 Additional 500 Total $14,125 The sources of revenue for this institution are: from the State of Louisiana, regular appropriation, $10,000 annually; from the United States Government, for in- dustrial work, a gradually increasing amount, from $11,200 to $1S,000 annually. 233 Shreveport High School. AN ANTE BELLUM COUNTRY HOME. 234 PRIVATE AND SECTARIAN SCHOOLS. Besides the above, the different denominations of the State have splendid schools and colleges. The Methodists have a male college, "Centenary," at Shreve- port, and a female college at Mansfield. The Baptists have a male college at Mt. Lebanon and a female college at Keatchie. The Catholics have a university and several colleges in New Orleans, Jefferson College at Convent and St. Charles College at Grand Coteau. They have numerous convents in New Orleans and convents in other cities and towns of the State. The Silliman Fe- male College at Clinton has long been a famous girls' school. Private schools are successfully conducted in New Orleans, Shreveport, Baton Rouge and other cities and towns of the State. TWO SPLENDID ADJUNCTS TO LOUISIANA'S EDUCATIONAL FORCES. Attention is called to Memorial Hall and the State Museum. The stranger, as he strolls up Camp street, is at- tracted by a peculiarly shaped building whose inviting appearance bids him enter. He soon discovers that he is in the midst of historical reminders that tell him of the glories of Louisiana, that point out a chivalry so transcendently brilliant that it has left a glow that sheds a brightness over the State's entire after-life, im- pressing upon the younger generations the sublime prin- ciples of virtue and manhood, a combination which practically is the bulwark of every country's safety and happiness. From these relics or reminders of a superb inherit- ance housed by the generosity of a progressive citizen of New Orleans and cared for by State appropriations. he can cross Canal street, stroll among the quaint but interesting reminders of French and Spanish domina- tion and enter the historic Cabildo and Presbytere. To Curator Robert Glenk we are indebted for the following: "The Cabildo and the Presbytere both belong to the City of New Orleans, but have been transferred to the Board of Curators for all time by act of the City Council in 1908." The following is a description of the museum and its workings given by Mr. Glenk to the Shreveport Times: One of the youngest of the State institutions devoted tQ the advancement of Louisiana along educational and commercial lines is the Louisiana State Museum at New Orleans. The museum owes its origin to the splendid collection of exhibits made at the World's Fair in St, 235 Louis In 1904, which at the close of the Fair were brought back and temporarily housed in the Washington Artillery Hall. Since then the collections have grown prodigiously, numbering at the present day over 15,000 items and oc- cupying 14,000 square feet of floor space. Within the past year, the City Council of New Orleans has trans- ferred to the Board of Curators of the State Museum the historic Cabildo and the Civil District Court buildings facing Jackson's Square, to permanently house the rap ter relating to Louisiana. In this building the transfer ceremonies took place when Louisiana was ceded to the High School, Baton Rouge. idly growing and valuable collections of the museum. The Cabildo will contain the precious historical mat- 1 lili ;- - ■ - . : - Silliman Female Collegiate Institute, Clinton. United States in 1803 and during the visit of General Lafayette to New Orleans it was the home of the dis- tinguished soldier. Being itself the most historical in the Mississippi Valley, it is eminently fitted to be the re- pository of the State's rich historical treasures. The Antommarchie bronze of Napoleon, presented to New Or- leans in 1S34 by the physician of the distinguished Cor- sican, is one of the valuable relics. Recently the museum has acquired extremely valuabie 236 documents, letters, commissions, edicts and Imprints of French and Spanish colonial Louisiana belonging to the Gaspar Cusacks, Major Robinson, T. P. Thompson, H. Gibbs Morgan, Jr., collections and to the Louisiana His- torical Society, U. S. Daughters of 1776-1812, and Dr. Jo- seph Jones. The museum also contains many maps of Louisiana, relics from the battlefield of Chalmette and Eugene Lami's famous picture of the Battle of New Orleans. The Art Department contains numerous paintings in oil and water color, engravings, sculpture and ceramics by some of the best of Louisiana's artists. One of the most noteworthy of the museum's exhibits is the large and comprehensive collection of relics of the mound- builders of Louisiana, embracing arrow points, axes, celts, ceremonial and game implements and pottery col- lected and loaned by Professor George Williamson of Natchitoches. The Natural History Department contains specimens of the common and many rare varieties of the animals, birds, fishes, reptiles, insects, shells, fossils and minerals, and of the plants, trees and cultivated crops. The Commercial Department contains manufactured articles made in Louisiana, together with numerous work- ing models, statistics and literature and a complete model of a cane sugar factory, rice mill and pumping plant and a cotton oil mill. The museum contains one of the best libraries in the South on science, technology, commercial and trade statistics, and the Bureau of Information Is at all times at the service of the public. During the winter months a series of free lectures are given by prominent lecturers at the museum on subjects dealing with the various activities of the several depart- ments. A series of publications based upon a natural history survey of the State is contemplated by the Museum Board. The first number, by Professor R. S. Cocks, has been issued and will be mailed to applicants in the State free. High School in Homer. 237 < W o o H CO Eh w h a BJ K H 2 ■> Ch << Eh Eh lz£ °3 H U a o 2 m j H H Eh CO J EI Q O 238 STATE INSTITUTIONS. INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB. THIS INSTITUTION is located at Baton Rouge. The grounds and buildings are in excellent con- dotion. Its financial showing, and everything per- taining to its management are all that could be desired. Its class departments, oral teaching and industrial in- structions are conducted on both scientific and practical methods, and it has already sent out a number of expert and highly intelligent instructors and teachers from among its pupils. Its chief aim is to prepare its pupils for the affairs of life, and make them industrious and self-supporting citizens. Several industrial trades, such as furniture-making and wood-working, shoe-making and printing and typesetting, are taught with marked success, and it is hoped to further enlarge and extend these departments. INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND. Situated at Baton Rouge, this institution does a great work in educating and fitting for various walks in life the unfortunate ones whose sight is gone. Like the other institution referred to above, one of the chief aims of the Institute for the Blind is, and should be, not only to educate, but to fit its pupils for the ordinary affairs of life, and make them self-sustain- ing. When there is any aptitude whatever, music is taught, and many of the pupils have attained great pro- ficiency upon several musical instruments. Wicker ana cane work are taught; also sewing, embroidery, etc., and the manufacture of brooms has become quite a factor in the industrial department. SOLDIERS' HOME. This institution is situated in New Orleans, and pro- vides a home for the disabled veterans of '.he Civil War who fought on the Confederate side, and whose homes were in Louisiana. A commodious two-story building has been erected, which has added much to the comfort of the inmates. As time moves on, the lines of those who followed Lee, Johnston and Jackson are growing thinner, and from the active walks of life the number of those disabled and infirm, and without the means of support, is gradually in- creasing. These veterans of the Lost Cause appeal not only to our charity, love and benevolence, but also to our sense of justice, and the State should always liberally provide for them, as care and want overtake them in their declining years. Article 302 of the present Constitution recognizes this Home as a State institution, and provides that it shall be maintained by the State by an annual appropria- tion which is to be based upon the number of inmates in the Home on the first day of April of the year in which the appropriation is made, of $130 per capita, for the maintenance rnd clothing of such inmates. 239 INSANE ASYLUM. This institution, located at Jackson, La., stands pre- eminently as a monument to the true charity and benevo- lence and exalted humanity of our people. Its fourteen hundred inmates are provided with a home, furnished with every modern convenience, presided over and di- rected by a superintendent and corps of assistants and attendants, who exercise kindly and even paternal super- vision over them. They are supplied with abundant pure water for all purposes, ample baths, electric lights, artificial heat, ice manufactured by the asylum, whole- some and abundant food, and healthful grounds and sur- roundings. Each individual inmate is made the object of investigation and study by the resident physician and his assistants, and as a result of skillful and painstaking treatment and attention, a very large percentage of the inmates are, from time to time, discharged as completely restored. If our people throughout the State could be- come more intimately acquainted with the details and management of this institution, the usual prejudice against it as a gloomy madhouse would be dispelled, and it would be seen to be what it is — a sanitarium ant home for those suffering from disordered and diseased minds. It would be a revelation to those who have never visited it, to observe the extent of its grounds, and the style and number of its handsome buildings, the com- pleteness of its equipment, its scrupulous cleanliness, and I its picturesque and beautiful situation and surroundings. The Legislature, at its session in 1902, passed an act providing for the building and establishing of an- oth« - Hospital for the Insane, near Alexandria, funds were appropriated and the work begun at once. At 'he extra session of the Legislature in 1903, another appro- priation was made to complete the buildings, and, lik3 the Hospital for the Insane at Jackson, it is doing thor- ough work and is an institution that all Louisianians are proud of. CHARITY HOSPITAL, NEW ORLEANS, This hospital is situated in the City of New Orleans, and was established in 1832, being among the first free hospitals ever established in the United States. How well its obligation to humanity is performed is attested by the records of this institution. During the year 1904, there were 8,816 patients treated in the hos- pital, 19,302 in the outdoor clinics, 73,071 free consulta- tions given, and the ambulance service responded to 1,596 calls. The hospital grounds embrace two squares, with ambulance house situated in a third square. The Richard Milliken Memorial Annex for Children has been recently built, and is thorough and modern in every ap- pointment. The Pasteur Department, which is also free, was added in 1903. Year by year, through the State's bounty, and with the assistance of donations from her philanthropic citi- zens, modern new buildings and equipments have been added, until our hospital stands among those at the head of the list of such institutions upon this continent. Its able board of administrators and officers, and skilled and experienced surgeons and physicians havo 240 &&L •' ■ - H. B.— 16 COAL BARGES FROM PITTSBURG ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 241 for years past, maintained its well-established reputa- tion, and more deeply rooted this institution in the hearts of all our people. SHREVEPORT CHARITY HOSPITAL. Situated at Shreveport, Louisiana, is another hos- pital, whose charitable and benevolent work has spread wide all over Louisiana. A very modern four-room brick aseptic operating building has been erected and fur- nished with the latest and most improved paraphernalia and appurtenances. This has grown to be one of the lixed State institutions of north Louisiana, and its suc- cessful conduct, and the humane, skillful and scientific treatment of the indigent sick, and those requiring sur- gical attention, have grounded it deep in the affections of our people. It aiso affords the opportunity of splen- did training and practical experience to young men pur- suing the study of medicine and surgery. STATE PENITENTIARY AND CONVICT FARMS. The Legislature, at its session of 1SU0, passed an act carrying into effect the provision of the new Con- stitution, which prohibited any form of leasing State prisoners and directed that they be employed under absolute State control. It was determined to continue the work of State building only in so far as it could be furnished for such work, first-class men, graded physic- ally, and employ the rest in agriculture. For this lat- ter purpose, Angola plantation, embracing 8,000 acres of splendid alluvial land, on the Mississippi River, in West Feliciana parish, and Hope plantation, a sugar estate of some 2,800 acres, on Bayou Teche, Iberia parish, was purchased. These farms have now been in operation for several years, and the results are most gratifying. Cotton is the money crop raised on Angola and sugar on Hope. Another farm, Oakley, has been purchased in Iberville parish, and is now equipped as a penal farm. The crops sold and proceeds of levee work have brought in good revenues, besides the agricultural prod- ucts such as corn, potatoes, onions, etc., preserved for prison use, which aggregate a large value. The system now pays its own expenses of operation, and affords a surplus to complete payments on property purchased. The small factory at the Baton Rouge Penitentiary supplies the force with shoes and clothing. There have been constructed on these farms perma- nent quarters on the most approved sanitary lines. The prisoners are compelled to work, according to their strength, but they are provided with the best quality of food, all they can eat, including an abundance of vege- tables, and are well clothed and humanely treated. The late lamented Hon. S. M. Jones, at that time Mayor of Toledo, Ohio, known over the United States as "Golden Rule" Jones, after a recent visit to Hope convict farm, wrote an article for one of the leading journals of the East, and among other things said: "I have felt, because a great mass_ of the convicts of the South have been worked at outdoor employment that if they were badly treated they were not in the 242 long run as badly off as our convicts in the North, who are contracted out to work in dingy, ill-ventilated and disease-breeding shops, where they are doomed to breathe poisoned air and almost entirely shut out from ever seeing a ray of sunshine. I was, however, quite un- prepared to find that the State of Louisiana has taken a step in the matter of dealing with convicted human beings that easily places her a century ahead of the methods in common practice in the ordinary prisons North and South." NEW ORLEANS— THE METROPOLIS OF THE SOUTH. THE NEW ORLEANS of today is not the New Orleans of yesterday. The stirring times which marked the history of the metropolis from its very inception up to and including the year 1S74 have passed into history, and only their echoes occa- sionally revive the spirit of sentiment and cause the ripples to spread out upon a sea of retrospection and then quiet down to a more material realization of the city, the position it occupies in the world of commerce, and the wonderful future which makes the horizon glow with all the radiance of a summer sunrise. First in the exportation of cotton and .grain, and of rice shipments, and second among the great ports of the L'nited States, New Orleans evidences her manifest destiny and makes positive the assertion of its people that her future commercially is "beyond the stars." The obliteration of yellow fever from the port of Havana which has, from time immemorial, been a' hot bed of "vomito," means that modern sanitation ami proper hygienic methods have, or will, obliterate the scourge from the face of the globe, and the success in Havana makes it beyond peradvanture that New Orleans may lay claim to an absolute freedom from future visita- tions of the fever. Climatic conditions during the winter and summer are conducive to health, and it will be found upon even a cursory examination of the health statistics that New Orleans today may claim .to be one of the healthiest cities in the New World. With 215 miles of paved streets and a constant exten- sion of the system brought about by modern conditions and demands, the institution of what is possibly one of the finest electrical street car systems in the world, and the establishment of several first-class hotels, has placed New Orleans in the first rank among its competitors of the country generally and considerably in advance of the other cities .of the South, all of which, however, are rapidly progressing to a splendid destiny. Modern steel- framed buildings have marked the passage of the last several years, and others now in progress indicate the strength of the confidence which is reposed in the city by outside capital, while the recent large additions made 243 to several of the local banks by New York capitalists may be taken as additional testimony of this fact. Among the institutions now working- energetically for the public good may be mentioned the New Orleans Progressive Union, which, with its 2,000 members, is undoubtedly the largest popular commercial body in the United States. Supported as it is by all classes of citi- zens and backed up by the best business blood and energy of New Orleans, this organization has been a power in local development, and has assumed a condiiton in the public mind and estimation that will continue its mission of good for years to come. By reason of its peculiar province it can, and does, with propriety, par- ticipate in all movements for the benefit of New Or- leans which would be impracticable to the purely trade associations, with which the city is very liberally sup- plied. The business exchanges, in the material upbuild- ing of New Orleans, represent a potent factor in the progression. New Orleans leads all ports of the United States in its export of grain and cotton. In 1903, the last statistics available, but the figures, though wonderfully increased since then, will give a correct idea of her vast possi- bilities, she exceeded New York nearly 5,000,000 bushels of grain, and has outstripped all other ports, including Galveston, in the quantity of cotton handled, New Orleans forwarding 2,380,431 bales. This report fully exemplifies the contention which the people of New- Orleans and of the West generally have made regarding the superior facilities of the Louisiana metropolis in the matter of all shipping. The superb natural harbor, well removed from the storms, and the conditions frequently put into being thereby; possessing a water front of fully thirty miles and some eight miles of magnificent wharves; permanent deep water and a freedom from the ordinary inconveniences which affect the other parts of the United States, New Orleans is justly entitled to the distinction it claims for itself and which actual condi- tions have manifested. Prior to the war, the port of New Orleans was easily the first port in the United States from all points of view. The fact that the commodities of the Missis- sippi Valley were handled by sailing vessels, made the individual carrier a prominent factor in the commercial development of the city, and thousands of this character of craft frequented the harbor at all seasons of the year, conveying practically the entire cotton crop of the South and the sugar of Louisiana, to distant markets, and bringing in return articles of import destined for con- sumption or use by the entire population along the Mis- sissippi River, its tributary streams and contiguous territory. The vicissitudes of the war, the practical oblitera- tion of the merchant marine, and the transfer of the American shipping to foreign control, naturally operated to the vast detriment of the Mississippi River port. The revival of the shipping industry, the rapid increase of trade which followed the close of the war, and the de- velopment of the rail arteries of commerce, gradually caused New Orleans to assume its old position, although 244 *-• * i i 1 1 i*. . ~, -*•*- 1 & r m /■; 1 *•* * r3 xa~ ; . - -W^HHH ' ijp w ^1- » ' *■ •'■a " *^^tt fl •jBp A*^k HI 245 the rapid development of the Atlantic coast ports natur- ally precluded the supremacy which the Louisiana city once enjoyed in the direction indicated. New Orleans is possibly better located, as a port of entry and place of export, than any of its competitors of the Gulf Coast, or any of the ports of the Atlantic Seaboard. This is due to the fact that railroads centering: in New Orleans, ramifying- with their direct lines, their affiliating lines and their connections, every important section south of the Ohio River; the entire Mississippi Valley as far north as Minnesota, and the great grain and cotton region of the infinite West. Sixteen thousand miles of navigable waterways and a rail mileage of nearly thirty thousand miles, coupled with the cheap rates this combination places in effect, is responsible for the rapid growth of the city's commerce and the envi- able position it occupies in the shipping world. During the fiscal year ended June 30th, 1903, there entered and cleared in the port of New Orleans, coast- wise and foreign, 2,677 ships, with a total tonnage of 4,569,273. These totals, while a trifle less than the pre- ceding year, were due to a decrease in the production of grain and cotton, which decrease was shared in, to a much greater extent, by the other ports of the United States. The total business of New Orleans of all kinds covering the same period was as follows: Received. Value. Receipts from the interior by river and rail. .$191,523,312 Imports, coastwise 68,480,026 Imports, foreign 28,914,556 Total receipts $2SS, 917,991 Shipped. Value. Shipped to interior by river and rail $ 85,417,665 Exports, coastwise 55,212,343 Exports, foreign • 145,S93,764 Total of shipments $286,523,777 Grand total of trade $575,441,669 During the period referred to above, New Orleans increased its total trade over 1899-1900 in the sum of $'26,568,324. The total railroad tonnage handled by the Southern Pacific, Texas Pacific, Illinois Central, Yazoo & Missis- sippi Valley, Louisville & Nashville, New Orleans & Northeastern and minor roads, aggregated 7,SOO,00 tons, same representing the quantities receievd and forwarded. The total domestic exports for the twelve months ending July 31st 1903, represent $14S,609,629, which does not include $2,145,133, covering exports through New Orleans to the ports of Porto Rico. During the same period, cotton in the sum of 992,- 905,855 pounds, with a valuation of $S2,000,000, was ex- 246 < Eh" - o h H > PS = Eh < a o p ■I. c & 247 ported to the countries of Europe, Mexico, Japan, and the British East Indies. In this connection it must be borne in mind that the regular lines of communication between New Orleans and the ports of the world are represented by thirty steamship lines, many of them using vessels capable of carrying 30,000 bales of cotton, and having a net ton- nage of 7,500 tons. Regular lines of communication have been estab- lished between the ports of the United States and the ports of Porto Rico, while regular sailings to Cuban ports or Central American ports have been a feature of the business of New Orleans for a great many years. Owing to its proximity to the great eoffee-producin? area of the tropics. New Orleans last year handled 150,000,000 pounds of coffee, reshipping a large percent- age of this to the consuming centers of the Mississippi Valley, the Trans-Mississippi country and other portions of the South. The city also handled 321,000,000 pounds. of sugar, which was imported chiefly from the islands of Cuba and one or two of the coast cities of the republic of Mexico. The imports generally show a very gratifying in- crease, and the possibilities are that these figures will be materially enlarged when the figures for the next fiscal year are made public. As an indication of the value of its imports, it may be stated that for the year ending July 31st, 1903, the customs receipts of this port were $7,630,941, and articles free of duty were imported in the sum of $14,011,988. During the same period, 11,000,000 pounds of lemons; 284,000 square yards of matting; 1S,000,000 pounds of salt, and nearly 300,000 pounds of leaf tobacco were im- ported; 7,000,000 bunches of bananas and 7,000,000 cocoa- nuts were imported from the tropical ports and reshipped to all portions of the West and the great Mississippi Valley. It is also through the port of New Orleans that the great bulk of the mahogany imported into this country is handled. This beautiful wood is converted by the manufacturers of the West and North into handsome furniture, and reshipped into all portions of the South in its finished condition, it commanding high prices owing to its superiority over all other woods. The Spanish cedar, logwood, a variety of dye woods, and an immense amount of raw rubber is handled through New Orleans intended for distribution to oth;r portions of the United States. In connection with the rice industry and the possi- bilities contained therein as a matter of export, it mav be of interest to know that the rice fields of southwest Louisiana and southern Texas have r( 'olutionized the industry, so far as the United States is concerned. New Orleans, during the twelve months ending July 31st, 1903, handled nearly 2,500,000 barrels of rough rice, weighing from 162 to 181 pounds per barrel, reducing to pockets of one hundred pounds of first-class clean rice. The total production of Louisiana and Texas last year was in the neighborhood of 4,500,000 bags or bar- rels. Owing to the stringency in the rice supplies of 248 Porto Rico and the Philippine Islands, large quantities of Louisiana rice were shipped (or consumption in these two countries last year. An indication of the rapid increase in the port facili- ties and the general business of New Orleans may be found in the bank clearings of the city. For the year 1903 the bank clearings approximated $827,710,850, an increase over the previous year of $155,350,273, the post- office cash receipts showed an increase of 47 per cent since 1S97, while the receipts of all mail showed an in- crease of 60 per cent covering the same period. The city contains 1,700 manufacturing enterprises, wit" a capital of $60,000,000, employing 25,000 persons ana producing 175 different articles with a total value of nearly $70,000,000 per annum. The value of the cot- ton seed oil products is $5,000,000 annually. Last year $100,000 was spent by the United States Government for harbor improvements, and the same amount will ae expended by the end of the present year. The city is erecting a system of steel sheds to care for the commodities handled both for export and import, these sheds. begin under the direction of the Dock Com- mission. The recent improvement of terminals by several of the great railway trunk lines has secured a compara- tively free dockage for vessels which make use of these terminals and this will prove a material factor in shap- ing the ultimate destiny of the port of New Orelans. A very gratifying feature of the improvement of tha harbor of New Orleans may be found in the appro- 249 priation of nearly $3,000,000. This money is to be applied to the harbor direct and to the mouth of the river. The entrance through the jetties at present commands a depth of nearly 29 feet, and it is the intention of the United States Engineers to extend this depth so as to permit vessels drawing 35 feet of water, if needs be, to enter the river and ascend to the city of New Orleans. The improvement also contemplates the deepening of Southwest Pass, which will be done through a system of deep dredging. This mouth of the river l.as, it is considered, remarkable advantages and it is believed will scour itself to a sufficient depth within a few years to admit vessels of any possible draft. By the sale of bonds $12,000,000 has been realized and an additional sum of $5,836,000 will accrue to the bond issue by revenues received from other sources. This grand aggregate will be expended in furnishing the city of New Orleans with a complete system of water, sewerage and drainage, and contracts were made but a few days since covering the immediate expenditure of $1,500,000. The entire matter will not be finally concluded before 1908, but when the same shall have been finished, New Orleans will have an absolutely perfect hygienic and sanitary system of sewerage and drainage, and one which will command the admiration and attention of the entire country. The social life of New Orleans, while differing but little in regard to its general aspects from the other large cities of the United States, has a number of dis- tinctive and characteristic features which go tar towards making its socjal institutions and functions peculiarly delightful. Naturally the great social feature of New Orleans is the "Mardi Gras," and in this distinction New Or- leans has achieved a fame which has not been, and is not, limited by boundary or country. This Mardi Gras is conceded by all who have wit- nessed it to be the mo^t unique festival of the new world, and today its brilliant proportions exceed even the similar celebrations which have made the cities of Florence, Rome and Venice by-words in the mouth of Europe. Nowhere else could the Mardi Gras prosper. Nowhere else can the spirit of the . ceasion find its being and animate the hearts of a half million persons, as it does in the Crescent City during the festival week. In this spirit does the many colored celebrations live and grow. It is no cold, calculating entertainment, but it is the outcome of a century's effort in which the warm hearts of a semi-tropical population play a most impor- tant part. Containing many first-class social organizations; pro- vided with handsome hotels; possessing a half dozen modern, up-to-date theatres, including the celebrated old French Opera House, and, in addition to the constantly changing attractions, a brilliant season of French Opera, it follows that New Orleans must, during three-fourths of the year, contain an element of attraction for almost any individual alive. Its climatic conditions, making it a city of the "out j 250 of doors," even when the remainder of the country is winter bound, combine to make it a favorite resort for persons living north and east who find the winters of their own particular section arduous and unbearable. As a winter resort, New Orleans is easily the most delightful city in the entire country', as, in addition to natural features w-hich make it possible for the visitor to enjoy the climate under clear blue skies, it possesses every element of modern existence which the man or woman of wealth or culture enjoys. Society in New Orleans is naturally hospitable, as that being a feature of its individual life could not fail to become a part of its social existence. The entire winter is characterized by a brilliant round of social functions in which the various social organizations plav a distinct part. Another feature of New Orleans, which has proved the means of attracting a large winter attendance, is found in the one hundred days of winter racing. The New Orleans Meeting, under the auspices of the New Orleans Jockey Club, has for years been attaining a degree of excellence, until today the winter season of New Orleans is proving an attraction too potent to be disregarded by the lovers of this character of amuse- ment. Possessing two magnificent parks, and unexcelled methods of rapid transit, with a score of smaller breath- ing spots; two splendid resorts on Lake Pontchartrain, and but a short distance from the best salt water fishing and hunting grounds in the South, it follows that tha visitor, either summer or winter, may find much to amuse or entertain. NEW ORLEANS AND THE ISTHMIAN CANAL. The definite establishment of the Panama Canal route naturally attracted considerable attention on the part of the United States to New Orleans, because of that port's proximity to the proposed water way and its magnificent rail and water connections with the Mis- sissippi Valley and the States of the entire Trans - Mississippi country. New Orleans, the second port of the country, will undoubtedly leap into a wonderful prominence and pros- perity by reason of the construction of the Isthmian Canal, and this fact is recognized by the railroad lines leading into that city, having north and south connec- tions and penetrating that vast territory west of a line drawn through Chicago, Indianapolis, Frankfort, Ky., and Charleston, this tremendous area being nearer New Orleans than to New York, and in a position to do busi- ness through the great southern port to all portions or the world, and particularly with the Central American and Pacific States and Countries. A comparison of the following table of distances will exhibit at once the advantage of New Orleans over its competitors in relation to business routed through the canal and indicates the possibilities of trade through that port. From To Colon. Boston ; 2,165 miles. Xew York 1,981 Philadelphia 1,960 Norfolk 1,779 Charleston 1,580 Savannah 1.5S6 Galveston 1,481 Port Arthur 1,465 Xew Orleans 1,380 According to these figures New Orleans is 601 miles nearer Colon than is New York; and 101 miles nearer than Galveston, the two great competitors of the Louis- iana seaport. Dr. Emory R. Johnson, in the report of the Isthmian Canal Commission, in a discussion of the subject, among other things, says that, "while distance is not the only factor in determining the direction in which traffic wiii move, passing through the canal, it will be one factor, and undoubtedly the proximity of the industrial centers of the Central States to the Gulf cities, will greatly assist those ports and the railways leading to them in securing' a large share of the South American and Pacific trade. The Gulf ports have the advantage of being abl? to bring railway cars and steamers, side by side, at capacious terminals, at which freight can be handled very economically, and this advantage will probably assist the commercial progress of New Orleans and other cities in their efforts to command Pacific Ocean traffic.'' The position of New Orleans, in dir . touch with 251 the great cotton producing and lumber areas of the South, and being the southern terminal of several of the great rail lines penetrating the grain fields of the West, will naturally redound to its advantage. The industrial centers of the Mississippi, Ohio and Missouri Valleys, being nearer to New Orleans than to any of the ports of the East and North Atlantic, it may be considered as among the probabilities that the factory products of these sections will, in addition to the agricultural prod- ucts. And their way for export through New Orleans. The determination of the Southern Railway, Frisco and Rock Island systems to combine in the purchase of the great terminal property, owned originally by the Port Chalmette Company, and the work of bringing the Frisco-Rock Island into New Orleans, is undoubt- edly due to a recognition of the position occupied by New Orleans in relation to the Panama Canal. These terminals, with subsequent purchases, represent several million dollars, but they give to the combine a complete control of over three miles of river front within the commercial area of Xew Orleans and places it in a com- manding position to control trade when the business be- gins to move. Good judgment and a recognition of what the next decade will bring forth, undoubtedly domi- nated the action of the combine, but this action will assist in making New Orleans one of the finest shipping points in the United States, as well as adding to its commerce the traffic of three of the most extensive rail- way systems in the South and West. In a consideration of the situation as regards New Orleans and the Isthmian Canal, it must be remembered that the port in question is in a position to command a large portion of the cotton export business, fully fifty- four per cent of the staple being grown in fields almost contiguous to the city. The bulk of the cotton goods exported chiefly to China and Japan goes via New York, although much of it is manufactured by Southern mills, reaching its destination through the Suez Canal. With the construction of the canal, the commodities will more naturally find their way to destination via the new route. Direct lumber shipments from New Orleans and near-by ports will also make up considerable of the exports to the Pacific Coast of South and Central Amer- ica, while Southern fertilizer will find nearer markets in Hawaii and on the Pacific, raw materials from Chili being placed in our own markets at a much cheaper rate. So, too, will the exportation of packing house products materially increase through New Orleans for points in the Orient and on the Pacific as well as to South America. The value of the canal will be incalculable to New Orleans, and to the South generally. It will ally the vast central areas of this country with New Orleans, making it the half-way house for both exports and imports, and the new conditions will undoubtedly place the Southern ports in a better position to control their legitimate share of the imports, which now enter this country through New York and San Francisco. Work is progressing on the canal and the rail lines will be the first influences to contribute to the supremacy of Xew Orleans, for with an eye always open to trade 253 BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF SHREVEPORT — PARISH COURT HOUSE IN FOREGROUND. possibilities, they will be compelled to maintain every possible convenience in order to secure a share of the tremendous traffic which will be handled through the greatest port in the South. Besides a terminal station, the greatest of sugar re- fineries and many other great business structures, a magnificent court house has been completed, one of the handsomest of the kind in the entire country. A superb postoffice is in course of construction and an immigra- tion station will soon be built. Thus the great Southern metropolis is keeping an even pace with the most pro- gressive of cities. SH REVEPORT. SHREVEPORT, the metropolis of North Louisiana, is situated on the Red River, in Caddo Parish, the northwest corner parish of the State, ad- joining Texas and Arkansas. The city has a population of about 30,000, and no other in the State has grown so rapidly within the past five years. In the spring of 1902, because of glaring errors made in the enumeration taken by the United States census takers, its citizens made an enumemration of their own, which was duly attested in an affidavit signed by the then may- or, Benjamin Holzman, in which the city was given a population of 24,364. So rapidly has it grown within the past few years that there are known to be fully 30,000 inhabitants there today. Seven railroad systems bring eleven different lines of railroad into Shreveport, and the Red River, being navigable the year round, affords the city over 1,000 miles of tributary coast line, making it one of the most important distributing points in the entire South. Shreveport has the best gas and electric lighting systems of any city of its size, perhaps, in the South. Natural gas abounds and is being used for illumination. Its electric railway system of eleven miles cannot well be surpassed. There are 6.7 miles of paved streets and a new, first-class sewer system of over nine miles. There are ttvo telephone systems, more large office buildings, more and better hotels than in any city of its size any- where in the South. The waterworks system is most adeq late, and the chemical examination shows that the water is as pure as any furnished to other cities in the Gulf States. The public school system is most excellent, culminating in a splendid new high school. All the different religious denominations are represented with one or more churches. The rate of mortality for white and negro population is 15.76 per thousand, less than that of tl.a city of Chicago, which is 16.3, which is lower than the rate of any other large city in the Union. The white mor- tality rate of Shreveport is only 9. The money to build a lerge garbage crematory was provided by the City Council. While Shreveport has many factories, among which are three breweries, many cotton compresses and 254 Parish High School at Monroe. PARK VIEW HIGH SCHOOL, SHREVEPORT. 265 A Group of Polled Durhams, from the Mayer Place, Near Shreveport. cotton oil mills and a large number of manufacturing ".oncerns that use cotton and wood, there is still room for many more, and the citizens of Shreveport have banded together in an organization called the Shreve- port Progressive League for the purpose of securing them, inducing immigration into this community and obtaining additional commercial and industrial enter- prises of all sorts. Through the concerted efforts of its citizens it has been proven that both cigar filler and cigar wrapper tobacco, as good as that grown in the Vuelta Abajo dis- trict of Cuba, can be grown here, while a concern, the Edler Cigar Company, has been organized and is manu- facturing cigars from this tobacco in Shrevport. BATON ROUGE. One of the best combined financial, industrial, edu- cational, agricultural, commercial and social centers in the lower middle South. Baton Rouge and its suburbs has a population of 20,000. Its death rate is less than 12 per 1,000; its water 99 per cent pure. Baton Rouge is on the edge of the rice and sugar belts, is in the heart of the cotton belt and contiguous to the largest uncut hardwood tract left in the South Baton Rouge has six trunk lines of railroad ana is on the Mississippi, a port of entry with 45 feet the year round to the Gulf. Baton Rouge is within eighty miles of the city market.s of New Orleans for truck, dairy products, feed stuffs and other farm products; within a night-run of the Memphis market, twenty-two hours from Chicago. Baton Rouge has: The Louisiana State University. The State Experiment Station. A federal farm demonstrator employed by the parish. The State capitol. Institutes for the Blind and for the Deaf and Dumb. Handsome federal building, city hall and a new court house planned. Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, Christian, Christian Science and Jewish churches. City high school and ward auxiliary graded schools, with nine months' terms; country district schools, with free transportation by van. Catholic preparatory schools for girls and boys. Good roads, free local and rural delivery; good local newspapers, the metropolitan papers reaching here from New Orleans on day of publication. Complete water, sewerage, gas, electric light and power, telephone, fire alarm service; excellent street car service; paved streets and graveled streets. Four banking institutions with combined resources 256 amounting to nearly three million; while the banks or New Orleans are familiar with and deal in the territory. The Standard Oil's largest Mississippi Valley plant, where, by pipe line from the Oklahoma, Caddo and Texas Melds, the crude oil is brought for refining, manufactured into by-products, and is then shipped by sea and rail to all parts of the world. Also, cotton, lumber and agricultural products, manu- facturing plants, jobbing houses in groceries, hardware and dry goods. Baton Rouge has twenty-five passenger trains a day. Vessels sail from Baton Rouge to the ports of the seven seas. NEW IBERIA New Iberia is in the heart of the famous Attakapas country and fringing the headwaters of Bayou Teche, a stream made renowned by the matchless idyl Evange- line of the poet Longfellow. Alternately settled and owned by Spain and France, retaining today some of the characteristics of vivacity, good cheer, of profound sympathies and deep emotion, the visiting stranger becomes absorbed in the overwhelm- ing hospitality attached to his reception and entertain- ment. Within a radius of twenty-five miles we have some of the biggest sugar refineries of the sugar belt, and some of the largest saw mills and sash, door and blind factories in the South. The city proper is supplied with first-class banking facilities. The three national banks having a combined capital of $200,000 and a surplus of nearly $550,000, with deposits of a million. Within the corporate limits there are three big, mod- ern, well-equipped saw mills doing an interstate and exporting business amounting to nearly one and one- half million dollars annually, two foundries, one wagon factory, one coffin manufactory, two "ice factories, five bottling works, one corn shucker, one rice mill, two gins and one cotton seed oil crusher, two newspapers and a truck growers' journal with a score of lesser establish- ments that keep the city a-humming and on the move the year round. Seventy-two stores or general merchandise establish- ments attend the wants of the agriculturists, truck farmers and dairy men, who abound in large num- bers, as the ownership of land is spread in countless subdivisions that make the small land owner independent and a healthy economic factor in the development of the country and city. Bayou Teche, one of the most ravishing scenic rivers, is navigable for twelve months and bears upon its bosom over $12,000,000 worth of interchangeable commodities and articles of commerce a year. Without going into details and accentuating the sol- H. B.— 17 257 vent points of our surrounding scenic landscapes, New Iberia possesses advantages exclusive to her location and need only to be seen and known to gain appreciation and value by the prospective home-seeker and investor. LAKE CHARLES. Lake Charles is the center of the largest lumber manufacturing interests in the Southern States. The mills are modern, automatic, and of large capacity. Has Library at Lake Charles. the largest rice mill in the United States. Has steam mill for sash, doors and woodworking. There is one fence factory, two foundries, one diffusion sugar factory, one brickyard, two steam laundries, and car shops. There are three public school buildings and one college, twelve churches, of all denominations, two daily and five weekly newspapers, three banks, twelve miles of street railway. Has an extensive electric system; electric lights, water- works, and ice plant. There are three trunk lines con- necting the town T.ith all the great markets of the West and South, North and East: The Southern Pacific Rail- way, the Kansas City Southern and the Kansas City, Watkins and Gulf. On the east and south of the town are fertile prairies, while on the north are splendid pine timber lands. The Calcasieu River passes by the city, and is about 600 feet broad and 60 feet deep. At th = outlet the United States Government is now constructing jetties, which will make Calcasieu Harbor one of the finest on the Mexican Gulf. 25S ALEXANDRIA Alexandria, on the Red River, is the geographical center of the State, and the principal city of Middle Louisiana. It is one of the largest railroad centers in the State, having six railroad systems. It is surrounded by one of the richest agricultural sections in the world, the Valley of the Red River, which has gained for itself the sobriquet of "the Valley of the Red Nile." It has four banks, a cotton compress, two cotton-seed oil mills, two bottling works, two steam laundries, five planing mills, a large saw mill, iron foundry, coffee roasting, brick fac- tory, ice factory, feed mill and canning factory. Within a radius of fifty miles of Alexandria there are forty-five saw mills, with a daily output of over two million feet of lumber. The city owns and controls its own electric light plant and its waterworks. It has a fifty thousand dollar high school building, hundred thousand dollar court house, nine miles of sewerage, seventy thousand square yards of asphalt paving, seven blocks of vitrified brick and twenty- three blocks of graveled streets. MONROE. This city, situated in the northern part of the State, has three banks, two building and loan associations; two compresses, two bottling works, two machine shops, two oil mills, four lumber mills, three shingle mills, three sash and door factories, one fifty-ton ice plant, one mo- lasses factory, one cotton mill, one brick plant, eleven wholesale establishments to look after jobbing interests, V., S. & P. railroad shops, St. L., I. M. & S. railway shops and division terminals, twelve miles sanitary sewers, paved and graveled streets, electric street car line, fire- proof city market, large ■■ nd handsome church buildings of all denominations. Monroe and Little Rock Railroad, and Monroe and Southwestern Railroad both have their headquarters at Monroe. The city and parish high school buildings as fine as any in the State; tuition abso- lutely free. Stock raising and truck farming in this parish are proving profitable and a great success. Fruit of all kinds can be grown in abundance. Water prac- tically pure. Health will compare with any city its size, North or West, and we invite the closest scrutiny of health conditions. 259 BU N KIE, Bunkie, the largest town in Avoyelles parish, is situ- ated in the heart of the alluvial lands, on the main line of the Texas and Pacific Railroad, and is the headquar- ters of two branch lines, one running northeast and the other southwest. This growing little city has a population of about two thousand and has two flourishing banks with deposits ' of over half a million dollars; has one of the largest cotton ginneries in the State. The Union Oil Company has a cotton seed oil mill located here; fifty thousand tons of cane are shipped annually from this point besides that which is crushed by the two central refineries of G. W. Sentell and the Knolls Planting Company. The town has churches of every denomination, and one of the largest schools in the State. It is surrounded by large cotton and sugar plantations, well Improved, and in a high state of cultivation. LOUISIANA'S RAILROADS. THERE are In Louisiana over 7,000 miles of oper- ated mileage of railroads, reaching all portions of the State, and affording quick transporta- tion. Many of these roads are the great trunk lines of the North, and run direct trains to the great cities of the North and West. Probably no influence in Louisiana has been more far-reaching than the generous and liberal attitude of the railroads in encouraging immi- grants to come into Louisiana. We find the country along these lines building up rapidly with thriving towns and prosperous people. Fast daily trains connect the truck growing sections of the State with Northern mar- kets, and this Industry has grown to enormous pro- portions along the lines of the Illinois Central, the Kan- sas City, Watkins and Gulf, and is being developed along all the north and south railroads running through Louisiana. The Illinois Central System. This system has two trunk lines extending from the City of New Orleans. The eastern line enters the State of Mississippi near Osyka. It passes through the parishes of this State, the sta- tions being New Orleans; Sauve and Kenner, Jefferson parish; Frenier and Manchac, St. John's Parish, and Ponchatoula, Hammond, Tickfaw, Independence, Amite City, Areola, Tangipahoa and Kentwood, in Tangipahoa parish. 260 This route penetrates the States of Mississippi, Ten- nessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Wiscon- sin and South Dakota, and touches the borders of Ar- kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Minnesota. The west- ern line of this system, or the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad, extends along or near the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Memphis, Tenn., having two tap lines in Louisiana, and a nunber of branch roads In Mississippi. It passes through ten parishes of this State, the following being the most important stations along the line: New Orleans, in Orleans parish; Kenner, Jefferson parish; Sarpy, St. Charles parish; St. Peters and Bonnet Carre, St. John parish; Angelina and Convent, St. James parish; Burnside, New River and Lane Postoffice, As- cension parish; Iberville and St. Gabriel, Iberville parish; Gardere, Baton Rouge, Baker and Zachary, East Baton Rouge parish; Slaughter, Lindsay, Ethel, Clinton, Wil- son and Norwood, East Feliciana parish, and Bayou Sara and Laurel Hill, in West Feliciana parish. The Queen and Crescent System. The Queen and Crescent System embraces the New Orleans and Northeastern, and the Vicksburg, Shreve- port and Pacific lines, which extend through the State. The New Orleans and Northeastern passes through two parishes. The important stations are, New Orleans, Slidell and West Pearl River stations, in St. Tammany parish. It enters the State of Mississippi at East Pearl River. The Vicksburg, Shreveport and Pacific line extends from Vicksburg, Miss., to Shreveport, and passes through eight parishes, having connections with Gibbs' Station to Homer; from Gibbs' Station to Bienville, and from Sibley or Minden Junction to MInden. The most important are Delta, Tallulah, Barnes, Dal- las and Waverly, in Madison parish; Delhi, Rayville and Girard, in Richland parish; Gordon, Monroe, Cheniere and Calhoun, in Ouachita parish; Choudrant, Ruston, Allen, Greene and Simsboro, in Lincoln parish; New Arcadia, Gibbs, Taylors and Bienville, in Bienville par- ish; Homer, in Claiborne parish; Dubberly, Sibley, Doyle and Minden, in Webster parish; Houghton and Bodcaw, in Bossier parish; and Shreveport, in Caddo parish. The East Louisiana Railroad extends from West Pearl River Station, on the New Orleans and Northeastern line of the Queen and Crescent route, to Covington, and lies within St. Tammany parish. Its principal stations are WeJ Pearl River, Abita and Covington, and it passes through the heart of the famous "ozone" belt. The Louisville and Nashville Route. This great trunk line penetrates the States of Mis- sissippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and Illinois. It passes through two parishes and enters the State of Mississippi at the mouth of Pearl River. The stations along this line are New Orleans, Lee, Gentilly, Chef Menteur, Lake Catherine and Rigolets, in Orleans parish, and Lookout, in St. Tammany parish. 261 The Texas and Pacific Route. The Texas and Pacific Railway extends from New Orleans in a northwestern direction and enters the Statc- of Texas near Waskom Station. It has five branch roads in the State: Cypress to Lake End, Mansfield Junction to Mansfield, Bunkie to Marksville and Simmsport, Baton Rouge Junction to Farriday Junction, and Donaldsonville to Thibodaux. The branch from Baton Rouge Junction to Farriday Junction, will, as soon as a connecting link is made, be a part of the main line of the new Gould line (Memphis, Helena and New Orleans Railroad), St. Louis to New Orleans. This route passes through nineteen parishes; the principal stations are New Orleans, in Orleans parish; Gouldsboro and Gretna, in Jefferson parish; Davis, St Charles and Dugan, St. Charles parish; St. John and Johnson, St. John parish; Vacherie, Delogney, St. James and Winchester, St. James parish; Thibodaux, Lafourche parish; Napoleonville, Assumption parish; Donaldsonville and McCalls, Ascension parish; White Castle, Bayou Goula, Indian Village, Plaquemine and Grosse Tete, Iber- ville parish; Baton Rouge 'Junction, Brusly Landing, Port Allen and Lobdell, West Baton Rouge parish; Mar- ingouin, Fordoche, New Roads and Torras, Pointe Coupee parish; Blackhawk and Ferriday Junction, Concordia parish; Melville, Rosa and Morrows, St. Landry parish: Bunkie, Cottorport, Mansura, Marksville and Simmes- port, Avoyelles parish; Cheney ville, Lecompte, Moreland, Alexandria find Boyce, Rapides parish; Cypress, Proven- cal, Robeline and Natchitoches, Natchitoches parish; Lake End, Red River parish; Sodus, Sabine parish; Ox ford, Mansfield, Grand Cane, Gloster and Stonewall, De Soto parish; and Keithville, Reisor, Shreveport, Jewella, Becks and Greenwood in Caddo parish. The Southern Pacific Route. This line extends from New Orleans in a westerly direction, and has the following branches leading from the main line: From Schriever to Thibodaux and Napo- leonville, from Schriever to Houma, from Baldwin Sta- tion to Weeks Island, from New Iberia to Petit Anse Island (or Avery's Salt Mines), another to Abbeville, and another from Cade's Station to St. Martinville and Breaux Bridge, and an extensive line from Lafayette to Cheneyville, connecting there with the Texas and Pacific Route, and from Crowley to Eunice, in St. Landry parish, and to Gueydan and Lake Arthur, In Vermilion. The Southern Pacific passes through thirteen parishes, and the main line enters the State of Texas at Echo Station, on the Sabine River. The most important stations In this State are New Orleans; Gretna, Powell, Murragh and Jefferson, in Jef- ferson parish; Boutte and des Allemands, St. Charles parish; Raceland. Ewings, Bousseau, Schriever and Thi- bodaux, Lafourche parish; Napoleonville, Assumption parish; Houma. Chacahoula and TIgervllle, Terrebonne parish; Gibson and Boeuf, Assumption parish; Ramos, Morgan City, Berwick, Patterson, Rlcohoc, Bayou Sale. Franklin, Baldwin, Glencoe, Cypremort and Sorrell, St. Mary parish; Jeanerette, Olivier, New Iberia, Petit Anse. Segura and Burkes, Iberia parish; Cades, St Martinsville 262 and Breaux's Bridge, St. Martin parish; Duchamp, Brous- sard, Lafayette, Scott, aid Carencro, Lafayette parish; Duson, Rayne, Crowley, Estherwood and Mermenteau, Acadia parish; Jennings, Evangeline, Welch, Lacassine, Iowa, Chloe, Lake Charles, West Lake, Lock Moore, Sul- phur Mine, Edgerly, Vinton, Sabine, Jacksonville and Echo, Calcasieu parish; Grand Coteau, Bellevue, Ope- lousas, Washington, Beggs, Garland, Whiteville and Bar- breck, St. Landry parish; Milburn, Avoyelles parish, and Eola, Haasville and Cheneyville, in Rapides parish. A branch line from Lafayette to Baton Rouge ha3 just been completed. St. Louis, Watkins and Gulf. This line extends from Alexandria to Watkins, sit- uated on the Gulf of Mexico, at the Calcasieu Pass. It has branch roads leading from Bon Air to Lake Charles and Grand Lake. It passes through three parishes, and its most important stations are Alexandria, Anandale, Yilderouge, Forest Hill and Glenmora, in Rapides parish; Oakdale, Oberlin, Kinder, Fenton, Iowa, Bon Air and Lake Charles, in Calcasieu parish, and Grand Lake and Watkins, in Cameron parish. The St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad. This road extends from Alexandria, in a northeastern direction, and enters the State of Arkansas in the north- eastern portion of Morehouse. It passes through six parishes, and its most important stations are: Alexandria, in Rapides parish; Pollock and Dugdemona, Grant parish; Tullos and Olla, Catahoula parish; Kelly, Grayson, Bridges, Columbia, Riverton and Eureka, Caldwell parish; Boser, Caplin, Monroe and Sicard, Ouachita parish, and Collins, Doss, Mer Rouge, Galion, Bonita and Jones, in Morehouse parish. Houston and Shreveport Railroad. This line of railway extends in a southwestern direc- tion from Shreveport, and enters the State of Texas at Logansport, on the Sabine River. It passes through two parishes, and the principal stations are Shreveport, Laro- sen and Keithville, in Caddo parish; and Preston, Keat- chie, Longstreet and Logansport, in De Soto parish. The St. Louis and Southwestern, or SL Louis, Arkan- sas and Texas Railroad, extends northward from Shreve- port, and enters the State of Arkansas at Rudge Station, Bossier parish. The important stations are Shady Grove, Benton, Alder, Gernsheim and Rudge, all in Bossier parish. Memphis, Helena and New Orleans Railroad. This road is generally known as the new Gould line, St. Louis to New Orleans. When completed it will run from the Iron Mountain main line to Farriday Junction, where a junction is —iade with the Texas and Pacific Railroad. This road will then furnish a through line, St. Louis to New Orleans. It will be operated under the Missouri Pacific System. The principal stations on the line are Lake Providence, in East Carroll parish; Tal- lulah, Madison parish; St. Joseph, Tensas parish, and Farriday Junction, in Concordia parish. 263 Louisiana Railway and Navigation Company. This company has a line from Shreveport to Baton Rouge and New Orleans, with through service, Shreve- port to Baton Rouge and New Orleans. This company also has three branch lines, one connecting Natchitoches with the main line, one from Campti to Chestnut, and one from Colfax Junction to Winnfield. The principal stations along the line are from Baton Rouge, Irene and Port Hudson, in East Baton Rouge parish; Bayou Sara and Angola, West Feliciana parish; Kleinwood, Bordelonville and Mansura, Avoyelles parish; Poland, Richland, Alexandria and Pineville, Rapides par- ish; Colfax, Grant parish; Atlanta and Winnfield, Winn parish; Chestnut, Campti and Natchitoches Natchitoches parish; Coushatta, Red River parish; Atkins, Bossier parish, and Shreveport, Caddo parish. Kansas City Southern Railroad. This line extends from Lake Charles to Kansas City. It has two branches. The principal stations are Lake Charles, Westlake, Starks, Bon Ami and De Quincy, in Calcasieu parish; Leesville and Orange, in Vernon par- ish; Fisher and Zwolle, Sabine parish; Mansfield and Frierson, De Soto parish, and Shreveport and Blanchard, Caddo parish. The New Orleans and Northwestern Railroad. This line extends from Natchez to Collins' Station, on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Souther.. Railroad, and passes through five parishes. The most important are Vidalia, Concordia, Frogmorp and T°nsas, in Con- cordia parish; Greenville. Wildwood, Florence and Pecks, in Catahoula parish; Bryan, Gilbert and Winnsboro, in Franklin parish; Archibald and Rayville, in Richland parish, and Collins, in Morehouse. The Natchez, Red River and Texas Narrow Gauge Rail- road. This line extends from Vidalia to Trinity, through Concordia parish. Principal stations, Vidalia, Sycamore and Trinity, in Concordia parish. The Mississippi, Terre-aux-Boeufs and Lake Railroad. This line extends down along the eastern coast of the Mississippi River to Bohemia. It has a branch line from St. Bernard Station to Shell Beach, on Lake Borgns, and passes through three parishes. The stations are New Orleans and Jacksonborough, in Orleans parish; Versailles, Arabi, Poydras, St. Bernard, Toca, Kenil- worth, Reggio, Florisant and Shell Beach, in St. Bernard parish; and English Turn, St. Clair, Stella, Mary, Belair, Greenwood, Mouncella, Sordelot, Nero, Pointe-a-la- Hache and Bohemia, in Plaquemines parish. The New Orleans, Fort Jackson and Grand Isle Railroad. This line extends down the western coast of the Mississippi River through two parishes. The principal stations being Algiers, in Orleans parish, and Fort Leon, Concession, Magnolia, Myrtle Grove and Wood Park. The City and Lake Railroad extends to West End, and the Pontchartrain Railroad to Milneburg. These are pleasure resorts on Lake Pontchartrain. 264 The Louisiana and Northwest Railroad. This line extends from McNeil, Arkansas, to Natchi- toches, and runs through three parishes. The principal stations are Homer and Athens, in Claiborne parish: Gibsland, Bienville and Saline, Bienville parish; Natchi- toches, Natchitoches parish. Louisiana and Arkansas Railroad. This line extends from the Cotton Belt line, in Ar- kansas, to Winnfield, and runs through four parishes. The principal stations are Minden and Sibley, in Web- ster parish; Caston, Bienville parish; Chestnut, Natchi- toches parish, and Winnfield, Winn parish, End on from Winnfleld to Alexandria. St. Louis Southwestern Railroad. This line is better known as the Cotton Belt. Shreve- port is its Louisiana terminus, and it only touches two parishes,. The principal stations are Plain Dealing and Benton, in Bossier parish, and Shreveport, Caddo parish. Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad. Shreveport is the Louisiana terminus of this line. It only passes through one parish, Caddo, and has but two stations of importance in Louisiana — namely, Greenwood and Shreveport. Arkansas Southern Railroad. This line extends from El Dorado, Arkansas, to Col- fax. It passes through five parishes. The principal stations are Bernice, in Union parish; Ruston, Lincoln parish; Allendale and Jonesboro, Jackson parish; Winn- field, Winn parish, and Colfax, Grant parish. Kentwood and Eastern Railroad. This line runs from Kentwood through the northern part of Washington parish. It was originally built as a logging road. Miscellaneous. Besides the railroads enumerated above, there are several short private roads, logging roads and sugar-cane roads, amounting in all to a mileage of 322 miles. The Frisco and the Southern systems both come into New Orleans through leased rights. It is generally be- lieved that it is only a question of time when both of these great systems will have their own tracks through the State. No State in the South offers greater inducements for railroad building than Louisiana, on account of her agri- cultural and lumber interests, and the future of the State is very bright and promising. State Railroad Commission. The Constitutional Convention of 1898 created a State Board of Railroad Commisisoners. The scope of this Commission is more extended than that of any railroad commission in the United States. It has absolute power over, and control of, not only all railroad lines, but water lines, express companies, telephone and telegraph com- panies, and sleeping car companies. Through this body all discrimination in rates, between Louisiana points, may be readily adjusted, and complaints of overcharge receive prompt investigation. 865 AS OTHERS SEE US, PROFESSOR HILGARD, in his preliminary report of a Geological Survey of Western Louisiana, re- marks: "Few sections of the United States, in- deed, can offer such inducements to settlers as the prairie region between the Mississippi Bottoms, the Nez Pique and Mermenteau. Healthier by far than tht- prairies of the Northwest, fanned by the sea breeze, well watered — the scarcity of wood rendered of less moment by the blandness of the climate, and the extraordinary rapidity with which natural hedges can be grown for fences, while the exuberantly fertile soil produces both sugar-cane and cotton in profusion, continuing to do »i, in many cases after seventy years' exhaustive cultiva- tion. Well may the Teche country be styled, by 1t^ enthusiastic inhabitants, the 'Garden of Louisiana.' " One of the largest and most intelligent farmers iti central Iilinols, after a careful examination of the Teclie and Attakapas country, said: "I have heretofore thought that central Illinois wa> the finest farming country in the world. I own a larg< farm there, with improvements equal to any In the coun- try. I cultivate about two thousand acres in small grain, besides other crops; but since I have seen the Teche and Attakapas country, I do not see how any man who hab seen this country can be satisfied to live in Illinois, "I find that I can raise everything in Louisiana thu can be raised In Illinois, and that I can raise a hundred . things there which cannot be raised in Illinois. I fin-J the lands easier worked in Louisiana, infinitely richer and yielding far more, and with the fairest climate on earth, and no trouble to get to market. I shall return to Illinois, sell out, and persuade my neighbors to do the same, and return to Louisiana to spend the remainder of my days." The editor of the Chicago Tribune, after visiting thy Teche country, said to his 50,000 subscribers: "If, by some supreme effort of Nature, Western Louisiana, with its soil, climate and production, could be taken up and transported north to the latitude of Illinois and Indiana, and be there set down in the pathway of Eastern travel it would create a commotion that would throw the dis- covery of gold in California in the shade at the time of the greatest excitement. The people would rush to it In countless thousands. Every man would be Intent on securing a few acres of these wonderfully productive and profitable sugar plains. These Teche lands, if in Illinois, would bring from three to five hundred dollars per acre." Robert Ridgeway, formerly of Indiana, now of Lou- isiana, said: "Too much cannot be said in praise of Louisiana. I find, at least, from personal observation, that Louisiana possesses to a most wonderful degree, great opportunities for making money, and a young man with any get-up about him, with only a little money, or even nothing but his energy, can, In a few years, make 266 a fortune as an agriculturist alone. There is no country on earth that has any greater advantage than Louisiana. "We have twelve months working season, and pro- ducts for the year round. In the North and West we can labor only part of the year, and during the other three months they have to consume or eat up what they have laid by — not so here — Louisiana offers most wonderful advantages for the enterprising man to come and take hold of. There has been much said of Louisiana, of her benefits and advantages, by tongues more flowery than mine, but I will say that the whole has not been told." J. H. Keyser, of Bellevue, Bossier parish, La., for- merly of Pennsylvania, said: "I traveled, years ago, por- tions of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Michigan, and spent my early life in Pennsylvania, and have been living since 1S70 in Bossier parish, La., and taking everything into consideration, I believe a man can live with as mucli comfort and enjoyment in Louisiana as in any other State of the Union. The people are kind, generous and hospitable, and rarely intermeddle with the political or religious opinions of any one. The great need of the State is immigrants to fill up her waste places, that only need proper culture to produce in abundance. "And the State and its capabilities only need to be made known generally to attract immigration, and thj time is not far distant when Louisiana will be recognized a; among the first States of the Union." J. M. Howell, of Lafourche, La., formerly of Mis- souri, says: "During my residence in Louisiana of twenty- five years, from personal observation, I find that the laws are as fairly and impartially administered here as in any other State in the Union. My observations lead me to believe that without regard to race, sex or former conditions, that nowhere in the United States are the laws more impartially administered than here in this State." W. J. Ornett, formerly of Michigan, said: "I left Michigan on March 19, 1SS8, for the South, and landed in the city of Natchitoches one week later. When I left Michigan there was plenty of snow and ice, and when I arrived in Natchitoches I found things altogether dif- ferent. There was plenty of grass for stock, the fruit trees had bloomed, and garden vegetables of all kin is were growing, and flowers all ready to bloom, and, if 1 remember right, some had bloomed. "Ladies, why stay at the North and burn fifty dol lars' worth of wood to keep a few flowers from freezing, when you can come South and have them bloom nine months in the year, and have them outdoors, and then you can have your early vegetables all through April. Just think of it. And, let me tell you, I ate some as fine dewberries as I ever ate in my life in the last week in April, and you people that were in the North were shivering around the fire. I think fruit of most any kind will grow here in abundance. There is soil to be found adapted to most everything, and excellent soil, too; and the climate, so far as I have experienced it, is very nice It did not affect me disagreeably so far. I think, if anything, it has benefited me, as I have gained several pounds in weight; and in regard to the reception I re- 267 ceived from the people, I must say that it was better than I expected. I find them pleasant and hospitable in every way. There is a variety of openings, plenty for all classes; plenty of fine farming lands, both improved and unimproved, to be had cheap, and plenty of timber of all kinds; fine chance for stock raising, as you need to feed for so short a time during the year that the expense is small compared to where you feed six months in the year. There is opening for a cotton factory, oil mill, furniture factory, grist mill, banks, hotels, photo- graphers, and others too numerous to mention." Professor S. A. Knapp says: "It would be neces- sary to take the prairies of Iowa, the rugged timber lands of Maine, and the entire delta of the Nile, twist them all together, and thrust through them the Amazon to produce another Louisiana." Started Without a Dollar. "I came to the United States from Germany, landing in the City of New Orleans, State of Louisiana, in the month of September, 1869. I came to Clinton, East Fe- liciana parish, La., from there same year; remained here one year and worked on the farm; then left and went to Illinois, traveling over three Northern States. I was gone from here about ten months. I soon came to the conclusion that this country offered better opportunity for men in the financial condition I was in than the North or Northwest. I returned here and commenced railroading, following that for five or six years. I then purchased me a home, where I now live; first bought 75 acres. I now own 378 acres, for which I would not accept $6,000 cash. I live on what I make on my place, except flour and rice. This I could grow. I have made one bale of cotton per acre, and from 40 to 50 bushels of corn per acre. This land will grow as fine grapes as cau be grown anywhere. All kinds of garden stuff grows here, and some of them can be grown two crops in a year. I can grow two fine crops of sweet potatoes. Any person can come and locate here and make a living ut home and pay for the house at the same time. I com- menced here without a dollar, and I have raised a large family and have plenty around me, such as horses, mules, cattle and hogs, and such other things as belong to a farm. I can recommend these lands to any person wanting to gain for himself a home. I know of many ot'-.er Ger- mans who have come here in the same condition I was In and today own good houses. The same things any per- son can do here who will come and try. THOMAS AULL. Raises All His Supplies. This is to certify that I came to the Parish of East Feliciana in the year 1S66 and have lived here and have been engaged in farming since that time. I have raised all of my work stock and everything needed to supply my farm. During this entire time I have never had to incur any debt, as there was always a demand for my surplus of corn, molasses, hay, chickens and eggs, to settle in cash for what my family needed, leaving my cotton crop each year as a surplus. One year my family 268 made and gathered 30 bales of cotton, 750 bushels of corn, 200 gallons of molasses, 75 bushels of potatoes, an.< housed all the hay needed for my stock and sold $75.00 worth of hay. Besides making all of my lard, bacon an! hams, I sold $75.00 worth of fresh meat, and my boys made, after my crop was harvested, $250.00 on the sugar farm, which they now have on hand. This Is a healthy country and offers fine inducement to any man willing to work who has any idea of management. GEORGE ANDERSON. THE SOUTH. THE SOUTH has the grandest destiny the world ever saw. No people have such a future. Her soil, her climate, her products, her mineral resources, her manufacturing resources, her man- ufacturing facilities, present a combination of advantages suh as are found in no other land. The high moral tone of her people, the strength of her Christian faith, the culture of her highest classes, place the South where no other people stand. "The small buddings on the great oak prove that it has survived the winter, and spring is at hand. The survival of the misfortunes of the past is one of the grandest evidences of the strength of our civilization, and betokens the coming of a better day. Indeed, that day has already dawned. Go where you may, over the South, you will see evidences of improvement in every department of industry. The fact that Northern capital is taking possession of the railroads of the South shows that the North has faith in the future of the South. Never before were there so many great railroads being constructed in our region. "The northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico is the natural center of trade for the Western Hemisphere. The configuration of the continent, the direction of the great rivers, the sweep of the ocean currents, and the prevail- ing winds all point to the mouth of the Mississippi as the natural center. There is land enough adapted to the growth of sugar, contiguous to New Orleans to supply the wants of the continent, and to furnish vast amounts for exportation. It only needs the proper application of machinery and labor to effect this great result. As to cotton, the lowlands along the Mississippi River can pro- duce ten million bales annually. New Orleans is to be the grandest emporium of trade for the continent. When ship communication is made across the Isthmus, New Orleans must beome the great center of trade for North America; and nothing can divert it but an imperial despotism holding huge investments of capital elsewhere. "Take it all in all, the smiling sun never lookei upon a better country, or a grander poople, than we have here in the South." 269 A FEW STATE GOVERNMENT FACTS. THE REVENUES of Louisiana are derived by levy- ing an ad valorem tax of six mills on the dol- lar of the assessed valuation of the property within the State, and a license tax upon persons and corporations pursuing certain trades, professions or oc- cupations. The revenue obtained from the levy of the six mills tax is divided into four different funds as follows: One and one-half mills to the General Fund; one and five- eighths mills to the Current School Fund; and one and seven-eighths mills to the Interest Tax Fund; one mill to the General Engineer Fund. The entire amount derived from the levy of the license tax is placed to the credit of the General Fund, and it, with that part of the advalorem tax mentioned above as belonging to the General Fund, is used in defraying the ordinary expenses of the State Govern- ment, in paying pensions to Confederate veterans, and in maintaining the public and charitable institutions of the State. The Current School Fund is used to maintain a pub- lic school system throughout the State, being appor- tioned to the various parishes according to the number of children in each between the ages of six and eighteen years. The Interest Tax Fund is devoted to the payment of the interest on the bonded debt of the State, while the General Engineer Fund is used for the purpose of con- structing and maintaining a system of levees. In addition to the taxes and licenses levied by the State for State purposes, the various parishes and munic- ipalities have the right to levy taxes and licenses for parochial and municipal support. The rate of taxation for these purposes may be as high as ten mills on the dollar, but the assessed value of the property cannot be greater than it is for State purposes. Levee boards also have the right to impose, for levee purposes, an ad valorem tax, not to exceed ten mills on the dollar, on property within the limits of a levee district, taking the State's assessment as a basis. They can also impose a tax upon the produce raised and an acreage tax. In this connection it would be well to note that there are quite a number of exemptions from the pay- ment of license and property taxation. T T o license can be exacted of clerks, laborers, clergy- men and school-teachers; those engaged in mechanical, agricultural, horticultural and mining pursuits, and man- ufacturers, other than those of distilled, alcoholic or malt liquors, tobacco, cigars and cotton seed oil. No tax is levied on public property, places of re- ligious worship or burial, charitable institutions, build- ings used exclusively for colleges and other school pur- poses, etc., nor on household property to the value of $500. 270 271 SOME PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION OF 1898. THE CHIEF demand of the people from their delegates was the elevation of the suffrage to a higher plane; and the purification of the elections. It is believed these aims have been fairly attained. Besides age, residence and registration, it is provided that the voter must be able to read and writs. He shall show this by his affidavit; and by writing, dating and signing unaided by memorandum or otherwise his application for registration. Having purged the elect- orate of as many negroes with the disfranchisement of as few whites as possible, a poll-tax prerequisite to voting was provided. This requires the tax to have been paid "on or before the 31st day of December of each year, for two years preceding the year in which the voter offers to vote." The receipt must be produced when the offer is made to vote. To antedate a receipt is forgery; to pay the tax for another to influence his vote, is bribery. It is thus desired to further eliminate the shiftless negro, as well as the undesirable white voter. The next step was towards purifying the elections. The Australian ballot is perpetuated in a simplified form: the closing of the registration thirty days anterior to the election is ordered, and within that time any voter denied registration may obtain relief, which is provided for speedily; as well as any citizen cause the rolls to be purged from fraudulent registrations. The General Assembly is ordered to enact laws to secure fairness in party primary elections and conven- tions: and, in these, none but registered voters can par- ticipate. If he cannot read and write, he must own property assessed at not less than three hundred dollars; and if the property be movable, the taxes must first have been paid. Finally, it may be said, that upon questions sub- mitted to taxpayers, women, without registration, and personally or by proxy, may vote. Material improvements have been made in the judi- ciary. The Supreme Court, with an extension of the work, remains as presently constituted. District Courts must be continuously in session dur- ing ten months of each year. The authors of the propo- sition intended, and the convention, after discussing it thoroughly, and adopting it also, intended to do away with the delays which arise in litigation, both civil and criminal, by the existence of the antiquated system of Court terms. Judges have been hampered by Court terms; and they in common with litigants and taxpayers, will hail an opportunity of more speedily and satisfactorily dis- charging their trusts. 272 The system will be better appreciated, when the tax- payers learn that the Court, being continuously in ses- sion, the jail may be kept clear. The trial of misdemeanors will be by the Judge, with- out a jury. The trial of offenses which may be punished by hard labor, shall be by a jury of five; and that of crimes necessarily punishable by hard labor, by a jury of twelve, nine of whom shall convict. Twelve, concurring', shall be necessary to convict in cases that are capital. Twelve shall compose a grand jury and nine will suffice to find an indictment. Public education has received attention in the mate- rial increase of its revenues, without any increase of the burden on the taxpayers. This purpose of aiding education includes a provision authorizing the legislature tip impose a tax on inheritances, when the property, ex- ceeding ten thousand dollars, has succeeded in evading taxation. Upon the subject of revenues and taxation, atten- tion need only be called specially to the creation of a State goard of Appraisers, composed of the Auditor and one representative from each Congressional District, to assess property belonging to a railway, telegraph, tele- phone, sleeping car, and express companies. Several ex- emptions from parochial and municipal taxation are made in behalf of manufactories, to encourage their es- tablishment. The State tax. hitherto uncollected on these, will now be collected to its material advantage, H. B.—lS New railroads are likewise exempted for ten years with proper restrictions as to those receiving the bounty of a special tax. Heretofore, the reservation of the homestead cam? from the owner, who, recording it, announced to the trading world that he placed so much of his property beyond the reach of creditors whose claims arose subse- quent to his act. The organic law now declares a home- stead without recordation, and throws upon the owner, with the consent of his wife, the burden of waiving tnia homestead, either generally or specially, either in whole or in part, as each may deem advisable. For the advantage of public roads, care was taken; and among other provisions, the State Board of Engi- neers are required to render such services in their estab- lishment as will be needed; the Courts are allowed to sentence the condemned to labor on them; and the police juries may levy besides the ordinary taxes, licenses on vehicles kept and used for locomotion on these high- ways. The public health is safeguarded by a State Board of Health, to be such in fact as well as in name. A commission to have control of and supervision over the railroads, express, telephone, telegraph, steamboat and sleeping car companies, has been created, its officers to be elected by the people; the giving oi railroa ! passes or frar.king privileges to public officials has been con- demned; parishes, towns and drainage districts, with the consent of the taxpayers, may issue bonds to the extern 273 of ten per cent of the assessed valuation of the property, with in- without special taxation, for matters of internal Improvement belonging to them. The Governor and State Treasurer have been mad" ineligible to succeed themselves in office; the confession of judgment note has been suppressed because of its abuse against the ignorant and feeble; and a variety of other useful provisions are embodied in the Constitution. WHY YOU SHOULD SETTLE IN LOUISIANA. Because it is the best country known to the man of moderate means. Because you v\ill find a country of rich soil awaiting the settler. Because there are uplands, prairie lands, and alluvial ii' er bottoms. Because you ran be certain of profitable returns from whatever you put into the soil. Because the winter does not consume what the summer produces. Because there are more and better opportunities for di- versified farming than elsewhere. Because the seasons are regular, and no fear of crop failure. Because the country is never scourged by cyclones and devastating storms or blizzards. Because no better fruit country is known — oranges, plums, pears, peaches, apples, grapes, strawberries, figs, pecans, and others fully maturing. Because everything grown elsewhere can be produced here more abundantly. Because truck farming is a success; products, being early on the market, obtain high prices. Because there are more chances for- profitable investment of capital than elsewhere in this country. Because you have no long winter months to encounter. with no excessive dry heat in summer. Because the climate is more uniform than elsewhere, no extremes of heat and cold. Because you will find the most open-hearted people on the globe. Because education is paramount; public schools and churches of every denomination are to be found in all communities. 274 INDEX. Page LOUISIANA'S INVITATION S AN HISTORICAL SKETCH 9 Father Marquette fl The Western Company !! First Plan to Build Jetties 1(1 Under Spanish Rule l 1 The Purchase of Louisiana 1 ' Constitutions of 1SG4 and 1868 1« Banks 1 £ Assessment . IS The People 1* Area, Production, Climate and Population is Climate 22 Rainfall 21 RIVERS AND WATER COURSES ;» Railroads in Operation in Louisiana '. 3i GEOLOGY OF LOUISIANA Ml Extent of Formations .• 3( Bluff Lands 3i Stratified urift : 2' Tertiary System 3! Cretaceous System 4< LEVEES OF THE STATE 4 AGRICULTURAL DIVISIONS OF THE STATE 4' First. Alluvial Region 4 Alluvial Region of the Mississippi River and Its Outlying Bayous 4' South of Red River 5' WHAT LOUISIANA-'S LANDS WILL GROW 5: SUGAR CANE 5; Area in Cultivation fi' Central Factories 62 Syrup Making in Louisiana 6' RICE 6i i :i i ['TON AND COTTON FACTORIES 71 Page TOBACCO 72 FRUIT 7i, ORANGE-GROWING' IN LOUISIANA 7S TRUCK INDUSTRY IN LOUISIANA 82 GRASSES, CLOVERS ANi FORAGE CROPS 86 Soiling and Forage Crops $> FIBRE CROPS 92 FORESTRY AND LUMBER H4 FISH ioo OYSTERS 102 STOCK RAISING AND DAIRYING 104 EXPERIMENTS WITH BEEF < 'ATTLE 108 DAIRYING IN LOUISIANA 312 PEANUT CULTURE IN LOUISIANA 110 Uses of the Peanut 116 Louisiana's Ideal Soil and Climate IIS SHEEP 124 POULTRY RAISING 124 MINES AND MINERALS 126 RESOURCES AND POSSIBILITIES 130 Animal Industry 131 Climate 1.31 Health 132 The Lands of the State 136 Prices of Land 136 Louisiana Queen of the South . . . . 137 Louisiana Fish and Game 138 Marvelous Lumber and Mineral Wealth of Louisi- ana J 3 8 Come to Dixie 139 THE PARISHES OF LOUISIANA 150 Total Assessment for the Year 1910 151 Population of Parishes 152 275 Page Acadia Parish \\\ Ascension Parish "J Assumption Parish \-il Avoyelles Parish "J Bienville Parish j"" Bossier Parish j|!J Caddo Parish J" Calcasieu Parish } °!J Caldwell Parish "' Cameron Parish i"' Catahoula Parish i ° ° Claiborne Parish J' Concordia Parish i ' De Soto Parish • J'X East Baton Rouge Parish { < - East Carroll Parish }'£ East Feliciana Parish f-<* Franklin Parish ■ j'" Grant Parish f'° Iberia Parish '• *L° Iberville Parish j'' Jackson Parish i ' - Jefferson Parish ' ' Lafayette Parish ; ■ •■ {?" Lafourche Parish '■ Lincoln Parish l ' Livingston Parish '■ - Madison Parish '■ - Morehouse Parish i„' Natchitoches Parish ; "J Orleans Parish Ouachita Parish J" Plaquemines Parish f-JJJ Pointe Coupee Parish "J Rapides Parish J' Red River Parish * • „ Richland Parish j»" Sabine Parish ,SS St. Bernard Parish J; 7 St. Charles Parish }•» St. Helena Parish '•'" St. James Parish j J J St. John The Baptist Parish lj»* St. Landry Parish f- • St. Martin Parish "• St. Mary Parish l ** Pa<7e St. Tammany Parish 200 Tangipahoa Parish 200 Tensas Parish 202 Terrebonne Parish 202 Union Parish 202 Vermilion Parish 204 Vernon Parish 204 Washington Parish 205 Webster Parish 205 West Baton Rouge Parish 20(1 West Carroll Parish 206 West Feliciana Parish 206 Winn Parisii 208 FORCES AT WORK IN BEHALF OF THE FARMER. 210 Board of Agriculture and Immigration 210 . The Louisiana State University and Agricultural a n5 Louisiana and Arkansas Railroad 26o St. Louis Southwestern Railroad 265 Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad 2bo Arkansas Southern Railroad 265 Kentwood and Eastern Railroad 26o .Miscellaneous -** State Railroad Commission 2bo AS OTHERS SEE US '^^ THE SOUTH 269 A FEW STATE GOVERNMENT FACTS 270 SOME PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION OF 1398 21i WHY YOU SHOULD SETTLE IN LOUISIANA 274 INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS. Page State Capitol — Southwest View 5 "i I ."tiisiana's Good Roads 7 Second-Growth Pine 12 Louisiana Planter's Home 12 A Trout Stream 12 A Gravel Bed on the Amite 12 Tli" Old Cabildo in New Orleans, in which the transfer of Louisiana took place December 2u, I mi:; 1:: An Am mi- i! i lusher near Jennings. La :;n Japanese Persimmon Tree in Fruit 41 Seam of Coal in Doler Hills — 7 1 . feel thick .. 41 Levee Camp on the Mississippi River 43 Black Gum, nr Satin Walnut 45 Live Oak on Bav.m Teche ' 45 Picking- Cotton — At end of Row 45 Truck Farming (Tomatoes)— L. P. Alexander's Truck Farm, Ouachita Parish 4 , "Raton Rouge,"Two Years Old. from Lemster— Avoyelles Parish 49 Residence on the Belle Helene Plantation in ' Ascension Parish 4nd Fun, f the Ferre Canal' Company, "oii Bavou On. ii.. « 1 . ■ Tortue fi7 Rice r.-j,,T r i in g t , j, )hn p ar j s h ' " 67 '■'■ c-Iaimi ■•! Uluvial Lands on Atchafaiava RiVer' t;\ '-■eld of Sugar Pan.- in East Raton Rouge Parish ' ' ' 6S Interior of Ric ■ War house eZ Log Tram 55 Cotton in Bloom ,.';, Hauling Seed Cotton to Killoden Gin. Ouachita Parish " ' 69 Page < !i itton Compress at Lafayette. La 71 Loading with Cotton at New Orleans 73 Capital City Oil Mill at Baton Rouge 73 Curing Tobacco at State Experiment Station. Baton Rouge 74 Fermenting Tobacco at State- Experiment station, Baton Rouge 74 Tobacco Barn at Stab- Experiment Station. Baton Rouge. 74 Strawberry Field at Independence 7ti Orchards and Truck Farms at I tammond 77 A sample of Strawberries 77 Grapes at Experiment Station — 1 'alboun 79 A Louisiana Bayou Steamboat 79 In a Strawberry Patch at Many, Sabine Parish 81 Peach Tree with Ripening Fruit, Sabine Parish SI Packing Vegetables at Kenner S3 1 lowpeas in the Drill S3 Experimental Engineering Building. Louisiana. State Uni- versity, Baton Rouge S3 Elise Reuss Memorial School, Ascension Parish S3 A Louisiana Truck Field S5 Bossier Parish Exhibit at the Louisiana State Fair S7 Truck Farming — Irish Potatoes. O. ( >. Clarke's Planta- tion, Ouachita Parish 89 Irish Potatoes: Cabbage and Corn in the Background; Caddo Parish 91 White Oak Forest — Killoden Plantation, Ouachita Par- ish 93 Powell Lumber Company, Ouachita Parish 93 A Sawmill at Taft. in St. Charles Parish 95 ii'- Many, Sabine Parish 95 Long Leaf Pine Forest 97 Stave Factory at Jonesboro, La 97 Pine Logs for Sawmill 99 North Louisiana Shingle Mill, Ouachita Parish 99 Oyster Canning Factory 101 A Fine Catch near New Orleans — 150 pounds of Spanish Mackerel in two hours 101 Harvesting Oats — Ingleside Plantation. Ouachita Parish. 103 Standard Brood-Mares and Foals, Avoyelles Parish...... 105 'Motte M.," from Leinster 105 A Carload of Polled Angus Cattle, fattened at State Expe- riment Station at Baton Rouge 107 Cow of L. S. IT. Dairy, Baton Rouge 109 St. Lambert of Leinster — Vvoyelles Parish 109 Steamboat Making a Landing Ill 278 Page First Prize Jersey Bull and Cow — J. W. Jones of Natch- itoches HI Home-Raisea Horses and Moles — Bossier Parish 113 A Group of Native « 'at tie in North Louisiana lib "Possum Fat and taters" 11!) A Buneh of Early Lambs — Calhoun Ill Masterpiece Longfellow — A Ijouisiana Hog: 117 Lbita Springs Hotel US T. F. Porter's First Prize Saddler at Natchitoches Fair. . 119 The Paul Tulane loaded with Sugar 121 A Group of Louisiana Mule Colts 121 Section of Pear Orchard 123 \V S. Greneaux — Poultry Exhibit at Natchitoches Fair , . 123 Group ei' Herefords at State Experiment Station, Baton Rouse 125 I leep Well for Rice Irrigation at Gueydan. La 125 Fountain produced by natural pressure from 3-inch well at Reiser's Machine Shop, Lake Charles 125 Artesian Wells at i-.ake Charles 125 Texas & Pacific Railroad Bridge Over Atchafalaya River. 12/ A Louisiana Plantation Home 127 A Residence j n Avoyelles Parish 155 Going 1 out from Dinner — Ascension Parish 155 Racing at a Parish Fair 157 Giant Pecan Tree. Ascension Parish, said to he the largest in the South 157 A Farmer's Bungalow in Bossier Parish 159 Vineyard at Plain Dealing if,:i A Farm Home in Bossier Parish. 1 6 1 A Bunch of Young Swine, Raised without Grain. Bossier Parish 161 Fii Id of Corn in Caddo Parish 163 Field of Oats in Caddo Parish 163 Postoffic" at Baton Rouge 165 Alfalfa Field in Caddo Parish 169 Hill Memorial Librarv. Louisiana State University 171 Hay Loader in operation at Baton Rouge 171 A Louisiana Bayou Overhung with Spanish Moss 175 Residence in Terrebonne Parish 177 Main Building Louisiana Industrial Institute, al Ruston. 1 v 1 Residence. Ingleside Plantation. Ouachita Parish 185 Salt-Water Bathing Pool at Monroe IS:, Court House and Annex at Monroe 186 Postofnoo at Monroe 1S ( ; A Group of Oyster Shuckers is, Page A Country Home in Louisiana 188 Rapides Court House, at Alexandria 191 Hauling Logs in Sabine Parish 193 La Nana Schoolhouse, Sabine Parish 193 Corn Field with Peas, St. Charles Parish 197 \ i 'abbage Field at Roseland ' '■' j Court House and Jail in Tangipahoa Parish -" i "Faking things easy 201 A Typical Ante-Bellum Home 203 Harvesting r^espedeza Seed — West i/'eliciana Parish 207 Rid Polled Cattle on Plantation of J. Burrus McGehee " A Louisiana Cypress Tree 2 0a Louisiana's Method of Class Work in Practical Agriculture at her Industrial Institutes 209 Experiment Station at Audubon Park. New Orli ans 211 Young Ladies' Dormitory, Louisiana Industrial Institute, at Ruston 215 Dormitory for Girls, Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute, at Lafayette 215 Mt. Lebanon University — Established over 50 years ago . - 1 ;■ Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Roim. . 215 Tulane University — New Orleans. La 21 1 Stat'- University Campus at Baton Rouge 219 (Tutting Cane on N. S. Dougherty's Plantation. East Baton Rouge Parish 2 21 Louisiana State University Barracks 22 1 Free Traffic Bridge at Monroe 221 Deaf and Dumb Institute at Baton Rouge 221 Alumni Building. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 223 University Lake — Baton Rouge 2 23 Robertson Hall. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 221 Heard Hall. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge... 224 The Falls on Comite River, East Feliciana Parish 225 Omc- and Laboratory of the Director of the Experiment Station. Baton Rouge 225 Main Building Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Insti- tute. Lafayette 231 High School. Alexandria. La 231 Main Building, Southern University and A. & M. College (colored). New Orleans 233 Shreveport High School 234 \ n Ante-Bellum Country Home 234 High School. Baton Rouge 236 Silliman Female Collegiate Institute. Clinton 238 High School in Homer 237 279 Page Model Steel Bridge on Travelers' Rest Stock Farm, Oua- chita Parish 23S Little Loch Katrine. Travelers' Rest Stock Farm. Oua- chita Parish 238