378 WILD SPORTS IN THE FAR lYEST. 



throw up a dam — levee, as it is called — which is gener- 

 ally from four to five feet high, but in some places from 

 eighteen to twenty. It costs immense sums to keep 

 this in repair, as the river constantly undermines it, 

 and carries off large masses in its wild muddy waters ; 

 moreover, it is incumbent on those dwelling immediately 

 on the banks to supply the means, while those living 

 further from the river, whose property is more liable to 

 damage, do not contribute any thing towards the dam ; 

 but last year there was a discussion on the subject, and 

 it is probable that the system will be changed. 



The principal productions of Pointe Coupee are 

 cotton, Indian Corn, and sugar-cane. The gardens are 

 filled with oranges^, figs, peaches, and pomegranates, 

 with quantities of all the most beautiful flowers. One 

 great plague of the planters, in some parts of the settle- 

 ment, for it does not extend everywhere, is the coco- 

 grass, somewhat similar to our couch-grass. The roots 

 extend from twelve to fifteen feet in the ground, as 

 may be seen when the river tears away a part of the 

 bank. Where it has once taken hold, it is very difficult 

 to extirpate ; it grows so fast that, when cut down at 

 night, it is again about an inch high in the morning. 

 It is not very good for cattle, though pigs are extremely 

 fond of the pods, which have a strong smell and taste of 

 camphor. 



Most of the planters are French Creoles ; but as 

 several Americans live here also, the law proceedings 

 are carried on both in French and Enghsh. The 

 jailer is a poor wretched German shoemaker, and any 

 prisoner that has a mind gives him a cudgelling, and 



