SOUTHERN PACIFIC LINES 15 
tant product, and considerable corn is raised. Between the alluvial 
ridges the land is low and swampy, but in places it can be drained by 
pumping; one notable reclaimed area of this kind southwest of Race- 
land is yielding large crops of corn. In the swamps cypress, tupelo 
gum, and other trees flourish. Lumbering has long been an active 
industry, but many years of vigorous lumbering has greatly reduced 
the amount of timber available. There was formerly a sawmill at 
Chacahoula, and at Donner a large mill is in operation on logs brought 
by rail and in ‘‘booms” rafted through the great system of waterways 
traversing the lowlands to the north. (Turn to sheet 2.) 
Donner is in the large lowland area that was covered by the great 
flood of the Mississippi River in 1927, when in the lower places the 
water was from 6 to 10 feet deep for several months. 
Donner. The flooded district extended far to the north and 
Popa: oe: northwest over the lake region and the country tra- 
Oriana ayaa versed by the Grand and Atchafalaya Rivers. The 
bayou ridges described above (p. 14) were not covered, 
but the water extended far up their slopes. During the flood Gnas 
sands of residents on the lower lands were driven out by the water, 
and there was considerable loss of crops and effects. The railroad 
embankment near Donner was slightly submerged, and parts of it 
had to be protected from the flood waters. In this region the roads 
are surfaced with oyster shells, which make an admirable road metal 
for light traffic. Shells are also burned as a source of lime. 
Gibson is a small village on Black Bayou, a waterway of some im- 
portance. A quaint old church is about the only feature of special 
interest. Gibson was formerly an extensive lumber- 
Gibson. milling community, drawing on the rich supplies, now 
Elevation 11 feet. mostly depleted, of cypress and other trees in the 
Population 60.* 
New Orleans 67 miles. great Swamp country to the north. This swamp veg- 
etation is still a picturesque feature along the railroad 
in places, especially the drapery of Spanish moss on many of the 
12 
The small old settlement of Boeuf is on the bank of an outlet of Lake 
Palourde, one of the water bodies of the widespread swamp region to 
the north. From Boeuf to Morgan City the railroad 
Boeuf. follows the north bank of Bayou Boeuf on a ridge of 
elena: ne alluvium built up by overflows. In this general region 
St Orleans 74 miles. the deposition of this material has also developed a 
series of islands of sufficient elevation for farming. 
They are not high, and in places the fields have to be protected from 
2 Spanish moss is extensively utilized | airing to decompose the living portion, 
for making mattresses and other cush- | then dried, carefully worked to remove 
ions at moss “gins” at many places. | dirt, sticks, and other undesirable ma- 
The moss is cured by moistening and | terials, and thoroughly washed, 
