LOUISIANA. 487 



tract are the high waving plains of the Opelousas, and the rich lands of 

 the Attakapas, on the Teche. The plains of the Opelousas are almost 

 bare of timber, and covered with herds of cattle. The Teche is 

 the eastern boundary of this section ; the alluvion of the Mississippi 

 may be considered as commencing east of it. The part of West 

 Flonaa added to Louisiana, is generally a high tract, of a tolerable 

 soil, and well supplied with streams. The borders of the lakes, and 

 the vicinity of the larger rivers, is marshy, and not well adapted to 

 cultivation. The island of Orleans is formed by the Bayou Manchac, 

 which leaves the Mississippi about one hundred and ten miles above 

 the city, and enters the river Amite ; it is bounded on the east 

 by lakes Maurepas, Pontchartrain, and Borgne. Below New Or- 

 leans, it is much wider than above, and the settlements are not con- 

 fined to the river. The Terre Bouef settlement is situated on a bayou 

 which discharges itself into the lake. Excepting the part which was 

 formerly West Florida, nearly the whole of the inhabited part of 

 Louisiana may be described as composed of narrow disconnected 

 strips, on the borders of the streams, seldom exceeding a half a mile 

 or three quarters in width. 



Soil and productions. ...The soil throughout the delta and allu- 

 vions vanes but little. On the Red river it is of a deep red colour, 

 caused, as is supposed, by the admixture of some mineral substance, 

 and is perhaps the most vigorous of any soil in the state ; it produces 

 cotton worth several cents more in the pound than what is grown in 

 other parts of Louisiana. The soil of these alluvions is exceedingly 

 productive, and being all formed by the deposits of the river, may be 

 considered inexhaustible; the same fields have been cultivated fifty 

 years without any perceptible diminution of their fertility. The soil 

 of the upland is either a cold whitish coloured clay, or light and 

 sandy, as is the case throughout the greater part of Florida, and 

 west of the Washita and Red river. The upland soon wears out, or 

 where there are declivities, soon washes off. 



The culture of this country is infinitely less varied than in the 

 northern states. Cotton, Indian corn, rice, and in the lower part 

 of the delta, the sugar cane, constitute the principal articles. 

 Small grain has not been introduced to any extent; it is said, how- 

 ever, that the highlands of the Washita are well adapted to its cul- 

 ture. Tobacco is every where cultivated, though not with a view of 

 extensive exportation. The cane has been successfully raised as high 

 on the river as Point Coupee, but beyond this the climate is too cold. 

 The banks of the Mississippi, above and below New Orleans, are 

 rapidly converting into sugar plantations. The sugar cane will un- 

 doubtedly in time constitute the principal wealth of Louisiana, 



In the Attakapas and Opelousas the inhabitants turn their atten- 

 tion chiefly to grazing, and immense herds of cattle roam over the 

 plains. Excepting a little salt, their keeping is attended with little 

 or no expense. The numbers owned by some of the wealthiest indi- 

 viduals would appear almost incredible any where else ; several mark 

 from fifteen hundred to two thousand calves every year. But little 

 butter or cheese is made ; the cattle are brought in droves to the 

 Mississippi, and sold on the coast of the river, or at the city. Sheep, 

 hogs, poultry, &c. thrive exceedingly well. The horses of Louisiana 

 srt small, but well made, and very hardy. 



The fruits of Louisiana consist of oranges, figs, grapes, plums, 

 #nd melons, all which, but particularly the fig, are in great perfection 



