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LETTERS FROM THE SOUTH.-NO. 10 . 
LETTERS FROM THE SOUTH.—No. 10. 
From Plaquimine, where I again resumed my 
northern course to Baton Rouge, the formation of 
the banks, and the cultivation and general im¬ 
provements, are similar to what is exhibited on the 
river below. There are the same substantial sugar- 
houses with their elevated chimneys; the generally 
tasteful cottage residence of the proprietor embow¬ 
ered in shrubbery, and the hamlet-like cluster of 
tenements for the laborers, with their stables, sheds, 
workshops, and other outbuildings, all of which 
are usually painted or whitewashed. 
Though the number of shade-trees is less than is 
consistent either with taste or profit, yet they are 
sufficiently conspicuous to contribute greatly to the 
beauty of the prospect. The pecan is the most 
imposing and graceful, after the live oak, which is 
seldom a leading feature of the plantations on the 
Mississippi. This tree grows much like the largest 
of the sugar-maples of the north, but somewhat 
taller. The limbs commence about 15 feet from 
the ground, and extend to a nearly uniform distance 
outwardly from its upright trunk, presenting a 
dense, cylindrical mass of rich foliage, 50 feet in 
diameter by 80 to 90 feet in height. It is found in 
great abundance throughout most of the lower delta, 
and yields a nut resembling an oblong acorn, 
though of a larger size, with a thin shell and a flavor 
much like the shag-bark walnuts of the north, but 
less rich and oily. The pecan also abounds in Texas 
and Mexico, and though usually of smaller size, is 
said to bear a larger fruit. The pride-of-China, 
with its low but handsomely rounded top, having a 
profusion of lilac-shaped and colored blossoms 
whose odor they much resemble, with delicate, but 
rather thin foliage, is a favorite shade-tree through¬ 
out lower Louisiana. It is said to be liable to no 
diseases, grows rapidly, and harbors no insects; 
but in its general appearance it is far behind many 
of the native trees of this region. The sycamore, 
weeping willow, the Morus multicaulis , and some 
other trees, are not uncommon among the ornamen¬ 
tal trees of the country, and add a pleasant variety 
to the scenery of this cultivated region. Where it 
grows on the river banks or in the open land, the 
cypress is a beautiful tree. 
Baton Rouge is pleasantly situated on the left 
bank of the river, on the first high land above the 
Gulf, a distance by the course of the stream of 250 
miles. It is the capital of the State, and contains 
the United States Arsenal, and some good schools. 
Port Hudson, 24 miles, and Bayou Sara, 34 miles 
above, are small depots for the products and sup¬ 
plies of the rich and highly cultivated parishes of 
East and West Feliciana, on the east bank of the 
river. Fort Adams, on the same side, 250 miles 
above New Orleans, and about 18 above the lower 
outlet of Red River, at the mouth of Buffalo River, is 
the only other landing of consequence below 
Natchez. The last occupies the plain of a high 
bluff, not visible from the river, and is said to be 
handsomely laid out and well built, and contains 
about 6,000 inhabitants. It was settled about 1700. 
It is one of the oldest towns in the State, and is 
surrounded by a wealthy and intelligent agricultu¬ 
ral population. Nowhere in the south has the cul¬ 
tivation of cotton been more successful than here. 
The brief stoppage of the boat allowed us to see 
only that portion of it which formerly attained an 
unenviable notoriety among the flood-wood bipeds 
visiting it, under the cognomen of “ Natchy 
under the hill.” This has, however, been princi¬ 
pally rebuilt within a few years, and is now rid of 
the disorderly populace that once predominated 
there. 
Rodney and Grand Gulf above, are thriving vil¬ 
lages, and the depots for a rich back country, which 
is unsurpassed for the high state of cultivation of 
the cotton plant. It is this region that has brought 
the pure Mexican seed to the enviable reputation it 
enjoys under the name of Gulf seed. The import¬ 
ed seed is said to yield a small crop, but if carefully 
cultivated, and the imperfect seed thrown out, it 
produces much more abundantly in the subsequent 
crops, and of a better staple than any other seed 
excepting the sea island. 
Vicksburg, 410 miles above New Orleans, is 
built on a precipice of the river. It is regularly 
laid out, and contains numerous brick stores and 
houses, rising in successive parallel streets above 
each other, till they surmount the highest point and 
stretch eastward on the undulating surface beyond. 
Though comparatively new, it is an active business 
place, and contains about the same population as 
Natchez. The natural surface is uninviting for a 
city, consisting of innumerable small conical hills, 
thrown together in the most irregular disjointed 
manner imaginable. Perpendicular excavations of 
30 and even 50 feet are sometimes necessary to 
prepare the foundations for many of the buildings 
and secure a proper grade for the streets. The reso¬ 
lution manifested in encountering so rugged a spot, 
gives earnest of an enterprise on the part of its citi¬ 
zens, that is not likely to be damped in its 
career of improvement by slight obstacles. 
A railroad extends from this place, 50 miles to 
Jackson, the capital, and will soon be completed 20 
miles beyond. It has been built at great ex¬ 
pense, through elevated hills and across deep ravines, 
and is substantially ironed with heavy rails, over 
which the cars pass at the rate of 20 miles an hour. 
I was much struck with the peculiar adhesiveness 
of the artificial banks about Vicksburg and along 
the route of the road. They are seldom excavated 
at an angle with a vertical line exceeding 10©, and 
I have seen them 30 feet high, within 10 feet of the 
road, that have maintained their perpendicularity 
for years, under the jar of the engines and heavy 
trains. This is the more surprising from the ex¬ 
cessive tendency to wash, inherent in most of the 
uplands in this region, in which it much resembles 
parts of Virginia and the more Southern Atlantic 
States. To prevent this, the greatest skill is em¬ 
ployed in circling the hills with the plow in such a 
manner as to keep the furrow perfectly level, and 
with the abrupt and ever varying acclivities, this 
necessarily produces a great deal of patchwork in 
cultivation. Even this excessive caution is often 
found unsuccessful in resisting the effects of rains, 
and many fields are already abandoned from the 
double effect of exhaustion and gullies. So great is 
this tendency, that an untilled surface with the 
slightest declivity, is often seen fretted into a perfect 
honey-comb with the petty gullies wrought upon it 
in every direction. 
The soil on much of the uplands in Mississippi 
