[aub Department. 
FACTS ABOUT LOUISIANA. 
BY A. N. WALLACE. 
(Concluded from page 73, last No.) 
In the early period of sugar raising in ' 
Louisiana, the tracts cultivated in cane were ! 
comparatively small, and the operations for 
grinding and boiling of the simplest descrip¬ 
tion. llorse mills were used for grinding ' 
the cane, and kettles ior evaporating the 
juice. With the recent improvements, 
(aside from the large mills now in use,) it 
has been demonstrated that cheap, jtortable 
cane mills, driven by steam or horse power, 
and improved evaporators, costing in all but 
a few hundred dollars, may be made to take 
the place of the large and more expensive 
mills. It lias been said that these inexpen¬ 
sive mills will press the cauc as dry as it 
can he pressed by the large mills; also that ' 
the evaporating pans will make better sugar, 
and a larger percentage in proportion to ! 
molasses, and with more economy, than the 
kettle train. The small sugar farmer can¬ 
not, of course, produce with this simple ap- 1 
paratus so flue a quality of sugar as that 
manufactured on the great plantations, by : 
the aid of expensive machinery, centrifugals, 
&c. An apparatus costing not more than ' 
$400 to $500 enables a farmer to take off a 
crop of from thirty to fifty hogsheads of 
sugar ; and it may be safely said that In an 
ordinary season the profit of this crop, after 
paying nil expenses, Including machinery, 
will be equivalent to the total expenditures 
for land, and all necessary expenditures of a : 
judicious planter. The raising of cane for 
planting must, for years to come, be a most 
remunerative business. The price of stand¬ 
ing seed cane last year was from $125 to 
$175 per acre. The plant is reproduced not 
from seed hut from the canes themselves, 
laid lengthwise in a furrow and covered with 
a plow. One acre of good standing cane 
will plant about four acres of ground. This 
is done every third year; the cane growing 
from the stubble the two other years is call¬ 
ed ratoons. Many sugar growers now plant 
cane in the fall, before beginning to grind, 
although it can be done any time before the 
first of March. The after-cultivation closely 
resembles that of corn when planted in drills. 
It is usually planted in a furrow from four 
to six feet apart, and with plenty of seed, 
two canes side by side. Under the present 
system of labor, one hand will cultivate 
eight acres of cane, (besides the other crops 
for his support,) which, at ten cents for sugar 
and sixty cents for molasses, would lie about 
$1,350. The sugar crop of 1801, in Louis¬ 
iana, or on the breaking out of the war, was 
459,410 hogsheads, averaging about 1,150 
pounds each, which, selling at the extremely 
low price of $54.62 per hogshead, amounted 
to $25,095,271. There were in operation at 
that time 1,291 sugar houses, from which 
this large amount was produced. In 1869, 
five years after the close of the war, during 
which time nearly .all the plant cane was 
lost, the product was 87,090 hogsheads, 
which were sold for $12,000,000. The sugar 
houses in operation last season were 817, of 
which 764 were working by the old pro¬ 
cess, and 53 producing refined and clarified 
sugar.* Nearly all of these are now ope¬ 
rated by steam. The average of molasses is 
about 71 gallons to the hogshead. It might 
also be added that the grades of sugar are 
greatly improving with the introduction of 
new modes and processes of manufacture, 
and the day cannot be far distant when the 
finest grades in the market will be produced 
on many of the plantations without the aid 
of the refiner. 
The accuracy of information and statistics, 
resulting from combined agricultural and 
commercial operations for a period of forty 
years, including both items and aggregate, 
of the products of individuals and planta¬ 
tions, os well as the commercial transactions 
in the products, are now invaluable as a re¬ 
liable reference to those seeking a knowl¬ 
edge of her resources, and what her future 
might he by judging of the past. The nature 
of ihc Information thus acquired and pre¬ 
served for purely business purposes, was to 
regulate the transactions bet ween the planter 
and merchant for advances in making the 
crop; also lor the speculators and shippers, 
and the consumers and dealers throughout, 
the world. In connection with this, accu¬ 
rate maps from original surveys, clearly de¬ 
fining every river, lake and bayou, with the 
boundaries and area of plantations, the own¬ 
er’s name, &c., were printed, thus facilitating 
the inquiry into Lhe condition and prospects 
of any planter in the State, at a moment’s 
notice. 
An examination of the map of the State 
will show the most perfect and natural sys¬ 
tem of navigation and drainage in the world: 
with thirty millions of acres, superficial area, 
there are twenty thousand miles of river, 
lake an 1 bayou navigation. What untold 
• In addition to the above, ahout 300 more planters 
will be prepared to prtnd their crops of the present 
season, which will make 1,117 sugar houses in opera¬ 
tion, against 1,291 at the commencement of the war. 
millions of wealth has done for the people of 
New York in the Eric and other canals, 
Nature has multiplied five times for Lou¬ 
isiana, giving nearly all the planters of the 
State a water communication with all the 
world. In fact, it 1ms been said that it was 
impossible to find a point in the State twenty 
miles from navigation. In the survey of 
the State, particularly on the borders of the 
streams, the plantations and farms are located 
without regard to sectional lines, and shaped 
to correspond with the bend of the river or 
bayou, converging or diverging as they re¬ 
cede from the streams, thus giving a greater 
number of water fronts to tlie occupants, 
and allowing them to ship their heavy and 
•iellr 0‘rops. 
TOBACCO CULTURE. 
after it is raised. I would advise, as indis- would like to have it explained. About tbx, 
pensablc, an ample supply of barn room, middle of January he broke up some lot land 
constructed not only with a view to curing, near ihe roadside, and hauled out his stable 
but suited for Stripping and taking care of it 
through the winter and spring. 
As an encouraging reflection for the to¬ 
bacco grower of the present day, I will men¬ 
tion that, twenty-five years since, the crop 
of Granville was sold, in the markets of Pe- 
manure and spread it broadcast. He accu¬ 
mulated more manure, and spread it again 
in April; and then, the first of May, lie 
opened drills and applied stable and bog-pen 
manure plentifully, and the tobacco on the 
land broadcast in January, was what had 
Essay RendBetore the Goodwin Club, bacco grower Ot tue present nay, l wm men- .“. = ‘ 
Granville, x. c., by J. c. Cooper. tion that, twenty-five years since, the crop manure, plentifully, and the tobacco on the 
The first work in the cultivation of to- of Granville was sold, in the markets of Pe- land broadcast in January, was what m 
bacco is the sowing the seed; for this pur- tersburg and Richmond, the average price given him the reputation of a road fanner 
pose we should, in the month of February, not exceeding $6, netting the farmer lesB Mr. E. Hicks didn’t think the experiment 
when the earth is dry, select a moist spot of than $5. At present, very few of our far- conclusive. His drilled manure might lmvo 
guano 
bulky crops of sugar and cotton with the rich, chop in the manure and reduce it to a 
least possible expense and labor, as it is a fine tilth, and lor every hundred square 
well-known tact that throughout nearly their yards sow a tablespoontul of seed, trample 
whole extent, the n vers and bayous afford u the bed, cover it well with brush, put a good 
twenty-five years since. 
Discussion on the Above. 
Mr. Gregory, who had the two methods 
of curing under test, reported Ins manner of 
testing, and the result, as follows;—I took a 
ripe plant, fresh from the field, and cutting 
natural wharf, allowing the largest steam¬ 
boats to land at the very door of the planter. 
fence around it and you may go forward in 
the preparation of your tobacco land, con- 
The health and longevity of the people fident that lor every hundred square yards 
compare favorably with any other portion of of plant bed you will be able to plant ten 
the Union. Lying between the twenty-nmth 
and thirty-third degrees of north latitude, 
and owing to its semi-peninsular projection 
Into the warm waters of the Gutf, and the 
great number of rivers, bayous and lakes 
within her limits, the climate is much softer 
and the temperature more even than in cor¬ 
responding latitudes in the interior of the 
country, or even that portion of Texas that 
The following discussion we find reported off two opposite leaves from the top, I bung 
in the Southern Planter and Parmer: them by the tire until thoroughly cured. 
Mr. Goodwin wished to know which was Then hanging the plant, as it was, in a light 
best, hilling or level cultivation? He had room until well cured, I broke oft :*e near 
recently read an article from Mr. Bowie of alike the remaining two leaves from the 
Maryland, arguing that, on high, dry land, top. Putting the four in the apothecary’s 
not requiring drainage, level cultivation scales, the two leaves cured by the fire were 
was best. twenty-two grains the heaviest. He neg- 
The President said he only differed with lected weighing the four leaves, and finding 
Mr. Cooper in one or two particulars; the 
rest he heartily agreed to. He thought him 
thousand hills in the month ot May. was best. tweniy-.wo grams me 
In the preparation of your land don’t be The President said he only differed with lected weighing the four leaves, and finding 
afraid of making it too rich or of preparing Mr. Cooper in one or two particulars; the the perceniuge lost in air curing; but the 
it too thoroughly; it. shook! be plowed at rest lie heartily agreed to. He thought him leaves were small, and twenty-two grams 
least twice during the winter freezes, for the wrong in limiting the number of limes of difference must make the percentage Inst in 
purpose of pulverizing it and destroying the plowing to three. Land could not be plowed air curing very henv)* * '• • MK " " 11 ie 
insects, after which it should again be thor- too much. He believed, also, in very thick made the experiment, lie had men let to »e- 
purpose of pulverizing it and destroying the 
insects, after which it should again be thor¬ 
oughly pulverized with the plow ani har¬ 
row at the time the plants are ready, say by 
lies farther South. The balmy breezes of the 10th or 15th of May. As soon as the 
the Gulf moderate the heat of summer, and 
the lakes and river system of the Interior, 
which cool slowly, radiate sufficient heat to 
temper the air during the few cool days ot 
winter. As a consequence, the extreme de¬ 
grees of heat and cold, as occurring in New 
York and the West, are never experienced. 
The mercury at, New Orleans seldom or 
never rises above ninety-five degrees Fahren¬ 
heit, and seldom falls below freezing point. 
Snow occurs not oftener than once in twelve 
years. The beat of the North is tar more 
intense white it lasts. The thermometer 
frequently ranges above one hundred de¬ 
grees, and the sunstroke or coup de hoUcI is 
far more common throughout the North 
plants are ready for setting out, or a little 
before, the land should be thrown up in 
beds three and a halt feet wide and checked 
across thirty-two inches wide, which will 
torin a sufficient bill, only requiring the pat 
too much. lie believed, also, in very thick 
sowing—double the quantity mentioned. 
Mr. R. J. Hicks said, from the thinnest 
sowed beds lie generally got the earliest 
plants, and the most of them. 
Mr. Cooper called attention to the very 
great importance of having the crop uniform 
in the field. Many farmers often wondered 
at the end of the year, why they could not 
of a hoe. This treatment, is only applicable get a good price for their crop, when it was 
made the experiment, lie bad been led to be¬ 
lieve in, and was prejudiced in favor of, air 
curing. But now lie would like to bear an 
argument upon the subject, and have it ex¬ 
plained. 
- *■■*■*■ - 
PARDEE WHEAT, 
Is the name given a now early variety of 
winter wheat grown by A. E. Pardee, 
Plymouth, Midi., which is said to be fifteen 
days earlier than most other varieties. It is 
said that it started out much better than the 
Treadwell, has a strong straw, and showed 
no sign of rust the present year. Where the 
original seed came from we are not informed. 
than in Louisiana. During the summer of » ,e lighter the season the better, if the 
1866 there were in New York city alone two 
hundred and sixty cases of sunstroke, while 
in all Louisiana there were only eighteen 
cases. New Orleans has been visited by the 
yellow fever but once in the past twelve 
years, and experience has demonstrated that 
with good quarantine and sanitary regula¬ 
tions it may, and undoubtedly will, be 
avoided hereafter. In the statistics of 
mortality, Louisiana is charged with ft large 
number of deaths which occur among ex¬ 
hausted invalids from all parts of the United 
Stales, who seek the soft and genial climate general rule that tobacco be topped to ten 
to old land. New ground, after being ther- owing to this fact-of having an Irregular cays eariie, n“ 
ougldy broken with the the coulter, and all crop. It was generally the case with large 1 ,at lt out muc i » _ 1 , 
tie roots are removed, may be partially farmers that they bad about enough good to- Treadwell, ms . g . , 
budded up with a turning plow, but will bacco to sell the bad. The right way is to no^ignof rust the present year ■ 
require that the hills be put up with a hoe. start at the bed, get a good plant, put. it in a original seed ( nine Horn we aie n > 
PlnutlmG well prepared hill, and keep them all up to- —--— 
having tuns prepared your land, you will gether. £2-«• & , w 
a*li yourself of the first season, and try Mr. E. H. Hicks said—In icgnrd to plant 
a d get a good plant wed set in each hill; beds, lie would like to inquire why it would (g> J Sy . . 
a <ioid planting when the land is very wet; not be best to sow in November, before the -— 
1 ,e lighter the season the better, if the heavy freezes and hard weather. The last HOG CHOLERA— EXPERIENCE. 
plants live. Having secured a good stand, season he had first to thaw his land, and -- 
it will be necessary that the hind bo thor- then dry it, before burning. Wood was an R. N. J. W., Principal Male Academy, 
ougldy cultivated, and the plants kept free object with him—besides the heavy labor. Hernando, Miss., writes the Southern Plan- 
of worms. I would suggest as a Why not, in case of failure, re-sow iu March ? ter:—“I had a sow, with six pigs bur 
Mode Of Cultivation In regard to distance given tobacco, he tried mouths old. The pigs were all fine looking 
that it be plowed three times—first the wide this year, rows three and a-half feet apart, and thriving (a mixture of Chester and Gra- 
way, and reverrioc at each subsequent plow- with plants thirty-two inches, and rows zier,) being kept .on slop and corn. Ihe 
log. each ptowhMshould be followed with three and a-half feet, with plants twenty-four pigs all took the disease in rapid succession, 
the’hoc, lightening the earth around the inches, and the latter made him aa fine to- and I found that when they would eat of 
plant and drawifig a little dirt to it—at the bacco, and more of it. He thought manor- the slop they were suddenly worse and lmd 
third and last working it should be left with ing in the drill the best. The roots were not a sort of vertigo, or fit. I then ceased to 
a CO od smooth hill. I would advise as a long enough to reach out and get the ma- give them slop, and seeing tl.^ were very 
opneml rule that tobacco be tunned to ten nure when broadcast, and only got it at the much puffed and always lull. I gave two oi 
plants live. Having secured a good stand, 
it will be necessary that the land bo thor¬ 
oughly cultivated, and the plants kept free 
of worms. I would suggest as a 
Mode of Cultivation 
that it be plowed three times—first the wide 
way, and reversing at each subsequent, plow¬ 
ing; each plowing should be followed with 
the hoc, lightening the earth around the 
plant and drawing a little dirt to it—at the 
third and last working it should he left with 
a cood smooth bill. T would advise as a 
•tohtt-lwrir. 
HOG CHOLERA—EXPERIENCE. 
R. N. J. W., Principal Male Academy, 
in order to regain their health, or at least to 
prolong their lives beneath the Soul hern 
skies. She has many advantages for invalids 
which cannot be found elsewhere on the 
continent, and vast numbers resort here. 
Louisiana is almost entirely free from those 
terrible diseases which originate in the se¬ 
verity of cold climates, such ns consumption, 
pneumonia, bronchitis, rheumatism, &c. 
Yet will the world believe that sugar and 
cotton plantations can be bought, to-day in 
Louisiana—plantations cleared, ditched and 
fenced, with comfortable, if not splendid, 
dwellings, at less than the cost of improve¬ 
ments. In no other part of the country are 
to lie enjoyed, at so little cost, so many of 
the substantial comforts which result from a 
soft and beautiful climate, an inexhaustible 
soil, aud a wonderful profusion of the fruits 
of the earth. 
The war has so impoverished many of 
our planters that, they have been compelled 
to relinquish their plantations, while in other 
instances much of our most productive land 
lies uncultivated from other causes. Agri¬ 
culturally, our resources are almost without 
limit, aud with capital we would rapidly re¬ 
cuperate, aud progress with giant strides, 
peculiar to all American enterprise. Our 
climate is a semi-tropical one; the variety 
and fertility of the soil is unsurpassed ; and 
every vegetable attains here a more perfect 
maturity than in any other State of the 
Union. And when taking into account that 
there arc ahout two hundred and fifty fail- 
working days on the farm in Louisiana, 
against less than one hundred and fifty in 
leaves, leaving a few more where the land 
is very rich, and the plant luxuriant and 
forward, reducing the number as the season 
advances, in order that the top leaves may 
be of good size, and ripe. When your to¬ 
bacco comes iu top it will require constant 
care and attention to keep off the worms 
and suckers. Allow it to stand until it is 
thoroughly ripe. 
Cutting mul Curing. 
If you have discharged your duty, you 
will generally be able to present to the knife 
a rich ripe crop of good size and weight, 
with a uniform and smooth leaf. When 
ready for the knife, it should be cut* ami 
bung on the stick as it is taken from the bill. 
As soon as it lias fallen, so as to admit of 
handling, (if suited for manufacturing,) it 
should be token to the bam, bong thick on 
the lower tiers in the barn, and yellowed 
with fire; as soon as it is sufficiently yellow, 
hoist it, and bang it thin, say eight to ten 
inches between the sticks—keep iL in a dry¬ 
ing state—if necessary, use small fires of 
dry, sap pine, gum, or sassafras, to avoid the 
smell of smoke. If your crop is suited for 
shipping, take it from the hlU to the barn, 
and cure it with fire, without attempting to 
yellow it. If your tobacco is light and 
grows a smooth or uniform yellow on the 
hill, I would advise coal curing as the most 
remunerative. 
Stripping. 
As soon as the stem is thoroughly cured, 
it should be stripped and hung on the 
sticks—it may then be hung thick in the 
roof of the barn, and allowed to remain 
last working. In drill, the plant started 
sooner, and came to the knife sooner. lie 
thought level cultivation much best, and in 
conclusion, urged the members to study the 
tobacco crop, as it was our money crop, and 
we should enlarge, reform, and perfect out- 
ideas upon it. 
Mr. W. Lewis agreed with Mr. Hicks in 
thinking that beds ought to be prepared and 
sown early. 
Mr. M. Hester settled this by giving an 
instance of Hie experiment where the plants 
came up well and looked flourishing for 
a while, but were all dry and dead at 
Christmas. 
them a dose of salts (for they seldom dis¬ 
charged any feces, and that very hard, cov¬ 
ered with foam, and offensively stinking;) 
this gave relief in two hours, and they 
seemed much better. I discovered they 
were always seeking water; that drinking 
made them worse immediately, and that a 
fall of cold rain hurt them. 
I opened one that died, and found the 
bowels clogged and the whole alimentary 
canal full and hard, the coats all thickened 
ami much water mixed with the contents, 
1 think bogs should be kept from liquid in 
this disease. I saved only one, and think I 
effected that, mostly by starving him ami 
Mr. W. Lewis thought the preparation of never permitting him to drink, nor to eat 
New York or Illinois, and that the loss of until spring, or it maybe hung up and dried, 
time, interruption of productive labor, and 
many expenses incidental to winter, are 
avoided; that Lhe laborer does not have to 
spend a month or two in summer to gather 
forage for the six months of winter; the 
cheapness of fuel, dwellings and clothing 
making it equally remunerative to both 
planter and laborer. 
The flattering success of many Northern 
men who, having taken advantage of the 
low price of lands, have purchased and are 
now making large and remunerative crops, 
corroborate our statements, and, with the 
past history of the State, renders further 
proof unnecessary. 
-»»♦ ■ ■ — 
L'nlocated Lands.— As there still remains un- 
sur"cyed somethin? like 1.326.430.64S acres of 
United States land, there is stilt- a chance to 
select good farms. 
and shingled down on the stick until the 
time arrives for prizing or delivering to the 
home market—the latter mode I prefer. 
He who grows a crop of uniform, large, 
ripe tobacco, with but few missing hills, or 
stunted plants, will be able to present to 
the buyer an article of decided character, 
uniform in length and color, and will be 
agreeably surprised in the weight and price, 
while lie who raises au irregular crop, with 
just enough large and fine to brag on, will 
present in market a nondescript article, for 
which there is no demand, and will be sadly 
disappointed both in quantity and price. 
From ray experience and observation, 
both as a buyer and grower of tobacco, I am 
satisfied that the want of success with most 
of our farmers is the neglect of the neces¬ 
sary preparation for taking care of a crop 
the land ought to be made earlier. Let the 
low lands ail be billed up in plenty time. 
Mr. S. Cooper thought bedding low lands 
best, as the water could then run off. Land 
ought io be made rich, and it was better to 
broadcast the manure. 
Several members agreed with Mr. Cooper 
that broadcasting was best—but drilling en¬ 
abled the farmer to get. a larger crop. 
Mr. Goodwin wished to know whether, 
in the application of manure, the fertilizing 
properties rise or sink ? 
Mr. E. Hicks said—Gases rise, but salts 
do not; phosphates sink, filtrate through 
light soil, and wash away. What is deep 
plowing for, if it is not to bring up these 
substances? Put phosphates, carbonates, 
&c., too low, and they will never come to the 
surface. 
Mr. J. R. Hicks explained that in sandy, 
porous soils, manure soon acted .and passed 
off. The influence of the sun was more 
powerful and effective. He asked if it were 
otherwise, how could we ever reclaim our 
lands? As soon as trees commenced to put 
up, the land commenced to improve, be¬ 
cause, sending their long roots down into the 
earth, they brought up these mineral sub¬ 
stances that were required. It was against 
the laws of nature, and very fallacious to ar¬ 
gue to the contrary. 
Mr. Goodwin said that practical and sci¬ 
entific men did not agree with the gentle¬ 
men. He thought a shallow coating for ma¬ 
nure the best. 
The President agreed with Mr. Goodwin, 
that manure ought to be near the surface : 
all writers upon the subject do not agree that 
manure sinks. 
Mr. C. R. Lewis said lie had been called a 
road farmer. He would tell how it was, and 
the green rye 1 have on my lots, for I saw 
that green food was very injurious. 
There is one striking symptom of this 
disease—the skin is covered with a black, 
sweaty coat, that begins to disappear upon 
recovery. It is seen first (and last) behind 
the ears and on the shoulders. All my pigs 
died but one, and only one had any laxity 
of bowels; this one lingered several weeks 
longer than those that were costive. Feed 
dry corn meal, give no liquid, and keep out 
of the weather—is my prescription.” 
-- 
PIG-PEN PARAGRAPHS. 
To Cure Iloir Cliolern. 
We do not know who is responsible for 
the following:—“Take two or more large 
barrels and place convenient to the kitchen. 
Into this deposit all the pot-liquor, dishwater 
and greasy water of any kind, refuse pieces 
of bacon, and a few bucketsful of soap suds. 
Let it stand a few' days or until fermentation 
begins, and then add to each barrel one 
bushel of fine charcoal, and half bushel of 
corn meal, one handful of salt, and a half 
pound of copperas. Let it stand a short 
time so that the coal may become thorough¬ 
ly saturated with the liquid, then feed to the 
hogs in the usual manner; this 1ms never 
failed as a preventive, and in every instance 
wherein from neglect the disease made its 
appearance, succeeded iu curing it in a few 
days.” __ 
To Cure a Ho? of Kidney Worms. 
“A clodhopper” writes to the Iowa 
Homestead “ My bog that lmd the kidney 
worm is well, fat and saucy. For the benefit 
of those whom it. may concern, I will say 
I treated him to an external application 
over the kidneys of turpentine twice a 
day.” 
