and peltries. The general time consumed in a voyage from Ouachitta or Natchitoches to and from NewOrleans, is from thirty to forty days.

In autumn, when the waters are low, Ouachitta river is not navigable for vessels of any size above common

canoes.

If sugar cane can be cultivated on Red river, near Natchitoches, it will certainly grow, within corresponding latitudes, on Ouachitta.

Ocatahoola.-Bounded N. W. and N. by Ouachitta, E. and S. E. by Concordia, S. and S. W. by Rapides. Nothing of consequence, not noticed in the general remarks, distinguish this parish from that of Ouachitta. Timber, natural divisions, common features, and staples, remain the same. There is less good land, compared with the entire surface, in either Ouachitta or Ocatahoola, than in the parish of Rapides.

Concordia.-Bounded E. and S. by the Mississippi river, W. by Avoyelles, Rapides, and Ocatahoola, and N. W. by Ouachitta.

When treating of the annual overflow of the Mississippi banks, great part of the interesting matter relative to Concordia, has been anticipated by that detail.

The entire area of this parish is in the alluvial lands; and is either of the first rate quality, or subject to occasional submersion.

The indigenous forest trees are, near the bank of the Mississippi, the populus angulata, platanus occidentalis, quercus tinctoria, quercus quercus falcata, quercus phellos, ulmus americana, ulmus rubra, salix nigra, tilia pubescens, juglans amara, juglans laciniosa, some few stems

of the juglans olivaeformis, and frequently the castanea pumila.

At a distance from the rivers, and on land subject to annual inundation, the most common species of timber trees are, cupressus disticha, nyssa aquatica, fraxinus americana, fraxinus aquatica, quercus lyrata, diospiros virginiana, salix nigra, celtis crassifolia, juglans amara, and juglans aquatica.

The arundo gigantea and chamaerops Louisiana occupy the same kind of soil and relative position as in other places where those two vegetables are found.

The settlements of this parish are mostly on the bank of the Mississippi, and the lakes St. Joseph, St. John's, and Concordia.

The village opposite Natchez, and bearing the same name with the parish, is the only town that has yet arisen in Concordia.

Staples.-Cotton, lumber, and maize. The general commerce of this region differs little from that of the opposing parts of the state of Mississippi.

Avoyelles.-Bounded E. by Concordia, Red, Mississippi, and Atchafalaya rivers, S. W. by Opelousas, W. by Rapides, and N. by Red river,

This parish is formed by the Avoyelles hill and prairie; and the surrounding alluvion of the Mississippi, Red, and Atchafalaya rivers.

The natural productions are perfectly similar to the adjacent parishes, in analogous situations. There is not in Louisiana, an appearance more striking, than the contrast in rising from the deep overflow of the rivers, to the hills of Avoyelles and Bayou Rouge, In other places the transition is gradual; here the' change is instantaneous, from the low lands timbered

with cupressus disticha and nyssa aquatica, to the elevated soil upon which is growing luxuriantly, the magnolia grandiflora, liriodendron tulipifera, quercus tinctoria, and ulmus americana, with an underwood of cornus florida, laurus benzoin, and morus scabra.

The singular stream of Bayou de Glaize winds nearly through the centre of Avoyelles. The banks of this Bayou are above inundation, and are covered with arundo gigantea. It is these banks that impede the waters of the overflow of Red river from taking a course towards Opelousas, and turn the current into the Atchafalaya.

The land upon the De Glaize is excellent, and will admit extensive settlement; but little is however reclaimed, and most of it remains public property.

Settlements yet made in this parish, are in Avoyelles prairie, and that of the Bayou Rouge; the latter is however of little consequence, consisting of only eight or ten families. Staples are cotton and lumber.

It may be observed in this recapitulation of the parishes of the state of Louisiana, that many objects are omitted; I have presented only those features that mark the general character of each place. The impression on the mind must be stronger, when nothing is seen but the bold outlines that compose the physiognomy of a country, and the memory will retain more tenaciously when not distracted by minute detail.

Respecting the boundaries of the parishes marked on the map, many of them are drawn by analogy; not being defined by law. As my object was more particularly to give correct information respecting the various natural features of the country,

the mere political or artificial subdivisions were of minor consequence. New parishes will no doubt be formed, as population increases; but the standing objects in nature resting permanent, I trust the descriptions given will long remain accurate.

4

STATISTICS

OF THE

STATE OF LOUISIANA.

CHAP. VI.

AGRICULTURE- -FRUITS.

WILL now review another and important subject; the agriculture of not only the banks of the Mississippi, but collectively of all the state of Louisiana. The information given on this head is in part from actual experience, and all from personal observation. Something may be omitted that would interest the reader; but I trust that nothing is presented that can mislead. One object has been kept in view by the writer; to avoid inflated accounts that could engender hopes of premature gain. In delineating the great permanent objects of nature, an effort has been made to render the descriptions true, and lasting as the objects themselves. In detailing the advantages or disadvantages attending settlement in Louisiana, the contrast has been made without individual prejudice. How far the writer's views have been transfused into his work, the public will decide.

Amongst the objects of culture in the state of Louisiana, maize or Indian corn deserves the first place,