Quene de Tortue," "Parcpardue Bayou," of other sections of the parish. The older folk of the parish are as conservative as the proverbial English. They have kept up the customs and habits of the sturdy Acadian farmer, whose respect for law and whose integrity are wellknown characteristics. They are honest, kind, sympathetic, and generous and hospitable to a fault. They are perfectly frank and direct in dealing among themselves a man's word is his bond. They are a splendid race of people, and the parish gives promise of becoming one of the strongest in the State. MEANS OF COMMUNICATION. Two main branches of a transcontinental railroad traverse the parish from north to south and east to west. They intersect at The Pilette School. One of the two one-room schools in Lafayette Parish. Lafayette and divide the parish into four rather unequal parts. Another line traverses the southern portion. Rural mail routes cover the entire parish, and telephone lines are being gradually extended. With the proceeds of a parish-wide tax, a system of macadam roads has been built into most of the communities. EDUCATIONAL. In 1900 the parish voted a tax for the purpose of securing a State school, the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute, and in 1902 voted another tax for the maintenance of public schools. This latter one was renewed in 1909 and expired in 1916. Lafayette was first in the State to vote a parish-wide tax for school maintenance, first to establish a consolidated school, and first to transport pupils at public expense. Twenty-two years ago there were 26 one-room schools. For its enrollment of 4,460 white pupils, Lafayette Parish now maintains 21 schools and employs 150 teachers. Only two of the schools, those at Pilette and Simon, are one-room. Nineteen of them are consolidated schools, the result of 20 years of centralization. In forming the consolidated schools 17 one-room schools were entirely abandoned, and one room was taken away from each of three other schools. Some of the principal facts about the consolidated schools are shown in the following table: The location of the schools and the transportation routes are shown on the accompanying map. The schools are organized on the 7-4 basis. Full 4-year high schools are maintained at Lafayette, Carencro, Youngsville, Milton, Broussard, and Scott. Three other schools give a 2-year secondary course above the seventh grade. Four schools are limited to the seven grades of the elementary course; three are limited to six grades. With an organization of this kind it is possible for nearly all of the children to complete the second year of high school at a school very near home and to complete a secondary education at any one of six places in the parish. Of the schools that do full four years of high-school work, each offers home economics for girls and agriculture or shopwork for boys. The course of study is full and provides quite a few electives, so that pupils may select the subjects best suited to their needs. The teachers in all the schools are practically all normal-trained and college graduates. Ten of the schools furnish transportation, maintain a total of 46 routes, and use 35 conveyances. Approximately 1,400 children are taken to and from school each day, at a cost of 10 cents per child per day. All transportation is by motor bus and horse wagonettes. Drivers are paid $65 per month and required to give bond amounting to one-tenth of the salary. All vehicles are owned by the drivers. Very few children are transported more than 6 miles, or are on the road more than 45 minutes. There are four consolidated line schools. These are supported by two parishes in proportion to the number of children each parish sends to the school. Usually the schoolhouse is built jointly on the same basis. The superintendent of the parish in which the school |