I like the study of geography very much. We are now studying the South Central states. The interesting thing about these States is the Mississippi River. Hernando De Soto discovered it. With its branch, the Missouri, it is the longest river in the world. It rises in Lake Itasca in Minnesota. The Mississippi is very muddy and has brought down so much soil that a delta has been formed at is [sic] mouth. The plains bordering the Mississippi are called flood plains because they have been formed by the overflowing of the river. This soil is fine, deep and fertile. Agriculture is an important occupation in these states. Some of the products are cotton, sugar cane and rice. New Orleans, Louisiana, a very old city, is located on this river.