Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-04-16
NEGRO LABOR AT THE SOUTH.


there is a very interesting account Of
the condition Of agriculture in the
cotton States, under the changes
wrought by the war upon the labor
system of that section. The people
there, it is we'll known, have gone
puietly and earnestly to work to en-
dcavor to restore, as far as they may,
their shattered fortunes; but one of
the greatest drawbacks until recent
ay, has been the want Of pecunisry
means. To ascertain the agricultural
condition and most pressing need Of
those states, . series of questions was
addressed by the Department of Ag-
riculture, to different agricultural ed
itors and planters, and the answers
were generally full and often elabor-
ate in the expression of individual
opinions based upon personal expe-
rience and observation. From these
we gather some valuable information.
OF course the primary inquiry, and
the one upon which the greatest stress
was laid, was the future prospect of
the cotton crop under the new condi-
ton from free negro labor. The
mode of cultivation. of course, re-
mains the same as it was before the
war, and "no radical changes in the
order of this culture or in the general
character Of its processes is looked
for, though positive and marked
changes arc highly desirable in pro-
noting thoroughness and economy
of culture" Persons hitherto unac-
quainted with cotton planting it is
affirmed, stand little chance of sue
ceeding in it, though many after a
season or two of trial and sometimes
of disastrous experience, learn the
business and infuse into it new ener-
gy and elements Of success. "There
are however it is said, "other ques-
tions involving the management and
economy of labor, improvements of
farm machinery and enrichment of
soils, upon which depend the profits
of cotton production to far greater
extent than upon the order and pc
culiar mode OF planting ond cultiva-
ting" The average yield Of cotton
per acre is not moro than one-fourth
what tho soil rightly managed, is ca
pable of producing. The wisest of
tho planters, indeed, are reaping sub
stsntial benefits from new applian-
cos and by improving upon old pro-
cesses. The masses, however, are
following their example but slowly.
A spirit of energy has nevertheless,
been awakened at the South which
has already begun to yield valuable
results. The minds Of the planters
are wakeful and active. They are
casting about for the best and most
rapid method of improving their con
dition. Intelligent and practical
writers are pub: ishing through the
press; advice and liberal ideas upon
agricultural subjects. Emigration
where it would be profitable is invi
ted and welcomed: Artificial fertili
zers are beginning to be used to {
great and increasing extent, and thcil
comparative value, mode of applica
tion and results upon different kind
of soil, are more eagerly cahvasset
than ever before. But tho most pres
sing problem with which tho South
has to deal is, after all, that of labor
The question as whether free negroe
will work steadily and continuously
is yet in course Of solution Th
opinion seems to be general that th
negro will work in most cases faith
fully, If the matter were left betweel
himself and his employer. Willis
negroes are excited, meddled witt
and used for political purposes by tn
Northern whites, known as carpet
baggers, the result must continue t
be pernicious in the extreme: Var
ous modes have been adopted by th
perplexed planters is trying to. fin
the best manner ofworking the n
gro. adyantageously. Payment I
wages was tried extensively in 1s6
. but generally proved unproftabl
Under this system ttidleness becan
of s-contagious and was Of mol
malignant type.in proportion, to i
creass of numbers working togethe
Crops were neglected, upbraidin,
and threats somet times followed, a,
the cotton iislds were, in many case
LETT inshs inrch aty The season
picking 4 aEsnting was thenszt pl'
tried;sthe rent neither being paid
money oras stipulated portion OF q
crepsugpAlly pns.. third That fail
Also ells MOI ornisr mode. zaee
ding fo the eotrespo pondentsi quoted /:
rhsrapOr. b ssaidto be that Of axor
ingDn iAsss. i 4 snder this mel
odahsiaapsovid Snt nseroes sesfs q
>-.ffs 3 L.. ~ t..:a = q ~. n