Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-03-09
FARM AND GARDEN.
SWEDISH IMMIGRATION.


The following letter in regard TO
Swedish labor will no doubt be found in
teresting to many Of our farmers. That
the sgriculturis's of the Safe will have
to look beyond her boundaries before
great while for additional labor, is evident
to any one who is at all observant of the
signs of the times. Not only is there a
movement among the negroes, looking to
an emigration to more Southern localities,
but the conviction is being rapidly forced
upon the public mind that Tennessee
can never be a great, powerful or pros
porous State without an addition to her
labor. With an area of $4,000 square
miles, three-fourths of which is suscepti-
bic of profitable cultivation, we find that
not one acre in twenty is made to con-
tribute to the greatness and wealth of the
State. With a State debt approaching
forty millions of dollars and depression
in the price of all the products grown
upon her soil, no remedy can suggest
itself so certain to relieve her embarrass-
ments as an influx of hard working men
and women, who will not only make
money, but save it; who will not only
work well, but make good citizens and
invest their earnings where they will
swell the revenues of the State.
We can only say that so far as the
labor of the Swedes has been tested in
the South it has given satisfaction where
a iudicious selection was made. On one
q two occasions the draft and offal of
large cities have been thrown into the
South and a prejudice created in the
minds of few against foreign labor. We
are satisfied thelarge majority of the South
ern people would welcome heartily all in
dustrious, capable, faithful and intelligent
immigrants. We will even go further
and say that there is no hope for the
Southern people but in the introduction
of white laborers. Free negro labor can
never add to the wealth of any country;
because the natural improvidence of the
roIlicking freedman makes the idea of
frugality and economy on his part out OF
the question, and experience has demon
strated that in q republican government,
at least, it is the small savings of the
many, rather than the great estates OF
the few that make the wealth of the
State.
CLINTON, GA, Jan. 6, 1871.-J. T.
Dennis, ESQ Oar Sir--In reply to your
letter | would state that it costs about sew
enty-fse dollars to bring q grown person
from Sweden. If you advance that
amount the emigrant will work one year
you paving him about twenty five dol
lars more for his shoes, clothing and to-
bacco, and feeding him If the emigrant
pays his own way you will have to pay
eight or ten dollars per month Tor good
labor-women not quite so much. They
will eat anything we are accustomed to
have, and l think, would take the same
rations used by the negro. at the same
time we are giving them little better now,
as our chief desire is to make them con
tented. If we can do that, we are assured
thatwe can get as many as we want. The
women can cook for the men; they will
be willing to live in good negro quarters.
| have fYe-have them in (three now,
and the other two soon) house just va
cated by negroes. l fixed it up little
We will try and fix their houses so as &c
make them cOntented. From what expe'
Iience we have had, they will answer fol
common field hands-don't think they
could pick as much cotton the first sea
son, but they are very apt to learn any
thing. l think they can cultivate a
much land as any negro, and l am salts
fed will do it much better. ! would no
give one of these have for two negroes
When you put one to work ne 10or6S-
which is more than you say for the negro
We have women for house work.
have a woman that cooks, washes, milk
and scours the house, and does any woT
for my family-whiCh consists LOW o
five, and the four Swedes in addition.
wanted to hire a negro to help her bu
she objected, saying he would only be /
her way.
l have three blscksmiths-goOd one
toe. They are willing TO do anything |
the world you tell them to do; we al
very much pleased with them. The
are frugal, honest, and industrious pee
pie, and think the very thing for us.
We prop Sc sending Mr.. Munroe o
again soon. If you desire 10 procure an
labor let me hear from you again sooI
Woule be glad 10 have Putnam count
Join US in Ia 5 thing.
They soon learn TO talk English-thO'
we have are a stout, hearty set.
Yours truly, b. ). JOHNSON, Dr.