The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-10-21
No, "a

stock land seeded in grass for improve
ment or moving purposes; they de,
stroy your timber and abuse your team
and farming implements.
Are we the cause of this ! think
we are. Whenever we share the crop
with them, and do not look after them
closely, but allow them to have their
own way, we are helping to demoralize
them. Then let US work on shares
only with men who have experience,
who will look after our interests along
with their own; and let us deal with
them fairly and squArely, but see at
the same time that they do their duty
This will stimulate others to reach
this point, and soon, in place of hav. =
ing our farms injured, we can have
them kept in good condition for pro-
ducing crops. Then instead of filling
our markets with produce which will
not pay for the marketing, We will
make paying crops, and the cry of
" har1 ! times will be heard no more.
1t is not hard Cimes," it is bad man
agement, and this should be done
away with.
Now as to the second class: Within
the last few years, there is a growing
tendency on the part Of this class to
leave the farms and seek public works,
where they hope to make money rap
idly. The worst feature about this is
they do not stay when they go, but
winter on US, and when we need them
most they are gone. L. seems to me
to be right and proper that where
these laborers do most of their work,
and spend most of their time, that
there they should hold their citizen.
ship, keep their families and educate
their children. But instead of this,
they are benz on holding their citizen,
shi . with US, filing our schools, and
worst OF all, leaving families to depre-
date upon Us. There is one ching we
should no permit: They rob our land
of the sumac 1t pays them almost
nothing aut our lands need it; and
besides, it gives them a good chance
to roam over our farms and help
themselves TO anything they want. |
know the evil of this very thing.
Then when we need the services of
these people, we cannot get them for
two prices, Can we do anything to
break up this state of affairs We
cannot prevent their going, nor would
we If we cou d, but we can, to a very
great extent prevent their wintering
on us, and working the remainder OF
the year elsewhere. In order to do
this~we should be very careful to EN-.
plOy only those who will stay with us
the entire year; and above all, we
should not rent them houses for their
families while they are gone Our
rents are low; many rent house with
from one to one and half acres of
land, and wood for fuel, for from $3.50
to So 90 per month. We did this
that we might have their help when
we wanted it, and they, that they
might get the houses and go off to
public works. 1t is to our interest to
let those wac expect to be with us
only half the year, and that half when
We need them the least, find quarters
elsewhere. Besides, what pay is there
in rem ing to them How often can
We coll CT our rents They are like
the opossum: you keep it and fatten
1t, and the very night before it is to
grace the table, it gives you the slip.
| appeal to all concerned to help make
farm life more prosperous. Agricul
ture, least of all the occupations,
should be oppressed. All are depend
ent upon the farms; all have to live
from them. Kings, princes and peas 3
ants alike look to the farm for living.
/ say let's all help, and>I believe the
gu .stion will be solved Our best
young men are leaving the farms and
seeking other occupations and they
will continue to go until something is
done, and doing this there will be lefE
behind class of men with little talent
for anything. People will have to be
blind not to see the results.
close, hoping to hear from many
on this subject. Let us interchange
ideas and learn, if we can, what is best
to be done.
Very respectfully,