Democratic messenger., 1893-07-15
NEEDS MORE eoop FARMERS.


ITO be sure, farming is generally very
much neglected or carried on in Old-fash-
ioned manner, more so. perhaps, than
anywhere else in the United States. How,
then, To touch the principal and mos! i'm
portant point of the problem, can the
agriculture of Maryland again he raised
10 its former flourishing condition and
profitableness In my opinion. only
by the immigration of able and industri-
ous farmers, for il is an undeniablc fact
that Southern Maryland at present pos
sesses comparatively few intelligent hus-
bandmen. In evidence, | mention theii
neglected fields, their wretched buildings
and their poor stock. The chef trouble
lies with the farmer himself On an aver.
age he does not like hard work, the less
the longer it lasts. Dependent upon his
cOlored laborers, who are lazy and unde-
sirablc, and do their work only by halves
and never thoroughly. he slo,hfully drags
along Again the farms are far too large
for individual owners. Thus large por.
iion remains uncultivated and barren
The people, of course, are 10 some eX.
tent aware of the wretchedness Of their
situation, and, indeed, have occasionally
made efforts 10 extricate themselves from
IT. but all in vain. Some years ago
attended meeting in Baltimore called
for the special purpose of discussing and
improving the agricultural condition
Various views were expressed. Much
was said about the necessity of attracting
capital and creating booms To advertise
the lands, etc. But, of course, neither
brass nor boom will avail. The best
capital for these fertile and promising
fields are strong arms and clear heads =
farmers Of firm will and hard work. Then
the boom will Of itself come in time.
WESTERN FARMERS TO COME.
Now such farmers VIC can find and
induce to come from other parts of the
United States as well as from abroad
Such people may be met with in the Mid
die and Western States. There are many
German settlers over there who possess
capital. too small. indeed, to purchase
farms at fifty or one hundred dollars
an acre. but sufficient to buy at cheaper
rates. or, at least, to make promising
start. Many, very many, of these people
would like 10 come over mere If theil
confidence were gained and if they wcr,
assured Of the possibility of getting land
at lower prices Further out West in
Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, etc. many
industrious and wellinstructed German
farmers, discouraged by their losse:
through storms, severe winters. long
droughts and low prices, would be only
too willing to come East ii we would in
yitc and aid them. What say rests on
personal observation and facts. | know
the West thoroughly. there grew ur
and was educated. For many ars
was in charge of German congregation:
in those parts. Since my removal Ia
Baltimore travelled almost every sum
mer over most of the Western States. 1,
will then. ] hope. hardly appear presum.
ing on my part il come forth with my
own views in question so important "a
our States progress and prosperity.
HOW To ATTRACT THEM.
Another excuse might find in the
fact that am in the possession of q
mass of documentary evidence. consist
ing in numerous letters from people whc
desire To move TO Maryland under Ger
tam conditions. Thus just received a
note from minister in Western Kansas
with whom | have been corresponding
for some time. He informs me that in q
week OF two he will come over here Will
a committee appointed by his church in
order 10 examine the Eastern Shore will
u view Of colonizing there his whole con
grcgatioD. OF farmers similarly incline,
there are in the West not only hundreds
but thousands. The question is how I,
reach and how TO persuade them. The,