The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-09-11
Farm Miscellany.
NEGRO FARMERS MEET.

The Progressive Farmer is glad to
learn that a Colored Farmers Con-
ference was held in Charlotte, this
State, a few days ago, attended by
about 300 intelligent, industrious
negroes. We believe the white peo-
pie should encourage all efforts of
the negroes along these lines. The
Charlotte Observer reports that the
speakers gave sound advice and be-
lieves the Conference accomplished
good. Certainly, the following ex-
preston of opinion, or platform, is
thoroughly sane. AS adopted by
the Conference it reads as follows:
1--WE, the colored farmers of Meek
lenburg county in conference as
sembled, brought together for the
purpose of considering matters per-
tanning to our mutual welfare, rejoice
that the time has arrived when
thoughts can be turned to those in
terests which concern us most deep
ly, with a view to improving our
material and moral condition. The
large number of earnest and intelli-
gent men present, evince that an
awakening is taking place whose in
fuence can but be helpful and far
reaching.
''This conference makes the fol
lowing expression:
81. Ownership in the soil is essen
tial to a realization of the best citi-
zenship. To own a small farm and a
home should be the ambition of
every man among US. 1t is we'll un-
derstood that once becomes the
possessor of home, however humble,
then he feels himself to be somebody.
He becomes self-respecting and com
mands the respect of others. In the
light of the comforts and privileges
of that home he considers all ques-
tiOns pertaining to his daily life and
the rights and immunities of his
neighbors. What is true of him
must be affirmed of his family and
household. In his private life and
public duties as a citizen, therefore,
he acts for the highest good of all.
1t is urged that our people use their
best endeavors to secure homes. We
believe it to be a mistaken idea that
cOlored men cannot buy farm lands
and homes. The fact is, any man
who a pay for it can obtain a home.
Let our people. economic, save their
hard earnings and put the money
into homes. A people who devote
their earnings to excursions and
harmful expenditures will always be
homeless.
90. Debt is a mill stone about the
neck. He who is bound by it must
sink to the bottom of the sea unless
a way of escape is made. Once in
debt un,ess one makes an intelligent,
systematic effort to get out he only
gets in deeper every day, every
year. Unfortunately, this is the
situation of many of our farmers.
Their condition does not improve as
the years go on. We would urge
that greater care be exercised in
making contracts and that the people
make greater sacrifices to get out
and keep out debt. We urge, also,
that Our people refrain from buying
articles on the installment plan from
the commission agents who traverse
the country and are more to be
dreaded than smallpox.
%. We also note that nan try
to make progress by cultivating
large farms. 1t is a great mistake to
suppose that one is advancing his in
terests as a farmer when he is half
cultivating a large farm. A small
farm we'll cultivated will insure good
returns and prosperity. An intelli-
gent landlord appreciates this fact
and will prefer to have his land cul-
tivated we'll. 1t is to the interest of
both that a less number of acres be
cultivated and in this connection we
would advise that crops be diversified
as much as possible.
"a. That our people do all they
can to improve their home life. A
people can't be an ideally
moral people. Morality can't flour
ish in a one-room cabin. A whole
family living in one room is an I'm
safe family in all respects, and the
whole community must share in
some degree the evil consequences of
such a condition. We would, there