The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-08
PIONEER PEANUT GROWER.
The Madre Boys and J. b. Stokes
illustrate the Wealth in BERTHE
County Farming.

among those who have made a nota-
pie success in the cultivation of peanuts
|! Is MI: Jesse Stokes. Less than twenty
ilve years ago he started with one horse
| on an old and well worn farm He la
bored early and late and the value OF his
| land rapidly increased and additions were
mace 10 MS stock and to his acreage until
today his broad and fertile acres, level
| and smooth as a beautiful lawn. stretch
Tor miles producing abundantly and pay
ing handsome profit.
Mr.. Stokes was the first farmer in
Bertie county to raise peanuts, now the
principal money crop of this section. and
he has made this crop specially profitable.
he cultivates some cotton, but depends
CHIEFLY upon peanuts and corn. He raises
his own meat for his family and hands,
and all his forage for his team. He is
Messed with bright and happy family.
OF more than ordinary intelligence and
his pleasant home is a delightful resort
for his neighbors and friends. No man
stands higher in the COMMUNICATIVE
been honored by his fellow citizens with
the Craftsmanship of the Board of County
commissioners for several terms. which
position he filled with great credit to
himself and benefit to the county He
has also filled the office of trustee for
the A. and M. College, and is now serv-
ing his party as chairman of it's execu-
tive committee. Whatever Jesse Stokes
does he does Well.
Perhaps one of the most striking in
stances of success is that of the Mardre
brothers, j. j. and G. L. who own and
cultivate farm near Windsor inherited
from their father. Up to about 15-years ago
this farm had been cultivated in the old
fashioned way and had not, since the war
between the States paid expenses. The
young men heSitated between disposing
Of it, and engaging in mercantile business
and attempting its cultivation deciding
upon the latter, they al once entered
upon the work with all their energy.
Their first year cleared the place Of debt
and left them "a small surplus for the
improvements needed. Having accom-
plished this they decided that their main
object would be to improve the appear
ance and fertility of, the property and
in this they were O. outraged by the in 4
creased quantity and value of their pro- 4
ducts. enabling them to procure more
end better teams, and purchase the most |
approved implements. Continuing on this
line year after year has resulted in their
possessing probably the most productive
and best paying farm property in the en-
tire county. At the outset they enclosed |
a large tract of swamp and wooded land |
Tor a hog pasture and stocked it with an
improved breed, from which they keep a
smoke house continually filled with a
meat supply for at least one year in ad |
vance. Their corn cribs never lack q
sufficient supply to feed swine and other |
stock, and their poultry yard is a source |
of constant revenue. Their chief crops, |
however. are peanuts and cotton, in the |
cultivation of which they have adopted |
the latest machinery and the most scien- |
tific methods, paying them a net profit |
of more than forty per cent interest on
their entire farm investment, while the 4
value of their land per acre has in the !
meantime increased fourfold. Their farm
buildings are MODERN, commodious and |
well located. ..%&
The Mardre farm is indeed a model |
farm and the Mardre boys are model |
farmers. as
We have selected these two farms simp- |
ly because of their nearnesS to town and |
our better acquaintance with them. There |
are many other fine, productive and well |
conducted farms throughout the county |
owned by farmers who have made farm |
ing a success
S. w KENNEY,
s Windsor N. c., April 9TH.