The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-04
SCARCITY OF
FARM LABOR
Corn Still Stands in the Fields
in Shocks.
PASTURES ARE VERY FINE
The Old Question Of the Identity Of the
Sora is Raised Again-Is 1t Bird
or Frog-Pear Trees in Bloom
in King George.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch.)

(SDcclal to The 1meS-DlSpatCn.) ~
CONFORM, VA, October 3.--Some of the
farmers have had to abandon their plans
for seeding crop Of small grain because
they cannot procure labor on any terms,
to do the necessary work.
The preliminary work Of cutting down
the corn and removing it from the soil
intended for wheat and oats, has not been
commenced by any but that fortunate
class of farmers who can do their own
work, and 1t looks very much as AZ those
who are dependent entirely upon hired
labor will find their crop of corn remain
ing in the field, ungathered, long aitcr
the usual shucking and housing time mas
passed
A large number of the colored laborers
leave here about the middle of March
every year and work on truck farms, at
lumber mills and on railroads up North
until the latter part of November. or the
1st of December, and then return here
to spend the winter. But the present UNI
precedented scarcity Of labor Is not due
entirely to that fact. A good many able
bodied men remain here all tho year
around, and these could nearly or quite
supply the demand for labor during the
busiest and most important seasons, but
a majority of them decline to be hired
by the farmers as of yore
ARE INDEPENDENT.
Many Of this class own little homes,
and since they are no longer dependent
upon large land owners for shelter-since
they are no longer IN danger Of having
to move at the end Of the year for nom
payment Of rent--tEs = are 10th to hire
themselves out for h-m work.
Some Of these raise little crops of their
own which yield barely enough to supply
their families with bread during that
nart Of the winter when all work Is sus-
pended, and they work at the saw-mills
and with cord wood and railroad tie
dealers just enough to realize sufficient
money with which to buy some other
neccssaries of life In this way they make
out to live without hiring out to farmers.
It Is now well recognized fact that
but very few colored laborers can be
hired to do farm work after they become
proprietors of home.
A movement Is on foot in some parts Of
the Northern Neck to induce immigration
to this section, with a hope of colonizlng
sufficient labor for agricultural purposes.
Statements from farmers in all sec
tons Of King George show that the pas
lures are in much better condition now
than ever before at the first OF October.
The grass is as green and luXurant as
1t was in May and June, and the cattle
usually fat and thrifty. Some few Va
riettes of tender grass show the effects
of early FROST bur the grazing Is still
very fine, and the indications now are
county will support cattle until late in
November.
COwPEAs FOR HAY.
The peavine hay crop in some parts OF
hi nnfI q hn
since cowpeas have been sown for hay
purposes. Many fields Of it have been
moved and put into stacks or barns to
be used as provender the coming winter.
For many years the tootsome little
sora that infess the Rappahannock
marshes short time every autumn has
been much-discussed bird" or thing.
Many have commended that It is really
a bird for short period during Sep
tember and October, while others have
argued that 1t is bird until the first
frost appears In autumn. and then takes
on the form of frog, and remains a
frog. Others have declared that 1t Is
a real bird, and nothing but a bird, al
the year round. 1t seems that for the
1lrst time. some fortunate folks have
made discovery that must settle the
question of the sora's identity beyond
all doubt. Thay have found soras build,
ing nests, laying eggs. sitting on GEES and
birds lay, sit and hatch out their young.
PERSONAL.
Mrs. Ida Linkins. who was called here
ten days ago by the illness Of her mother
has returned to her homo in the Ma
tional Capital city.
Mrs. Thomas p, Gift, of this neighbor-
hood. is spending some days In Washing
ton.
Mr.. Charlie C. Baker has just returned
to his home at Shiloh this county. after
spending several days In Washington
where he went to meet an old friend from
Milwaukee, WIS,
Misses Sallie and Nellie Davis, of West
moreland, spent this week with their
father. Rev. w. T. Davis, at this place
Several pear trees near here are In full
bloom, Notwithstanding several frosts.
The same trees bore full crop of pears
the past summer. Many of the walnut
trees hercabouts that shed their foliage
new buds and tiny leaves
Mr.. Stuart Ashton, of Waterloo. this
-ounty. has gone to Richmond to study