The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-12-18
Advantages of Agricultu-
raj Settlers From Great
Britain.
AN OPEN DOOR TO US
Small Farmers From England and
Scotland Should Be Induced 10 Lo-
cate in North CaroIina---Would
Be Mutually Advan-
faneOuS,
taqeous.


when the agricultural interests de-
mand prompt and careful supervis-
ion. The manufacturing plants have
drawn from the country the bone and
sinew of the able and honest work
men and the result is tht they are
draining the fertile fields of the
means required to produce for their
consumption. Such production means
thrift for the country homes, happi-
ness beneath the Southern sky.
The result of this hegira to the
towns is that the young men and wo-
men now know more about the manip-
ulation of the products of the fields
than the cultivation. They are MAX
ing a living at their trades, but the
fields are suffering for their labors.
There is a remedy for this, a speedy
means whereby the country may be
made to look like ii did in the grand
old days of long ago, dear to the hearts
of every Southern planter and re-
verred by the world at large. I he
fide inducements to foreign settlers.
Note the stress of the Veritable ana
genuineness in such measures!
Though my home has been amongst
YOU for many years, and my interests
and cares are cast in the same lots as
with yours l speak as from the shores
of Great Britain. Others will tell or
means, to hold out true and bona
their knowledge of continental coun-
tries.
The agricultural laborer of Great
Britain is perhaps, / may say, the fin
est specimen of his kind in the civil
lied world. He is honest, steady. ana
we'll educated, and has from INFANCY
been taught to work. His badge or
he Ia 1cro of
exertion. Notwithstanding his untirins
and ceaseless tolls the farmer of Great
Britain cannot make money on the
land for which he has to pay more
rent than ne can buy the best and
most fertile here. The seasons are
short the weather uncertain; ana d
thousand difficulties confront him
there which keep him down to a poor
chance of success. Yet the man or
family has enough to eat, and plot
of flowers along with mis- vegetables,
pig or two. but rarely a coW-they
cost too much for a poor man to keep
These are a few hints as TO his con-
tingencies which would not discourage
him here He takes kindly TO climate
Richard A. Proctor in his "Other
Worlds than Ours says, that the
Britisher can endure the iiercest neat
of the tropics or the bitterest cold or
the antarctic regions.
HOW much illOIE biOiiNfAbA~ "'AN 49,
result of his labors here where he IS
not burdened and handicapped at
every hand turn?
How far more valuable VIII be the
farms of this grand region and climate
under such expert cultivation How
wonderful the change from pine sap
uiIings to corn, from waste ana tafeS
to rice. from muck and mire to pas
ture whereon the stag at eve VIII
drink his fili'' and the lowing nerd
come DER the lee?"' This is the pos
sibility for the future if the means IS
provided to secure success.
From my intimate knowledge Oh all
circumstances attending the British
farm hand and small tenant farmer l
assert that such intercourse with them
will prove Il mutual advantage. FROM
the Britisher YOU will receive faithful
and ju liciouS manipulation OF your
valuable fields certain rents without
the terrible struggles to keep the
shiftlesS. negro at his work the who're
wear through, and they will be re-
warded by a rich harvest with less eX-
penditure of money and bodily labor.
Here they will make homes for their
families not mere places of abode as
long as they are able to keep up the
rents. and YOU will have your lands
improved and see an air of content
and wealth which the industrious and
steady worker brings them.
For wears / have sought to further
the welfare of my countrymen. Want
of cooperation and sufficient funds
to secure success has met my efforts
heretofore.
Whilst i'm Scotland in 1900 and 1902
I made a study of the present condi
lions of the agricultural labOrer ana
small farmer and found that they are
discontented to q pitiful degree. Con-
trast with their friends, who have
come to this country and risen by
thrift and are able to return occasion
" on a visit to their homes carrying
with them enViable accounts of their
life and future here. has created a
spirit of longing for another land
They say that they are not abe 10
prospect the means is out OF their
reach and unless they are aided they
will never come, they canhho- me
reasons for this have been explained.
The first important step is 10 explain
to them thoroughly every detail of the
work and climate and to assure them
such aid as will be necessary 10 DeRilt
work. This can be accomplished Only
through an agent well Versed ia
American and British life and work.
This will require money, but ii is 10
the interest of the land owners and
state TO provide the means Under
such representation | am confident
that men and families from Great
Britain viii give entire sa abstraction,
yet too, there is room for the multi
tude. Great Britain cannot supply la
Dor for ALL there are so many posi-
biiities for the South. her acres are so
fertile and adaDtible to wonderful Gull
tivation.
The most vital question, however
is the appropriation, which should
come from the State, and the Legisla
ture is the body to make it. In tina.
assembly there are members who have
the agricultural interests deeply al
heart and there are also men who
know the great need of Increased sup
plies for the factories; and every
member knows as we'll as his constl.
tuent that the country is woefully ii
need of farm hands. The time has ar
rived when ALI ewes are nlleIl 70 The