The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1905-09-09
tAKMtK ANDPLANTEK
THE FARM LABOR QUESTION.
The Scarcity and Unsatisfnctory
Quality of Farm Labor In the
Southern states.

TO Wnere you VIII IN Inc Soutn, ana
you will hear the farmers discussing
the two phases of the labor question;
first, the scarcity of it and the unsat-
isfactory quality of it. Now discus
sion will not settle this vexing prob
lem, and it will take many years Of
United, well-directed effort to settle it
in anything like a satisfactory man
ner, If it can ever be accomplished
with our present class Of labor. 1t is
our purpose to devote some space to
its discussion from time to time, and
to publish letters from many farmers
giving their views upon this important
matter. AS We stated above, discus
sion will not settle it; but it may aid
us in getting down to work upon a
more systematic basis, which we are
sure must be done, e'er we start to-
wards its solution. According to the
distinct heads into which the subject
should be carefully studied by all our
farmers, and each endeavoring to find
the best solution for himself, also
standing by his fellow-farmers in all
right and proper methods of settling 1t
for themselves. Farming is no longer
such an isolated and Independent call
ing that tho individual can ignore the
interest of his class as whole. We
must learn to work together; 1t Is the
only way we can attain any high de-
gree of prosperity. Now as to our sub
divisions of this great question::
l. We would have a clearly defined
written contract between landlord and
tenant
2. The insisting upon more careful
preservation and thorough cultivation
Of the SOIL
g. The insisting upon a three-year
rotation of crops, generally speaking
1-3 in wheat and oats; 1-3 in corn and
1-3 in cotton.
A. Then taking rent notes payable
1-3 in grain, 1-3 in corn and 1-3 in cot
ton.
5. Then hiring wage hands, the
keeping back certain per cent. to In
sure the carrying out of their con-
tract
6. They payment of wages in cash
TO insure satisfaction on part OF la
borer.
Z. The holding of a man in abso
lutte contempt who will interfere witt
his neighbours hands, or try to induc'
them away from him.
s. The use of improved farm tools
and machinery.
The days of cheap land, fresh land
and plenty of labor has caused GU
farmers to drift into many slack way
and methods that must be discarde'
now and new and better ones adopte'
In their place Conditions have changed
and are rapidly changing, and he wh'
clings To the ways of the past Will Ger
tainly find himself left. Because W
have been doing a certain way is N
longer a sufficient reason for continu
ing in it. In fact. when you find any
thing becoming ineffective, 1t Is sur
call for a change for something better
We admit that there are a few doinl
SO well that they need not worry them
selves about a change; but We know
the great majority need to conside
well this subject; an even these ley
should lend all the aid they can I
better the condition of their fellow
farmers We trav6 over this south
land. and about one-tenth. is blossom
ing as the rose; while the other nine
tenths show the need of better car
and more effective work. Let us wax
up and go to work and work togethe
This is what we we're created for; an
our highest usefulness is to leav
things better than we found them.
these unsolved problems call forth on
hest efforts. Lands in the south al
becoming more and more valuable e'
ery year. and we are glad they are.
behooves us to increase their produ'
tiveness every year; which certain
calls for more efficient labor. Give tn
subject your thought, fellow-farmer
and be sure you give the movement II
very best aid you can by helping
carry forward the views incorporate
in the eight divisions given above,
if any one can suggest better ones,
would most gladly welcome them.
Southern Cultivator.