The Florida agriculturist., 1905-11-01

The problem of farm labor we have
always with us in a more and more
aggravated form. Every year we nave
to pay a little more money for con-
siderably less service; in fact, 1t seems
that the more we pay, the less we
get. From almost every Secuon the
farmers are complaining that they can
not control labor and are forced 10
rent out most of their land to tenanlS
or let it go uncultivated.
The negro objects to steady WORK
and the more wages he receives tne
less he wants to work, and we nave
presented to us strange cOndltlohS
of affairs at the South where the pest
and most reliable labOrerS are In those
sections where they are the poorest
paid and the poorest labor whose
prices are highest. OF course tnere
are some few negroes who ike 10
make money. but with the great ma
jority they will work six days III the
week for 80 cents per day; but pay
them 81 90 a day and they only want
to work three days in the week.
IT seems ridiculous that the South
should allow herself to be hampered
and held back because OF the lrreS-
ponsible blacks. The white race is
the dominant factor on this continent.
This is our country, and it is up 10
us to run it our way.
The writer has been fairly success
full i'll his management OF negro LABOR
and his experience teaches him that
the only way is to be entlreiy III
dependent. His help must do as he
says and work when he says or gel
out. lie tells them very frankly that
when he cant hire help that Will dc
this, he will do what he can OF his
work himself and let the rest go un-
done or close UP shop.
We give our hands good houses tC
live in on the RuraliSt farm, pay then
lair wages and work them the yeal
around we have men who nave
been with us over II years; they have
gotten used to our ways and 40 falrl!
well. But the tenant system na'
ruined Il great many negroes, Wn'
would make good hands under prope
conditions. They have got into th'
nabit OF working only part OF the yea
anu lOanng the other part and IL L
uemOraliZing. They are a good dea
like some horses, that are liable Il
Dalk il allowed to rest up for da.
or so, but will work all right Whel
kept at 1t all the time.
If the white farmers of the Soutl
will take hold OF this problem Intel
ngentIy anu Systematically they CA
control the situation, but they WI
never do it so long as they give wa.
to the whimS and 1ancieS OF Weake
race we offer herewith lew sue
SeSIiOnS:
Don't rent to negroes any more Ian
than you can help. Most OF these crop
pers VIII ruin it for you anyway, all
you hau much better let it lay out.
Arrange your crops so you can CIV
your hands employment the yea
around, and don't hire an
who Will not work steadily and wei
Rather cut your crop to hit your Labor
On your side always 40 eXactl
what you agree to do to the lette
Give your help good houses to live 1
and pay promptly the wage agree
upon The negro is a good lmItatol
lie will try to do what he sees yo
do, ana to hold him to his side of th
bargain you must live up to yours.
White Whenever you can &c
a good white labOrer give him
chance Ii possible arrange to pa
him such wages as he can afford |
live on. You owe this to your rae
and he ought to be able to learn til
difference. You ought to be able
pay really good white man 500