The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1907-03-22

Tinsly Suggestions ~ one Expsvi-
sneqa AIsns l1any Lines.

owners ~ TINS part VI ttVklae rolAth4AS
20 cgregious mistake BY insistenee up
"a payment Of farm rents being made
them IN ginned eottOng
WHY adhere tot custom alike ex-
haustfng TO themselves, their land and
There Is no other commodity our lands
ere lesa adapted 20 produce. There Is
~ ofher crop practicable here attend
"a with 80 great outlay Of labor and
exuenee-ul0re exhaustive 70 soil or
more limited IN the discretion and per-
soual control producer may exercise
over Il IN dispOsing thereof.
Here in North Florida we are not IN
the CottOn Belt proper Of the great
South. Our production OF the staple N
bOth quantity and quality is low, while
its production is subjected TO greater
risks from depridatiOns Of insects,
storms and unfavorable weather.
Cant we DEVISE some more favora pie
method Of cooperation with our LABOR
ing tenants, by recognising some other
more attaiAable and equally valuable
farm product as satisfactory equiva-
lent for rent ehargesY
Ia casting about for suggestion Of q
deairabIe substitute for cotton since
M0NINIIH
rent charges in kind exercise OF good
sense will select some familiar product
well suited to existing conditions OF
soil. climate, character of labor and
market demands.
Let us determine upon what is most
feasible least attended with risks OF
failure, most susceptible OF economic
handling: also of recuperative tenden-
eies on our worn lands, instead Of fur-
ther exhausting them, and, at the same
time, attended with stability and uni
f0rmity Of value.
Some imperishable or bookkeeping
food commodity, susceptible Of ready
RECONSIDERATION or expectation, and as
sured of intrinsic value, would seem
From such point of view, what pro
duct. readily attainable here, more gen
orally answers all these requisites than
the humble
A contract between landlord and
farm tenant, particularly q eolored
one. so usual hereabouts, by which tn
former agrees TO furnish the latter
with the use Of forty acres of arible
farm land, and habitable cabin, for a
term of twelve months in consideration
OF the payment TO him during the eight
for nine months Of the term, say OF fifty
bushels of cured, shelled and sacked
eoW-peas, would, when faithfully car
RED out, place both parties IN Tar
preferable attitude to that experienced
BY either as the year draws to a close
under existing conditions.
BY such an arrangement a landlord,
before the expiration Of his term Of OBJ
%
delivered 10 him in marketable coudi-
ton. of fifty bushels of q staple prod
net. valued at, and readily saleable, at
So. SO per bushel, or $4,000 for the lot,
IN his home market, or three and three
yourths times as much as is customary
at existing rates Of $50 pounds of lint
cotton, at even 8 cents per pound.
Owing to what would be greatly altered
conditions, the tenant would have been
able TO put thirty acres Of his holding
down in corn, accompanied by peas at
''lavinQ-by'' time. As reasonable re-
suit of his efforts for the year he could
have from 500 TO 450 bushels of corn,
ali his own, 1870 bushels OF peas as bis
share, supply of potatoes to last his
family a year Two or more tons, II he
chooses. of cured pea-straw for forage,
q fat mule. possibly dozen fat pork
ers, q prolific flock of poultry. No gin
fees and unpaid Graphing motgage. "
AxQregating, without the value of the
hogs and poultry product, a possible
$4,000, or three times what he Is &C.
ctlstomed to realize under existing con-
ditions.
Is net this estimate fairly correct 2
The value Of corn, peas and straw are
placed at figures below their average
values.
Can il be doubted that a scheme Of
rent adjustment, as to commodity and
auantity, resulting in rewarding the!
nd-hOIder three and three ostrths
times greater returns, and while con-
surviving the fertility and durability of
farm lands, insure TO the tenant three
times the profit he now realizes, and
that with less than half the expendi-
tire Of labor and expense he Is now put
70. would very materially alter the as
peeS II affairs for the better
Since discovery Of the wonderful fer
tiIixruR properties Of cOW-pea vines, by
their capacity 10 gather free inter from
tie atmosphere, and through the agen-
~ 81 4 micro organism infesting their
rnots. ak Il IS soluble nitrute IN the
goil. Increased demand for 9 supply Of
reed throughout the country hes arisen,
apd Is likely 20 continue Indefinitely.
Ms apprehensiCn can reasonably be en-
teFtai1ed az . possible shrtnkaHe in
-. -. - sas.n us....lIlnrtn