Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-07

NCoIllnueu from tlrst HaSe,D
ored men who devote their time and en-
ersy to the business of dealing In real
estate.
Negro Farmers Show Well.
Talking of investments, Nsbrasha farm
land has appealed to the inbred agFicul-
tursl instincts OF some old-time southern
negroes and their sons. In 1900 forty
three negroes were listed as farm owners
in this state, and not far from Omaha
are two oolored farmers, though not on
a large scale, heterogeneous and Agee. At
the present time there are reported tn be
about seventy negroes operating farms in
this state with over 1900 acres under
their control. Most of these are in the
western parts OF the state where In many
instances ex-soidiers have taken the saw
ings OF their active days OF service and
bought land.
Twenty-eight negroes operate farms of
over 100 acres, sixteen have over 200 acres,
two work better than 800 acres, and one
has under his control 1000 acres Of farm
and range. In the large majority Of cases
these farms are owned by the men work
ing them, fourteen are part owners, while
q few hold the relation OF tenant with a
contract to buy, There are a dozen ne
groes renting farms as cash tenants, and
as many more working land on shares.
Forty-eight negro farms devote some at
tention to dairying. with about 200 dairy
cows among them, and they measure up
with the average white farmer as to cat
tie, hogs. horses and other farm stock.
The value OF their, domestic animals will
go close to 100000.
OF the negro farms IS per cent of the
acreage is improved, and the market valua-
ton runs close to $500, 900. Value OF the
buildings on the improved farms is better
than 36. 900, and OF the machinery about
100000. Sixty OF these farms are producing
cereals to a great or lesser extent, while
the others raise hay, potatoes, sweet pota-
toes, garden truck, etc. Here 1t will not be
amiss to note that Nebraska farms are pro-
ducing a quality of sweet potato that Is
surely winning its way into favor. This.
Of course. applies where some attention is
given to the crop. At the various county
fairs. especially in the valley counties. ex-
hibits Of sweet potatoes have come to be
an ordinary thing.
No Farming Specialists.
Hogs, horses. poultry and root crops app
pear to be the things that negro farmers
devote most attention TO. aside from the
men having larger tracts of land in the
western portion Of the state. Yet It Will
strike one as rather strange that no negro
has made himself particularly known as .
chicken raiser hereaD1ut, Colored residents
with suitable places, In common with their
white nelghbors, keep from half q dozen to
several dozen chickens. but none OF them
appear to be following chicken farming as
a business. Neither does exclusive fruit
- - 1891 a. 1nIARaA ~
who no back to the land.
Inquiry In the section where the negro
farmers are located VIII soon convince any
one that those who are sticking and making
a success are simply realizing the indica-
lions of character given ny their decision
to buy land and work IL. They hang pretty
close to the pillow handle Snd the hay tools
at the right time, giving a modicum OF at
tention to the little side lines, always aim
ing to have pork I'm the barrel and flour In
the pantry while the main crop 10 growing.
One of these days the example Of the hand
full OF Woodworking negro farmers Is going
20 nave its effect on others OF their race
who can live away from the frvolities of
city life during the years when their har-
vest must be made, II ever. That is an end
greatly to be desired. say the thoughtful
men who are striving for the betterment Of
the black race.
DistributtOn In the state.
In all Of the cities OF Nebraska OF any
considerable size are TO be found one TO q
dozen or more colored people whO hold the
respect OF the whites by their daily con-
duct. and those among them capable OF
taking advantages of their opportunities
are steadily moving up In the feeling Of re-
sponsibllity that attaches TO good citizen
ship. Some are trusted employees, in minor
positions though they be, in banks and
business houses; others run small estabz
lishmsnts of their own, such as restaurants.
barber shops and shoe shining pariors. A
few here and there are engaged in the
building line, as brick or stonemaSOns. and
there are blacksmiths and shoemakerE