The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-02-03
PROGRESS OF THE NEGRO IN AG-
RICULTURE


youth in central Florida attended the
recent conference held ar Tuskeege
Institute of Alabama and took interest
! ing notes of the work being done there
to awaken and help negro farmers to
knowledge of their opportunity in
the south.
We note from the Montgomery Ad-
vertiser that Principal Wiley took an
active part in the discussions which
were participated in by the attendants
from more than a dozen states of the
south. He was also secretary of the
committee which formulated the SEN
timent of the conference as touching
negro farmers. The recommendation
Of the committees report which was
read to the 5000 assembled was as
follows
The twenty years of effort through
these conferences have accomplished
much. AS a result a large number of
our people are out of debt; our teach
ers and ministers have greatly inn
proved; we are raising thousands of
dollars each year to build school
houses and lengthen school terms
I'm one county Of Alabama the people
have, during the past five years. rails
ed over $4,000 to improve their
schoOls). Land is being cultivated
more thoroughly; a large number Of
negroes now own farms and other
ppnnnpfxr Tn, tho nf A 1oh a
twenty years ago we were paying
taxes on about $5,000,000 worth of pro-
perty. Now we are paying taxes on
over $26000,000 worth of property
There is, however, much that needs to
be done. We therefore say to the peO-
pie: Continue to build school houses
and lengthen school terms; see that
still better teachers and ministers are
secured; continue to buy land i'm
prove your homes.
Intemperance is still one of the great
est evils that besets us. The largest
per centage of the crime committed
by our race is due to strong drink.
We say to the people: Abstain from
the use of intoXicants. We especially
urge our leaders to do all in their pow
er to combat this evil Prohibition
has been a great blessing to our race.
We say to the people: Cooperate in
every way with the officers of the law
in seeing that the prohibition law is
enforced.
To the farmers we say: Prepare to
meet the boil weevil by improving
your methods of cotton raising; also
raise more corn, peas, peanuts, pOta-
toes, wheat, oats, cattle, hogs, poultry,
and have a garden the year round;
raise all these commodities, not only
to supply your own needs, but to sell.
We learn that some Of the white
planters i'm few counties of Alabama,
in order that their tenants may be
taught improved methods of farming
are cooperating with and in some in
stances giving financial aid to the ag
gricultural demonstration work which
the United States department of agri-
culture is doing among negro farm
ers. We welcome this recognition by
the white planters of the common in
terest which both races have in the
improvement of negro farmers
throughout the south. We believe
that if this sort of cooperation could
be made general great good would re-
suit to all the people of the south and
mutual helpfulness between the races
greatly promoted This conference,
therefore, appeals to the white plant
ers of the south for their assistance in
order that through agricultural dem
Onstration agents and other means ne
gro farmers and particularly negro
tenant farmers may have the benefit
of the education which the United
states demonstration work offers. We
believe that only in this way will it
be possible to successfully withstand
the ravages of the boil weevil and
prevent the permanent injury to farm
life which might follow.
This farmers conference has been
inspired by the great educator, DR..
Booker T. Washington and is one of
the most interesting as well as unique
gatherings on American soil Hun
dreds of farmers come from the diff
ferent sections to take part in these
meetings and to listen to addresses by
leading educators and publishers from
this country and abroad.
The address of Principal Washing
ton is described as being a masterful
effort and struck home to the hearts
of the 5000 who were so fortunate as
to gain entrance in the building where
he spoke. He urged the negro farm
ers to practice better cultivation of
land, avoid depending upon a mortg
|age system for living, a year behind,
but to get year ahead He said the
negro occupied one fifth Of the farm
ing lands OF the south and it was
greatly desired that he produce at
least one fifth Of the farm products.
He urged upon the farmer to use the
best implements, to study the pest
methods and to buy homes and build
good houses. The address is publish
e dthe Montgomery Advertiser of the
10th and should be read by every
colored farmer in the south
The accounts of the farmers was a
most interesting feature:
Nathan Jones of Georgia had cut
wood while his neighbOrs loafed and