Evening star., 1943-03-28
BY JAMES BIRCHFIELD.

Generation after generation of one
crop farming has had its effect on
both the land and the people.
In county which agricultural
experts agree is capable of raising
multitude of farm products, much
of the land stands barren of all
but brush and broom sedge. In acid
fields, fast becoming overgrown by
thickets of scrub pine, are hewn the
small tobacco patches where is
grown the staple pay crop of the
area.
One crop farming especially with
tobacco, Starves the land and the
farmers resultant lowered incomes
bring bad dietary habits. And where
energy and vitamin foods are lack
ing in the diet, social workers say,
it is easy for people to drop to a
'submarginal" existence. The cash
which comes at the yearly cotton
or tobacco auctions goes mostly to
the crossroads store, which usually
provides the staple diet of salt pork
and beans. In modern times canned
meats and vegetables have been
added-a noticeable improvement.
Picture Changing in Charles.
In Charles County this dreary
picture is changing. Driving through
the country one can pick out small
farms whose fertile fields stand out
in vivid color on barren countryside.
These small farms are owned by
men who few years ago were ten
ants, share-croppers or renters.
With the help of trained agricul-
tural experts they are fast becoming
self -subsistent.
In Charles County this year II
families already have bought their
land, and in the State of Maryland
more than 1000 families are being
aided by land purchase and i'm
provement loans made by the Farm
Security Administration to persons
who cannot obtain credit through
normal channels and who otherwise
would remain almost in q state of
peonage.
The Farm Security Administra-
tons farm ownership program is
one of helping the submarginal
farmer become a useful citizen, and
at the same time building the agri-
cultural possibilities of the commu-
nifty. Through it vast numbers of
tenant farmers are being given the
opportunity to buy their own land
on long-term loans, and by expert
guidance to build these farms to
high production level.
Handled by Local Men.
A tenant farmer who wishes to
purchase farm of his own makes
application to his local FSA office
and is investigated by an impartial
board composed of local men who
are we'll acquainted with community
conditions.
If an application is approved, the
farm which has been specified for
purchase is appraised on the basis
of it's production over 10-year pc
riod and a loan up $5,490 for the
property without improvements, is
granted. An additional loan, up to
the estimated producing ability Of
| the farm may also be granted Tor
improvements.
A tenant farmer, for example, may
purchase the farm, or part OF the
farm he is working, if it is for sale,
or he may purchase a farm IN a
different section of the county. His
loan, at per cent interest, is re-
payable over 40-year period II he
wishes to take that long. Provisions
are made whereby during good crop
years he may make larger payments
to tide him over the years Of crop
failures.
In Charles County not a single
FSA loan has been defaulted, al
though in all cases credit has been
extended persons who could have
received loans from no other source
than Government channels. FSA
officials say certain pride seems
to come with land ownership, and
once -shiftless people Immediately
begin assuming the responsibilities
of useful citizens.
Aided in Planning Crops.
After the farm is purchased,
comes period of planning and land
rebuilding, with the FSA acting as
friendly adviser. All proposed i'm
provements are carefully planned
and well-rounded agricultural
program, suitable to the particular
farm, is mapped out. Always the new
owner takes the initiative. Ina this
way he Is started on the road to
greater self-respect and self-assur-
ance.
Roy o. Reed, Charles County
FSA rehabilitation supervisor, is a
tobacco-chewing dirt farmer who
knows all the answers. He Is fellow
farmer whose advice has steared
many FSA borrowers over the humps
of new and unfamiliar farming
practices.
His work has born fruit. On q
recent drive through the county he
pointed out some 10 or more farms
which, have been purchased through
FSA loans.
"See his place." he said. THAT
was pretty much in ruins few years
ago. You couldn't recognize it now
if you could have seen 1t then"
Farm Is Prosperous.
The place had all the appearance
of prosperous farm. Young wheat
was we'll up in a field bordering
the highway. Behind the freshly
painted house pasture was be-
ginning to show the green Of spring.
There were milk COWS and horses
in the barn, and in another field
preparations were under way for
corn planting.
Near White Plains, Charles +,