The Wilmington morning star., 1945-06-25

l.
ridge and, in many instances,
two-row riding cultivators were be-
ing used with excellent effect. To-
bacco in that territory is buttoning
low, in some fields, but the grow
ers said they could handle that all
right by topping the plants and
picking out good strong sucker
to carry the extra leaves desired.
Jack Harrell. farm agent, said
that 1880 acres were planted to
tobacco in Greene County last year
and that the crop averaged 1,205
pounds of cured leaf per acre,
which, at an average of 40 cents
a pound, means little over nine
million dollars in tobacco income.
That's a nice bit of money for the
5000 people in that county. How
ever, all the farm land in Greene
is owned by about $50 persons or
families and of that number, at
least 100 live outside of the county.
The people of Greene County are
beginning to give considerable
thought to their tenancy situation
and to their absentee landlords.
They are beginning to wonder if
they have a healthy. farm condi-
ton. AS a matter of fact, that was
the subject for discussion before
the meeting of the home demon
stration council and l have feel
ing that the subject will be dis
cussed more and more in the days
to come.
Some good farming is being done
in Greene by the Beaman Brothers
who live about four miles from
Snow Hill. We had time to visit
only two of the brothers and found
C. j. Beaman busy in his large
garden. He was bemoaning h e
loss of some excellent strawberry
plants, cabbage, and other vege-
tables which were growing in that
part of his garden next to to-
bacco barn that was struck by
lightning the week before. The
barn was completely destroyed in
the resulting fire. and Mr.. Beaman
said if the wind had been blowing
towards his home, the whole farm
stead would have been wiped out.
Neighbors came to his rescue, how
ever, and a bucket brigade, aided
by tin roofs on some of the ada
cent buildings, helped to save the
property.
Mr.. Beaman has a typical east
ern Carolina farm. He owns 1854
acres of land in his total farm
holdings and grows about 80 acres
Of cotton, rs acres of corn, so acres
of tobacco, and 20 acres of hay.
He also plants wheat and oats for
winter growth to be followed by
lespedeza or soybeans. The Bea-
mans have a lovely home, well
shaded, and with flowers and
shrubs arranged in the yards.
He grows his own meat supply and
has a smoke house full of Shout
ders, side meat and hams. The
chicken yard and garden also sup
ply their share of quality food.
1t was interesting to see the fine
collards now growing in Greene
gardens. Jack Harrell said this is
common to the county, although
over most of North Carolina col,
lards are planted later in the
season.
Attesting to the fact that Greene
is one of North Cardinals best crop
counties is the significant situation
existing there in regard to farm
lands. There is none for sale. One
look at the crops growing there
this year and the reason can easily
be understood.
Farmers there and elsewhere in
the state will be pleased to know
that Fred Sloan. in charge of the
emergency labor program for the
Extension Service has arranged
for fifteen hundred Bahamians to
arrive in North Carolina between
June 20 and July for harvesting
beans, peaches, and tobacco.
These workers from the West In
dies are being brought in by the
War Food Administration, d
were placed through the county
agents of the Extension Service.
Contracts for them have already
been made with farmers and no
additional Bahamians are expected
this season.
The first group of 800 workers
are supposed to have reached
Candor, Montgomery County, last
Wednesday, June 20, for the har-
vesting of peaches. Another group