‘96 
Richland, La.—Most planters give their laborers a certain proportion—usualy one- 
half—of all that is raised on their lands, the planter finding the farming implements, 
mules, and feed for the same. This plan is now believed to be detrimental to the in- 
terests of the planter. Some few rent or lease the land at $4 to $6 per acre, and think 
they do better. Fewer still pay their laborers a certain stipulated amount of money 
per month. Very few hands in this county are willing to work under this arrange- 
ment. 
Little River, Ark.—To make a synopsis of the laborer’s mal-conditions: He has to 
buy his meat at 25 to 30 cents per pound; his bread for $1.50 per bushel; his drink 
(not water) for $1.50 per bottle; and his clothing from 100 to 200 per cent. on cost, be- 
sides interest and other emoluments to the merchant or employer for having to wait 
from January 1 to the time when his cotton can be gotten to market. The result is, 
that, at the end of the year, he has nothing, though with intelligence and care he and 
his family might have cleared about a thousand dollars above the cost of his absolute 
necessities. 
Hamilton, Tenn.—The farmer makes his contract with his farm-hands, the freed- 
men, for the year, and agrees to pay them so much for the year in monthly payments. 
He “ pitches” his crop—so much corn, oats, wheat, grass, &c.—for the force he has em- 
ployed; they all start off in a good humor, and everything moves pleasantly until the 
winter months have passed, and the “‘spring-time has come,” and the time and labor 
of the farm-hand is constantly required. The farmer is using every exertion to haye 
his grain crop ready, so that he can go to his clover and grass meadows, his oats and 
wheat harvest, and ‘make hay while the sun shines,’ when he finds that, from some 
cause or other, and generally the most trivial, the freedmen have become dissatisfied, 
demand their time and wages, and leave the farmer to save his crops as best he can, 
which is difficult to do, as the demand for labor at this time is great; and if he gets 
other laborers it is at greatly increased wages. Sometimes the demand for wages is 
greater than the value of the crops to be saved. 
There is another difficulty, less dwelt upon, but almost equally inju- 
rious: the inefficiency of white labor, and an indisposition on the part of 
many whites destitute of income to do any regular work. The following 
extracts illustrate this difficulty: 
Johnson, Ga.—Want of energy is the principal cause of discouragement. The 
young whites, who were not brought up to labor on the farm, find it hard to com- 
mence that occupation, and too many of them seek the professions, and other oceupa- 
tions, rather than work on the farm. The colored population believed that freedom 
and idleness are synonymous terms. Hence, when they became free they thought 
they had nothing to do but lie abed until the Government furnished them with forty 
acres and a mule. 
Coahoma, Miss—This is our remedy: we want white labor, improved labor, so 
as to set an example to the colored people of superior industry and energy ; laborers 
who can use improved agricultural implements, and know how to take care of them ; 
who have a sense of carefulness, honesty, and attention to business—the common re- 
quirements of farm labor. Every planter should have them on his place, and should 
be prepared to accommodate them. 
Jasper, Miss.—The white people do not want to work, and they say the negroes will 
not work ; hence the many complaints. The only remedy that fairly presents itself, or 
any suggestion that I can make, is for both white and colored to take up some busi- | 
ness or industry, and follow it instead of finding fault. 
Many correspondents ask for a law compelling fulfillment of contracts, 
and defining the duties, rights, and privileges of landlord and tenant. 
There certainly should be legislation securing equal justice to employer 
and laborer, if it is not already upon the statute-books of States. Itis 
evident, however, that there are unprincipled employers who stimulate 
and turn to their own advantage this disposition to disregard con- 
tracts. 
Tensas, La.—With land cheap and cotton bringing a good price, the man who can 
command the most labor, either by hoodwinking, humbugging, or persuasion, makes 
the most money. At the beginning of each year most of the labor is unengaged, and 
the contest for hands is very exciting. A month or two is generally lost in this way, 
and hard feeling very often engendered between neighbors. 
Nicholas, Ky.—I would suggest that farmers enter into an agreement not to hire 
or give employment to hands who had, without good cause, left the employment 
of another, without first consulting both parties and learning the cause of separa- 
tion. 
