SECRETARY'S REPORT. 39 



division of land into comparatively small estates, is most in 

 accordance with the genius of our government. And wherever 

 the mode of farming will allow, as in lands adapted to the 

 growing of grain, or the raising of beef, or the supply of local 

 markets, this system is most applicable, and most profitable. 

 The cultivation of such farms, under the guidance of educated 

 agriculturists, to whose care are submitted small bodies of 

 freedmen, must be attended with good results. The system of 

 apprenticeship which might be adopted under the regulations of 

 government, would impose upon every person taking such a 

 farm the obligation of providing for the education, and support, 

 and future establishment of those persons placed under his care. 

 In this way a direct appeal may be made to the industry and 

 intelligence of the employer and employed, and a social organi- 

 zation may be founded in which all men will enjoy their 

 opportunity. 



In some sections, on the other hand, this plan may be inap- 

 plicable, and circumstances may require the working of large 

 bodies of freedmen under some sort of military control, as an 

 introduction to a state of society requiring less discipline and 

 allowing more independence of action. In order to provide for 

 this diversity, there should undoubtedly be vested in the bureau 

 some power to employ military authority in case of necessity, 

 due regard always being had to the great object in view, viz. : the 

 establishment of social and domestic order and elevation, on 

 the basis of intelligence and morality, and fairly compensated 

 labor. 



As an illustration of what may be done in this direction, by 

 discipline, and application, and the employment of a controlling 

 intellect, we may turn to the plan adopted by Colonel E. M. 

 Green on the " contraband farm" near Washington. In July, 

 1863, Colonel Green took seven farms on the Arlington estate, 

 consisting of one thousand acres of farm land and two hundred 

 acres of garden. There are now on this land 1,020 negroes, of 

 whom only eighty are able-bodied men, the balance being old 

 men, women and children. The wages of men are, under recent 

 orders from the War Department, -130 per month, from which 

 Colonel Green deducts five dollars each month for the formation 

 of a fund to be used in erecting and supporting a hospital, and 

 for contingent expenses. This fund, with the profits of the sale 



