Under the instruction of the agent I planted the 3 rented acres to melons and sowed cowpeas between the rows at the last cultivation to be turned under as green manure. This crop of melons netted me $300. On the 4 cleared acres I began soil building and the rotation of crops, as follows: In the spring I sowed cowpeas for hay, followed by crimson clover, which was turned under the following spring and planted to corn. Cowpeas were sown at the last cultivation. A good crop of corn was produced the first year. The cornland was planted to garden peas the next year, followed by crimson clover to be turned under and by potatoes the year following. The potatoes were followed by cowpeas, which were cut for hay in the fall. In the meantime, I had cleared the other 5 acres on which I planted melons, followed by crimson clover to be turned under for soil improvement.
Fig. 9.—Farm home and buildings of Floyd Stokes, of Gloucester County, Va., an outstanding negro farmer who attributes his unusual success to following the advice and suggestions of the negro extension agent.
Back in the early days when I began work with the agent, my land was very thin and light, being of a sandy texture; hence, it would not produce over 15 bushels to the acre. By following closely the system of crop rotation taught me, the same land is producing at this time an average of 45 bushels of corn per acre and other crops are doing equally well. From a sand bed, my land has been brought to a high state of cultivation.
In the fourth year after I had bought my first 9 acres, I purchased 7 additional acres. From 1911 to 1917 I rented 13 acres adjoining the 16 acres I owned. At the expiration of this period I succeeded in buying this piece of land, paying cash for it at the rate of $100 per acre. Two years later I bought 20 acres more for which I paid $3,000 in cash, making my total holdings at this time 49 acres. The land on which my house stands cost me $800. I have since been offered $6,000 for it. On the 20-acre plot is a good house which I rent out, although the land is retained for my own use.
In 1923 I began to remodel my house. The necessary timber was cut from the 20 acres purchased last. I planned to add all modern conveniences to the house. A lighting system has been installed and I plan to put in a complete water system next year. I have sheds for housing the farm tools when not in use, and insist that they be kept there. My net income averages around $2,000 per year. I have sold $1,600 worth of green peas this season and just to-day received $300 in small checks from neighboring farmers for seeds and plants grown by me. My farm is self-supporting. I do not buy anything that I can grow, and sell all surplus crops. I have eight children, all of whom are being educated as fast as they are ready for it. Two of my children are graduates of Hampton Institute.
I was one of the first to take up demonstration work in Gloucester County and through it showed that money could be made out of growing garden peas and other truck crops. Since most people at that time were practicing fishing and oystering, no one believed that truck gardening could be successful. When my success became known, one after the other began to take it up until to-day Gloucester County has become a great trucking center.
What success I have had in land buying, soil improvement, home making, and education of my children may be credited to the extension service through its agents who have rendered me most valuable service for which I am deeply grateful.
In Gloucester County, Va., more than 90 per cent of the heads of negro families own their own homes, the jail is usually empty, and the courts have little to do.
