Beaman Farm, Greene County, 1945

By F.H. Jeter, Extension Service Editor, North Carolina State College, Raleigh, as published in the Wilmington Star, June 25, 1945

Some good farming is being done in Greene [County] 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 the loss of some excellent strawberry plants, cabbage, and other vegetables which were growing in that part of his garden next to the tobacco 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 farmstead would have been wiped out. Neighbors came to his rescue, however, and a bucket brigade, aided by tin roofs on some of the adjacent buildings, helped to save the property.

Mr. Beaman has a typical eastern Carolina farm. He owns 354 acres of land in his total farm holdings and grows about 30 acres of cotton, 75 acres of corn, 50 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 Beamans 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 shoulders, side meat and hams. The chicken yard and garden also supply their share of quality food.

It was interesting to see the fine collards now growing in Green gardens. Jack Harrell said this is common to the county, although over most of North Carolina collards are planted later in the season.

Attesting to the fact that Greene is one of North Carolina’s 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.