95. 
amount of capital, &c., being equal, make as much money as the same number of 
farmers, perhaps, of any county of the Union. Yet four-fifths of our lands are yet 
covered by primeval forests, and is exceedingly low-priced, while improved, i. e., cleared 
and fenced, lands are very high, which disproportion in price is caused by the want of 
labor, and a disposition on the part of politicians to represent us as averse to immigra- 
tion, and our society unprotected by laws. 
Hopkins, Kentucky.—The great want with us is steady, reliable labor. One thousand 
sturdy German farmers would probably do this county more good than millions of 
money. We have all the elements of immense wealth, in the shape of coal of the best 
quality, and first-rate timber in great abundance. 
LABOR AT THE SOUTH. 
The labor problem at the South has long been a difficult one. It was 
foreseen that neither employers nor employés could adjust themselves 
gracefully to an instant change from involuntary servitude to free labor. 
In the constitution of human nature, with its habitudes and prejudices, 
it could not be otherwise. Our correspondence is full of references to 
the relations of labor, of the most direct and positive character, and a 
proper understanding of the status of labor there requires large license 
in the extracts, which are given as the views of individual reporters. 
The instability of negro labor appears to be the prevalent complaint. 
Cotton is a most exacting crop, which requires at least ten months for 
growth and harvesting, while the other two are needed for preparation ; 
and the negro is charged with breaking his contract in the midst of the 
season, for higher wages, for a period of leisure, or from the merest 
caprice that seizes him—in some instances making engagements with 
several persons and disappointing all. The following extracts bear 
upon the point: 
Southampton, Va.—The negro in a state of freedom has little or no care for the 
future, and is satisfied with a bare supply for his daily wants. The foreigner will not 
come here to work with the negro, and hence a large proportion of our arable land 
must remain untilled. The negro is gradually gravitating to a warmer clime, (the 
work of time,) and in this state of transition the question is, “ What will the land- 
holder do?”—he can neither cultivate nor sell hisland. This question is now puzzling 
the wisest heads, and our condition is becoming one of suffering rather than of enjoy- 
ment and profit. 
Campbell, Va.—The most discouraging thing to the farmers in this county is the 
bad system of labor. The negroes are anxious to work by the day, but as soon as they 
get a little money they stop work until that isspent. If the farmers would co-operate 
in not employing them except by the month or year the system could be greatly im- 
proved. 
Floyd, Ga.—The shiftless and uncertain negro has to be employed, but he is a great 
vexation. It seems impossible to arouse or excite him toa constant diligence or to 
adapt him to a modern system of farming. He is careless and inconsiderate, and has 
no ambition but for temporary ease and comfort, and will never become an educated 
laborer. Ifhe has any talent or ambition he quits the farm and goes to town. It is 
only the indolent and indifferent that stay on the plantations. 
Stewart, Ga.—A laborer on a farm now works no more, upon an average, than six or 
seven hours each day, and the wages paid are too much. Most of our farmers ruin their 
farms by renting lands to freedmen, and furnish them with stock and supplies of all 
kinds. The stock is generally badly treated, and the crop badly worked. 
Bolivar, Miss.—Laborers seem to be the great cause of discouragement among our 
farmers. They are very unreliable; will only work for a portion of the crop, and seem 
to become indifferent before half the cultivating season is over, and generally neglect 
their crops and make nothing for themselves or the land-owner. It is impossible to 
convince one of them of any advantage in improved implements. 
Franklin, Ga.—But few laborers have either property or credit, hence the employer 
has everything to furnish, anticipating payment from the proceeds of the growing crop. 
Most laborers are disposed to he both idle and wasteful ; they soon become indebted to 
their employers, their demands for advances are extravagant, labor is scarce, and the 
employers are compelled to comply with their demands or lose their labor and the 
alg already advanced; hence, at the end of the year,employers are frequently 
osers. 
