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cuoice varieties, and the estaUlishmeut of a large nursery. Hamilton : Our labor 

 system is very crndo aud inefficient, and wlioUy inade(\uate to the demand. The 

 labor is performed entirely by whites, there not being a dozen freedmen in 

 the comity. Farmers are introdup.insj better breeds of horses, cattle, and hogs. 

 Grimes: Most of our wealthy farmers rent their lands to freedmen by the acre, and feel no 

 intei'est in the mode of culture so that they get their money. There seems to be a dis- 

 position to plant more oats for feed, to save hay, and to take better care of their stock. 

 McLennan : The most rational process of planting and cultivating cotton which has 

 come to my knowledge is as follows : Flat-break the ground, lay off the drills the 

 usual distance with a narrow plow, drill in the seed as usual, and cover with a turning 

 plow, harrowing afterward. When up check off with a " sweep " across the drills, 

 two/urrows with the sweep, making a middle this way as wide as the drill. The 

 after-culture consists of one hoeing and continual use of the sweep, passing between 

 the rows both ways. The advantage of this process is- in saving labor with the hoe. 

 Bee : Improved stock of all kinds being introduced, and barns and stables for shelter 

 in winter being erected. At the close of the war there was not a single pasture in- 

 closed in the county, but now there are about twenty, averaging 500 acres each. Nue- 

 ces : There is a growing desire to purchase land and resist the encroachments of wan- 

 dering herds of all kinds of stock, realizing the fiict that a man is entitled to whatever 

 benefit he can derive from his own land upon which he pays taxes. Brazoria : The 

 negroes', who form the bulk of our laborers, are leaving the towns and villages and re- 

 turning to their former pursuits of agriculture, and are paying more attention to the 

 raising of breadstuffs aud other provisions than heretofore. Many are securing homes 

 and small fiirnis, and have commenced the year apparently with the determination of 

 doing better in the future. There is less idleness and drunkenness among them than 

 at any period since their emancipation ; aud it is to be hoped that favorable crops and 

 prosperous times will prevent a return to their former bad habits. Rill : I cannot 

 claim that economy and efficiency of labor have accomplished any very remarkable 

 results, but j^et ia the preparation aud management of the land, and the proper direc- 

 tion of labor, there is much evidence of progress. The lands have been kept in better 

 condition and freer from weeds, which evinces increased interest. 



Akkaxsas. — Franklin : Thei'e is some advancement in economy, efficiency of labor, 

 in systematic processes in advanced intelligence, and skill. This county lacks more in 

 means' than in skill. Scott: Ditching has been done in mauy parts of this county, 

 causing lands heretofore unproductive to produce well. Attention is now being di- 

 rected to fruit-growing more than ever before, both for market and home consumption. 

 Cotton-planting is decreasing in amount, and grain, fruit-growing, and stock-raising is 

 on the increase. Stoice: Considerable improvement in the preparation of the ground 

 before putting in crops, by deep plowing and harrowing, the last year, with very sat- 

 isfactqry results. 



Texxesske. — Giles : Less cotton and more grass ; more labor-saving machinery. 

 Greene: Improved wheat culture. Fentress: Not much. County has but partially 

 recovered from the war. Dickson : Better implements and processes of culture ; 

 farmers' associations increasing. Obion : The best implements introduced. Dav- 

 idson : More clovering ; better plowing; diagonal plowing has produced excellent 

 results, stopping the washing of land. Dyer : Freedmen averse to any crop except cot- 

 ton, which brings ready money. Cocke: Improved implements -and processes of cul- 

 ture. Ferry: Farms subdivided; manure husbanded; more grass; more systematic 

 rotation; better tools ; more general discussion ; more diversification of crops. Wilson: 

 Improved machinery ; scarcity of labor compels it. Wasliington : Considerable awaken- 

 ing aud promise of substantial reforms. Bedford: More grass. Blount: Better ma- 

 chinery aud improved processes. De Kalb : Smaller farms ; better manuring ; greater 

 economy in labor. Hancock : Rotation more generally practiced. Monroe : Better im- 

 plements and farm-buildings; better culture and more economical management. 

 Meigs: Best farmers importing better implements. Sumner: Lack of labor has induced 

 the general use of machinery; more systematic rotation; improved appearance of farms. 

 Robertson : Improved implements and live stock, with a more judicious rotation ; labor- 

 system unsatisfactory. Grundy: A Swiss colony has set a noble example of recupera- 

 tive culture. Few other farmers have got out of the old ruts ; dilapidated buildings 

 and farms, and general poverty of soil apparent. Henry : Labor-system unsettled ; most 

 of the laborers crop on shares, and change homes every year. Most of them make a 

 support. Jefferson : Improved implements and processes of culture ; more manuring. 

 Stewart: Better houses and clothing ; better stock under better shelter. Sevier: None. 

 Carter : Less advanced than before the war. Fayette : None. Loudoun : Better ma- 

 chinery and more manure. Folk : Improving the fertility of lands ; rough surface for- 

 bids the general use of machinery. Bradley: Farmers beginning to see the need of 

 fertilizing. Smith : Improvements in stock, grain, and grass-raising. Fhea : Better 

 implements ; more grass. Campbell : Considerable improvements in machinery and in 

 winter-stabling of stock. Lincoln: Considerable improvement in preparing soil for 

 wheat and corn. Hardin : Labor system about tiie same, but more labor-saving ma- 



