88 The Agricultural Papers of George Washington 



there are three hundred and seventeen ; of sheep, six hundred 

 and thirty- four ; of hogs, many ; but, as these run pretty much 

 at large in the woodland, which is all under fence, the number 

 is uncertain. Many of the negroes, male and female, might 

 be hired by the year, as laborers, if this should be preferred 

 to the importation of that class of people; but it deserves 

 consideration, how far the mixing of whites and blacks to 

 gether is advisable; especially where the former are entirely 

 unacquainted with the latter. 



If there be those who are disposed to take these farms in 

 their undivided state, on the terms which have been mentioned, 

 it is an object of sufficient magnitude for them, or one of them, 

 in behalf of the rest, to come over and investigate the prem 

 ises thoroughly, that there may be nothing to reproach 

 themselves, or me with, if (though unintentionally) there 

 should be defects in any part of the information herein given ; 

 or, if a society of farmers are disposed to adventure, it is 

 still more incumbent on them to send over an agent, for the 

 purpose abovementioned ; for with me the measure must be 

 so fixed as to preclude any cavil or discussion thereafter. 

 And it may not be malapropos to observe in this place, that 

 our overlookers are generally engaged, and all the arrange 

 ments for the ensuing crops are made, before the first of 

 September in every year. It will readily be perceived, then, 

 that if this period is suffered to pass away, it is not to be 

 regained until the next year. Possession might be given 

 to the new comers at the season just mentioned, to enable 

 them to put in their grain for the next crop ; but the final 

 relinquishment could not take place until the crops are 

 gathered, which of Indian corn (maize) seldom happens till 

 towards Christmas, as it must endure hard frosts before it 

 can be safely housed. 



I have endeavoured, as far as my recollection of facts 



