288 THE TIM BUNKER PAPERS. 



cotton. If he was going in for 500 acres of cotton, the 

 outlay would be 



For stock, seed, and implements $6 305 



Supplies for 60 hands say 1,200 bushels of corn, 120 barrels com 

 meal, 84 barrels pork, 15 bushels of salt, 10 months wages at 



15 dollars a month, and incidentals 14,875 



For rent of land at 10 dollars per acre 5,000 



$26,180 



The stock and implements would be worth three-fourths 

 their first cost or more at the close of the year, and this 

 amount may be deducted for the second year s operations. 

 Sometimes the cotton can be sold by Oct. 1st, and the 

 money realized go to pay the expenses of the year. 



The returns for such an investment will of course vary 

 with the yield and the market price. The average crop, 

 as planters estimated it under the old system, was one 

 bale upon alluvian, two-thirds of a bale upon &quot; hard-bot 

 tom lands,&quot; and half a bale upon upland. With free labor 

 this yield would probably be exceeded. The bale is rated 

 at 400 pounds. At a bale per acre, and cotton at 30 cents, 

 the crop on 500 acres would be worth $60,000. At a half 

 bale per acre it would be worth $30,000. The lowest es 

 timate gives near fifty per cent profit ; the highest, near 

 three hundred. 



Here is great temptation for northern skill and capital. 

 With any thing like a fair chance, money must be made 

 at it. It isn t strange that the cotton fever rages and 

 carries off our people.. The boys have all started, and I 

 suspect the girls will be sent for. 



Yours to command, 



TIMOTHY BUNKEK, ESQ 



Hookertown, Aug. 16th, 1866. 



