HUMAN ELEMENTS IN COTTON 271 



and butter for the family was taken. The scene was almost 

 tragic, and the heart of the officer melted away when the 

 woman of the household prayed for the deliverance of the 

 ones holding the mortgage from a life of torment in the 

 next world. The live stock was taken to a neighbor's house, 

 to be held for a few days, giving the tenant time in which 

 he would be permitted to raise the amount due on the mort- 

 gage. 10 



It is possible for cotton lands to be rented as a cap- 

 italistic undertaking. In the case here cited, cotton ten- 

 ancy corresponds more to the form of tenancy in the 

 wheat belt than in the South. This case comes from the 

 Mississippi Delta of Arkansas: 



Chalmers Barnett 



Married spring of '24, $300.00 worse than broke. Rented 

 average land. Bought team, tools, feed, etc., on credit. Made 

 good crop. Got poor price and paid all. 



1925. Bought another team and rented 40 acres more 

 land. Better tools and a Ford car. Good crop. Poor price 

 but paid out. 



1926. Rented 80 acres more land. Bought two more teams, 

 good crop. Got poor price and paid all. 



1927. Worked a 5 team crop (160 acres). Poor crop. Good 

 price. Paid out. 



1928. Rented 40 acres more land and bought another team 

 on a credit prospect of a fair crop and a moderate price, 

 so should pay out. 



This man works well and is far above the average in prac- 

 tical ability and intelligence, and I am sure will succeed and 

 go further. He grows cotton exclusively. Buys all feed at 

 large price. 11 



10 Greensboro News, (N. C.), June 26, 1926. 



11 Letter to writer, March, 1928. 



