278 HUMAN FACTORS IN COTTON CULTURE 



worth $20,000.00 and going strong, specializing in long staple 

 cotton. 18 



The death of work stock often causes a reduction in the 

 tenure of the cotton farmer. The following case 19 shows 

 the relation of a small owner in the Coastal Plains of 

 Georgia to the credit system : 



Runs two plows; works children in field as laborers girls 

 and boys. 



"My horse died and I had to get another horse on credit 

 to work the land with. Made good crops, lived economically, 

 plain clothing and no luxuries doing without many neces- 

 sities. In fall 1912 my creditors did not give me time to 

 gather all my cotton to pay as far as I could, but the re- 

 mainder of my cotton was levied on in the field, and also 

 my corn and potatoes were levied on and sold by the sheriff. 

 Having lost all my eatables, the purchaser felt sorry and 

 gave me back the sweet potatoes." 



Three cases of cotton farmers came from the Coastal 

 Plains of Georgia. All are fairly well-to-do and above 

 the average small owners. The first attempts diversified 

 farming, the second has lived off the sales of timber, the 

 third has a long-time farm loan : 



1. Owns 200 acres of land, paid for and owes no money, 

 and does not borrow or buy on credit. Runs three plows; 

 has eight children. Hires no labor, but works children as 

 laborers in fields. Dresses himself and children in only ordi- 

 nary common clothing, and has the necessities of life. Makes 

 an average of twenty-five bales of cotton a year. 



"I live at home; I buy clothing, shoes, flour, coffee, sugar 

 and fertilizer for which I pay cash. I am a diversified farmer 



18 Letters from an Arkansas Banker, March, 1921. 



19 Bivens, The Farmer's Political Economy, pp. 18-19. 



