112 COTTON PLANTER'S MANUAL. 



now in existence. Col. Vick selected the seed from his 

 100-seed, and from the Mexican, for several years. He 

 projected with the seed, he said, resembling silk in feel, and 

 quit, I think. I selected one year, and the second selected 

 for J. V. J., and had so much to think of, I cast all off 

 Therefore, Col. Vick has the credit, and I must not take it to 

 myself. Col. V. deserves more credit as an observing planter, 

 than any man who has dabbled in experiments. He has 

 been improving seed these fifteen years. And proof he 

 works fifty hands, or over, and made, the past year, as bad as 

 it was, nine bales per hand ! Tell that to the B'hoys who 

 think there is no virtue in improving seed. 



I have required J. V. J. to send me a bushel of the seed. 

 This I will project with, and return him the progeny, even 

 bettered ; for I assure you and all others, that, in Warren 

 County, and a part of Hinds, we can improve any seed. Our 

 climate and soil, and our attention, is something. 



I will suggest to all parties interested, that we name the 

 seed, (as the cotton is, beyond doubt, distinct,) Jethro Seed 

 after JETHRO, of the Cultivator, whose anonymous contribu- 

 tions to that periodical are considered among its best. 



I ask it of friend J. V. J., and will send him a letter of in- 

 troduction to Jethro ; and, by-the-by, I hope there are many 

 others who admire the writings of Jethro, and who miss him 

 as much as does your friend. 



And, by-the-by, as I have returned to my duty, I would 

 like to see my old companions-in-arms my noble Coke, caustic 

 Broomsedge, and others. Come, friends ! let us, one and all, 

 give a whole-soul life to the Cultivator, this year. Our read- 

 ers are many. They are our brothers, of "our own, our 

 native land." We are aiding the readers and ourselves. I 

 am the oldest man among ye, and 1 hope you will not leave 

 the load to the " old man" my nickname, when about twelve 



