1845 46.] MB. FINNIE ON COTTON CULTIVATION. 105 



Rotation of crops : alternation with Indian corn CHAP. 



IV 

 occasionally necessary. The Cotton plant fills the land 



so full of its own excretions, that after a few years the ground 148 

 is rendered unsuitable for the reproduction of the plant in 

 a healthy state. But Mr. Finnie doubted whether the con- 

 tinued crops exhausted the soil ; for if the lands, said to be 

 exhausted, were planted for one year with Indian corn, they 

 would produce a fine crop of the corn, and the next year 

 would be again fitted for the production of Cotton. 



Capital required in American cultivation. Any 149 



sum from 20,000 dollars to 200,000 might be invested in an 

 estate. The first amount would yield a handsome profit, pro- 

 vided it were well managed by the owner himself ; though 

 it would not justify the employment of a Superintendent. 

 But 200,000 dollars well laid out, made a handsome proper- 

 ty ; and was as much as one Superintendent, whether owner 

 or employer, could look after in detail, with the assistance of 

 his Negro drivers. There were many Planters however, who 

 owned several such estates ; and the details of each were Para l75 ' 

 conducted by a Superintendent, whose reputation was re- 

 volved in its success or failure, that is in the profit or loss of 

 the estate entrusted to his charge. 



Successive operations necessary to raise a crop : 150 

 cleaning old land and clearing new. In America, says 

 Mr. Finnie, the life of a Cotton Planter is one of incessant 

 labour. In the first place, great care is necessary to ensure 

 a good and regular stand of plants ; and secondly, in the 

 gathering season, constant attention is necessary to ensure 

 the cleanliness of the Cotton : but when the hands employ- 

 ed have been once brought under strict discipline, they give 

 but little further trouble to the Planter. The operations of 

 the year may be thus described. The week's holiday, which 

 is annually granted to the Negroes, is over by the 1st of 

 January. The first operations of the Planter are to clean and 



