1845-46.] ME. EIOTIE ON COTTON CULTIVATION. 93 



and thick fogs at night ; these, however, are soon dis- 

 pelled on the appearance of a bright snn, which usually 

 prevails in the morning and during the whole day. 

 The rains may be thus characterized. During spring, 

 summer, and autumn they consist of heavy bursts of fre- 

 quent showers. During the winter the climate is pro- 

 verbially described as consisting of three heavy white 

 frosts, and a hot sun in the day, which is succeeded by 



• a heavy rain, generally of one day's duration, but occa- 

 sionally extending over ten days. 



Rotation of crops : alternation with Indian corn oc- 148 

 casionally necessary. — The Cotton plant fills the land 

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



• ground is rendered unsuitable for the reproduction of 



• the plant in a healthy state. But Mr. Finnie doubted 



I whether the continued crops exhausted the soil ; for if 

 the lands, said to be exhausted, were planted for one 



i 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 sum 149 

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

 an estate. The first amount would yield a handsome 

 profit, provided 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 property ; 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 

 conducted by a superintendent, whose re- 

 putation was involved 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 inces- 

 sant labour. In the first place, great care is necessary 

 to ensure a good and regular stand of plants ; and, se- 

 condly, in the gathering season, constant attention is 

 necessary to ensure the cleanliness of the Cotton : but 



