CULTIVATION OF COTTON. 
81 
bought for five dollars per acre. It must be noticed here 
that the best plantations, as to quality, are not always the 
most desirable localities. Thus, for example, some of the 
richest alluvial lands in the Mississippi bottom are in the 
midst of a vast wilderness of cane, oaks, bears, and wild- 
cats. The man who is fond of a " lodge in some vast wil- 
derness " might be content, with a few companions and la- 
borers, in such a retreat ; and after he has cleared his plan- 
tation, and patiently waited for the coming of the second 
or third year, he will be richly rewarded for his labor. But 
he who wants good society, churches, schools, and all the 
conveniences of refined life, would not fancy such a location. 
Again, it is important that a planter should have a good 
outlet. He might possibly find a rich place, above over- 
flow, but unfortunately surrounded by impenetrable swamps. 
Two bales to the acre might be made in theory, but not in 
practice. 
During the days of our "patriarchal institution" our 
wealthiest planters owned at least two plantations — the 
" home place " and the " one in the bottom." The resi- 
dence, with all the comforts of life, was located on the 
former, and the detailed negroes, under an overseer, worked 
the latter. 
What changes may be brought about by the abolition 
of slavery we are not fully prepared to say. We presume, 
however, that the arrangements wiU not be quite so exten- 
sive, and the bales will not be piled quite so high. 
The best bottom plantations are those immediately on 
a river above overflow. Such locations are decidedly 
healthier than any in the interior of the bottoms. 
For a family residence and plantation we think the 
best table and creek-bottom land of the hill country is, 
upon the whole, more desirable — more especially when we 
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