82 
CULTIVATION OF COTTON. 
take in view tlie social and moral advantages. Places of 
this kind, with respectable improvements, can be bought 
for prices ranging from fifteen to twenty-five dollars per 
acre. Second-rate upland places, more or less worn, but 
capable of good repair, can be had for prices ranging from 
six to twelve dollars per acre. 
There are four requisites for a good plantation : 1. Good 
soil, well diffused over land that cannot wash away. 2. 
Good timber and plenty of it. 3. Good water in abun- 
dance. 4. Contiguity to a good landing or depot. A 
man endowed with common sense will take all these things 
into consideration. By reference to Chap. IV., sec. 5, the 
reader will find that all the timber trees useful for building 
and fencing are found in our forests. 
On all places not well watered there is one remedy — 
dig wells and pools. 
Employing Hands. — During the present year (1866) 
hands have been employed at various rates and upon vari- 
ous contracts. Most of the employed hands are the negroes 
formerly owned by the employers. These, together with 
our noble army of young men returned fi'om the field of 
battle, constitute nine-tenths of the agricultural working 
force of the South. Some, preferring wages paid monthly, 
are receiving from eight to fifteen dollars per month and 
board ; but tbe larger portion are working upon contracts 
by which they are entitled to receive from one-half to one- 
third of the cotton crop — the employer agreeing to furnish 
the land, the working stock, and the farming implements; 
the employee agreeing to furnish his own food and cloth- 
ing, and pay his doctor's bills and taxes. We presume 
similar arrangements will be made hereafter. 
It is usually estimated that one hand will cultivate 
about fifteen acres — five in corn and ten in cotton. 
