72 HISTORY OF THE [book v. 
STOCK. 
The stock on a plantation of the magnitude de¬ 
scribed, cannot prudently consist of less than two 
hundred and fifty negroes, eighty steers, and sixty 
mules. It is not sufficient to object, that two 
hundred hogsheads of sugar have been produced 
by the labour of a less number of negroes than is 
here allowed: I am treating of an estate which 
produces that quantity on a medium; consequent¬ 
ly, as, from droughts and unfavourable seasons, the 
crops will sometimes fall short of, at other times 
they must greatly exceed the numbers prescribed; 
and under these circumstances, I do not believe a 
plantation will easily be named that possesses (or 
employs, in job work and otherwise) a less number 
of negroes annually. If such an estate there is, I 
hesitate not to pronounce, that it is in improvident 
hands; for what management can be worse than 
that which, by over-working the negroes, sacrifices 
the capital for the sake of a temporary augmented 
income?—The cost of the stock, therefore, may 
be stated as follows: 
Jamaica 
Currency. 
250 Negroes, at £.70 each - - 17,500 
80 Steers, at ,£.15 - 1,200 
60 Mules, at £.28 - - ],680 
Total in currency (equal to £14,557 ster.) £20,380 
