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on most plantations- industry and a proper performance of their duties, the exception - This year, according to my observation, there exists a remarkable degree of quiet and harmony between the whites and blacks -

7. By the year, on my father's farm, at $5 a month for Jan'y & Feb'y, $6 a month for March & April and $10 or $11 a month during the following 6 months, $5 a month in Nov. & Dec - averaging $8 a month and rations, throughout the year - as well as I recollect the contract - this late for able-bodied men with $10 extra at the year's end, to those who uniformly behave well - women & boys receive $4 to $5 a month & rations -

8. I am not very competent to answer this question, as I am not a practiced farmer, my business a profession being that of lawyer - what knowledge I have of this whole subject is derived from observation, and from my having to take the practical management and direct superintendence of my father's farm for a period of 6 months from the 1st April of last year. -There is much difference of opinion and practice - [[strikethrough]]some [[/strikethrough]]many pay one fourth the crop, the freedmen meeting all their own expenses - I prefer paying money wages myself - advancing from time to time to the laborer such portion of his wages as may be required to meet the laborers necessary wants, and reserving a part until the end of the year, as security for the performance of his contract- I think this mode more satisfactory on both sides, simpler and better adapted to the comprehension of the negro. -

9. & 10. 11 & 12 I have answered 9 & 10 - The women are very reluctant to work in the field and very few of them do so. They are generally very reluctant to work at all, in doors or out. and, strange to say, those alone who can now exercise any control over them, their husbands and parents, seem willing to indulge them in their idle propensities.-

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-02-28 08:43:04 corrected : "recollect" "required" "wants" "reserving" "mode" "few" "strange to say" "over" added strikethrough added missing punctuation