Generally, though, there is a responsible manager in charge of this property, but there are instances where there is not even a white man on the place at all.
Q.In those instances, how do matters work?
Do the negroes conduct affairs with reasonable prudence, and consult the interest of the owners?
-- A.

No, sir; in these instances the property generally goes to decay gradually; the negro will not make an improvement on real estate at all.
Q.In these cases do the negroes work together and carry on the plantation as a whole, or is the plantation cut up into small holdings and rented out to negroes?
-- A.

It is cut into small portions and rented according to the size of the family.

Some men work two mules; some four.
It is regulated better by the number of animals he works.
For instance, a mule can cultivate in that country with ease about fifteen acres.

A man with two mules would work thirty acres; a man with four, sixty, and so on.