"
"I mean to plant cotton there, Hubert. I have sent to Buenos Ayres
for seeds of what are called Carolina Upland, and I expect them
here in a few days."
"But it takes a great deal of labor, does it not, papa?"
"The calculation in the Northern States, Hubert, is that one man
can cultivate eight acres of cotton, assisted by his wife and
children at certain periods; and that as his labor is not always
required, he can with his family cultivate another eight or ten
acres of other produce; so that about half of a peon's labor will
be required, and in the hoeing and picking time we can all help."
"Is not machinery required to separate the seeds from the cotton?"
Charley asked.
"It is not absolutely necessary, Charley, although it is of course
economical when the cultivation is carried on upon a large scale.
The variety I am going to try is sometimes called 'bowed' Carolina,
because it used to be cleaned by placing it upon a number of
strings stretched very tight, which were struck with a sort of bow,
and the vibration caused the seed to separate from the cotton. I
have a drawing of one of these contrivances in a book up at the
house, and when the time comes you fellows shall make me one. It
will be work for us to do indoors when the weather is too hot to be
out.
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