field. The plough-gang go first
through the rows, turning up the soil, and are followed by the hoe-gang,
who break out the weeds, and lay the soil carefully around the roots of
the young plants. This operation has to be repeated again and again; and
so important is it to have it done seasonably that the workers are urged
on, early and late, until the field is in a flourishing condition. Hot
or cold, wet or dry, day and night, sometimes, the poor creatures have
to toil through this busy season. Then there is a little intermission of
the severe labor until the picking time, when again they are obliged to
work incessantly.

Most of the hoers are women and boys, some of whom do the whole allotted
task; others only a quarter, half, or three quarters, according to their
ability. When the children are first put into the field, they are only
put to quarter tasks, and some of the women are unable to do more. The
bell is rung for them at early dawn, when they rise, prepare and eat
their breakfast, and move down to the field. Clad in coarse, filthy, and
scanty clothing, they drag sullenly along, and use their implements of
labor with a slow, reluctant motion, that says very plainly, "This
work is not for ME. My toil will do ME no good." Oh, how would freedom,
kindness, and good wages spur up those unwilling toilers! How would
the bright faces, the cheerful words and songs of independent,
self-interested, intelligent laborers, make those fields to rejoice,
almost imparting vigor and growth to the cotton itself! But, alas! it is
a sad place, a valley of sighs and groans and tears and blood, a realm
of hate and malice, of imprecation and wrath, and every fierce and
wicked passion.

A "water-toter" follows each gang with a pail and calabash; and the
negro-driver stands among them with a long whip in his hand, which he
snaps over their heads continually, and lets the lash fall, with more or
less severity, on one and another, shouting and yelling meanwhile in
a furious and brutal manner, as a boisterous teamster would do to his
unruly oxen.

If the season is wet, the danger to the crop being greater, there is
more necessity for constant toil, and the poor slaves are whipped,
pushed, and driven to the very utmost, and allowed no time to rest.
It is no matter if the old are over-worked, or the young too hardly
pressed, or the feeble women faint under their burdens. So that a good
crop is produced, and the planter can enjoy his luxurie