He continued to raise corn only because it was essential for his negroes and hogs.

In 1798 he contracted with William A.Washington to supply him with five hundred barrels annually to eke out his own crop.

Even this quantity did not prove sufficient, for we find him next year trying to engage one hundred barrels more.
Before this time his main concern had come to be to conserve his soil and he had turned his attention largely to grass and live stock.

Of these matters more hereafter..