We could not afford to sell the mules, implements, &c., where a laborer has nothing.

Therefore the first year we contract to work with him on the half-share system, and require him to plant a portion of the land he cultivates in corn, hay, potatoes, &c.

For this portion we charge him a reasonable rent, to be paid out of his part of the cotton raised on the remainder.

In this way all of the supplies raised belong to him, and at the end of the first year he will, if industrious, find himself possessed of enough supplies to support and feed a mule.

We then sell him a mule and implements, preserving, of course, liens until paid.