part of the stalk where it opened first is where they got the first
pickings. The season of first picking was always a great time, for the
planter who brought the first bale of cotton into market at Memphis was
presented with a basket of champagne by the commission merchants. This
was a custom established throughout Mississippi. After the first
pickings were secured the cotton developed very fast, continuing to bud
and bloom all over the stalk until the frost falls. The season of
picking was exciting to all planters, every one was zealous in pushing
his slaves in order that he might reap the greatest possible harvest.
The planters talked about their prospects, discussed the cotton markets,
just as the farmers of the north discuss the markets for their
products. I often saw Boss so excited and nervous during the season he
scarcely ate. The daily task of each able-bodied slave during the cotton
picking season war 250 pounds or more, and all those who did not come up
to the required amount would get a whipping. When the planter wanted
more cotton picked than usual, the overseer would arrange a race. The
slaves would be divided into two parties, with, a leader for each party.
The first leader would choose a slave for his side, then the second
leader one for his, and so on alternately until all were chosen. Each
leader tried to get the best on his side. They would all work like good
fellows for the prize, which was a tin cup of sugar for each slave on
the winning side. The contest was kept up for three days whenever the
planter desired an extra amount picked. The slaves were just as
interested in the races as if they were going to get a five dollar bill.

* * * * *

PREPARING COTTON FOR MARKET.

The gin-house was situated about four hundred yards from "the great
house" on the main road. It was a large shed built upon square timbers,
and was similar to a barn, only it stood some six feet from the ground,
and underneath was located the machinery for running the gin. The cotton
was put into the loft after it was dried, ready for ginning. In this
process the cotton was dropped from the loft to the man who fed the
machine. As it was ginned the lint would go into the lint room, and the
seed would drop at the feeder's feet. The baskets used for holding lint
were twice as large as those used in the picking process, and they were
never taken from the gin house. These lint baskets were used in removing