half a mile of the quarter.  They are required to be cool before commencing to suckle—­to wait fifteen minutes at least in summer, after reaching the children’s house before nursing.  It is the duty of the nurse to see that none are heated when nursing, as well as of the overseer and his wife occasionally to do so.  They are allowed forty-five minutes at each nursing to be with their children.  They return three times a day until their children are eight months old—­in the middle of the forenoon, at noon, and in the middle of the afternoon; till the twelfth month but twice a day, missing at noon; during the twelfth month at noon only...The amount of work done by a suckler is about three fifths of that done by a full hand, a little increased toward the last...Pregnant women at five months are put in the sucklers’ gang.  No plowing or lifting must be required of them.  Sucklers, old, infirm and pregnant receive the same allowances as full-work hands.  The regular plantation midwife shall attend all women in confinement.  Some other woman learning the art is usually with her during delivery.  The confined woman lies up one month, and the midwife remains in constant attendance for seven days.  Each woman on confinement has a bundle given her containing articles of clothing for the infant, pieces of cloth and rag, and some nourishment, as sugar, coffee, rice and flour for the mother.”

The instructions with one accord required that the rations issued to the negroes be never skimped.  Corbin wrote, “They ought to have their belly full, but care must be taken with this plenty that no waste is committed.”  Acklen, closely followed by Fowler, ordered his overseer to “see that their necessities be supplied, that their food and clothing be good and sufficient, their houses comfortable; and be kind and attentive to them in sickness and old age.”  And further:  “There will be stated hours for the negroes to breakfast and dine [in the field], and those hours must be regularly observed.  The manager will frequently inspect the meals as they are brought by the cook—­see that they have been properly prepared, and that vegetables be at all times served with the meat and bread.”  At the same time he forbade his slaves to use ardent spirits or to have such about their houses.  Weston wrote:  “Great care should be taken that the negroes should never have less than their regular allowance.  In all cases of doubt, it should be given in favor of the largest quantity.  The measure should not be struck, but rather heaped up over.  None but provisions of the best quality should be used.”  Telfair specified as follows:  “The allowance for every grown negro, however old and good for nothing, and every young one that works in the field, is a peck of corn each week and a pint of salt, and a piece of meat, not exceeding fourteen pounds, per month...The suckling children, and all other small ones who do not work in the field, draw a half allowance of corn and salt....Feed everything plentifully, but waste