Of the others—­the provision crops—­there is most commonly enough made upon most plantations for their own supply.  Rarely, however, is it saved without great and inexcusable waste, and fed out without still greater.  And this, to their lasting shame be it said, is too often the case to a disgraceful extent, when an overseer feels satisfied that he will not remain another year upon the place.  His conduct should be the very opposite of this—­an honorable, right-thinking man will feel a particular degree of pride in leaving every thing in thorough order, and especially an abundant supply of all kinds of feed.  He thus establishes a character for himself which must have its effect.

Few plantations are so rich in soil as not to be improved by manure.  Inform yourself of the best means, suited to the location and soil of the place under, your charge, of improving it in this and in every other way.  When an opportunity offers, carry out these improvements.  Rely upon it there are few employers who will not see and reward such efforts.  Draining, ditching, circling, hedging, road-making, building, etc., may all be effected to a greater or less extent every season.

During the long evenings of winter improve your own mind and the knowledge of your profession by reading and study.  The many excellent agricultural periodicals and books now published afford good and cheap opportunities for this.

It is indispensable that you exercise judgment and consideration in the management of the negroes under your charge.  Be firm, and, at the same time, gentle in your control.  Never display yourself before them in a passion; and even if inflicting the severest punishment, do so in a mild, cool manner, and it will produce a tenfold effect.  When you find it necessary to use the whip—­and desirable as it would be to dispense with it entirely, it is necessary at times—­apply it slowly and deliberately, and to the extent you had determined, in your own mind, to be needful before you began.  The indiscriminate, constant, and excessive use of the whip is altogether unnecessary and inexcusable.  When it can be done without a too great loss of time, the stocks offer a means of punishment greatly to be preferred.  So secured, in a lonely, quiet place, where no communication can be held with any one, nothing but bread and water allowed, and the confinement extending from Saturday, when they drop work, until Sabbath evening, will prove much more effectual in preventing a repetition of the offense, than any amount of whipping.  Never threaten a negro, but if you have occasion to punish, do it at once, or say nothing until ready to do so.  A violent and passionate threat will often scare the best-disposed negro to the woods.  Always keep your word with them, in punishments as well as in rewards.  If you have named the penalty for any certain offense, inflict it without listening to a word of excuse.  Never forgive that in one that you would punish in another, but treat all alike, showing no favoritism.  By pursuing such a course, you convince them that you act from principle and not from impulse, and will certainly enforce your rules.  Whenever an opportunity is afforded you for rewarding continued good behavior, do not let it pass—­occasional rewards have a much better effect than frequent punishments.