economy.  This can work no hardship.  The constant demand for labor affords them the amplest protection.  Nothing, probably, would contribute so immediately to their prosperity as the reduction of the tariff.  They are the producers of no protected articles.  The onerous burdens of the tariff naturally fall heaviest upon those who are large consumers of protected articles and produce only the great staples, grain and cotton, which form the basis of our export trade, and which can, from their very nature in this country, receive no protection from a tariff.

Q. In your own State, Arkansas, what portion of the land cultivated and what proportion of the acreage of the land cultivated is in the form of large plantations?  —­A.  That lying along the Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers.  It would be hard for me to estimate the proportions.  I do not know that I have ever considered it, but the portions which are cultivated in large plantations lie directly on the Mississippi River in front of the State of Arkansas and on the Arkansas River.  The rest of the State is cultivated very much by small white farmers.

Q. And are the productions of the small holdings and large holdings similar; I inquire as to cotton particularly?  —­A.  No, sir.  In the interior of the State cotton is made a surplus crop entirely.

Q. What are the principal crops there?  —­A.  Our people are raising their own supplies, fruits and vegetables.  For instance, it was stated by the land agent of the Iron Mountain Railroad at a public meeting in Little Rock some weeks ago that that road had carried out from the State of Arkansas in one week 800,000 pounds of green peas and strawberries.

Q. To what market?  —­A.  To Saint Louis, going to different markets.  The section of the State lying between Little Rock and Fort Smith is peculiarly adapted for growing fruit, and there is a very large fruit trade.

     Q. What kinds of fruit? 
     —­A.  I might say almost all kinds, but particularly apples;
     that section of country is noted for its apples.

     Q. Are peaches raised there also? 
     —­A.  Very fine, indeed.

     Q. Plums? 
     —­A.  Yes, sir.

     Q. Are oranges raised there? 
     —­A.  No, sir; we do not raise any of the tropical fruits,
     such as oranges, bananas, and lemons.

Q. How in regard to oats, rye, corn, wheat, potatoes, and crops of that description?  —­A.  If our exhibit, which is now being made at the Louisville Exposition, can be seen it will compare favorably with that of any other portion of the United States.

     Q. Even with the Northwest? 
     —­A.  Even with the Northwest.