But these were the speculations of moneyed men. The South had its speculations to offer for small farmers as well as for capitalists. With reasonable prudence and skill, they might hope to realize at least double as much as could be expected from an investment of the same amount of capital in farming at the North. Scores of plantations, averaging from one to four hundred acres of arable lands, could be bought or leased, at prices not generally exceeding fifteen dollars per acre for purchase, or four dollars for lease. Purchases were made in cash; leases were paid either quarterly or one-third down, and the rest at the end of the year’s work. A Northern farmer, himself working in the fields with his hands, could probably make the crop on a hundred acres with six hired negroes, depending upon subsequently hiring a few more to help pick it out. His account, then, would stand somehow thus: 100 acres yield, say 60 bales of 500 pounds each, at 25c $7,500 Deduct hire of six negroes, at $15 per month $1,080 Deduct food for same, say half as much 540 Deduct food for six mules, say 400 Deduct incidentals, say 300 —— 2,320 ——— $5,180 The farmer could afford, out of this, to pay four dollars per acre for his lease, and still have a handsome year’s earnings left. Selma bore rough marks of the Yankee General Wilson, who passed through it on his raid, just before the capture of Mr. Davis. A third or more of the city was in ruins, and the large machine shops and founderies of the Confederacy were thoroughly destroyed. On a public corner, where a large cotton warehouse had stood, was a broken safe, lying among the debris. Some resident had taken the pains to label it, so that the Yankee garrison might understand what it meant, “Always safe, except in case of Wilson, U. S. A.” On another side was a different inscription: “Business Cards! Wilson & Co., U. S. A., General Burglars and House and Safe Openers. Orders respectfully solicited.” The third side bore the following: “Insured safe from dangers of fire and dampness, Wilson and his Thieves (_sic_) only excepted.”