corn and potatoes are raised. The crop is all gathered and the rush of work over on the plantations about the middle of October. Then the children can and do attend school with little interruption, as well as many adults, until the following Spring. March and most of April are occupied in getting the crops into the ground, and that is done without disturbing the schools much. But as soon as cotton and corn are seen above ground the children are rapidly taken from their books. Hoeing time has come, not only the main crop but the little garden patches must be kept free from weeds, constantly worked—requiring the presence of every adult, except the decrepid, in the fields. Some of the children must be made nurses, fences,and scare-crows; some have the care of the babes—these are "child-minders," others "mind" cows and swine, keeping the hungry creatures out of the fields, and little ones from five to eight years old are in the fields and gardens "minding" birds, keeping them from the corn, etc. So it is that the schools are so much smaller than two months ago.

EdgerlyThe oldest school of the Association hereabouts is at Edgerly. Miss Wight established this school in April, 1862, has been its teacher ever since, save on one or two occasions, where her field of labor has been temporarily changed, and she is still there. Edgerly is on this island, about nine miles from this place, accessible by land or by water (the Beaufort River). It was formerly owned