Read the excerpts from an 1879 contract between a freedman named Dawson and a plantation called Solid South. Then, answer the question.

Question

According to this contract, who is responsible for maintaining the farm property?

Solid South

Dawson

enslaved persons

general laborers
Dawson is to cultivate said land in a proper manner . . . All ditches, turn-rows, bridges, fences, etc. . . . shall be kept in proper condition by . . . Dawson, or at his expense. All cotton-seed raised . . . shall be held for the exclusive use of said plantation, and no goods of any kind shall be kept for sale.

Solid South shall furnish . . . money or necessary supplies . . . to enable him to make a crop . . . Dawson agrees to pay for the supplies and advances . . . out of the first cotton picked.

Answer 1

According to the contract, Dawson is responsible for maintaining the farm property. The excerpts indicate that he is tasked with cultivating the land and ensuring that all ditches, turn-rows, bridges, fences, etc., are kept in proper condition, either by himself or at his expense.