1
                                                Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
                                                      Registration No. 33-57453 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
(To Prospectus Dated February 10, 1995)
 
                 (MERRY LAND & INVESTMENT COMPANY, INC. LOGO)
 
$40,000,000 6.875% Notes due 2003
 
$40,000,000 6.875% Notes due 2004
 
Interest on the 6.875% Notes due 2003 (the "2003 Notes") and the 6.875% Notes
due 2004 (the "2004 Notes" and, together with the 2003 Notes, the "Notes") of
Merry Land & Investment Company, Inc. ("Merry Land" or the "Company") offered
hereby will be payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1, commencing on May
1, 1996. See "Description of Notes -- Principal and Interest." The 2003 Notes
will mature on November 1, 2003 and the 2004 Notes will mature on November 1,
2004.
 
The Notes will be represented by one or more Global Securities (as herein
defined) registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its
nominee. Interests in the Global Securities will be shown on, and transfers
thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its
participants. Except as provided herein, Notes in definitive form will not be
issued. See "Description of Notes."
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS NOT PASSED ON OR ENDORSED THE
MERITS OF THIS OFFERING. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
 
                                                                                    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      UNDERWRITING           PROCEEDS TO
                                                 PRICE TO             DISCOUNTS AND          THE
                                                 PUBLIC(1)            COMMISSIONS(2)         COMPANY(1)(3)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per 2003 Note                                    99.90%               .725%                  99.175%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                            $39,960,000          $290,000               $39,670,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per 2004 Note                                    99.297%              .725%                  98.572%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                            $39,718,800          $290,000               $39,428,800
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from November 8, 1995.
(2) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
    liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended. See "Underwriting."
(3) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company, estimated at $100,000.
 
The Notes are offered, subject to prior sale, when, as and if accepted by the
Underwriters and subject to approval of certain legal matters by Piper & Marbury
L.L.P., counsel for the Underwriters. It is expected that delivery of the Notes
will be made on or about November 8, 1995 through the facilities of DTC, against
payment therefor in immediately available funds.
 
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.                                   ALEX. BROWN & SONS
                                                                    INCORPORATED
 
November 3, 1995
   2
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVERALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE NOTES OFFERED
HEREBY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET.
SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
     No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus, and, if given or made, such information
or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized. This
Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or
the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to
which they relate or any offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy
such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is
unlawful. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus Supplement nor the Prospectus
nor any sale made hereunder or thereunder shall, under any circumstances, create
any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company
since the date hereof or thereof or that the information contained or
incorporated by reference herein or therein is correct as of any time subsequent
to the date of such information.
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 


                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                            
The Company..................................................................................   S-3
Use of Proceeds..............................................................................   S-3
Description of Notes.........................................................................   S-4
Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations to the Company of its REIT Election................   S-8
Underwriting.................................................................................  S-10
Experts......................................................................................  S-10
Legal Opinions...............................................................................  S-10
                                         PROSPECTUS
Available Information........................................................................     2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference..............................................     2
The Company..................................................................................     4
Use of Proceeds..............................................................................     4
Certain Ratios...............................................................................     4
Description of Debt Securities...............................................................     4
Description of Common Stock..................................................................    16
Description of Preferred Stock...............................................................    16
Description of Common Stock Warrants.........................................................    20
Description of Depositary Shares.............................................................    20
Plan of Distribution.........................................................................    22
Experts......................................................................................    23
Legal Opinions...............................................................................    23

 
                                       S-2
   3
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Merry Land is one of the largest publicly owned real estate investment
trusts ("REITs") in the United States and, among REITs, is one of the largest
owners and operators of upscale, garden apartments in the United States based on
recent data compiled by the National Association of Real Estate Investment
Trusts. The Company had a total equity market capitalization of $926.0 million
at November 2, 1995. At that date, the Company owned a high quality portfolio of
77 apartment communities located primarily in the Southern United States,
containing 21,235 units and having an aggregate cost of $937.3 million, an
average occupancy rate of 94.5% and an average monthly rental rate of $624 per
unit. The Company is a self-administered and self-managed REIT headquartered in
Augusta, Georgia.
 
     Merry Land's objective is to increase funds from operations and to produce
long term profitability for its stockholders while providing high quality
apartment communities for its residents. The Company expects to achieve its
financial objectives by producing greater cash flows through effective
management of its existing apartment communities and by acquiring and developing
additional apartment properties.
 
     Since 1982, Merry Land has conducted an active program of apartment
acquisition, buying properties which it expects will produce attractive rates of
return and which have the potential for growth in cash flow. The Company intends
to continue to focus on the acquisition and development of such communities in
selected locations throughout the Southern region of the United States,
including Texas. The Company believes that current prices of existing apartment
communities offer it continued opportunities to acquire properties on favorable
terms.
 
     For the past 14 years, Merry Land has operated its growing portfolio of
apartments under the trade name "Merry Land Apartment Communities." Of the
Company's 690 employees, 631 operate its apartment communities, 29 are employed
in accounting, administrative and general management, 22 in corporate property
management and 8 in acquisitions and development.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Notes are estimated at
approximately $79.0 million. The Company intends to use the net proceeds to
acquire and develop additional apartment properties. Pending such uses, the
Company intends to invest temporarily the proceeds in interest bearing or other
marketable securities.
 
                                       S-3
   4
 
                              DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
 
     The following description of the particular terms of the Notes offered
hereby supplements, and to the extent inconsistent therewith replaces, the
description of the general terms and provisions of the "Debt Securities" set
forth in the accompanying Prospectus, to which reference is hereby made.
 
     The 2003 Notes and the 2004 Notes each constitute a separate series of debt
securities ("Debt Securities") to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of
February 1, 1995 and a Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 1, 1995,
(collectively, the "Indenture") between the Company and First Union National
Bank of Georgia (the "Trustee"). The Indenture has been filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus Supplement is a part and is
available for inspection at the corporate trust office of the Trustee at 999
Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 1100, Atlanta, Georgia 30309. The Indenture is
subject to, and governed by, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the
"TIA"). The statements made hereunder relating to the Indenture and the Notes to
be issued thereunder are summaries of certain provisions thereof, do not purport
to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by
reference to, all provisions of the Indenture and such Notes. All section
references appearing herein are to sections of the Indenture, and capitalized
terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth
in the Indenture.
 
GENERAL
 
     The 2003 Notes will be limited to an aggregate principal amount of
$40,000,000 and the 2004 Notes will be limited to an aggregate principal amount
of $40,000,000. The Notes will be direct, senior unsecured obligations of the
Company and will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated
indebtedness of the Company from time to time outstanding. The Notes will be
effectively subordinated to mortgages and other secured indebtedness of the
Company and to indebtedness and other liabilities of any Subsidiaries.
Accordingly, such prior indebtedness will have to be satisfied in full before
holders of the Notes will be able to realize any value from the secured or
indirectly-held properties.
 
     As of September 30, 1995, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the
issuance of the Notes offered hereby and the application of the proceeds
therefrom, the total outstanding indebtedness of the Company was approximately
$384.4 million, of which approximately $24.4 million was secured. The Company
may incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, subject to
the provisions described below under "Certain Covenants -- Limitations on
Incurrence of Debt."
 
PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST
 
     The 2003 Notes will bear interest at 6.875% per annum and will mature on
November 1, 2003. The 2004 Notes will bear interest at 6.875% per annum and will
mature on November 1, 2004. The Notes will bear interest from November 8, 1995
or from the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date (as defined below) to
which interest has been paid, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and
November 1 of each year, commencing on May 1, 1996 (each, an "Interest Payment
Date"), to the persons in whose name the applicable Notes are registered in the
Security Register on the preceding April 15 or October 15 (whether or not a
Business Day, as defined below), as the case may be (each, a "Regular Record
Date"). Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months. The Notes may not be redeemed by the Company prior to
maturity.
 
     If any Interest Payment Date or Stated Maturity falls on a day that is not
a Business Day, the required payment shall be made on the next Business Day as
if it were made on the date such payment was due and no interest shall accrue on
the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date
or the Maturity Date, as the case may be. "Business Day" means any day, other
than a Saturday or Sunday, on which banks in the City of New York are not
required or authorized by law or executive order to close.
 
     The principal of and interest on the Notes will be payable at the corporate
trust office of Marine Midland Bank (the "Paying Agent") in the City of New
York, initially located at 140 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, New York 10005,
provided that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by
check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it appears in the
Security Register or by wire transfer of funds to such Person at an account
maintained within the United States (Sections 301, 307, 1001 and 1002).
 
                                       S-4
   5
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
     Limitations on Incurrence of Debt.  The Company will not, and will not
permit any Subsidiary to, incur any Debt (as defined below) if, immediately
after giving effect to the incurrence of such additional Debt and the
application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all
outstanding Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
determined in accordance with GAAP is greater than 60% of the sum of (without
duplication) (i) the Total Assets (as defined below) of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as of the end of the calendar quarter covered in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the case may be,
most recently filed with the Commission (or, if such filing is not permitted
under the Exchange Act, with the Trustee) prior to the incurrence of such
additional Debt and (ii) the purchase price of any real estate assets or
mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering
proceeds received (to the extent that such proceeds were not used to acquire
real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Debt), by the
Company or any Subsidiary since the end of such calendar quarter, including
those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional
Debt (Section 1004).
 
     In addition to the foregoing limitation on the incurrence of Debt, the
Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, incur any Debt secured
by any Encumbrance upon any of the property of the Company or any Subsidiary if,
immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such additional Debt and
the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all
outstanding Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
which is secured by any Encumbrance on property of the Company or any Subsidiary
is greater than 40% of the sum of (without duplication) (i) the Total Assets of
the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the calendar quarter covered
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as
the case may be, most recently filed with the Commission (or, if such filing is
not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the Trustee) prior to the incurrence
of such additional Debt and (ii) the purchase price of any real estate assets or
mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering
proceeds received (to the extent that such proceeds were not used to acquire
real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Debt), by the
Company or any Subsidiary since the end of such calendar quarter, including
those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional
Debt. (Section 1004).
 
     The Company and its Subsidiaries may not at any time own Total Unencumbered
Assets (as defined below) equal to less than 150% of the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of the Unsecured Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis. (Section 1004).
 
     In addition to the foregoing limitations on the incurrence of Debt, the
Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, incur any Debt if the
ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service (as defined below) to
the Annual Service Charge (as defined below) for the four consecutive fiscal
quarters most recently ended prior to the date on which such additional Debt is
to be incurred shall have been less than 1.5:1, on a pro forma basis after
giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, and
calculated on the assumption that (i) such Debt and any other Debt incurred by
the Company and its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period
and the application of the proceeds therefrom, including to refinance other
Debt, had occurred at the beginning of such period; (ii) the repayment or
retirement of any other Debt by the Company and its Subsidiaries since the first
day of such four-quarter period had been repaid or retired at the beginning of
such period (except that, in making such computation, the amount of Debt under
any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon the average daily
balance of such Debt during such period); (iii) in the case of Acquired Debt (as
defined below) or Debt incurred in connection with any acquisition since the
first day of such four-quarter period, the related acquisition had occurred as
of the first day of such period with the appropriate adjustments with respect to
such acquisition being included in such pro forma calculation; and (iv) in the
case of any acquisition or disposition by the Company or its Subsidiaries of any
asset or group of assets since the first day of such four-quarter period,
whether by merger, stock purchase or sale, or asset purchase or sale, such
acquisition or disposition or any related repayment of Debt had occurred as of
the first day of such period with the appropriate adjustments with respect to
such acquisition or disposition being included in such pro forma calculation
(Section 1004).
 
     As used herein, and in the Indenture.
 
     "Acquired Debt" means Debt of a Person (i) existing at the time such Person
becomes a Subsidiary or (ii) assumed in connection with the acquisition of
assets from such Person, in each case, other than Debt incurred in connection
with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such
acquisition. Acquired Debt shall be deemed to be incurred on the date of the
related acquisition of assets from any Person or the date the acquired Person
becomes a Subsidiary.
 
                                       S-5
   6
 
     "Annual Service Charge" as of any date means the maximum amount which is
payable in any period for interest on, and original issue discount of, Debt of
the Company and its Subsidiaries and the amount of dividends which are payable
in respect of any Disqualified Stock.
 
     "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any capital stock
(including preferred stock), shares, interests, participations or other
ownership interests (however designated) of such Person and any rights (other
than debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for corporate stock),
warrants or options to purchase any thereof.
 
     "Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service" for any period means
Earnings from Operations (as defined below) of the Company and its Subsidiaries
plus amounts which have been deducted, and minus amounts which have been added,
for the following (without duplication): (i) interest on Debt of the Company and
its Subsidiaries, (ii) provision for taxes of the Company and its Subsidiaries
based on income, (iii) amortization of debt discount, (iv) provisions for gains
and losses on properties and property depreciation and amortization, (v) the
effect of any noncash charge resulting from a change in accounting principles in
determining Earnings from Operations for such period and (vi) amortization of
deferred charges.
 
     "Debt" of the Company or any Subsidiary means any indebtedness of the
Company or any Subsidiary, whether or not contingent, in respect of (i) borrowed
money or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, (ii)
indebtedness for borrowed money secured by any Encumbrance existing on property
owned by the Company or any Subsidiary, (iii) the reimbursement obligations,
contingent or otherwise, in connection with any letters of credit actually
issued or amounts representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase
price of any property or services, except any such balance that constitutes an
accrued expense or trade payable, or all conditional sale obligations or
obligations under any title retention agreement, (iv) the principal amount of
all obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to redemption,
repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or (v) any lease of
property by the Company or any Subsidiary as lessee which is reflected on the
Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as a capitalized lease in accordance with
GAAP, to the extent, in the case of items of indebtedness under (i) through
(iii) above, that any such items (other than letters of credit) would appear as
a liability on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP,
and also includes, to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by the
Company or any Subsidiary to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or
otherwise (other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary course of
business), Debt of another Person (other than the Company or any Subsidiary) (it
being understood that Debt shall be deemed to be incurred by the Company or any
Subsidiary whenever the Company or such Subsidiary shall create, assume,
guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect thereof).
 
     "Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock
of such Person which by the terms of such Capital Stock (or by the terms of any
security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable or
exercisable), upon the happening of any event or otherwise (i) matures or is
mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise
(other than Capital Stock which is redeemable solely in exchange for common
stock), (ii) is convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Debt or
Disqualified Stock or (iii) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof,
in whole or in part (other than Capital Stock which is redeemable solely in
exchange for common stock), in each case on or prior to the Stated Maturity of
the Notes.
 
     "Earnings from Operations" for any period means net earnings excluding
gains and losses on sales of investments, net as reflected in the financial
statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
 
     "Encumbrance" means any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or security interest
of any kind.
 
     "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other
entity of which a majority of (i) the voting power of the voting equity
securities or (ii) the outstanding equity interests of which are owned, directly
or indirectly, by such Person. For the purposes of this definition, "voting
equity securities" means equity securities having voting power for the election
of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of
security has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
 
     "Total Assets" as of any date means the sum of (i) the Undepreciated Real
Estate Assets and (ii) all other assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries
determined in accordance with GAAP (but excluding accounts receivable and
intangibles).
 
     "Total Unencumbered Assets" means the sum of (i) those Undepreciated Real
Estate Assets not subject to an Encumbrance for borrowed money and (ii) all
other assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries not subject to an Encumbrance
for borrowed money determined in accordance with GAAP (but excluding accounts
receivable and intangibles).
 
                                       S-6
   7
 
     "Undepreciated Real Estate Assets" as of any date means the cost (original
cost plus capital improvements) of real estate assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries on such date, before depreciation and amortization determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
 
     "Unsecured Debt" means Debt which is not secured by any Encumbrance upon
any of the properties of the Company or any Subsidiary.
 
     See "Description of Debt Securities -- Certain Covenants" in the Prospectus
for a description of additional covenants applicable to the Company.
 
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE
 
     The Company may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or
substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into, any other entity,
provided that (a) either the Company shall be the continuing entity, or the
successor entity (if other than the Company) formed by or resulting from any
such consolidation or merger or which shall have received the transfer of such
assets is a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States or
any State thereof and shall expressly assume payment of the principal of and
interest (including all Additional Amounts, if any) on all of the Notes and the
due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and
conditions contained in the Indenture; (b) immediately after giving effect to
such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of
the Company or any Subsidiary as a result thereof as having been incurred by the
Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default
under the Indenture, and no event which after notice or the lapse of time, or
both, would become such an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be
continuing; and (c) an Officer's Certificate and legal opinion covering such
conditions shall be delivered to the Trustee (Sections 801, 803).
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND WAIVER
 
     The Indenture provides that the following events are "Events of Default"
with respect to the Notes: (a) default for 30 days in the payment of any
installment of interest or Additional Amount payable on any Notes; (b) default
in the payment of the principal of any Note when due; (c) default in the
performance or breach of any other covenant of the Company contained in the
Indenture (other than a covenant added to the Indenture solely for the benefit
of a series of Debt Securities other than the Notes), continued for 60 days
after written notice as provided in the Indenture; (d) default under any bond,
debenture, note, mortgage, indenture or instrument under which any indebtedness
for money borrowed by the Company (or by a Subsidiary repayment of which the
Company has guaranteed or for which the Company is directly responsible or
liable as obligor or guarantor) having an aggregate principal amount outstanding
of at least $10,000,000 outstanding, which default shall have resulted in such
indebtedness being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would
otherwise have become due and payable, without such indebtedness having been
discharged or such acceleration having been rescinded or annulled, (e) the entry
by a court of competent jurisdiction of one or more judgments, orders or decrees
against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount (excluding
amounts covered by insurance) in excess of $10,000,000 and such judgments,
orders or decrees remain undischarged, unstayed and unsatisfied in an aggregate
amount (excluding amounts covered by insurance) in excess of $10,000,000 for a
period of 30 consecutive days; or (f) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency
or reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee of
the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of
either of its property (Section 501).
 
     See "Description of Debt Securities -- Events of Default, Notice and
Waiver" in the Prospectus for a description of rights, remedies and other
matters relating to Events of Default.
 
DISCHARGE, DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
     The provisions of Article 14 of the Indenture relating to defeasance and
covenant defeasance, which are described in the accompanying Prospectus, will
apply to the Notes.
 
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
 
     The Notes will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global
securities ("Global Securities") which will be deposited with, or on behalf of
DTC, and registered in the name of DTC's nominee, Cede & Co. Except under the
circumstance described in the accompanying Prospectus under the caption
"Description of Debt Securities -- Book-Entry System," the Notes will not be
issuable in definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in
part for the individual Notes represented thereby, a Global Security may not be
transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC
to DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any nominee of DTC to a successor
depository or any nominee of such successor.
 
                                       S-7
   8
 
     DTC has advised the Company of the following information regarding DTC: DTC
is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a
"banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member
of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of
the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency" registered
pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds
securities that its Participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the
settlement among its Participants of securities transactions, such as transfers
and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry
changes in its Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical
movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants of DTC include
securities brokers and dealers (including the Underwriter), banks, trust
companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is owned
by a number of its direct Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.,
the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as
securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with a direct Participant of DTC, either
directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on
file with the Commission.
 
SAME-DAY SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT
 
     Settlement for the Notes will be made by the Underwriters in immediately
available funds. All payments of principal and interest in respect of the Notes
will be made by the Company in immediately available funds.
 
     Secondary trading in long-term notes and debentures of corporate issuers is
generally settled in clearing house or next-day funds. In contrast, the Notes
will trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System until maturity or until the
Notes are issued in certificated form, and secondary market trading activity in
the Notes will therefore be required by DTC to settle in immediately available
funds. No assurance can be given as to the effect, if any, of settlement in
immediately available funds on trading activity in the Notes.
 
 CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS TO THE COMPANY OF ITS REIT ELECTION
 
     The following summary of certain federal income tax considerations to the
Company is based on current law, is for general information only, and is not tax
advice. The tax treatment of a holder of any Notes depends upon the terms of the
Notes, as well as such holder's particular situation, and this discussion does
not attempt to address any aspects of federal income taxation relating to
holders of Notes.
 
     EACH INVESTOR IS ADVISED TO CONSULT SUCH INVESTOR'S OWN TAX ADVISOR
REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SUCH INVESTOR OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP
AND SALE OF THE NOTES, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER
TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND SALE AND OF POTENTIAL
CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
 
     The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through
860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"). The Company believes that
it was organized and has operated in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as
a REIT under the Code, and the Company intends to continue to operate in such a
manner, but no assurance can be given that it will operate in a manner so as to
qualify or remain qualified.
 
     If the Company qualifies for tax treatment as a REIT, it will generally not
be subject to federal corporate taxation on its net income to the extent
currently distributed to its stockholders. This substantially eliminates the
"double taxation" (at both the corporate and stockholder levels) that typically
results from the use of corporate investment vehicles.
 
     To qualify as a REIT under the Code for a taxable year, the Company must
meet certain organizational and operational requirements, which generally
require it to be an investor in real estate and to avoid excessive concentration
of ownership of its capital stock. Among other requirements, the principal
activities of a REIT must be real estate related. Generally, at least 75% of the
value of the total assets of the Company at the end of each calendar quarter
must consist of real estate assets, cash or certain U.S. government securities.
The Company may not own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
any corporation and no more than 5% of the value of the Company's assets may be
invested in a single corporation; shares of qualified REITs and of certain
wholly-owned subsidiaries are exempt from this prohibition. Additionally, gross
income from the sale or other disposition of stock and securities held for less
than one year, and of real property held for less than four years, must
constitute less than 30% of the gross income for each taxable year of a REIT.
For each taxable year, at least 75% of the REIT's gross income must be derived
from specified real estate sources and 95% must be derived from such real estate
sources plus certain other permitted sources. Real estate income for purposes of
these requirements includes gains from the sale of real property not held
primarily for
 
                                       S-8
   9
 
sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, dividends on REIT shares,
interest on loans secured by mortgages on real property, certain rents from real
property and income from foreclosure property. For rents to qualify, they may
not be based on the income or profits of any person, except that they may be
based on a percentage or percentages of gross income or receipts, and the REIT
may not furnish services to residents, unless the services performed are of a
type customarily rendered in connection with the rental of space for occupancy
only. In this regard, it should be noted that the Company manages its real
properties directly, but the Company believes that it provides only customary
services. Moreover, rents do not qualify if the Company holds, directly or
indirectly, more than a certain prescribed percentage interest in a tenant.
 
     The Company must satisfy certain ownership restrictions that limit
concentration of ownership of capital stock directly or indirectly in the hands
of a few individuals. The outstanding capital of the Company must be held by at
least 100 stockholders. No more than 50% in value of the outstanding capital
stock, including in some circumstances capital stock into which outstanding
securities might be converted, may be owned actually or constructively by five
or fewer individuals or certain other entities at any time during the last half
of the Company's taxable year. There are no restrictions in the Company's
Articles that would limit the ability of a holder of Series B Preferred Stock,
Series C Preferred Stock or common stock to transfer shares if such transfer
would cause or contribute to a violation of the stock ownership requirements.
Thus, while the Company intends to monitor carefully its stock ownership and
expects to be able to meet the ownership requirements in the future, there can
be no assurance that transfers of shares of capital stock beyond the control of
the Company, or changes in the relative values of the preferred stock and the
common stock, could not result in the Company's failure to satisfy the stock
ownership requirements.
 
     So long as the Company qualifies for taxation as a REIT and distributes at
least 95% of its real estate investment trust taxable income (computed without
regard to net capital gains or the dividends-paid deduction) for its taxable
year to its stockholders annually, the Company itself will not be subject to
federal income tax on that portion of such income distributed to stockholders.
The Company will be taxed at regular corporate rates on all income not
distributed to stockholders. The Company's policy is to distribute at least 95%
of its taxable income. REITs may also incur taxes on certain categories of
income (such as undistributed capital gain income and certain income from
foreclosure property) for the alternative minimum tax, and for certain other
activities. They may also be subject to federal excise tax to the extent
distributions do not satisfy certain requirements, as well as to certain state,
local and other taxes.
 
     Failure of the Company to qualify during any taxable year as a REIT could,
unless certain relief provisions were available, have a material adverse effect
upon holders of the Company's securities. If disqualified for taxation as a REIT
for a taxable year, the Company would also be disqualified for taxation as a
REIT for the next four taxable years, unless the failure was due to reasonable
cause and not willful neglect. In order to elect again to be taxed as a REIT,
the Company would be required to distribute all of its earnings and profits
accumulated in any non-REIT taxable year, including substantial earnings and
profits attributable to pre-1987 taxable years. Further, the Company might be
subject to taxation on any unrealized gain inherent in its assets at the time of
such election. If disqualified, the Company would be subject to federal income
tax at corporate rates on all of its taxable income and would not be able to
deduct the dividends paid. Should the failure to qualify be determined to have
occurred retroactively in an earlier tax year of the Company, substantial
federal income tax liability on the Company attributable to such nonqualifying
tax years could be imposed. In the event that the Company fails to meet certain
income tests of the tax law, it may nonetheless retain its qualification as a
REIT if it pays a 100% tax based upon the amount by which it failed to meet the
income tests so long as its failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful
neglect. Any such liabilities could result in the Company being unable to pay
principal and interest on the Notes and could result in the Company being unable
to pay dividends sufficient to maintain its REIT status.
 
                                       S-9
   10
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions in the Underwriting Agreement dated the
date hereof (the "Underwriting Agreement"), the Company has agreed to sell to
each of the Underwriters named below (the "Underwriters") severally, and each of
the Underwriters has severally agreed to purchase, the principal amount of Notes
set forth opposite its name below.
 


                                                              PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES
                                                             ---------------------------
                                   UNDERWRITER               2003 NOTES      2004 NOTES
                                                             -----------     -----------
                                                                       
               J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. ................  $20,000,000     $20,000,000
               Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated.............   20,000,000      20,000,000
                                                             -----------     -----------
                         Total.............................  $40,000,000     $40,000,000
                                                              ==========      ==========

 
     Under the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the Notes if any are
purchased.
 
     The Underwriters have advised the Company that they propose initially to
offer the Notes directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on
the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement, and to certain dealers at such
price less a concession not in excess of .425% of the principal amount of the
Notes. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession
not in excess of .25% of the principal amount of the Notes to certain other
dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering price and such
concessions may be changed.
 
     The Notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market.
The Company has been advised by the Underwriters that the Underwriters intend to
make a market in the Notes but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue
market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the
liquidity of the trading market for the Notes.
 
     The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or to contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required to make in respect
thereof.
 
     In the ordinary course of its businesses, the Underwriters and their
affiliates have engaged and may in the future engage in commercial banking and
investment banking transactions with the Company.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The audited financial statements of the Company incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus Supplement and elsewhere in the registration statement of
which this Prospectus Supplement is a part, have been audited by Arthur Andersen
LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect
thereto, and are incorporated herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm
as experts in giving said reports.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
     Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Company by Hull, Towill,
Norman & Barrett, P.C., Augusta, Georgia. Certain legal matters will be passed
upon for the Underwriters by Piper & Marbury L.L.P., Baltimore, Maryland. W.
Hale Barrett, a member of the firm of Hull, Towill, Norman & Barrett, P.C., is a
director and secretary of the Company. He and members of his firm own 25,751
shares of common stock.
 
                                      S-10
   11
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                  $400,000,000
 
                 (MERRY LAND & INVESTMENT COMPANY, INC. LOGO)
 
              DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK, DEPOSITARY SHARES,
                     COMMON STOCK AND COMMON STOCK WARRANTS
 
                               ------------------
 
     Merry Land & Investment Company, Inc. ("Merry Land" or the "Company") may
from time to time offer in one or more series (i) its unsecured senior or
subordinated debt securities (the "Debt Securities"), (ii) shares or fractional
shares of its preferred stock, without par value (the "Preferred Stock"), (iii)
shares of Preferred Stock represented by depositary shares (the "Depositary
Shares"), (iv) shares of its common stock, without par value (the "Common
Stock"), or (v) warrants to purchase Common Stock (the "Common Stock Warrants"),
with an aggregate public offering price of up to $400,000,000 on terms to be
determined at the time of offering. The Debt Securities, Preferred Stock,
Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Common Stock Warrants (collectively, the
"Offered Securities") may be offered, separately or together, in separate series
in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in a supplement to this
Prospectus (each, a "Prospectus Supplement").
 
     The Debt Securities will be direct unsecured obligations of the Company and
may be either senior Debt Securities ("Senior Securities") or subordinated Debt
Securities ("Subordinated Securities"). The Senior Securities will rank equally
with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The
Subordinated Securities will be subordinated to all existing and future Senior
Debt of the Company, as defined. See "Description of Debt Securities."
 
     The specific terms of the Offered Securities in respect of which this
Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement and will include, where applicable: (i) in the case of Debt
Securities, the specific title, aggregate principal amount, currency, form
(which may be registered or bearer, or certificated or global), authorized
denominations, maturity, rate (or manner of calculation thereof) and time of
payment of interest, terms for redemption at the option of the Company or
repayment at the option of the Holder, terms for sinking fund payments, terms
for conversion into Preferred Stock, Common Stock or other Company securities,
additional covenants, and any initial public offering price; (ii) in the case of
Preferred Stock, the specific title and stated value, any dividend, liquidation,
redemption, conversion, voting and other rights, and any initial public offering
price; (iii) in the case of Depositary Shares, the fractional share of Preferred
Stock represented by each such Depositary Share; (iv) in the case of Common
Stock, any initial public offering price; and (v) in the case of Common Stock
Warrants, the duration, offering price, exercise price and detachability. In
addition, such specific terms may include limitations on direct or beneficial
ownership and restrictions on transfer of the Offered Securities, in each case
as may be appropriate to preserve the status of the Company as a real estate
investment trust for federal income tax purposes.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will also contain information, where
applicable, about certain United States federal income tax considerations
relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the Offered Securities
covered by such Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The Offered Securities may be offered directly by the Company, through
agents designated from time to time by the Company, or to or through
underwriters or dealers. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale
of any of the Offered Securities, their names, and any applicable purchase
price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them, will be
set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. See "Plan of Distribution." No Offered
Securities may be sold without delivery of the applicable Prospectus Supplement
describing the Offered Securities and the method and terms of the offering.
 
                               ------------------
 
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
      EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
           COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
             PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                              CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                               ------------------
 
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS NOT PASSED ON OR ENDORSED THE
    MERITS OF THIS OFFERING. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
 
               THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS FEBRUARY 10, 1995.
   12
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the information requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files
reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy statements and other information
filed by the Company can be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, and its Regional Offices located at: 75 Park Place, New York, New
York 10017; and 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and can also
be inspected and copied at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange at 20
Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. Copies of such material can be obtained
from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, upon payment of the prescribed fees.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The Company has filed a registration statement with the Commission under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to
the Offered Securities (the "Registration Statement"). As permitted by the rules
and regulations of the Commission, this Prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement. For further information,
reference is made to such Registration Statement and to the exhibits, which may
be inspected and copied at or obtained from the Commission's public reference
facilities, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 upon payment of the
prescribed fees. Each statement made in this Prospectus with respect to a
document that is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement is qualified
by reference to such exhibit for a complete statement of the terms and
conditions thereof.
 
     There are incorporated herein by reference the following documents
heretofore filed by the Company with the Commission:
 
          (i) the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
     December 31, 1993;
 
          (ii) the Company's current reports on Form 8-K/A filed on March 1,
     1994 and March 2, 1994, amending the Company's current reports on Form 8-K
     filed on November 19, 1993 and December 30, 1993, respectively;
 
          (iii) the Company's current reports on Form 8-K filed June 6, 1994,
     June 16, 1994, June 29, 1994, August 15, 1994 (as amended on Forms 8-K/A
     filed on September 27, 1994 and February 7, 1995), November 3, 1994 (as
     amended on Form 8-K/A filed on January 24, 1995, which contains a
     description of the Company's $2.205 Series B Cumulative Convertible
     Preferred Stock) and December 2, 1994;
 
          (iv) the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters
     ended March 31, 1994, June 30, 1994 and September 30, 1994;
 
          (v) the description of the Company's Common Stock and $1.75 Series A
     Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock contained in the Company's
     registration statements on Form 8-A filed under the Exchange Act, including
     any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such
     descriptions; and
 
          (vi) the Company's definitive proxy statement dated March 22, 1994
     relating to the annual meeting of shareholders held on April 18, 1994.
 
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to
the termination of the offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such
documents.
 
     Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated herein by
reference or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein, in any accompanying Prospectus Supplement relating to a
specific offering of Offered Securities or in any other amendment or supplement
hereto or document subsequently incorporated
 
                                        2
   13
 
herein by reference, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement
so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or
superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     Copies of all documents incorporated herein by reference, other than
exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated
by reference into the information that this Prospectus incorporates), will be
provided without charge to each person who receives a copy of this Prospectus on
the written or oral request of such person directed to W. Hale Barrett, the
Company's Secretary, 624 Ellis Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901, telephone number
(706) 722-6756.
 
                                        3
   14
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Merry Land is one of the largest owners and operators of upscale garden
apartments in the Southern region of the United States. Merry Land became an
independent publicly owned company in 1981 and has been managing apartment
communities since 1982. It is a self-administered and self-managed real estate
investment trust ("REIT") headquartered in Augusta, Georgia. At December 31,
1994, the Company owned 71 apartment communities containing 18,851 units and
having an aggregate cost of $796.4 million. At that date, the communities had an
average occupancy of 96% and an average monthly rental rate of $591. The
Company's apartment communities are located in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North
Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
 
     Merry Land is a Georgia corporation. The Company's principal office is
located at 624 Ellis Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901 and its telephone number is
(706) 722-6756.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the net
proceeds from the sale of the Offered Securities will be used for general
corporate purposes, which may include repayment of indebtedness, making
improvements to apartment properties, the acquisition of additional apartment
properties and the development and construction of new apartment properties.
 
                                 CERTAIN RATIOS
 
     The following table sets forth the Company's ratio of earnings to fixed
charges and ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and Preferred Stock
dividends for the periods shown.
 


                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                          ----------------------------------------
                                                          1990     1991     1992     1993     1994
                                                          ----     ----     ----     ----     ----
                                                                               
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges......................  1.26x    1.69x    2.98x    5.58x    4.44x
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and
  Preferred Stock dividends.............................  1.26x    1.69x    2.98x    3.29x    2.56x

 
     The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was computed by dividing earnings by
fixed charges. The ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and Preferred
Stock dividends was computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges and Preferred
Stock dividends. For the purpose of computing these ratios, earnings consist of
income before taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest on
borrowed funds and amortization of debt discount and expense. Preferred Stock
dividends consist of those dividends paid on the Company's $1.75 Series A
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series A Preferred Stock") and
$2.205 Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series B Preferred
Stock") during the respective periods set forth in the preceding table.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
GENERAL
 
     The Senior Securities are to be issued under an indenture dated as of
February 1, 1995, as supplemented from time to time (the "Senior Indenture"),
between the Company and First Union National Bank of Georgia (the "Senior
Indenture Trustee"), and the Subordinated Securities are to be issued under an
indenture dated as of February 1, 1995, as supplemented from time to time (the
"Subordinated Indenture"), between the Company and First Union National Bank of
Georgia (the "Subordinated Indenture Trustee"). The term "Trustee," as used
herein, shall refer to the Senior Indenture Trustee or the Subordinated
Indenture Trustee, as appropriate. The forms of the Senior Indenture and the
Subordinated Indenture (being sometimes referred to herein collectively as the
"Indentures" and individually as an "Indenture") are filed as exhibits to the
Registration Statement and are available for inspection at the corporate trust
office of the Senior
 
                                        4
   15
 
Indenture Trustee in Atlanta, Georgia and the corporate trust office of the
Subordinated Indenture Trustee in Atlanta, Georgia or as described under
"Available Information." The Indentures are subject to and governed by the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"). The statements made herein
relating to the Indentures and the Debt Securities are summaries of certain
provisions thereof, do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the Indentures
and the Debt Securities. All section references appearing herein are to sections
of the Indentures, and capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the
respective meanings set forth in the Indentures and the Debt Securities.
 
TERMS
 
     The Debt Securities will be direct, unsecured obligations of the Company.
The indebtedness represented by the Senior Securities will rank equally with all
other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The indebtedness
represented by the Subordinated Securities will be subordinated in right of
payment to the prior payment in full of the Senior Debt of the Company, as
described under "Subordination".
 
     Each Indenture provides that the Debt Securities may be issued without
limit as to aggregate principal amount, in one or more series, in each case as
established from time to time in or pursuant to authority granted by a
resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company or as established in one or
more indentures supplemental to such Indenture. Debt Securities may be issued
with terms different from those of Debt Securities previously issued; all Debt
Securities of one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless
otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders
of the Debt Securities of such series, for issuances of additional Debt
Securities of such series (Section 301 of each Indenture).
 
     Each Indenture provides that there may be more than one Trustee thereunder,
each with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities. Any Trustee under
either Indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of
Debt Securities, and a successor Trustee may be appointed to act with respect to
such series (Section 608 of each Indenture). In the event that two or more
persons are acting as Trustee with respect to different series of Debt
Securities, each such Trustee shall be a Trustee of a trust under the applicable
Indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other Trustee
(Sections 101 and 609 of each Indenture), and, except as otherwise indicated
herein, any action described herein to be taken by the Trustee may be taken by
each such Trustee with respect to, and only with respect to, the one or more
series of Debt Securities for which it is Trustee under the applicable
Indenture.
 
     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the series of
Debt Securities being offered for the specific terms thereof, including:
 
          (1) the title of such Debt Securities and whether such Debt Securities
     are Senior Securities or Subordinated Securities;
 
          (2) the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities and any
     limit on such principal amount;
 
          (3) the percentage of the principal amount at which such Debt
     Securities will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof,
     the portion of the principal amount payable upon declaration of
     acceleration of the maturity thereof, or (if applicable) the portion of the
     principal amount of such Debt Securities that is convertible into Capital
     Stock (as defined in the Indentures), or the method by which any such
     portion will be determined;
 
          (4) if convertible, any applicable limitations on the ownership or
     transferability of the Capital Stock into which such Debt Securities are
     convertible;
 
          (5) the date or dates, or the method by which such date or dates will
     be determined, on which the principal of such Debt Securities will be
     payable and the amount of principal payable thereon;
 
          (6) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which such
     Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, or the method by which such
     rate or rates will be determined, the date or dates from which such
     interest will accrue or the method by which such date or dates will be
     determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest will be
     payable and the Regular Record Dates, if any,
 
                                        5
   16
 
     for such Interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest
     Payment Dates, or the method by which such Dates will be determined, and
     the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a
     360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months;
 
          (7) the place or places where the principal of (and premium or
     Make-Whole Amount (as defined), if any), interest, if any, on, and
     Additional Amounts, if any, payable in respect of, such Debt Securities
     will be payable, where such Debt Securities may be surrendered for
     registration of transfer, conversion or exchange and where notices or
     demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Debt Securities and the
     applicable Indenture may be served;
 
          (8) the period or periods within which, the price or prices (including
     premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) at which, the currency or currencies,
     currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which and
     other terms and conditions upon which such Debt Securities may be redeemed
     in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to
     have the option;
 
          (9) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or
     purchase such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
     provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods
     within which or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which,
     the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or
     currencies in which, and other terms and conditions upon which such Debt
     Securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, in whole or in part,
     pursuant to such obligation;
 
          (10) whether such Debt Securities will be in registered or bearer form
     and terms and conditions relating thereto, and, if other than $1,000 and
     any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which any registered
     Debt Securities will be issuable and, if other than $5,000, the
     denomination or denominations in which any bearer Debt Securities will be
     issuable;
 
          (11) if other than United States dollars, the currency or currencies
     in which such Debt Securities will be denominated and payable, which may be
     a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a
     composite currency or currencies;
 
          (12) whether the amount of payment of principal of (and premium or
     Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest, if any, on such Debt Securities may
     be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which
     index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more
     currencies, currency units, composite currencies, commodities, equity
     indices or other indices), and the manner in which such amounts will be
     determined;
 
          (13) whether the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
     any) or interest or Additional Amounts, if any, on such Debt Securities are
     to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a
     currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or
     currencies other than that in which such Debt Securities are denominated or
     stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and
     conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner
     of, and identity of the exchange rate agent with responsibility for,
     determining the exchange rate between the currency or currencies, currency
     unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Debt
     Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the currency or
     currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in
     which such Debt Securities are to be so payable;
 
          (14) provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of
     such Debt Securities upon the occurrence of such events as may be
     specified;
 
          (15) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events
     of Default or covenants of the Company with respect to such Debt
     Securities, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are
     consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth in the
     applicable Indenture;
 
          (16) whether such Debt Securities will be issued in certificated or
     book-entry form and terms and conditions related thereto;
 
                                        6
   17
 
          (17) the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant
     defeasance provisions of Article Fourteen of the applicable Indenture;
 
          (18) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay
     Additional Amounts as contemplated in the Indenture on such Debt Securities
     to any Holder who is not a United States person in respect of any tax,
     assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company will have
     the option to redeem such Debt Securities rather than pay such Additional
     Amounts (and the terms of any such option);
 
          (19) the obligation, if any, of the Company to permit the conversion
     of the Debt Securities of such series into shares of Capital Stock of the
     Company and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion shall be
     effected; and
 
          (20) any other terms of such Debt Securities, which terms shall not be
     inconsistent with the provisions of the applicable Indenture (Section 301
     of each Indenture).
 
     The Debt Securities may provide for less than the entire principal amount
thereof to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof
("Original Issue Discount Securities") (Section 502 of each Indenture). Any
special United States federal income tax, accounting and other considerations
applicable to Original Issue Discount Securities will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
DENOMINATIONS, INTEREST, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Debt Securities of any series issued in registered form will be issuable in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities of any
series issued in bearer form will be issuable in denominations of $5,000
(Section 302 of each Indenture).
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on any
series of Senior Securities will be payable at the corporate trust office of the
Senior Indenture Trustee located at Corporate Trust Administration, 999
Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 1100, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, and the principal of
(and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on any series of
Subordinated Securities will be payable at the corporate trust office of the
Subordinated Indenture Trustee located at Corporate Trust Administration, 999
Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 1100, Atlanta, Georgia 30309; provided that at the
option of the Company payment of interest on any series of Debt Securities may
be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it
appears in the Security Register for such series or by wire transfer of funds to
such Person at an account maintained within the United States (Sections 301,
305, 306, 307 and 1002 of each Indenture).
 
     Any interest not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest
Payment Date with respect to a Debt Security ("Defaulted Interest") will
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the applicable Regular Record
Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name such Debt Security is
registered at the close of business on a special record date (the "Special
Record Date") for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the
Trustee, in which case notice thereof shall be given to the Holder of such Debt
Security not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid
at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more completely described in the
applicable Indenture (Section 307 of each Indenture).
 
     Subject to certain limitations imposed upon Debt Securities issued in
book-entry form, the Debt Securities of any series will be exchangeable for
other Debt Securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal
amount and tenor of different authorized denominations upon surrender of such
Debt Securities at the corporate trust office of the Trustee referred to above.
In addition, subject to certain limitations imposed upon Debt Securities issued
in book-entry form, the Debt Securities of any series may be surrendered for
conversion or registration of transfer thereof at the corporate trust office of
the Trustee referred to above. Every Debt Security surrendered for conversion,
registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer. No service charge will be made for any
registration of transfer or exchange of any Debt Securities, but the Company may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge payable in connection therewith (Section 305 of each
 
                                        7
   18
 
Indenture). If the applicable Prospectus Supplement refers to any transfer agent
(in addition to the Trustee) initially designated by the Company with respect to
any series of Debt Securities, the Company may at any time rescind the
designation of any such transfer agent or approve a change in the location
through which such transfer agent acts, except that the Company will be required
to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for such series. The
Company may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any
series of Debt Securities (Section 1002 of each Indenture).
 
     Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be required to (i) issue,
register the transfer of or exchange Debt Securities of any series during a
period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Debt
Securities of that series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on
the day of mailing or publication of the relevant notice of redemption; (ii)
register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security, or portion
thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any Registered
Security being redeemed in part; (iii) exchange any Bearer Security selected for
redemption, except that such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered
Security of that series and like tenor, provided that such Registered Security
shall be simultaneously surrendered for redemption; or (iv) issue, register the
transfer of or exchange any Debt Security which has been surrendered for
repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Debt
Security not to be so repaid (Section 305 of each Indenture).
 
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE
 
     The Company may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or
substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into, any other entity,
provided that (a) either the Company shall be the continuing entity, or the
successor entity (if other than the Company) formed by or resulting from any
such consolidation or merger or which shall have received the transfer of such
assets is a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States or
any State thereof and shall expressly assume payment of the principal of (and
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest (including all Additional
Amounts, if any) on all of the Debt Securities and the due and punctual
performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions contained in
each Indenture; (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and
treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any
Subsidiary as a result thereof as having been incurred by the Company or such
Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default under an
Indenture, and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would
become such an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and (c)
an Officers' Certificate and legal opinion covering such conditions shall be
delivered to the Trustee (Sections 801 and 803 of each Indenture).
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
     Existence.  Except as described above under "Merger, Consolidation or
Sale," the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve
and keep in full force and effect the existence, rights (charter and statutory)
and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to preserve any right or franchise if it
determines that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct
of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as a whole and that the loss
thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders of the
Debt Securities of any series (Section 1005 of each Indenture).
 
     Maintenance of Properties.  The Company will cause all of its properties
used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary
to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and
supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary
repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in
the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in
connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times;
provided, however, that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be prevented
from selling or otherwise disposing of for value their properties in the
ordinary course of business (Section 1006 of each Indenture).
 
                                        8
   19
 
     Insurance.  The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
keep all of its insurable properties insured against loss or damage in an amount
at least equal to their then full insurable value with financially sound and
reputable insurance companies (Section 1007 of each Indenture).
 
     Payment of Taxes and other Claims.  The Company will pay or discharge or
cause to be paid or discharged, before the same become delinquent, (i) all
taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any
Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any
Subsidiary, and (ii) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which,
if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any
Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or
discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or
claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings (Section 1008 of each Indenture).
 
     Provision of Financial Information.  Whether or not the Company is subject
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will, to the extent
permitted under the Exchange Act, file with the Commission the annual reports,
quarterly reports and other documents which the Company would have been required
to file with the Commission pursuant to such Section 13 and 15(d) if the Company
were so subject, such documents to be filed with the Commission on or prior to
the respective dates (the "Required Filing Dates") by which the Company would
have been required so to file such documents if the Company were so subject. The
Company will also in any event (x) within 15 days of each Required Filing Date
(i) transmit by mail to all Holders of Debt Securities, as their names and
addresses appear in the Security Register, without cost to such Holders, copies
of the annual reports and quarterly reports which the Company would have been
required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act if the Company were subject to such Sections and (ii) file with the
Trustee copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents
which the Company would have been required to file with the Commission pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Company were subject to such
Sections and (y) if filing such documents by the Company with the Commission is
not permitted under the Exchange Act, promptly upon written request and payment
of the reasonable cost of duplication and delivery, supply copies of such
documents to any prospective Holder (Section 1009 of each Indenture).
 
     Waiver of Certain Covenants.  The Company may omit to comply with any term,
provision or condition of the foregoing covenants, and with any other term,
provision or condition with respect to the Debt Securities of any series
specified in Section 301 of the Indentures (except any such term, provision or
condition which could not be amended without the consent of all Holders of Debt
Securities of such series), if before or after the time for such compliance the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Debt
Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance
in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition,
but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except
to the extent so expressly waived, and until such waiver shall become effective,
the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any
such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect (Section
1012 of each Indenture).
 
     Additional Covenants.  The Prospectus Supplement for a particular series of
Debt Securities may contain additional covenants of the Company with respect to
such series of Debt Securities.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND WAIVER
 
     Each Indenture provides that the following events are "Events of Default"
with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued thereunder: (a) default for
30 days in the payment of any installment of interest or Additional Amounts
payable on any Debt Security of such series; (b) default in the payment of the
principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Debt Security of
such series at its Maturity; (c) default in making any sinking fund payment as
required for any Debt Security of such series; (d) default in the performance of
any other covenant of the Company contained in the Indenture (other than a
covenant added to the Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Debt
Securities issued thereunder other than such series), continued for 60 days
after written notice as provided in the Indenture; (e) default under any bond,
debenture, note, mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be
issued or by which there may be
 
                                        9
   20
 
secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company (or by
any Subsidiary, the repayment of which the Company has guaranteed or for which
the Company is directly responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor) having an
aggregate principal amount outstanding of at least $10,000,000, whether such
indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default shall have
resulted in such indebtedness being declared due and payable prior to the date
on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such
acceleration having been rescinded or annulled within 10 days after written
notice to the Company as provided in the Indenture; (f) the entry by a court of
competent jurisdiction of one or more judgments, orders or decrees against the
Company or any Subsidiary in an aggregate amount (excluding amounts fully
covered by insurance) in excess of $10,000,000 and such judgments, orders or
decrees remain undischarged, unstayed and unsatisfied in an aggregate amount
(excluding amounts fully covered by insurance) in excess of $10,000,000 for a
period of 30 consecutive days; (g) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization, or court appointment of a receiver, liquidator or trustee of the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the
property of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary; and (h) any other Event
of Default provided with respect to such series of Debt Securities (Section 501
of each Indenture). The term "Significant Subsidiary" means each significant
subsidiary (as defined in Regulations S-X promulgated under the Securities Act)
of the Company.
 
     If an Event of Default under either Indenture with respect to Debt
Securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then
in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal
amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may declare the
principal amount (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue
Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount
as may be specified in the terms thereof) of, and premium or Make-Whole Amount,
if any, on, all of the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable
immediately by written notice thereof to the Company (and to the Trustee if
given by the Holders). However, at any time after such declaration of
acceleration with respect to Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt
Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be)
has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has
been obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series (or of all
Debt Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may
be) may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if (a) the
Company shall have deposited with the Trustee all required payments of the
principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, and any
Additional Amounts, on the Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt
Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be),
plus certain fees, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and (b)
all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal (or
specified portion thereof and the premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or
interest, with respect to the Debt Securities of such series (or of all Debt
Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as the case may be)
have been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture (Section 502 of each
Indenture). Each Indenture also provides that the Holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series
(or of all Debt Securities then Outstanding under the applicable Indenture, as
the case may be) may waive any past default with respect to such series and its
consequences, except a default (x) in the payment of the principal of (or
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest or Additional Amounts payable
on any Debt Security of such series or (y) in respect of a covenant or provision
contained in the applicable Indenture that cannot be modified or amended without
the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby
(Section 513 of each Indenture).
 
     The Trustee is required to give notice to the Holders of Debt Securities
within 90 days of a default under the applicable Indenture; provided, however,
that such Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders of any series of Debt
Securities of any default with respect to such series (except a default in the
payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or
interest or Additional Amounts payable on any Debt Security of such series or in
the payment of any sinking fund installment in respect of any Debt Security of
such series) if the Responsible Officers of such Trustee consider such
withholding to be in the interest of such Holders (Section 601 of each
Indenture).
 
                                       10
   21
 
     Each Indenture provides that no Holders of Debt Securities of any series
may institute any proceedings, judicial or otherwise, with respect to such
Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, except in the case of failure of the
Trustee, for 60 days, to act after it has received a written request to
institute proceedings in respect of an Event of Default from the Holders of not
less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such
series, as well as an offer of reasonable indemnity (Section 507 of each
Indenture). This provision will not prevent, however, any Holder of Debt
Securities from instituting suit for the enforcement of payment of the principal
of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), interest on and Additional
Amounts payable with respect to, such Debt Securities at the respective due
dates or redemption dates thereof (Section 508 of each Indenture).
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES
 
     Modifications and amendments of either Indenture may be made with the
consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all
Outstanding Debt Securities issued under such Indenture that are affected by
such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or
amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each such Debt Security
affected thereby, (a) change the stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium
or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or any installment of principal of or interest or
Additional Amounts payable on, any such Debt Security; (b) reduce the principal
amount of, or the rate or amount of interest on, or any premium or Make-Whole
Amount payable on redemption of, or any Additional Amount payable with respect
to, any such Debt Security, or reduce the amount of principal of an Original
Issue Discount Security or Make-Whole Amount, if any, that would be due and
payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or would be
provable in bankruptcy, or adversely affect any right of repayment of the Holder
of any such Debt Security; (c) change the Place of Payment, or the coin or
currency, for payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
any), or interest on, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect to, any
such Debt Security; (d) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement
of any payment on or with respect to any such Debt Security; (e) reduce the
percentage of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, the consent of whose
Holders is necessary to modify or amend the applicable Indenture, to waive
compliance with certain provisions thereof or certain defaults and consequences
thereunder or to reduce the quorum or voting requirements set forth in the
Indenture; or (f) modify any of the foregoing provisions or any of the
provisions relating to the waiver of certain past defaults or certain covenants,
except to increase the required percentage to effect such action or to provide
that certain other provisions may not be modified or waived without the consent
of the Holder of each such Debt Security (Section 902 of each Indenture).
 
     The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of Outstanding
Debt Securities issued under either Indenture have the right to waive compliance
by the Company with certain covenants in such Indenture (Section 1012 of each
Indenture).
 
     Modifications and amendments of either Indenture may be made by the Company
and the respective Trustee thereunder without the consent of any Holder of Debt
Securities for any of the following purposes: (i) to evidence the succession of
another Person to the Company as obligor under such Indenture; (ii) to add to
the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series
of Debt Securities or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company
in such Indenture; (iii) to add Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders
of all or any series of Debt Securities; (iv) to add or change any provisions of
either Indenture to facilitate the issuance of, or to liberalize certain terms
of, Debt Securities in bearer form, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of
Debt Securities in uncertificated form provided that such action shall not
adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Debt Securities of any
series in any material respect; (v) to add, change or eliminate any provisions
of either Indenture, provided that any such addition, change or elimination
shall become effective only when there are no Debt Securities Outstanding of any
series created prior thereto which are entitled to the benefit of such
provision; (vi) to secure the Debt Securities; (vii) to establish the form or
terms of Debt Securities of any series, including the provisions and procedures,
if applicable, for the conversion of such Debt Securities into Common Stock or
Preferred Stock of the Company; (viii) to provide for the acceptance of
appointment by a successor Trustee or facilitate the administration of the
trusts under either Indenture by more than one Trustee; (ix) to cure any
ambiguity,
 
                                       11
   22
 
defect or inconsistency in either Indenture, provided that such action shall not
adversely affect the interests of Holders of Debt Securities of any series
issued under such Indenture; (x) to close either Indenture with respect to the
authentication and delivery of additional series of Debt Securities or to
qualify, or maintain qualification of, either Indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act; or (xi) to supplement any of the provisions of either Indenture
to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate defeasance and discharge of any
series of such Debt Securities, provided that such action shall not adversely
affect the interests of the Holders of the Debt Securities of any series in any
material respect (Section 901 of each Indenture).
 
SUBORDINATION
 
     Upon any distribution to creditors of the Company in a liquidation,
dissolution, bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the payment of the
principal of and interest on the Subordinated Securities will be subordinated to
the extent provided in the Subordinated Indenture in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of all Senior Debt (Sections 1601 and 1602 of the
Subordinated Indenture), but the obligation of the Company to make payment of
the principal and interest on the Subordinated Securities will not otherwise be
affected (Section 1608 of the Subordinated Indenture). No payment of principal
or interest may be made on the Subordinated Securities at any time if a default
on Senior Debt exists that permits the holders of such Senior Debt to accelerate
its maturity and the default is the subject of judicial proceedings or the
Company receives notice of the default (Section 1603 of the Subordinated
Indenture). The Company may resume payments on the Subordinated Securities when
the default is cured or waived, or 120 days pass after the notice is given if
the default is not the subject of judicial proceedings, if the subordination
provisions of the Subordinated Indenture otherwise permit payment at that time
(Section 1603 of the Subordinated Indenture). After all Senior Debt is paid in
full and until the Subordinated Securities are paid in full, holders will be
subrogated to the rights of holders of Senior Debt to the extent that
distributions otherwise payable to holders have been applied to the payment of
Senior Debt (Section 1607 of the Subordinated Indenture). By reason of such
subordination, in the event of a distribution of assets upon insolvency, certain
general creditors of the Company may recover more, ratably, than holders of the
Subordinated Securities.
 
     Senior Debt is defined in the Subordinated Indenture as the principal of
and interest on, or substantially similar payments to be made by the Company in
respect of, the following, whether outstanding at the date of execution of the
Subordinated Indenture or thereafter incurred, created or assumed: (a)
indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed or represented by purchase-money
obligations, (b) indebtedness of the Company evidenced by notes, debentures, or
bonds, or other securities issued under the provisions of an indenture, fiscal
agency agreement or other instrument, (c) obligations of the Company as lessee
under leases of property either made as part of any sale and leaseback
transaction to which the Company is a party or otherwise, (d) indebtedness of
partnerships and joint ventures that is included in the consolidated financial
statements of the Company, (e) indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of
others in respect of which the Company is liable contingently or otherwise to
pay or advance money or property or as guarantor, endorser or otherwise or which
the Company has agreed to purchase or otherwise acquire, and (f) any binding
commitment of the Company to fund any real estate investment or to fund any
investment in any entity making such real estate investment, in each case other
than (1) any such indebtedness, obligation or liability referred to in clauses
(a) through (f) above as to which, in the instrument creating or evidencing the
same pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such
indebtedness, obligation or liability is not superior in right of payment to the
Subordinated Securities or ranks pari passu with the Subordinated Securities,
(2) any such indebtedness, obligation or liability which is subordinated to
indebtedness of the Company to substantially the same extent as or to a greater
extent than the Subordinated Securities are subordinated, and (3) the
Subordinated Securities (Section 101 of the Subordinated Indenture). At December
31, 1994, Senior Debt aggregated approximately $212.8 million. There are no
restrictions in the Subordinated Indenture upon the creation of additional
Senior Debt or other indebtedness.
 
DISCHARGE, DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
     Under each Indenture, the Company may discharge certain obligations to
Holders of any series of Debt Securities issued thereunder that have not already
been delivered to the applicable Trustee for cancellation
 
                                       12
   23
 
and that either have become due and payable or will become due and payable
within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by irrevocably
depositing with the applicable Trustee, in trust, funds in such currency or
currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which
such Debt Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay the entire
indebtedness on such Debt Securities in respect of principal (and premium or
Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest and any Additional Amounts payable to
the date of such deposit (if such Debt Securities have become due and payable)
or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be (Section 401 of
each Indenture).
 
     Each Indenture provides that, if the provisions of Article Fourteen thereof
are made applicable to the Debt Securities of or within any series pursuant to
section 301 of such Indenture, the Company may elect either (a) to defease and
be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to such Debt Securities
(except for the obligation to pay Additional Amounts, if any, upon the
occurrence of certain events of tax, assessment or governmental charge with
respect to payments on such Debt Securities and the obligations to register the
transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities, to replace temporary or mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, to maintain an office or agency in
respect of such Debt Securities and to hold moneys for payment in trust)
("defeasance") (Section 1402 of each Indenture) or (b) to be released from its
obligations with respect to such Debt Securities under provisions of each
Indenture described under "Certain Covenants," or, if provided pursuant to
Section 301 of each Indenture, its obligations with respect to any other
covenant, and any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute
a default or an Event or Default with respect to such Debt Securities ("covenant
defeasance") (Section 1403 of each Indenture), in either case upon the
irrevocable deposit by the Company with the applicable Trustee, in trust, of an
amount, in such currency or currencies, currency unit or currency units or
composite currency or currencies in which such Debt Securities are payable at
Stated Maturity, or Government Obligations (as defined below), or both,
applicable to such Debt Securities which through the scheduled payment of
principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an
amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
any) and interest on such Debt Securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or
analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor.
 
     Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, the Company
has delivered to the applicable Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (as specified in
each Indenture) to the effect that the Holders of such Debt Securities will not
recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as
a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to United
States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance
had not occurred, and such Opinion of Counsel, in the case of defeasance, must
refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change
in applicable United States federal income tax laws occurring after the date of
such Indenture (Section 1404 of each Indenture).
 
     "Government Obligations" means securities which are (i) direct obligations
of the United States of America or the government which issued the Foreign
Currency in which the Debt Securities of a particular series are payable, for
the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of
a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality
of the United States of America or the government which issued the Foreign
Currency in which the Debt Securities of such series are payable, the payment of
which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the
United States of America or such other government, which, in either case, are
not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also
include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with
respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on
or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the
account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required
by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount
payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the
custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of
interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such
depository receipt (Section 101 of each Indenture).
 
     Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if after
the Company has deposited funds and/or Government Obligations to effect
defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to Debt Securities of any series,
(a) the Holder of a Debt Security of such series is entitled to, and does, elect
pursuant
 
                                       13
   24
 
to Section 301 of either Indenture or the terms of such Debt Security to receive
payment in a currency, currency unit or composite currency other than that in
which such deposit has been made in respect to such Debt Security, or (b) a
Conversion Event (as defined below) occurs in respect of the currency, currency
unit or composite currency in which such deposit has been made, the indebtedness
represented by such Debt Security shall be deemed to have been, and will be,
fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and
premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on such Debt Security as they
become due out of the proceeds yielded by converting the amount so deposited in
respect of such Debt Security into the currency, currency unit or composite
currency in which such Debt Security becomes payable as a result of such
election or such cessation of usage based on the applicable market exchange rate
(Section 1405 of each Indenture).
 
     "Conversion Event" means the cessation of use of (i) a currency, currency
unit or composite currency issued by the government of one or more countries
other than the United States (other than the ECU or other currency unit) both by
the government of the country that issued such currency and for the settlement
of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the
international banking community, (ii) the ECU both within the European Monetary
System and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or
within the European Communities or (iii) any currency unit or composite currency
other than the ECU for the purposes for which it was established (Section 101 of
each Indenture). Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, all payments of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if
any) and interest on any Debt Security that is payable in a Foreign Currency
that ceases to be used by its government of issuance shall be made in United
States dollars.
 
     In the event the Company effects covenant defeasance with respect to any
Debt Securities and such Debt Securities are declared due and payable because of
the occurrence of any Event of Default other than the Event of Default described
in clause (d) under "Events of Default, Notice and Waiver" with respect to
Sections 1004 to 1009, inclusive, of either Indenture (which Sections would no
longer be applicable to such Debt Securities) or described in clause (h) under
"Events of Default, Notice and Waiver" with respect to a covenant as to which
there has been covenant defeasance, the amount in such currency, currency unit
or composite currency in which such Debt Securities are payable, and Government
Obligations on deposit with the Trustee, will be sufficient to pay amounts due
on such Debt Securities at the time of their Stated Maturity but may not be
sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities at the time of the
acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. However, the Company would
remain liable to make payment of such amounts due at the time of acceleration.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions,
if any, permitting such defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any
modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to the Debt
Securities of or within a particular series.
 
CONVERSION RIGHTS
 
     The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Debt Securities are
convertible into Capital Stock will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include whether such Debt
Securities are convertible into Capital Stock, the conversion price (or manner
of calculation thereof), the conversion period, provisions as to whether
conversion will be at the option of the Holders or the Company, the events
requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting
conversion in the event of the redemption of such Debt Securities.
 
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
 
     The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more global securities ("Global Securities") that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository (the "Depository") identified in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. Global Securities, if any,
issued in the United States are expected to be deposited with the Depository
Trust Company, as Depository. Global Securities may be issued in fully
registered form and may be issued in either temporary or permanent form. Unless
and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual Debt Securities
represented thereby, a Global Security may
 
                                       14
   25
 
not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository for such Global Security
to a nominee of such Depository or by a nominee of such Depository to such
Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by such Depository or any
nominee of such Depository to a successor Depository or any nominee of such
successor.
 
     The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a series
of Debt Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to
such series. The Company expects that unless otherwise indicated in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, the following provisions will apply to
depository arrangements.
 
     Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depository for such Global
Security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer
system the respective principal amounts of the individual Debt Securities
represented by such Global Security to the accounts of persons that have
accounts with such Depository ("Participants"). Such accounts shall be
designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to such Debt
Securities or by the Company if such Debt Securities are offered directly by the
Company. Ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Security will be
limited to Participants or persons that may hold interests through Participants.
Ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Security will be shown on, and
the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained
by the Depository for such Global Security or its nominee (with respect to
beneficial interests of Participants) and records of Participants (with respect
to beneficial interests of persons who hold through Participants). The laws of
some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery
of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the
ability to own, pledge or transfer beneficial interest in a Global Security.
 
     So long as the Depository for a Global Security or its nominee is the
registered owner of such Global Security, such Depository or such nominee, as
the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Debt
Securities represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the
applicable Indenture. Except as described below or in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, owners of beneficial interest in a Global Security will not be
entitled to have any of the individual Debt Securities represented by such
Global Security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of any such Debt Securities in definitive form and
will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the applicable
Indenture.
 
     Payments of principal of, any premium or Make-Whole Amount and any interest
on, or any Additional Amounts payable with respect to, individual Debt
Securities represented by a Global Security registered in the name of a
Depository or its nominee will be made to the Depository or its nominee, as the
case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security. None of the
Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar for such Debt
Securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests in the Global Security for such Debt Securities or for maintaining,
supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership
interests.
 
     The Company expects that the Depository for any Debt Securities or its
nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, Make-Whole Amount,
interest or Additional Amounts in respect of the Global Security representing
such Debt Securities, will immediately credit Participants' accounts with
payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in
the principal amount of such Global Security as shown on the records of such
Depository or its nominee. The Company also expects that payments by
Participants to owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security held
through such Participants will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of
customers in bearer form or registered in street name. Such payments will be the
responsibility of such Participants.
 
     If a Depository for any Debt Securities is at any time unwilling, unable or
ineligible to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed
by the Company within 90 days, the Company will issue individual Debt Securities
in exchange for the Global Security representing such Debt Securities. In
addition, the Company may at any time and in its sole discretion, subject to any
limitations described in the Prospectus
 
                                       15
   26
 
Supplement relating to such Debt Securities, determine not to have any of such
Debt Securities represented by one or more Global Securities and in such event
will issue individual Debt Securities in exchange for the Global Security or
Securities representing such Debt Securities. Individual Debt Securities so
issued will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
 
TRUSTEES
 
     First Union National Bank of North Carolina, the Senior Indenture Trustee
and the Subordinate Indenture Trustee, also provides the Company's revolving
line of credit facility and from time to time directly or through affiliates
performs other services for the Company in the normal course of business.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Indentures are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Georgia.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
 
     This summary of certain terms and provisions of the Company's Common Stock
does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety
by reference to, the terms and provisions of the Company's Articles of
Incorporation, as amended (the "Articles"), and By-laws, as amended, which are
filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a
part.
 
     The Company has 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock authorized and 30,744,451
shares were outstanding at December 31, 1994. All outstanding shares of Common
Stock are fully paid and nonassessable.
 
     The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is First Union
National Bank of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina. The Company's Common
Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "MRY".
 
     The holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive such dividends as are
declared by the Board of Directors, after payment of, or provision for, full
cumulative dividends for outstanding Preferred Stock. Each share of Common Stock
is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders,
including the election of directors. Cumulative voting for directors is not
permitted, which means that holders of more than 50% of all of the shares of
Common Stock voting can elect all of the directors if they choose to do so, and,
in such event, the holders of the remaining shares of Common Stock will not be
able to elect any directors. Holders of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, when
outstanding and when entitled to vote, vote as a class, except with respect to
matters that relate only to the rights, terms or conditions of the Preferred
Stock, that affect only the holders of the Preferred Stock, or that relate to
the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock if the Company fails to fulfill
any of its obligations regarding the Preferred Stock. Upon any dissolution,
liquidation or winding up of the Company, the holders of Common Stock are
entitled to receive pro rata all of the Company's assets and funds remaining
after payment of, or provision for, creditors and distribution of, or provision
for, preferential amounts and unpaid accumulated dividends to holders of
Preferred Stock. Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive right to purchase or
subscribe for any shares of capital stock of the Company.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
     This summary of certain terms and provisions of the Company's Preferred
Stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its
entirety by reference to, the terms and provisions of the Company's Articles and
By-laws, as amended, which are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement
of which this Prospectus is a part.
 
     The Articles authorize the issuance of 20,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, without par value, of which 2,516,324 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
and 4,000,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock were issued and
 
                                       16
   27
 
outstanding at December 31, 1994. All outstanding shares of the Series A
Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock are fully paid and
nonassessable.
 
     The transfer agent and registrar for the Series A Preferred Stock and the
Series B Preferred Stock is First Union National Bank of North Carolina,
Charlotte, North Carolina.
 
     The following description of the terms of the Preferred Stock sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of the Preferred Stock to which a
Prospectus Supplement may relate. Specific terms of any series of Preferred
Stock offered by a Prospectus Supplement will be described in that Prospectus
Supplement. The description set forth below is subject to and qualified in its
entirety by reference to the Articles of Amendment to the Articles fixing the
preferences, limitations and relative rights of a particular series of Preferred
Stock.
 
GENERAL
 
     Under the Articles, the Board of Directors of the Company is authorized,
without further shareholder action, to provide for the issuance of up to
20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, in one or more series, with such voting
powers and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or
restrictions, as the Board of Directors shall approve. At December 31, 1994 the
Company had 6,516,324 shares of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding of its
20,000,000 authorized shares of Preferred Stock.
 
     The Preferred Stock will have the dividend, liquidation, redemption,
conversion and voting rights set forth below unless otherwise provided in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of Preferred Stock.
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular series
of Preferred Stock offered thereby for specific terms, including: (i) the title
and liquidation preference per share of such Preferred Stock and the number of
shares offered; (ii) the price at which such series of Preferred Stock will be
issued; (iii) the dividend rate (or method of calculation), the dates on which
dividends shall be payable and the dates from which dividends shall commence to
accumulate; (iv) any redemption or sinking fund provisions of such series of
Preferred Stock; (v) any conversion provisions of such series of Preferred
Stock; and (vi) any additional dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking fund
and other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions of such
series of Preferred Stock.
 
     The Preferred Stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable.
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular
series of Preferred Stock, each series will rank on a parity as to dividends and
distributions in the event of a liquidation with each other series of Preferred
Stock and, in all cases, will be senior to the Common Stock.
 
DIVIDEND RIGHTS
 
     Holders of Preferred Stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when
as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of assets of the Company
legally available therefor, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates as
are set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of Preferred
Stock. Such rate may be fixed or variable or both and may be cumulative,
noncumulative or partially cumulative.
 
     If the applicable Prospectus Supplement so provides, as long as any shares
of Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividends will be declared or paid or any
distributions be made on the Common Stock, other than a dividend payable in
Common Stock, unless the accrued dividends on each series of Preferred Stock
have been fully paid or declared and set apart for payment and the Company shall
have set apart all amounts, if any, required to be set apart for all sinking
funds, if any, for each series of Preferred Stock.
 
     If the applicable Prospectus Supplement so provides, when dividends are not
paid in full upon any series of Preferred Stock and any other series of
Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with such series of
Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon such series of Preferred Stock and
any other series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity as to dividends will be
declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on such
series of Preferred Stock and such other series will in all cases bear to each
other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on such series of
Preferred Stock and such other series bear to each other.
 
                                       17
   28
 
     Each series of Preferred Stock will be entitled to dividends as described
in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series, which may be based upon
one or more methods of determination. Different series of Preferred Stock may be
entitled to dividends at different dividend rates or based upon different
methods of determination. Except as provided in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, no series of Preferred Stock will be entitled to participate in the
earnings or assets of the Company.
 
RIGHTS UPON LIQUIDATION
 
     In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, the holders of each series of Preferred Stock will be
entitled to receive out of the assets of the Company available for distribution
to shareholders, the amount stated or determined on the basis set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to such series, which may include accrued
dividends, if such liquidation, dissolution or winding up is involuntary or may
equal the current redemption price per share (otherwise than for the sinking
fund, if any, provided for such series) provided for such series set forth in
such Prospectus Supplement, if such liquidation, dissolution or winding up is
voluntary, and on such preferential basis as is set forth in such Prospectus
Supplement. If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, the amounts payable with respect to Preferred Stock
of any series and any other shares of stock of the Company ranking as to any
such distribution on a parity with such series of Preferred Stock are not paid
in full, the holders of Preferred Stock of such series and of such other shares
will share ratably in any such distribution of assets of the Company in
proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are
entitled or on such other basis as is set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. The rights, if any, of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock
to participate in the assets of the Company remaining after the holders of other
series of Preferred Stock have been paid their respective specified liquidation
preferences upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company will
be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series.
 
REDEMPTION
 
     A series of Preferred Stock may be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the
option of the Company, and may be subject to mandatory redemption pursuant to a
sinking fund, in each case upon terms, at the times and the redemption prices
and for the types of consideration set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such series. The Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of
Preferred Stock which is subject to mandatory redemption shall specify the
number of shares of such series that shall be redeemed by the Company in each
year commencing after a date to be specified, at a redemption price per share to
be specified, together with an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends
thereon to the date of redemption. Except as indicated in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred Stock is not subject to any mandatory
redemption at the option of the holder.
 
SINKING FUND
 
     The Prospectus Supplement for any series of Preferred Stock will state the
terms, if any, of a sinking fund for the purchase or redemption of that series.
 
CONVERSION RIGHTS
 
     The Prospectus Supplement for any series of Preferred Stock will state the
terms, if any, on which shares of that series are convertible into shares of
Common Stock or another series of Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock will have
no preemptive rights.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
     Except as indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular
series of Preferred Stock, or except as expressly required by Georgia law, a
holder of Preferred Stock will not be entitled to vote. Except as indicated in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of Preferred Stock, in
the event the
 
                                       18
   29
 
Company issues full shares of any series of Preferred Stock, each such share
will be entitled to one vote on matters on which holders of such series of
Preferred Stock are entitled to vote.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
     The transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursement agent for a series
of Preferred Stock will be selected by the Company and be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. The registrar for shares of Preferred Stock
will send notices to shareholders of any meetings at which holders of Preferred
Stock have the right to vote on any matter.
 
OUTSTANDING PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Series A Preferred Stock.  The Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to the
Common Stock, and pari passu with the Series B Preferred Stock, with respect to
payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors of the Company, out of funds legally
available for payment, cumulative cash dividends at the rate per annum of $1.75
per share of Series A Preferred Stock. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock
are payable quarterly in arrears on the last calendar day of March, June,
September and December of each year.
 
     Shares of Series A Preferred Stock are not redeemable by the Company prior
to June 30, 1998, and at no time are the shares of Series A Preferred Stock
redeemable for cash. On and after June 30, 1998, the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in
part, for such number of shares of Common Stock as equals the liquidation
preference of the Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed divided by the
applicable conversion price as of the opening of business on the date set for
such redemption, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The Company may
exercise this option only if for 20 trading days, within any period of 30
consecutive trading days, including the last trading day of such period, the
closing price of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange equals or
exceeds the conversion price per share, subject to adjustments in certain
circumstances.
 
     The holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive in the
event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether
voluntary or involuntary, $25.00 per share of Series A Preferred Stock plus an
amount per share of Series A Preferred Stock equal to all dividends (whether or
not earned or declared) accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of final
distribution to such holders, and no more. Except under certain circumstances or
except as otherwise from time to time required by applicable law, the holders of
Series A Preferred Stock have no voting rights.
 
     Series B Preferred Stock.  The Series B Preferred Stock ranks senior to the
Common Stock, and pari passu with the Series A Preferred Stock, with respect to
payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors of the Company, out of funds legally
available for payment, cumulative cash dividends at the rate per annum of $2.205
per share of Series B Preferred Stock. Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock
are payable quarterly in arrears on the last calendar day of March, June,
September and December of each year.
 
     Shares of Series B Preferred Stock are not redeemable by the Company prior
to October 31, 1999, and at no time are the shares of Series B Preferred Stock
redeemable for cash. On and after October 31, 1999, the shares of Series B
Preferred Stock are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in
part, for such number of shares of Common Stock as equals the liquidation
preference of the Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed divided by the
applicable conversion price as of the opening of business on the date set for
such redemption, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The Company may
exercise this option only if for 20 trading days, within any period of 30
consecutive trading days, including the last trading day of such period, the
closing price of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange equals or
exceeds the conversion price per share, subject to adjustments in certain
circumstances.
 
                                       19
   30
 
     The holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive in the
event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether
voluntary or involuntary, $25.00 per share of Series B Preferred Stock plus an
amount per share of Series B Preferred Stock equal to all dividends (whether or
not earned or declared) accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of final
distributions to such holders, and no more. Except under certain circumstances
or except as otherwise from time to time required by applicable law, the holders
of Series B Preferred Stock have no voting rights.
 
                      DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK WARRANTS
 
     The Company may issue Common Stock Warrants for the purchase of Common
Stock. Common Stock Warrants may be issued independently or together with any
other Offered Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement and may be
attached to or separate from such Offered Securities. Each series of Common
Stock Warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement (each, a
"Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a warrant agent
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the "Warrant Agent"). The
Warrant Agent will act solely as an agent of the Company in connection with the
Common Stock Warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or
relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of
Common Stock Warrants. The following sets forth certain general terms and
provisions of the Common Stock Warrants offered hereby. Further terms of the
Common Stock Warrants and the applicable Warrant Agreements will be set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of the Common
Stock Warrants in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered,
including, where applicable, the following: (1) the title of such Common Stock
Warrants; (2) the aggregate number of such Common Stock Warrants; (3) the price
or prices at which such Common Stock Warrants will be issued; (4) the
designation, number and terms of the shares of Common Stock purchasable upon
exercise of such Common Stock Warrants; (5) the designation and terms of the
other Offered Securities with which such Common Stock Warrants are issued and
the number of such Common Stock Warrants issued with each such Offered Security;
(6) the date, if any, on and after which such Common Stock Warrants and the
related Common Stock will be separately transferable; (7) the price at which
each share of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of such Common Stock
Warrants may be purchased; (8) the date on which the right to exercise such
Common Stock Warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall
expire; (9) the minimum or maximum amount of such Common Stock Warrants which
may be exercised at any one time; (10) information with respect to book-entry
procedures, if any; (11) a discussion of certain federal income tax
considerations; and (12) any other terms of such Common Stock Warrants,
including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and
exercise of such Common Stock Warrants.
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
     The Company may, at its option, elect to offer receipts for fractional
interests ("Depositary Shares") in Preferred Stock. In such event, receipts
("Depositary Receipts") for Depositary Shares, each of which will represent a
fraction (to be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular
series of Preferred Stock) of a share of a particular series of Preferred Stock,
will be issued as described below.
 
     The shares of any series of Preferred Stock represented by Depositary
Shares will be deposited under a Deposit Agreement (the "Deposit Agreement")
between the Company and the depositary named in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such shares (the "Preferred Stock Depositary"). Subject to the terms
of the Deposit Agreement, each owner of a Depositary Share will be entitled, in
proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of Preferred Stock represented
by such Depositary Share, to all the rights and preferences of the Preferred
Stock represented thereby (including dividend, voting, redemption, subscription
and liquidation rights). The following summary of certain provisions of the
Deposit Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Deposit
Agreement, including the definitions therein of certain terms. Whenever
particular sections of the Deposit Agreement are referred to, it is intended
that such sections shall be incorporated herein by reference. Copies
 
                                       20
   31
 
of the forms of Deposit Agreement and Depositary Receipt are filed as exhibits
to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part, and the
following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibits.
 
     The Preferred Stock Depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other
cash distributions received in respect of the Preferred Stock to the record
holders of Depositary Shares relating to such Preferred Stock in proportion to
the numbers of such Depositary Shares owned by such holders. (Deposit Agreement,
Section 4.01)
 
     In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the Preferred Stock
Depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of
Depositary Shares in an equitable manner, unless the Preferred Stock Depositary
determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the
Preferred Stock Depositary may sell such property and distribute the net
proceeds from such sale to such holders. (Deposit Agreement, Section 4.02)
 
     Upon surrender of the Depositary Receipts at the corporate trust office of
the Preferred Stock Depositary and upon payment of the taxes, charges and fees
provided for in the Deposit Agreement and subject to the terms thereof, the
holder of the Depositary Shares evidenced thereby is entitled to delivery at
such office, to or upon his or her order, of the number of whole shares of the
related series of Preferred Stock and any money or other property, if any,
represented by such Depositary Shares.
 
     If a series of Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares is subject
to redemption, the Depositary Shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received
by the Preferred Stock Depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in
part, of such series of Preferred Stock held by the Preferred Stock Depositary.
The redemption price per Depositary Share will be equal to the applicable
fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to such series
of the Preferred Stock. Whenever the Company redeems shares of Preferred Stock
held by the Preferred Stock Depositary, the Preferred Stock Depositary will
redeem as of the same redemption date the number of Depositary Shares
representing shares of Preferred Stock so redeemed. If fewer than all the
Depositary Shares are to be redeemed, the Depositary Shares to be redeemed will
be selected by lot, pro rata or by any other equitable method as may be
determined by the Preferred Stock Depositary. (Deposit Agreement, Section 2.08)
 
     Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the Preferred
Stock are entitled to vote, the Preferred Stock Depositary will mail the
information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the
Depositary Shares relating to such Preferred Stock. Each record holder of such
Depositary Shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record
date for the Preferred Stock) will be entitled to instruct the Preferred Stock
Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of
the Preferred Stock represented by such holder's Depositary Shares. The
Preferred Stock Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the
amount of the Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Shares in
accordance with such instructions, and the Company will agree to take all
reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the Preferred Stock
Depositary in order to enable the Preferred Stock Depositary to do so. The
Preferred Stock Depositary will abstain from voting shares of the Preferred
Stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holder of
Depositary Shares representing such Preferred Stock. (Deposit Agreement, Section
4.05)
 
     The form of Depositary Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares and any
provision of the Deposit Agreement may at any time be amended by agreement
between the Company and the Preferred Stock Depositary. However, any amendment
which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of Depositary
Shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the
holders of at least a majority of the Depositary Shares then outstanding.
(Deposit Agreement, Section 6.01) The Deposit Agreement will only terminate if
(i) all outstanding Depositary Shares have been redeemed or (ii) there has been
a final distribution in respect of the Preferred Stock in connection with any
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company and such distribution has
been distributed to the holders of Depositary Receipts. (Deposit Agreement,
Section 6.02)
 
     The Company will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges
arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. The Company
will pay charges of the Preferred Stock Depositary in
 
                                       21
   32
 
connection with the initial deposit of the Preferred Stock and issuance of
Depositary Receipts, all withdrawals of shares of Preferred Stock by owners of
Depositary Shares and any redemption of the Preferred Stock. Holders of
Depositary Receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental
charges and such other charges as are expressly provided in the Deposit
Agreement to be for their accounts. (Deposit Agreement, Section 5.07)
 
     The Preferred Stock Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to the
Company notice of its election to do so, and the Company may at any time remove
the Preferred Stock Depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect
upon the appointment of a successor Preferred Stock Depositary and its
acceptance of such appointment. Such successor Preferred Stock Depositary must
be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or
removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the
United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
(Deposit Agreement, Section 5.04)
 
     The Preferred Stock Depositary will forward all reports and communications
from the Company which are delivered to the Preferred Stock Depositary and which
the Company is required or otherwise determines to furnish to the holders of the
Preferred Stock. (Deposit Agreement, Section 4.07)
 
     Neither the Preferred Stock Depositary nor the Company will be liable under
the Deposit Agreement to holders of Depositary Receipts other than for its
negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. Neither the Company nor the
Preferred Stock Depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal
proceeding in respect of any Depositary Shares or Preferred Stock unless
satisfactory indemnity is furnished. The Company and the Preferred Stock
Depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon
information provided by persons presenting Preferred Stock for deposit, holders
of Depositary Receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on
documents believed to be genuine. (Deposit Agreement, Section 5.03)
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company may sell the Offered Securities to or through underwriters or
may sell the Offered Securities to investors directly or through designated
agents. Any such underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the
Offered Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Underwriters may offer and sell the Offered Securities at a fixed price or
prices, which may be changed, or from time to time at market prices prevailing
at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at
negotiated prices. The Company also may, from time to time, authorize
underwriters acting as agents to offer and sell the Offered Securities upon the
terms and conditions set forth in any Prospectus Supplement. In connection with
the sale of Offered Securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received
compensation from the Company in the form of underwriting discounts or
commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of Offered
Securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell Offered
Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in
the form of discounts, concessions or commissions (which may be changed from
time to time) from the underwriters and from the purchasers for whom they may
act as agent.
 
     Any underwriting compensation paid by the Company to underwriters or agents
in connection with the offering of Offered Securities and any discounts,
concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers will
be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters, dealers and
agents participating in the distribution of the Offered Securities may be deemed
to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any
profit realized by them on resale of the Offered Securities may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions, under the Securities Act. Underwriters,
dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with the
Company, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
     If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company will
authorize dealers acting as the Company's agents to solicit offers by certain
institutions to purchase Offered Securities from the Company at the public
offering price set forth in such Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Delayed
Delivery Contracts
 
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("Contracts") providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in
such Prospectus Supplement. Each Contract will be for an amount not less than,
and the principal amount of Offered Securities sold pursuant to Contracts shall
not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in such Prospectus
Supplement. Institutions with which Contracts, when authorized, may be made
include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds,
investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other
institutions, but will in all cases be subject to the approval of the Company.
Contracts will not be subject to any conditions except (i) the purchase by an
institution of the Offered Securities covered by its Contract shall not at the
time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United
States to which such institution is subject and (ii) the Company shall have sold
to such underwriters the total principal amount of the Offered Securities less
the principal amount thereof covered by Contracts. A commission indicated in the
Prospectus Supplement will be paid to agents and underwriters soliciting
purchases of Offered Securities pursuant to Contracts accepted by the Company.
Agents and underwriters shall have no responsibility in respect of the delivery
or performance of Contracts.
 
     Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may be customers of,
engage in transactions with, and perform services for, the Company in the
ordinary course of business.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The audited financial statements and schedules of the Company incorporated
by reference in this Prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement of
which this Prospectus is a part, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect
thereto, and are incorporated herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm
as experts in giving said reports.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
     Certain legal opinions relating to tax matters and the Offered Securities
will be passed upon for the Company by Hull, Towill, Norman & Barrett, P.C.,
Augusta, Georgia. Certain legal matters relating to the validity of the Offered
Securities will be passed upon for the Underwriters by Piper & Marbury,
Baltimore, Maryland. W. Hale Barrett, a member of the firm of Hull, Towill,
Norman & Barrett, P.C., is a director and secretary of the Company. He and
members of his firm own 25,751 shares of the Company's Common Stock.
 
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                 (MERRY LAND & INVESTMENT COMPANY, INC. LOGO)