SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE, 1790-1860 283 



able-bodied negro. Louisiana was the only state which required by 

 law the furnishing of meat to slaves, and even there it dot 

 seem always to have been observed, although it was generally 

 practiced throughout the South. On most of the plantations the 

 negroes were allowed to cultivate " truck patches," and to raise 

 poultry and sometimes a pig. What produce thus raised they 

 did not themselves consume, they sold, and invested the returns 

 in tobacco, whiskey and Sunday finery. 



On some plantations, however, the slaves were not allowed to 

 cultivate these " patches," for it tempted them to reserve for 

 cultivating their gardens in the evening the strength which should 

 have been expended in the cotton field. The hours of work on 

 the cotton plantations were from sunrise to sunset. During the 

 picking season the negroes worked as long as they could see. 

 South Carolina had a statute forbidding the working of slaves for 

 more than fifteen hours a day. Noon "rests" of from one to 

 two hours were not infrequent, though far from universal. 



In eastern Georgia and South Carolina the work was performed 

 by " tasks." Each laborer had assigned to him the amount of 

 which he was expected to do in a day, such as hoeing from one- 

 half an acre to an acre of corn or cotton, or picking a certain amount 

 of cotton. When he had finished his task, if there were tiir.< 

 the slave was allowed to use it as he pleased. This method of 

 " tasking " was greatly preferred by the slave to any other method 

 of working. Many finished their " tasks " by the middle of the 

 afternoon. The slaves were worked in " gangs," and were classed 



ill hands," "three-quarter hands." "half hands," and 

 quarter hands," these, terms referring to the ; t a "full 



1's" work which was required of each ,egro 



te and lawful task so well that if he thinl. 

 imposed upon by the driver he appeals at once to the 



" were set by the drivers, whose business it \\ 

 were perform vted from 



among the stronger and more intelligent slaves. White overseers 

 required by law on each plantation -lie owner did 



nally superintend the work. On the smaller 

 plantations tl. also the di; 



