WESTERN RED HILLS. 39 



Most of these figures can be left to tell their own story, 

 as it would take too much space to discuss each one. The 

 increase in the magnitude of farming operations just be- 

 fore the Civil War and the sudden decline at that period 

 need no comment.* Since that time the average size of 

 farms has gradually decreased with the increasing efficiency 

 and specialization of the farmers, as has been the case in 

 practically all the eastern states. The increases in apparent 

 values between 1850 and 1860 and between 1900 and 1910 

 were due largely to discoveries of gold, in California in 

 1849 and in the Klondike, South Africa and elsewhere in 

 1896 and subsequent years, which affected the whole country 

 in much the same way. 



The amount of improved land is slowly increasing here, 

 as in most other parts of the world. The number of animals 

 per farm has declined, but the number per acre has changed 

 little in recent decades. But since the last census the boll- 

 weevil has arrived and caused a reduction in cotton acreage, 

 which is believed to have resulted in increased attention be- 

 ing given to livestock. 



Negroes are in the majority as farmers, as in the total 

 population, but the total area and value of farm property 

 occupied by them is less than that belonging to the whites. 

 About four-fifths of the negro and one-third of the white 

 farmers are tenants. The expenditure for fertilizers in 

 this fertile region is below the State average, but is increas- 

 ing. 



The leading crops in 1909, in order of value, were cotton 

 (over half the total), corn, "vegetables,"! sweet potatoes, 

 sugar-cane, hay, oats, cowpeas, peanuts, Irish potatoes, and 

 peaches. The indications are that cotton has declined in 

 importance since then, though still leading, and that peanuts 

 and other food crops have taken a higher rank. 



*It should be borne in mind that negroes did not become farm 

 proprietors until after the war, and that alone would make a consid- 

 erable difference in the average size of farms between 1860 and 1880. 



("Vegetables" in the census reports means quite a variety of 

 things. See chapter on crops, near the end of this report. Greenville 

 is quite an important shipping point for radishes. 



