7 i ] LANDOWNERSHIP AMONG THE NEGROES y T 



in the southwestern and southeastern counties of the 

 state. These two centers have enlarged, and the count- 

 ies which lie between them have also shown a relatively 

 large increase, so that now practically all the counties 

 south of the line extending from Columbus to Augusta, 

 with the exception of those in the neighborhood of the 

 Okefinokee swamp, form a region in which the negroes 

 have been more successful than elsewhere in the state in 

 the matter of acquiring farms. 



It should be noted, however, that many of the central 

 counties show a rate of increase in negro acreage since 

 1900 greater than the rate for the state as a whole. The 

 same period gives also a large percentage of increase in 

 most of the southwestern counties, whereas many of the 

 southeastern counties show only a small rate of increase. 

 This may be a very hopeful sign, indicative either of the 

 increase in economic power on the part of the negro or 

 of the growth of a more favorable economic environ- 

 ment, or both. For it indicates an increased acquisition 

 of land in those parts of the state where the population 

 is largest and the economic activity greatest. The parts 

 just referred to form the main cotton-raising area of the 

 state. It, therefore, appears that the high price of 

 cotton in recent years has been the chief influence con- 

 tributing to the acquisition of farms by the negroes. 

 This is encouraging, as showing that some members of 

 the race take advantage of such an opportunity by plan- 

 ning for a permanent future income instead of an imme- 

 diate gratification. 



Another fact is of importance in this connection. The 

 development of cotton manufacturing in Georgia now in 

 progress tends to increase the economic importance of 

 the negro farmers. 



Thus far no account has been taken of the tendencies 



