SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE, 1790-1860 283 



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

 law the furnishing of meat to slaves, and even there it does not 

 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 work 

 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 time left, 

 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 

 as "full hands," "three-quarter hands," "half hands," and "one- 

 quarter hands," these terms referring to the portion of a " full 

 hand's " work which was required of each slave. " Every negro 

 knows his rate and lawful task so well that if he thinks himself 

 imposed upon by the driver he appeals at once to the master." 



The " tasks " were set by the drivers, whose business it was to 

 see that they were performed. Drivers were usually selected from 

 among the stronger and more intelligent slaves. White overseers 

 were required by law on each plantation where the owner did 

 not himself personally superintend the work. On the smaller 

 plantations the overseers were also the drivers. 



