“ Agriculture. In 1900, 72.4 per cent. of the land area was included in farms, and of this 41.3 per cent. (5,775,741 acres) was improved—a large increase over all earlier years. The average size of farms in 1900 (90 acres) was only one-sixth as large as the average size in 1850. In 1900, 36.7 per cent. of the farms were let for cash rent, and 24.3 per cent. share rent. Considerably over half of the farms are operated by negroes, and only 18.2 per cent. of these properties are owned by them. In probably no State is the cotton crop so predominant as in South Carolina. ”

“ In 1893 a great storm on the coast caused the loss of more than 1000 lives. The growth and development of the Farmers' Alliance led to the capture of the Democratic Party in 1890, when B. R. Tillman was elected Governor after a campaign of bitterness second only to that of 1876. In 1901-02 the South Carolina Interstate and West Indian Exposition was held at Charleston. In national elections the State has been always Democratic, except in 1792, when the Federalists secured the electors, and during the Reconstruction period, 1868-76, when the vote was given for the Republican candidates. ”

“ The increasing destructiveness of the freshets since the deforestation of the mountain slopes has greatly hampered the growth of the industry. However, in the decade 1890-1900 it almost regained the ground which it had lost in the preceding ten years. The State is now exceeded by Louisiana alone in rice production. The acreage in hay increased 264.3 per cent. in the decade 1890-1900. Considerable attention is given to the raising of peas, and tobacco and sweet potatoes are products of some importance. The area devoted to tobacco in 1900 was 65 times as great as in 1890. ”

“ Snow in measurable amounts generally does not fall on more than two or three days in a year, except in the mountains, where there is a considerable snowfall. The average annual rainfall is 47 inches, fairly evenly distributed both as to localities and seasons, though there is a maximum in summer and a minimum in autumn. Hurricanes visit the coast occasionally, and sometimes do considerable damage. In 1886 the State suffered from a severe earthquake which caused great destruction at Charleston. ”

“ The railroads are mostly owned or controlled by three huge systems—the Southern, the Seaboard Air Line, and the Atlantic Coast Line. A considerable foreign trade, principally exports, passes through the port of Charleston, which ranks tenth among the Atlantic coast ports.
Banks. The State Bank of South Carolina had an exceptionally successful career. It was established in 1812 to remedy the financial disturbances caused by the impending war with England. It was entirely under State control, and its president and directors were chosen by the Legislature. ”

“ In 1890-1900 there was a large increase in the number of all kinds of domestic animals except sheep. There is a smaller number of all varieties of live stock (except mules) than in 1850—less than half as many cattle and less than one-fifth as many sheep. The following table shows the number of domestic animals on farms:
Manufactures. Prior to 1880 the manufacturing industry had been quite insignificant. Its growth has since been rapid. ”