Good question about the farmers! Here is my opinion, may not be others! Yes, I did list planters and not farmers. Planters farmed for profit while farmers farmed for substance, and little profit. Most farmers moved frequently and sold/re-bought land every few years. A majority of farmers farmed for themselves and not for commerce. A majority were not of the affluent class of educated professionals and were not wealthy by means. In 1850, there were 287 farms altogether, the majority with few or no slaves and very small plots of land, ranging from 1-500 acres. Now, from 1850 to 1860, the number of total farms increased to 581. The majority of these farms were, as I consider, small farmers. But, these small farmers produced the majority of cotton in 1860, about 60%. Dave Forehand Taken from 1850 and 1860 census schedules, tax rolls, and U.S. Agriculture census schedules. ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.