So in the Black Belt the Negro had, for forty years, a monopoly of farm labor.
The share system of tenantry, with its attendant evils of credit and crop lien, was soon established in the Southern States, mainly in the Black Belt, but to some extent also in the white districts.

The landlord furnished land, house, fuel, water, and all or a part of the seed, fertilizer, farm implements, and farm animals.

In return he received a "half," or a "third and fourth," his share depending upon how much he had furnished.

The best class of tenants would rent for cash or a fixed rental, the poorest laborers would work for wages only.
The "privileges" brought over from slavery, which were included in the share renting, astonished outside observers.

To the laborer was usually given a house, a water supply, wood for fuel, pasture for pigs or cows, a "patch" for vegetables and fruit, and the right to hunt and fish.
These were all that some needed in order to live.