The 19th century southern economy remained primarily agricultural. The main reason for this was increase in the rate of practice of slavery. Secondly, the main agricultural product that was available in abundance in the farming fields was cotton. The slaves were used in these cotton fields. They were forced to pluck and plant cotton in the farm and they were restricted in doing that activity only and no other activity can be carried out by them. Therefore, agriculture remained basis of the southern economy during the 19th century.