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Innovations in American Agriculture18th century — Farmers harvested grass and grain with a scythe, seen here, or a cradle. The cradle was a scythe with long wooden fingers that ran parallel to the blade and would sweep stalks into a pile. The grain was separated from the straw by beating it with a flail, two wooden batons connected by a piece of leather. 1830s — Mechanized reapers provide an alternative to the scythe. A revolving wheel laid cut wheat onto a tray where it was raked into piles. A mechanized thresher also appeared, eventually replacing the flail. 1840s — The first grain drill, which provided a mechanical advantage over hand-planted seed, was patented. A more recent version is shown here. The commercial fertilizer industry also emerged. 1860s — Larger farm equipment favors horse power over hand power characterizing the first American agricultural revolution. Steam tractors are tried by farmers. 1870s — Silos are popularized as a way to preserve feed. Instead of pits or small buildings used by Europeans, American silos took on the form of tall cylinders, which were economical and efficient. Barbed wire leads to the end of unrestricted livestock grazing. 1880s — Horse drawn combines do the work of harvesting and threshing in the Pacific coast wheat areas. Hybridized corn is introduced eventually leading to a huge jump in yields. 1910 Total population: 91,972,266 Farm population: 32,077,000 (est.)Farmers: 31% of labor force Number of farms: 6,366,000 Average acres: 138 1914 — Smith-Lever Extension Act passed. Establishment of the federal-state Extension Service was a major step in direct education for farmers. 1930s — All-purpose, rubber-tired tractors with complementary machinery were popularized. 1930-35 — Use of hybrid-seed corn becomes common in the Corn Belt. 1970 — Plant Variety Protection Act; Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Norman Borlaug for developing high-yielding wheat varieties. 1972 — Molecular biologist Paul Berg pioneers the techniques that make possible the transfer of genes from one strand of DNA to another. 1980 — The first American patent for a genetically engineered organism, a bacterium used to clean up oil spills, is granted. 1980s — Biotechnology becomes viable for improving crop and livestock products. Today — Modern farmers rely on advanced technology such as Global Positioning Systems and biotechnology. One farmer can feed 143 people and may farm hundreds to thousands of acres. |
Winter Wonderland at Creekside Park :
November 13, 2009 - January 04, 2010
Location: Creekside Park & Plaza, 123 Mill St., Gahanna
Fantasy of Lights :
November 20, 2009 - December 30, 2009
Location: Alum Creek State Park Marina, 3615 S. Old State Rd., Delaware
Bear's Mill Christmas Preview :
November 21, 2009 - November 22, 2009
Location: 6450 Arcanum-Bearsmill Road Greenville
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