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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. You must be logged in to leave a comment. Click here to login or register. |
Grow It. Make It. Know It. :
March 13, 2010 - October 23, 2010
Location: Preble County
Paws in the Plaza :
April 01, 2010 - December 02, 2010
Location: Creekside Plaza, 123 Mill St., Gahanna
Family Fishing at Creekside :
May 08, 2010 - September 11, 2010
Location: Creekside Park & Plaza, 123 Mill St., Gahanna, OH
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