Changes in Agricultural Technology

Agricultural technology changed gradually throughout the 1800's. It was not until the mid-1900's, during the mechanical and chemical revolution, when dramatic changes occured in agricultural technology. You can see how changes in technology greatly affected the way farmers farmed! Meet three farmers and learn about the different ways each farmed because of changes in agricultural technology!

One of the first white settlers of Knox County

The farmer used wooden plow to prepare the soil for planting.
The farmer planted crops by hand with a hoe.
The farmer cultivated the crops approximately five times a season to keep weeds away.
The farmer used a scythe, a tool with blades connected to a handle, to cut grass, grain and other crops.
The farmer also used a cradle which attached to the scythe, to harvest grain. Harvesting corn was especially difficult!
The farmer threshed his grain with a flail, or else with horses and oxen.

Technology Tidbit!: The steel plow, which was easier to use and lasted longer than the wooden plow, was not used in Knox County until a blacksmith in Gambier, Ohio began to manufacture them in the 1850's.

1830 The reaper, which made harvesting easier, was invented

1836 Cooper Industries in Mount Vernon, Ohio developed a steam engine for the reaper

1855 Two and four row planters were developed to plant more crops in a lesser amount of time

1875 Cooper Industries produces the first steam traction engine, later called a tractor

What did these changes do to the way farmers farmed?

	1830 The reaper, which made harvesting easier, was invented
	1836 Cooper Industries in Mount Vernon, Ohio developed a steam engine for the reaper
	1855 Two and four row planters were developed to plant more crops in a lesser amount of time
	1875 Cooper Industries produces the first steam traction engine, later called a tractor