Corn Planter, circa 1880

Summary

Farmers started a year-round effort to raise food for livestock and the farm family by planting corn in hills. Double-row planters cut the time required to plant in half. Farmers cultivated with a shovel plow until corn was knee-high. They then planted squash or pumpkins to retain soil moisture (a form of double cropping). At harvest they husked ears (to feed pigs) and shocked stalks (to feed cattle).

Farmers started a year-round effort to raise food for livestock and the farm family by planting corn in hills. Double-row planters cut the time required to plant in half. Farmers cultivated with a shovel plow until corn was knee-high. They then planted squash or pumpkins to retain soil moisture (a form of double cropping). At harvest they husked ears (to feed pigs) and shocked stalks (to feed cattle).

Artifact

Corn planter

Date Made

circa 1880

Greenfield Village
 On Exhibit

at Greenfield Village in Soybean Lab Agricultural Gallery

Object ID

00.3.16543

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Wood (Plant material)
Iron (Metal)

Dimensions

Width: 50 in

Length: 72 in

Related Content

Connect 3

Discover curious connections between artifacts.

Learn More