 Economic Cycles
Farm Economy
|
1889-1919
Farm prosperity |
Farmers & the Land
|
1900
Total population: 75,994,266;
farm population: 29,414,000 (est.); farmers 38% of labor force; Number
of farms: 5,740,000; average acres: 147
1900-20
Continued agricultural settlement on the Great Plains
1902
Reclamation Act
1905-07
Policy of reserving timberlands inaugurated on a large scale
1905
Forest Service created |
Farm Machinery & Technology
|
1900-09
Average annual consumption
of commercial fertilizer 3,738,300 tons
1900-10
George Washington Carver of Tuskegee Institute finds new uses for
peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans, helping to diversify southern
agriculture |
Crops & Livestock
|
1900-10
Turkey red wheat emerges as commercial crop
1900-20
Extensive experimental work to breed disease-resistant varieties of
plants, to improve plant yield and quality, and to increase the productivity
of farm animal strains
1903
Hog cholera serum developed
1904
First serious stem-rust epidemic affecting wheat |
Transportation
|
1909
The Wrights demonstrate the airplane |
Agricultural Trade & Development
|
1900-09
Agricultural exports: $917 million/year or 58%
of total exports
1905
International Institute of Agriculture established |
Life on the Farm
|
1900-20
Urban influences on rural life intensify
1908
Model T Ford paves way for mass production of automobiles; President
Roosevelt's Country Life Commission focuses attention on the problems
of farm wives and difficulty of keeping children on the farm
1908-17
Country-life movement |
Farm Organizations & Movements
|
1902
Farmers' Union started; American Society of Equity formed
1905
California Fruit Growers Exchange formed
1906
Appointment of first county agricultural agent
1909-17
Boys' and girls' club work underway |
Agricultural Education & Extension
|
1900
First corn club for boys, forerunner of 4-H clubs
1903
Seaman Knapp begins boll-weevil demonstration project, an inspiration
for extension education |
Government Programs & Policy
|
1900-17
Federal Government's role in agriculture grows with passage of farm
legislation
1906
Food and Drug Act; Meat Inspection Act |
|
