Agriculture

From butter churns to diesel tractors, the Museum's agricultural artifacts trace the story of Americans who work the land. Agricultural tools and machinery in the collections range from a John Deere plow of the 1830s to 20th-century cultivators and harvesters. The Museum's holdings also include overalls, aprons, and sunbonnets; farm photographs; milk cans and food jars; handmade horse collars; and some 200 oral histories of farm men and women in the South. Prints in the collections show hundreds of scenes of rural life. The politics of agriculture are part of the story, too, told in materials related to farm workers' unions and a group of artifacts donated by the family of the labor leader Cesar Chavez.

John Deere Plow
John Deere Plow, 1830s
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1898
publisher
Underwood & Underwood Illustration Studios
maker
Strohmeyer & Wyman
ID Number
2006.0142.21
accession number
2006.0142
catalog number
2006.0142.21
This shipping crate side contained Murphy’s Select brand California tomatoes that were packed and shipped by the Murphy’s Brothers Company in California during the early 20th century. The crate side has a four leaf clover logo in the upper right.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Murphy’s Select brand California tomatoes that were packed and shipped by the Murphy’s Brothers Company in California during the early 20th century. The crate side has a four leaf clover logo in the upper right.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
O. P. Murphy & Sons
ID Number
1979.0441.229
catalog number
1979.0441.229
accession number
1979.0441
Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Bell Cove brand orange crate label was used by the Earlibest Orange Association of Lemon Cove, California during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has an illustration of a bell surrounded by flowers, and an image of a house surrounded by orchard trees on the bell. The label also has the Sunkist orange logo on the lower right, a designation given to high quality oranges grown by the California Fruit Growers Exchange.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Earlibest Orange Association, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.079
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.079
This shipping crate end panel is imprinted with the “Libby’s” script of the manufacturing firm Libby, McNeil, and Libby. This crate contained Santa Clara, California Prunes. Archibald McNeil and Charles and Arthur Libby founded the Chicago based company in 1868.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate end panel is imprinted with the “Libby’s” script of the manufacturing firm Libby, McNeil, and Libby. This crate contained Santa Clara, California Prunes. Archibald McNeil and Charles and Arthur Libby founded the Chicago based company in 1868. Originally specializing in canned meats, Libby’s began to produce canned fruits and vegetables in the early 20th century. The company was purchased by Nestle in 1971.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Libby, McNeill & Libby
ID Number
1979.0441.354
catalog number
1979.0441.354
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate end is imprinted with the Zerolene Polar Bear logo. Zerolene (also sometimes called Polarine) was an engine lubricant first manufactured by the Standard Oil Company of California in 1907.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate end is imprinted with the Zerolene Polar Bear logo. Zerolene (also sometimes called Polarine) was an engine lubricant first manufactured by the Standard Oil Company of California in 1907. The Standard Oil Company of California became its own entity after the 1911 breakup of Standard Oil. In 1977, the Standard Oil Company of California became the Chevron Corporation.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Standard Oil
ID Number
1979.0441.228
catalog number
1979.0441.228
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side contained West-Pak brand melons that were packed and shipped by Westside Growers & Shippers Inc. of Firebaugh, California during the early 20th century.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained West-Pak brand melons that were packed and shipped by Westside Growers & Shippers Inc. of Firebaugh, California during the early 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Westside Growers & Shippers Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.180
catalog number
1979.0441.180
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side originally contained Banquet brand canned tomatoes that were packed and shipped by the California Packing Corporation of San Francisco, California during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained Banquet brand canned tomatoes that were packed and shipped by the California Packing Corporation of San Francisco, California during the early 20th century. The crate contained 24 28-ounce tins of canned tomatoes with puree from trimming.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
California Packing Corporation
ID Number
1979.0441.254
catalog number
1979.0441.254
accession number
1979.0441
This jumpsuit was worn by a scientist from Advanced Genetic Systems during the first release of genetically modified microorganisms into the environment approved by the federal government.The organisms, a genetically modified version of naturally occurring bacteria from the genus
Description (Brief)
This jumpsuit was worn by a scientist from Advanced Genetic Systems during the first release of genetically modified microorganisms into the environment approved by the federal government.
The organisms, a genetically modified version of naturally occurring bacteria from the genus Pseudomonas, were sprayed on test fields of strawberry plants in Monterey County, Calif., to increase their resistance to frost.
In nature, Pseudomonas can be found on the surface of many plants. The bacteria contribute to problems with frost on crops because they produce a protein that promotes the formation of ice. In hopes of reducing frost damage to crops, scientist Steve Lindow at the University of California altered the bacteria to stop producing this protein. The University patented these “ice-minus” bacteria and licensed the technology to Advanced Genetic Systems, a company based in Oakland, Calif. AGS hoped to bring the bacteria to market as an ice-proofing spray for crops called “Frostban.”
After careful review, the U.S. government approved field tests of Frostban. Despite the review, public fear of releasing these bacteria into the environment remained. Some scientists raised concerns that the ice-minus bacteria could replace the natural bacterial population. Because of their ice-forming abilities, the natural bacteria play a role in the creation of precipitation. This fact led some to worry that damage to the natural population could have repercussions for rainfall and weather patterns.
Activists against Frostban broke into test fields and uprooted plants to be sprayed several times throughout the field trials. After four years of tests, Frostban was found to be effective in reducing frost damage to crops. Due to continued public discomfort with genetically modified organisms, however, AGS never marketed the product. The company feared that the expense of fighting legal battles to get it to market would outweigh possible profit.
Sources:
“Public Fears Factored Into Gene-Altered Bacteria Tests.” Griffin, Katherine. The Los Angeles Times. April 18, 1988. p. AOC11.
“Bacteria on the Loose.” Fox, Michael W. The Washington Post. November 26, 1985. p. A16.
“Chapter 5: Ecological Considerations.” Office of Technology Assessment, Congress of the United States. Field-Testing Engineered Organisms: Genetic and Ecological Issues. 2002. pp.94–95.
“Chapter 4: The Release of a Genetically Engineered Microorganism.” Schacter, Bernice Zeldin. Issues and Dilemmas of Biotechnology: A Reference Guide. 1999.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1987.0770.01
accession number
1987.0770
catalog number
1987.0770.01
This shipping crate held Golden Palomino brand fruit that was distributed by Donald R. Bones of Littlerock, California during the early 20th century. The wooden shipping crate side has black text.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate held Golden Palomino brand fruit that was distributed by Donald R. Bones of Littlerock, California during the early 20th century. The wooden shipping crate side has black text.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Donald R. Bones
ID Number
1979.0441.156
catalog number
1979.0441.156
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side was in use by the Acme Brewing Company of San Francisco, California during the early 20th century. Acme was established by the Olympia Brewing Company of Tumwater, Washington, and produced a variety of beers from 1906-1920.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side was in use by the Acme Brewing Company of San Francisco, California during the early 20th century. Acme was established by the Olympia Brewing Company of Tumwater, Washington, and produced a variety of beers from 1906-1920. During Prohibition Acme produced an “Acme Brew,” a so-called near beer with almost no alcohol content.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Acme Breweries
ID Number
1979.0441.282
catalog number
1979.0441.282
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side contained Tipo red wine produced by the Italian Swiss Colony of San Francisco, California during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Tipo red wine produced by the Italian Swiss Colony of San Francisco, California during the early 20th century. There is an illustration of the wine’s distinctive bottle, wide at the bottom, and wrapped in a twine jacked similar to Italian Chianti bottles. Originally called Tipo Chianti, the Italian-Swiss colony eventually adopted Tipo as their wine’s brand name.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Italian Swiss Colony
ID Number
1979.0441.309
catalog number
1979.0441.309
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate label is for Exceptional brand Valencia oranges that were grown and packed by the Mupu Citrus Association of Santa Paula, California during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate label is for Exceptional brand Valencia oranges that were grown and packed by the Mupu Citrus Association of Santa Paula, California during the early 20th century. The label has the Sunkist orange logo on it, a designation given to high quality oranges grown by the California Fruit Growers Exchange. Mupu was the name of a Chumash Native American village in what is now the town of Santa Paula, in Ventura County, California.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
MUPU Citrus Assn.
ID Number
1979.0441.377
catalog number
1979.0441.377
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side contained Keith’s brand dried eggs that were shipped by the Bianchi Poultry and Produce Company of San Francisco, California during the first half of the 20th century.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Keith’s brand dried eggs that were shipped by the Bianchi Poultry and Produce Company of San Francisco, California during the first half of the 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Bianchi Poultry & Produce Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.210
catalog number
1979.0441.210
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side contained Mica Axle Grease, produced by the Standard Oil Company of California during the late 19th and early 20th century. The crate contained 12 5-pound lithographed tins of the axle grease.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Mica Axle Grease, produced by the Standard Oil Company of California during the late 19th and early 20th century. The crate contained 12 5-pound lithographed tins of the axle grease. The grease allowed wagon axles to rotate freely and without friction, extending the life of the wagon and easing the burden on the horse.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Standard Oil
ID Number
1979.0441.315
catalog number
1979.0441.315
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side contained Old Dutch Cleanser that was originally produced by the Cudahy Packing Company of California during the first half of the 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Old Dutch Cleanser that was originally produced by the Cudahy Packing Company of California during the first half of the 20th century. The Old Dutch brand had a memorable logo of a Dutch maid chasing away dirt with a stick, and the crate bears the logo “makes everything spick and span.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Cudahy Soap Works, U.S.A.
ID Number
1979.0441.324
catalog number
1979.0441.324
accession number
1979.0441
Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Blue Circle brand orange crate label was used by the McDermont Fruit Company of Riverside, California during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by the Western Lithograph Company of Los Angeles, California. The label has a blue background with different size light blue circles, and an image of an orange labeled Sunkist. The label also has the Sunkist logo on it, a designation given to high quality oranges grown by the California Fruit Growers Exchange.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
McDermont Fruit Company
ID Number
1979.0441.120
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.120
This shipping crate side originally contained No.3 Arctic Cup Grease that was made by the Standard Oil Company in California during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained No.3 Arctic Cup Grease that was made by the Standard Oil Company in California during the early 20th century. Arctic Cup Grease was used to lubricate a variety of moving metal parts, mainly on automobiles or tractors.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Standard Oil
ID Number
1979.0441.255
catalog number
1979.0441.255
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate was used by the F. Alioto Fish Company of San Francisco, California during the first half of the 20th century. The entire Alioto family worked in San Francisco around Fisherman’s Wharf. Frank Alioto partnered with his bother-law-Tom Lazio to form the F.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate was used by the F. Alioto Fish Company of San Francisco, California during the first half of the 20th century. The entire Alioto family worked in San Francisco around Fisherman’s Wharf. Frank Alioto partnered with his bother-law-Tom Lazio to form the F. Alito Fish Company (later the Alioto-Lazio Fish Company).
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
F. Alioto Fish Company
ID Number
1979.0441.321
catalog number
1979.0441.321
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side has an image of a rising sun in a shield that reads “Grown and Packed in California, U.S.A.”Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side has an image of a rising sun in a shield that reads “Grown and Packed in California, U.S.A.”
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1979.0441.233
catalog number
1979.0441.233
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate label was used by Orange King brand Valencia oranges grown and packed by the Orange Mutual Citrus Association of Orange, California around 1927. The lithographed label has a blue background with a large golden lion in the center.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate label was used by Orange King brand Valencia oranges grown and packed by the Orange Mutual Citrus Association of Orange, California around 1927. The lithographed label has a blue background with a large golden lion in the center.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Orange Mutual Citrus Assn.
ID Number
1979.0441.379
catalog number
1979.0441.379
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate label was used by Strathmore brand oranges grown and packed by the Strathmore Packing House Company of Strathmore, California during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate label was used by Strathmore brand oranges grown and packed by the Strathmore Packing House Company of Strathmore, California during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a red and green tartan border, with a blue background and an image of a Scottish man wearing a kilt and playing a bagpipe. The label also has an illustration of the Scottish thistle on the left. The label has the Sunkist orange logo on it, a designation given to high quality oranges grown by members of the California Fruit Growers Exchange.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Strathmore Packing House Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.380
catalog number
1979.0441.380
accession number
1979.0441
This shipping crate side was used by Bungalow brand products grown and shipped by the O.G. Olson Company of Turlock, California during the early 20th century. The crate side has an image of a small bungalow house on the left.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side was used by Bungalow brand products grown and shipped by the O.G. Olson Company of Turlock, California during the early 20th century. The crate side has an image of a small bungalow house on the left.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
O. G. Olson Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.290
catalog number
1979.0441.290
accession number
1979.0441
Labels are an important marketing device.
Description (Brief)
Labels are an important marketing device. They often go beyond merely identifying contents and are designed to help establish brand distinction and generate customer loyalty for a largely interchangeable product.
This Laurie brand apple crate label was used by the Royal Fruit & Produce Company of Los Angeles, California during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by the Western Lithograph Company of Los Angeles, California. The label has a dark blue background, with an image of a young girl holding an apple in one hand and reaching to pluck another from the name “Laurie.” Apple advertising would often promote the health benefits of apples. This young girl with healthy red cheeks reaching for a second apple to reinforced that idea.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Royal Fruit and Produce Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.113
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.113
This shipping crate end is from a Sun-Maid Raisin crate. In 1912, a group of California farmers formed the California Associated Raisin Company with the goal of stabilizing fluctuating prices in the raisin market. The cooperative introduced the Sun-Maid brand of raisins in 1914.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate end is from a Sun-Maid Raisin crate. In 1912, a group of California farmers formed the California Associated Raisin Company with the goal of stabilizing fluctuating prices in the raisin market. The cooperative introduced the Sun-Maid brand of raisins in 1914. To capitalize on the success of the brand, the co-operative renamed itself the Sun-Maid Raisin Growers of California in 1922, which it remains today.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Sun-Maid Raisin Growers
ID Number
1979.0441.175
catalog number
1979.0441.175
accession number
1979.0441

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