Agriculture

John Deere Model D Tractor

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
Place: United States

Apple Crate Label

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 Harvest Time brand apple crate label was used by the C. F.
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 Harvest Time brand apple crate label was used by the C. F. Schaefer Company Packers and Distributors of Yakima, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label was produced by the Ridgway Lithograph Company of Seattle, Washington. The label has an illustration of a large orchard by a lake, and a mountain in the background obscuring a rising yellow sun, with a large red apple in the foreground. Fruit crate labels often depicted landscapes like this to evoke the idea of rich, natural produce.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
C. F. Schaefer Company
ID Number
1979.0441.066
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.066

Apple Crate Label

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 Clipper Ship brand apple crate label was used by the Wells and Wade Fruit Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a red background with an illustration of the clipper ship Erskine M. Phelps sailing over a dark blue ocean.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Wells and Wade Fruit Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.075
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.075

Catsup Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained red delicious apples grown and packed by Tiger Mountain Orchards of Tiger, Georgia during the early 20th century. The crate side features an illustration of an orchard in front of a mountain.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained red delicious apples grown and packed by Tiger Mountain Orchards of Tiger, Georgia during the early 20th century. The crate side features an illustration of an orchard in front of a mountain.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
National Grocery Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.187
catalog number
1979.0441.187
accession number
1979.0441

Ammonia Shipping Crate

This end panel of a Crescent Manufacturing Company Household Ammonia shipping crate is imprinted with the company’s crescent moon trademark. The company was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1883 as a supplier of vanilla extract to the Pacific Northwest.
Description (Brief)
This end panel of a Crescent Manufacturing Company Household Ammonia shipping crate is imprinted with the company’s crescent moon trademark. The company was founded in Seattle, Washington in 1883 as a supplier of vanilla extract to the Pacific Northwest. Later becoming Crescent Foods Inc., the company made its mark on the consumer landscape in 1905 with its Mapleine imitation maple flavoring which is still sold today by McCormick, which bought Crescent in 1989.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Crescent Mfg. Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.166
catalog number
1979.0441.166
accession number
1979.0441

Apple Crate Label

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 North Country brand apple crate label was used by Stadelman Fruit, Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a red background with yellow text, and an illustration of three apples on the right hand side.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Stadelman Fruit, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.040
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.040

Chocolate Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side was used by Eline’s Incorporated of Milwaukee, Wisconsin during the early 20th century. Eline’s produced chocolate and cocoa during the time when Prohibition outlawed brewing beer in Milwaukee and factories needed to be repurposed.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side was used by Eline’s Incorporated of Milwaukee, Wisconsin during the early 20th century. Eline’s produced chocolate and cocoa during the time when Prohibition outlawed brewing beer in Milwaukee and factories needed to be repurposed.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Eline's Incorporated
ID Number
1979.0441.145
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.145

Apple Crate Label

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 T brand apple crate label was used by the Northern Fruit Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label had a blue background with three dimensional block lettering. Wenatchee, Washington was well known for its apple production, and claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Northern Fruit Co. Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.085
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.085

Pineapple Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Ukulele brand canned pineapple slices that were packed by the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, Ltd. of Honolulu, Hawaii. The crate bears the J.D. Dole trademark.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Ukulele brand canned pineapple slices that were packed by the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, Ltd. of Honolulu, Hawaii. The crate bears the J.D. Dole trademark. Dole founded the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, which was bought by Castle & Cooke in the 1960s and became the Dole Food Company in 1991.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Hawaiian Pineapple Co. Ltd.
ID Number
1979.0441.232
catalog number
1979.0441.232
accession number
1979.0441

Orange Crate Label

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

Apple Crate Label

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 Sails brand apple crate label was used by Fruit Sales, Inc.
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 Sails brand apple crate label was used by Fruit Sales, Inc. of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by the Ridgway Lithograph Company of Seattle, Washington. The label has a blue background, with the illustration of a small sailboat in a choppy blue sea. Wenatchee, Washington was one of the largest apple producing regions in the United States, an area that claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Fruit Sales, Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.097
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.097

Soap Crate Label

This soap shipping crate label was used by Benjamin Brooke & Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the early 20th century. Benjamin Brooke & Company produced high quality hand soaps in Philadelphia.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This soap shipping crate label was used by Benjamin Brooke & Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the early 20th century. Benjamin Brooke & Company produced high quality hand soaps in Philadelphia.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Benjamin Brooke & Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.220
catalog number
1979.0441.220
accession number
1979.0441

Apple Crate Label

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 Hi Buy All brand apple crate label was used by the Butler trading Company of Wenatchee, Washington during the early 20th century. The lithographed label was produced by the Spokane Lithography Company of Spokane, Washington. The blue label features an illustration of two red apples on the branch in the center, promoting the idea of fresh and tasty produce inside.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Butler Trading Co., Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.046
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.046

Raisins Shipping Crate

This shipping crate contained Sound brand seeded raisins that was used by the Tacoma Grocery Company of Tacoma, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate contained 45 cartons of raisins.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate contained Sound brand seeded raisins that was used by the Tacoma Grocery Company of Tacoma, Washington during the early 20th century. The crate contained 45 cartons of raisins.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Tacoma Groc. Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.153
catalog number
1979.0441.153
accession number
1979.0441

Terramycin Egg Formula

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1962
maker
Charles Pfizer and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10018
accession number
239425
catalog number
M-10018

Prunes Shipping Crate

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

Oil Shipping Crate

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

Melons Shipping Crate

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

Canned Tomatoes Shipping Crate

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

Apple Crate Label

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 Gosling brand apple crate label was in use by the Duckwall Brothers Inc. of Hood River, Oregon during the early 20th century. The red label features an image of a duckling standing on a small patch of grass. The label was lithographed by the Traung Label Company of Portland, Oregon. Scenes of wildlife such as this were often used on fruit labels to evoke the idea of rich, natural produce.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Duckwall Bros. Inc.
ID Number
1979.0441.007
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.007

Advance Rumely Ideal Separator, 32 x 52

Ronald Miller of Geneseo, Illinois, donated this threshing machine to the Museum in 1988.
Description
Ronald Miller of Geneseo, Illinois, donated this threshing machine to the Museum in 1988. The bright red paint that covered the machine when new had faded, but wood and internal parts were in excellent shape, a testament to the care that farmers lavish upon their machines.
Smithsonian conservators decided to accept the threshing machine without restoration, and this separator threshed oats at the 1991 Smithsonian Folk Festival, pulled by a Rumely Oil Pull 20-40 tractor.
The 32 x 52 designation refers to a 32-inch cylinder and the 52-inch-wide threshing shoe. The 7-ton machine was designed to have four men pitching bundles of grain into the feeder; it could thresh over 2,500 bushels a day.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1923
maker
Advance Rumely Company
ID Number
1988.0371.01
catalog number
1988.0371.01
accession number
1988.0371

Terramycin Soluble Powder

date made
ca 1962
maker
Charles Pfizer and Company
ID Number
MG.M-10017
accession number
239425
catalog number
M-10017

Case #1 Portable Steam Engine

The first steam engine produced by the J.I. Case Company in 1869, "Old Number One," produced eight horsepower and was used primarily to run threshing machines and sawmills. Its boiler produced 80 pounds of steam per square inch, and ran more quietly than most automobiles.
Description
The first steam engine produced by the J.I. Case Company in 1869, "Old Number One," produced eight horsepower and was used primarily to run threshing machines and sawmills. Its boiler produced 80 pounds of steam per square inch, and ran more quietly than most automobiles. The Case #1 Portable Steam Engine was designed to be horse-drawn. When moved from place to place by a team of horses, its stack folded down, providing a seat for the driver and allowing him access to the rear brakes.
The Case Company discovered this engine on a Minnesota farm in 1925. It was featured in a plethora of farming exhibitions before being donated to the Smithsonian in 1962. "Old Number One" represents a wave of steam-powered agricultural machines that replaced operations formerly powered by horse, wind, or man. Steam engines were enormously popular-hitting a sales peak in 1912-before effective, accessible, and affordable gasoline engines became popular.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1869
maker
J. I. Case Company
ID Number
AG.62A10
catalog number
62A10
accession number
246139

Protective Jumpsuit

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

Apple Crate Label

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 Sno-Gem brand apple crate label was used by the Cederwall Sales Company, of Dryden, Washington during the early 20th century. The label has a blue background with three-dimensional standing text that reads “Sno-Gem,” with snow resting on top of the letters. These apples came from the Wenatchee Valley region of Washington, which claimed to be the “Apple Capital of the World.”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Cederwall Sales Company
ID Number
1979.0441.116
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.116

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