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: California

Tuna Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Mission brand flaked tuna that was packed by the Van Camp Seafood Company of Los Angeles, California during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Mission brand flaked tuna that was packed by the Van Camp Seafood Company of Los Angeles, California during the early 20th century. The Van Camp Seafood Company changed its name to Chicken of the Sea after the exceedingly popular 1960s jingle: “Ask any mermaid you happen to see…what’s the best tuna? Chicken of the Sea!”
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Van Camp Sea Food Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.207
catalog number
1979.0441.207
accession number
1979.0441

Wine 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 red wine crate side was in use by the Italian Swiss Colony company of San Francisco, California during the early 20th century. The crate reads “Italian Swiss Colony, California Tipo Red, 12 quarts.” The crate bears a label by the Italian Swiss Colony that has a space for the shipping number, serial number, kind of wine, date made, quantity, and alcoholic content. The "Washington State Liquor Control Board" is the Cosignee. The crate also bears a stamp noting that the alcohol tax of 30 cents has been paid.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Italian Swiss Colony
ID Number
1979.0441.048
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.048

Salt Brick Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained salt bricks manufactured by the Leslie-California Salt Company of San Francisco, California during the first half of the 20th century. The crate side has a center image of a circle with an illustration of a cow in the center.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained salt bricks manufactured by the Leslie-California Salt Company of San Francisco, California during the first half of the 20th century. The crate side has a center image of a circle with an illustration of a cow in the center. Salt bricks were used to supply cattle and livestock with important nutrients and minerals.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Leslie Salt Company
ID Number
1979.0441.291
catalog number
1979.0441.291
accession number
1979.0441

Farming in California

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940s
ID Number
2013.0327.1057
accession number
2013.0327
catalog number
2013.0327.1057

Cleanser Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Old Dutch Cleanser that was originally produced by the Cudahy Packing Company of Meade, Kansas 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 Meade, Kansas during the first half of the 20th century. The brand was bought by Purex of Los Angeles, California in 1955, so this crate probably dates to around this time. The 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
1979.0441.230
catalog number
1979.0441.230
accession number
1979.0441

Pumpkin Shipping Crate

This is a side panel of a shipping crate for Del Monte canned pumpkin. Del Monte is the premium brand of the California Packing Corporation (Calpak).
Description (Brief)
This is a side panel of a shipping crate for Del Monte canned pumpkin. Del Monte is the premium brand of the California Packing Corporation (Calpak). The Calpak cooperative heavily promoted Del Monte as its high quality, premium product through full-page color ads in national publications. In 1967, Calpak changed its name to the Del Monte Corporation to capitalize on the brand’s recognition.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
California Packing Corporation
ID Number
1979.0441.253
catalog number
1979.0441.253
accession number
1979.0441

Soap Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained White King brand washing machine soap that was manufactured by the Los Angeles Soap Company of Los Angeles, California during the first half of the 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained White King brand washing machine soap that was manufactured by the Los Angeles Soap Company of Los Angeles, California during the first half of the 20th century. The crate contained 24 packages of soap, and features an illustration of a king holding a sword similar in style to the King playing card.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Los Angeles Soap Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.198
catalog number
1979.0441.198
accession number
1979.0441

Tomato Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Hunt’s brand tomatoes packed by the Hunt Brothers Packing Company of San Francisco, California during the early 20th century. The crate contained 24 tins of tomatoes.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Hunt’s brand tomatoes packed by the Hunt Brothers Packing Company of San Francisco, California during the early 20th century. The crate contained 24 tins of tomatoes. The Hunt Brothers tomato company was founded in 1888, and continues making tomato products to this day as a brand of Conagra Foods Inc.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Hunt Bros. Company
ID Number
1979.0441.208
catalog number
1979.0441.208
accession number
1979.0441

Soap Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side originally contained Citrus Washing Powder manufactured by the Citrus Soap Company of San Diego, California in the early 20th century. The crate contained 48 packages of Citrus washing powder.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side originally contained Citrus Washing Powder manufactured by the Citrus Soap Company of San Diego, California in the early 20th century. The crate contained 48 packages of Citrus washing powder.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Citrus Soap Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.307
catalog number
1979.0441.307
accession number
1979.0441

Chocolate Shipping Crate

This California Star brand chocolate shipping crate side was in use during the early 20th century in San Francisco, California.
Description (Brief)
This California Star brand chocolate shipping crate side was in use during the early 20th century in San Francisco, California. The crate label has an image of a five pointed star, and lists the company’s address as 617-619 Sansome Street, San Francisco, California.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
California Star Chocolate
ID Number
1979.0441.243
catalog number
1979.0441.243
accession number
1979.0441

Olives Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side was used by Bolivar Brand Olives, shipped by the Bolivar Packing Company of San Diego, California during the early 20th century. The crate contained 48 6-ounce jars.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side was used by Bolivar Brand Olives, shipped by the Bolivar Packing Company of San Diego, California during the early 20th century. The crate contained 48 6-ounce jars.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Bolivar Packing Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.152
catalog number
1979.0441.152
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 Mupu brand oranges crate label was used by the Mupu Citrus Association of Santa Paula, California during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has a blue and yellow background, with an image of a Native American on the right. Mupu was the name of a Chumash Native American village in what is now the town of Santa Paula, in Ventura County, California. The label has the Sunkist orange logo on it, a designation given to high quality oranges grown by the California Fruit Growers Exchange.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
MUPU Citrus Assn.
ID Number
1979.0441.096
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.096

Fruit Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Summit brand fruit packed by the Redlands Foothill Groves of Redlands, California during the early 20th century. The label was printed by the Western Lithograph Company of Los Angeles, California.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Summit brand fruit packed by the Redlands Foothill Groves of Redlands, California during the early 20th century. The label was printed by the Western Lithograph Company of Los Angeles, California. The label has an image of a large snowy mountain in the background, with a foreground illustration of a cowboy riding a horse and leading a trail of pack horses. These nature scenes were a common motif in fruit crate labels as an attempt to invoke a sense of fresh, natural produce in the consumer.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Redlands Foothill Groves
ID Number
1979.0441.375
catalog number
1979.0441.375
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 Red Beauty brand apple crate label was used by the Imoto Brothers of Lindsay, California during the early 20th century. The label was lithographed by Stecher-Traung of San Francisco, California. The label has an illustration of two golden apples with some leaves surrounding it.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Imoto Bros.
ID Number
1979.0441.102
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.102

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 Wilko brand apple crate was used by the Wilbur-Ellis Company of Seattle, Washington during the early 20th century. The label has a yellow background with a green border, and a large red apple in the center.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Wilbur-Ellis Company Distributors
ID Number
1979.0441.062
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.062

Tomatoes Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained tomatoes packed by the Greco Canning Company of San Jose California around 1913-1916. The Greco Canning Company joined the California Packing Corporation in 1916.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained tomatoes packed by the Greco Canning Company of San Jose California around 1913-1916. The Greco Canning Company joined the California Packing Corporation in 1916.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Greco Canning Company
ID Number
1979.0441.159
catalog number
1979.0441.159
accession number
1979.0441

Sugar Shipping Crate

The Sea Island brand shipping crate side was used by the Western Sugar Refinery of San Francisco, California during the early 20th century. The shipping crate contained 30 pounds of pure cane sugar demi-cubes.
Description (Brief)
The Sea Island brand shipping crate side was used by the Western Sugar Refinery of San Francisco, California during the early 20th century. The shipping crate contained 30 pounds of pure cane sugar demi-cubes. The crate side has the company’s flag logo in center.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Western Sugar Refinery
ID Number
1979.0441.158
catalog number
1979.0441.158
accession number
1979.0441

Grapes Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Seven Star brand grapes that were packed and shipped by F.J. Klassen of Parlier, California during the early 20th century. The crate side has text and a logo in red. The crate contained 24 pounds of Emperor Grapes.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Seven Star brand grapes that were packed and shipped by F.J. Klassen of Parlier, California during the early 20th century. The crate side has text and a logo in red. The crate contained 24 pounds of Emperor Grapes.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
F. J. Klassen
ID Number
1979.0441.264
catalog number
1979.0441.264
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 Happy Landing brand orange crate label was used by the Golden West Citrus Association of Tustin, California during the 1930s. The lithographed label was produced by the Western Lithography Company of Los Angeles, California. The blue label has a diagonal color illustration of a yellow propeller plane landing on a dirt runway at a small airport. The image was copyrighted in 1934 by the G.C. Association.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Goldenwest Citrus Assn.
ID Number
1979.0441.019
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.019

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
1979.0441.147
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.147

Evaporated Milk Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Morning Brand evaporated milk produced by the Morning Milk Company of Stockton, California during the early 20th century. This crate contained 48 tall cans of unsweetened evaporated milk.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Morning Brand evaporated milk produced by the Morning Milk Company of Stockton, California during the early 20th century. This crate contained 48 tall cans of unsweetened evaporated milk. Evaporated and condensed milk was an important part of American diets before refrigeration allowed people to keep fresh milk on hand.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Morning Milk Co.
ID Number
1979.0441.223
catalog number
1979.0441.223
accession number
1979.0441

Fruit Shipping Crate

This shipping crate label was used by Bronco brand fruit that was packed by the Redlands Foothill Groves of Redlands, California during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate label was used by Bronco brand fruit that was packed by the Redlands Foothill Groves of Redlands, California during the early 20th century. The lithographed label has an image of a cowboy twirling a lasso riding a galloping horse across a desert plain.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Redlands Foothill Groves
ID Number
1979.0441.378
catalog number
1979.0441.378
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 Ultimate brand oranges crate label was used by the Paramount Citrus Association of Los Angeles, California during the early 20th century. The label has a yellow semi-circle, emitting yellow rays like a setting sun.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Paramount Citrus Assn.
ID Number
1979.0441.098
accession number
1979.0441
catalog number
1979.0441.098

Budding Knife

This knife was used by Nathan Fay (1914-2001), the California grape grower credited with planting the first Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the Stag's Leap District of Napa Valley.
Description
This knife was used by Nathan Fay (1914-2001), the California grape grower credited with planting the first Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the Stag's Leap District of Napa Valley. Since Fay's first planting in 1961, the variety has become well established and the district is internationally known for its fine Cabernet Sauvignon vintages. When he donated this budding knife to the Smithsonian in 1997, Fay estimated he had used it to bud some 4,000 to 5,000 plants. He added that, in his prime, he was able to bud about 400 vines in a day, and, in his lifetime, he had probably budded some 12,000 plants.
The first step in budding new vines is to plant rootstock resistant to phylloxera, the devastating insect that attacks the roots of Vitis vinifera, the Eurasian species of grapes from which the world's best table wines are made. Although grapes native to North America are phylloxera-resistant, their fruit does not equal the kind of complex, classical wine produced by the V. vinifera species. Consequently, American viticulturalists have learned to plant "resistant" rootstock, typically hybrids of species native to the New World. It is on this rootstock that they graft the buds from V. vinifera wood.
maker
Henkels Dansk
ID Number
1997.0304.03
accession number
1997.0304
catalog number
1997.0304.03

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.