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

Pineapple Shipping Crate

This shipping crate side contained Hawaiian Chief brand sliced pineapple that was packed by the Pearl City Fruit Company Ltd., of Honolulu, Hawaii during the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This shipping crate side contained Hawaiian Chief brand sliced pineapple that was packed by the Pearl City Fruit Company Ltd., of Honolulu, Hawaii during the early 20th century. George Lycurgus founded the Pearl City Fruit Company in 1892, and competed with the Hawaiian Fruit and Packing company for packing and shipping pineapples. This crate contained four dozen 11-ounce tins.
Location
Currently not on view
referenced business
Pearl City Fruit Co. Ltd.
ID Number
1979.0441.263
catalog number
1979.0441.263
accession number
1979.0441

Iron Sap Bucket Spike

This is a hand-made iron spike used to hold a bucket in place for collecting tree sap.
Description
This is a hand-made iron spike used to hold a bucket in place for collecting tree sap. The spikes are usually hooked on one end in order to securely fasten the bucket to the spike.
Maple syrup production is one of the few agricultural processes in North America that was not a European import but learned from Native Americans. Sap is typically collected from the Sugar, Red or Black maple, though it can be collected from other tree types. Northeastern North America is the most common area for maple syrup production, with Vermont, New York and Maine leading production in the U.S. Once the sap is collected, it must be boiled down to reduce the water content. It can require anywhere from 20-50 liters of sap to make one liter of syrup, depending on the sugar content of the sap. Each tree is capable of producing 35-50 liters of sap.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
ZZ.RSN79690Z23
accession number
194893
194893

The Wheat Jointworm

A poster sponsored by the United States Departmentof Agriculture with examples of how to control the Wheat Jointworm.
Description
A poster sponsored by the United States Departmentof Agriculture with examples of how to control the Wheat Jointworm.
date made
1967
associated institution
U.S. Department of Agriculture
maker
U.S. Department of Agriculture
ID Number
ZZ.RSN81724Y41

medal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1899
ID Number
NU.69.127.1057
catalog number
69.127.1057
accession number
286471

I,....Was Held a P.O.W. in the Wash., DC Mall Tractorcade, 1979

The American Agriculture Movement was started in the fall of 1977 in response to the 1977 Farm Bill which had the adverse affect of dropping commodity prices to a level lower than the cost of production.
Description
The American Agriculture Movement was started in the fall of 1977 in response to the 1977 Farm Bill which had the adverse affect of dropping commodity prices to a level lower than the cost of production. In February of 1979, members of the American Agriculture Movement organized a tractorcade, a protest on tractors, in Washington, D.C. Farmers from around the country, some driving from more than 1500 miles away, arrived by the thousands. On February 5, they convened in Washington, D.C. from four different directions. In order to accommodate both the protesters and the city’s residents, the D.C. police required them to park on the National Mall and restricted their protests to specific times during the day.
The farm crisis of the late 1970s and 1980s was triggered by several factors stemming from the early 1970s. When Earl Butz became the Secretary of Agriculture in 1971, he changed farm policies that provided supports to farmers who did not plant a certain percentage of their land, and instead asked farmers to plant “fence row to fence row” in order to increase production. New foreign markets had opened up, inflation was high which increased land values and interest rates were low which provided extra incentive for farmers to increase their landholdings and purchase modern equipment that made output from the land more productive. Many farmers took advantage of this confluence of factors to increase their income by following this advice.
In the late 1970s, the Federal Reserve Board raised interest rates in an attempt to bring down the rate of inflation. This happened at the same time foreign markets dried up and a trade embargo was placed on the Soviet Union. These factors meant farm income dwindled at the same time interest rates skyrocketed, eating up what little income remained for farmers. The members of the American Agriculture Movement were highly involved in protests through the late 1970s and 1980s, speaking to officials at all levels of U.S. government in an attempt to raise awareness of the growing farm crisis. Concern over the 1977 Farm Bill ignited the concern for many farmers who believed the bill would adversely affect farm income by lowering commodity prices to less than the cost of production. Farmers began to protest at all levels of government, most for the first time, in order to bring this to the attention of policy makers as well as the people.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Buttons & Badges Inc.
ID Number
1993.0188.027
accession number
1993.0188
catalog number
1993.0188.027

medal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
NU.68.263.1359
catalog number
68.263.1359
accession number
281689

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

medal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
NU.68.21.93
catalog number
68.21.93
accession number
276536

medal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
NU.68.263.735
catalog number
68.263.735
accession number
281689

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

Case Steam Traction Engine Model

This model of a Case steam traction engine was made by an unknown maker around 1964. This is an example of a steam traction engine that would have been in use during the late 19th and early 20th century.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This model of a Case steam traction engine was made by an unknown maker around 1964. This is an example of a steam traction engine that would have been in use during the late 19th and early 20th century.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.78A03.1
accession number
1978.0034
catalog number
78A03.1

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

Metal Sap Spout

This metal sap spout was used by settlers in upper New York in the 19th century. After boring a hole into a maple tree, one would insert this spout to drain sap into a bucket.
Description
This metal sap spout was used by settlers in upper New York in the 19th century. After boring a hole into a maple tree, one would insert this spout to drain sap into a bucket. Sap was typically collected and boiled down to make syrup or sugar to use an alternative to the expensive processed, cane sugar. Later, when cane sugar became cheaper and took precedence in the American diet, maple syrup was more often produced for either personal use or for supplemental income.
Maple syrup production is one of the few agricultural processes in North America that was not a European import but learned from Native Americans. Sap is typically collected from the Sugar, Red or Black maple, though it can be collected from other tree types. Northeastern North America is the most common area for maple syrup production, with Vermont, New York and Maine leading production in the U.S. Once the sap is collected, it must be boiled down to reduce the water content. It can require anywhere from 20-50 liters of sap to make one liter of syrup, depending on the sugar content of the sap. Each tree is capable of producing 35-50 liters of sap.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.52A05.04A
catalog number
52A05.04A
accession number
194893
catalog number
F1142

Karlene Lindow Future Farmers of America Jacket

Karlene Lindow wore this blue corduroy jacket as a member of the Marshfield High School Future Farmers of America chapter in Chili, Wisconsin during the 1990s and 2000s.
Description
Karlene Lindow wore this blue corduroy jacket as a member of the Marshfield High School Future Farmers of America chapter in Chili, Wisconsin during the 1990s and 2000s. In 2002, Karlene was the first woman awarded the Star Farmer award, recognizing the nation’s top Supervised Agriculture Experience project for her success in raising Spotted Poland China hogs. The blue jacket has the seal of the FFA on the left breast, and the right breast reads “Karlene Lindow/National Star/Farmer Candidate” in yellow thread.
The FFA was founded in 1928 to engage and prepare young farmers for the future. In 1933 the band from the Fredericktown chapter of the FFA wore the blue corduroy jacket to the sixth annual convention, where the delegates became so enamoured with the jacket that it was adopted by the organization as its official dress.
ID Number
2014.0151.01
catalog number
2014.0151.01
accession number
2014.0151

medal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1897
ID Number
NU.66.28887
catalog number
66.28887
accession number
270424

medal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
NU.68.263.869
catalog number
68.263.869
accession number
281689

Two-Bottomed Model Plow

The nature of farming dramatically changed in the 20th century through what came to be known as the Green Revolution.
Description (Brief)
The nature of farming dramatically changed in the 20th century through what came to be known as the Green Revolution. From the 1920s-1950s farming productivity rose dramatically due to mechanization, fertilizers, chemicals (fungicides, pesticides, herbicides) and the hybridization of plants and animals. Agricultural innovations continue to be important to farming today. While the museum has over a dozen full-size tractors and other pieces of farming equipment, most technical developments of the 20th century are represented in the collection through toys and models.
This plow model is a three-wheeled, two bottomed plow that was made by the Toy Manufacturers of the United States around 1919. This model plow could be used in conjunction with the tractor model seen in object AG*19A01.2D.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.19A01.2A
catalog number
19A01.2A
accession number
064098

medal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
NU.68.263.1647
catalog number
68.263.1647
accession number
281689

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

Iron Sap Spout

This iron sap spout was used by settlers in upper New York in the 19th century. After boring a hole into a maple tree, one would insert this spout to drain sap into a bucket.
Description
This iron sap spout was used by settlers in upper New York in the 19th century. After boring a hole into a maple tree, one would insert this spout to drain sap into a bucket. Sap was typically collected and boiled down to make syrup or sugar to use an alternative to the expensive processed, cane sugar. Later, when cane sugar became cheaper and took precedence in the American diet, maple syrup was more often produced for either personal use or for supplemental income.
Maple syrup production is one of the few agricultural processes in North America that was not a European import but learned from Native Americans. Sap is typically collected from the Sugar, Red or Black maple, though it can be collected from other tree types. Northeastern North America is the most common area for maple syrup production, with Vermont, New York and Maine leading production in the U.S. Once the sap is collected, it must be boiled down to reduce the water content. It can require anywhere from 20-50 liters of sap to make one liter of syrup, depending on the sugar content of the sap. Each tree is capable of producing 35-50 liters of sap.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.52A05.03
catalog number
52A05.03
accession number
194893

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

medal

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1869
ID Number
NU.66.28786
catalog number
66.28786
collector/donor number
DU PONT 1
accession number
270424

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