Question

Use the historical timeline to determine the extent of wheat production improvement between 1830 and 1890 and corn production improvement between 1850 and 1890. What new inventions and practices helped increase crop yields

Answer 1

In the early 1800’s, wheat production was done on average by four men and two oxen. These producers made about 200 bushels.

After the US Civil War, better tillage equipment was used. Also, the westward expansion and the introduction of railroads led to better access and better trading.

By the late 1800’s, sowing with drills increased productivity, cradled replaces sickles, sickles were then replaced by reapers and binders, and steam powered threshing machines and steam roller mills were introduced. By this time, six people and 36 horses produced 20,000 wheat bushels.

Corn production improved between 1850 and 1890 due to hybrid cropping techniques to produce hybrid corn varieties through cross breeding. These varieties are genetically engineered to withstand harsh weather and respond better to soil fertilizer.

Answer 2

Around 1830, producing 100 bushels of wheat required 250 to 300 hours of labor. By 1890, the labor required had decreased to between 40 and 50 hours. Wheat production efficiency improved five to eight times in this period.

In 1850, it took 75 to 90 hours of labor to produce 100 bushels of corn. By 1890, the same amount of corn required only 35 to 40 hours of labor. The amount of corn produced per hour of labor approximately doubled between 1850 and 1890.

Production improvements are linked to innovations such as the use of chemical fertilizers, threshing and mowing machines, and better plows and harrows.