early advances in modern agriculture

iron/steel plow

iron/steel plow

1819; reduced human labor, increased strength to plow hard soil, increased efficiency, increased farm size

seed drill

1700s; a machine for planting seeds in a row (instead of scattering); planted and turned seeds quickly, increased yield per acre

mechanical reaper

1831; a machine used to harvest and bundle grain crops mechanically; increased harvest, reduced human labor, reduced amount of crops that died before harvest

tractor

the small and light gas engine increased efficiency and decreased manual labor

railroads

affordable, quick access to distant markets for perishable goods (coupled with refrigeration, farmers can move further from market)

shipping canals

transport non-perishable goods for a fraction of the cost and time; made the US a major wheat and corn exporter

grain elevator

increased storage space and food supply; protected harvested food from animals and the elements

barbed wire

provided inexpensive fencing to keep livestock in grazing areas and demarcated property

chemical fertilizer

increased crop yields per acre