The Second Agricultural Revolution

Second Agricultural Revolution

Period that brought improved methods of cultivation, harvesting, and storage of farm produce that began in the late 1600s and continued through the 1930s.

Seed Drill

A machine for planting seeds in a row.

Mechanical Reaper

A machine used to harvest grain crops mechanically; patented by Cyrus McCormick in 1831.

Scythe

An agricultural hand tool with a curved blade used for cutting grain in the fields.

Agrichemicals

Chemical compounds obtained from petroleum and natural gas for use in agriculture; agriculture; agrichemicals include fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicidesSynthet

Synthetic Fertilizers

Industrially manufactured nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, made from petroleum by-products, contains higher concentrations of nutrients for plants than natural fertilizers.

Pesticide

Material used to kill or repel animals or insects that can damage, destroy, or inhibit crop growth

Herbicide

Pesticide designed to kill or inhibit the growth of unwanted plants (weeds) that compete with crops.

Nutrient Pollution

Consequences of overuse of fertilizer; occurs when excess nutrients seep down into groundwater or are carried into nearby waterways as runoff

Runoff

The flow of rain or irrigation water over land.