8.4 Farming Practices and Environmental Influence on the Great Plains in the Late 1800s

The environment profoundly influences farming practices.
Weather conditions greatly impact crop yields and livestock.
- Droughts occur when there is insufficient rain.
- Floods occur when there is excessive rain.
- Crops can be ruined if rains are untimely.
- Severe heat and cold can devastate livestock.
Farmers in the late 1800s Great Plains relied heavily on weather.

The 100 degrees west longitude line divides the Great Plains into:
- Tall Grass Prairie (east of the line).
- Short Grass Prairie (west of the line).
East of the line:
- Receives approximately 20 inches of rain annually.
- Supports prairie grasses like bluestem and needle grass.
- Suitable for most spring and winter wheat varieties.
West of the line:
- Receives 10-20 inches of rain annually.
- Supports grama, galita, buffalo grass, and mesquite.
- Requires wheat strains that can thrive in drier climates.
Rainfall amount affects the type of wheat grown, yield per acre, and profit.

Irrigation via wells was limited on the Great Plains.
- Sufficient underground water existed.
- Pumping enough water for large-scale irrigation was impractical.
Windmills were valuable for:
- Pumping water for livestock.
- Watering vegetable gardens.
- Constant wind provided continuous power.
Windmills introduction:
- Introduced in the 1880s.
- Sears, Roebuck and Company advertised for $25$ plus $60¢$ a foot for the tower in 1897.
- Initially used in the 1860s for trains, then adopted for agricultural use.
Irrigation was possible near rivers and streams, but these were scarce farther west.

Hardy Campbell introduced dry farming in the 1890s for areas with less than 20 inches of rainfall.
Campbell's method:
- Emphasized crops needing less water, such as red wheat instead of corn.
- Involved leaving a portion of land unplanted and weed-free each year to accumulate moisture in the soil.

Initial soil fertility was high after breaking the sod.
Continuous planting of the same crop depleted vital nutrients.
Farmers had two options:
- Grow a different crop (potentially lower market value).
- Fertilize the land.
Cow manure was a good fertilizer, but supply was limited.
Chemical fertilizers were an option, but cost had to be justified by higher yields.

Lack of wood was a significant environmental challenge.
Limited trees were available, mostly near water sources, and were often small and unusable.
Building even a sod house roof was difficult.
Split rail fences, common in the East, were impractical due to wood scarcity.
Joseph Glidden's barbed wire (1874) allowed for fencing with minimal wood posts.

Weather heavily influenced daily life.
Good weather meant good crops and financial stability.
Bad weather led to disaster and potential bankruptcy.
Weather affected crop choices, farming methods, and overall quality of life.
Despite technological advancements, farmers still face weather-related uncertainties.
Harsh winter climate was challenging.
- Blizzards and snowstorms were dangerous.
- Cabins could be buried in snow.
- Families needed to store ample supplies.

What method of farming did Hardy Campbell begin teaching in the 1890s?
- A. Windmill farming
- B. Wet farming
- C. Dry farming
- D. Snowstorm farming
Answer: C. Dry Farming