Agricultural Advances

Agriculture

The Agricultural Revolution led the way to for the Industrial Revolution.  In order for the Industrial revolution to happen, farming would have to be changed.  Many mechanical devises were invented to help farming.  One thing invented was the seed drill.  It was invented by Jethro Tull in 1701.  This helped because now farmers would not have to plant their entire field by hand but with the seed drill.  Also the seed drill planted the seeds in straight rows so almost all the seeds were not wasted like before.

Before the seed drill was invented, farmers planted the seeds by carrying a bag and walking up and down the field throwing the seed. They through the seed by hand onto the ploughed ground. The problem was that much of the seed was wasted and it took a long time.  (Esler and Ellis)

Tull went throughout Europe to study new farming techniques. When he came back he developed a horse-drawn mechanical Seed Drill. “The Seed Drill not only planted seeds at regular intervals but also planted them at the right depth and covered them with earth.” Because the seed drill planted seeds in straight lines, you could also use a hoe to remove weeds from between the lines of crop plants. (Saburchill)

At the time, Tull's ideas came under attack, because they were new. His Seed Drill was not popular in England.  It would not be long before England would adopt his drill and their farming would be greatly improved.  Even though his seed drill would be improved in 1782 by adding gears to the distribution mechanism, his drill would be the foundation for all future sowing technology. (Saburchill)

Group members

• Nate Tanis (supernate13@hotmail.com)
• Seth Koole
• Jeff Hofman
• Jordan Reitsma

Sources

1. Ellis,Elizabeth G.,and Anthony Esler. World History Connections to Today. Upper Saddle River, NJ:Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005
2. The Open Door Website:History:The Agriculture Revolution:The Seed Drill. www.saburchill.com/history/chapters/IR/004f.html

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