Tractors and Farm Machinery, 1855-1975: Vol. 1: The Agricultrual Tractor, 1955-1950; Vol. 2 Farm Tractors, 1950-1975; Vol. 3 Benjamin Holt & Caterpiller; Vol. 4 The Grain Harvesters; Vol. 5 Wheels of Farm Progress, Vol. 6 Rural America a Century Ago
(United States Dept. Of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD. 1954). Thick Quarto. Item #025276
Published 1954-1984 and here bound in one large volume of 946 pages with details of the major advances in farm equipment and techniques. Today only about 4 percent of the American population live on farms, yet there is an increased desire to understand our agricultural heritage. These works are then a topical history not only of technical advances but of social change. It is unlikely if there has ever been a greater assemblage of works on the growth of American agriculture than these six volumes bound in a special edition by the ASAE. The history of how American farming moved from animal-drawn equipment is captured in these five important volumes is shown with hundreds of photographs and useful charts. Although there were a number of experimental machine driven tractors in the late 19th century, the growth became phenomenal by the early years of the 20th Century. The resistance of old school farmers changed, the University if Iowa and other mid-western institutions began to have an extended curriculum. Though many farmers welcomed this information, others did not like the attitude of those who had expertise but did not know the realities of day-to-day farming. This encyclopedic work provides many of the answers asked by both those in farming and those in the city who wish to know more about its importance. Bound in 1/4 green morocco over green cloth, spine gilt. A fine copy.
Price: $375.00