Agricultural History – Agricultural Museums

From Farm to Fork

An agro-industrial complex in the Eure departement, France, in the early 20th century. These Salers cattle belong to the Nassandres agro-industrial complex, made up of a sugar beet factory-distillery (in the Risle valley, between the Seine and the Eure) and six farms (Chrétienville, Les Rufflets, Bigards, Feuguerolles, Beauficel , Beaumontel), very close to the factory, representing… Continue reading From Farm to Fork

Childcare on Farms in the First Half of the 20th Century

Until the middle of the 20th century, children were an integral part of the farming economy from an early age. Their care by adults (parents, family members, farm labourers) and their learning and work were closely interlinked and could hardly be separated from each other in everyday life. The animals working on the farms, especially… Continue reading Childcare on Farms in the First Half of the 20th Century

Sedge Horse Collars from Norfolk, England

In 2014, I wrote an article for the UK’s ‘Heavy Horse World’ titled “Rush Collars – rare survival from the horse era”. The following is a reappraisal of my article concentrating on sedge horse collars associated specifically with the county of Norfolk, England. There is little doubt that “sedge” and “rush” collars are different products,… Continue reading Sedge Horse Collars from Norfolk, England

Working with the “enemy”, a horseman’s thoughts on tractors.

At heart, I always have and always will be an agricultural horseman. Yet, about 1965 I first learned to drive on a Ferguson “Little Grey Fergie” TE20 tractor, in effect, possibly the greatest enemy of the agricultural horse in the United Kingdom. From there, I moved on to such as Massey Ferguson 65, 135, 165… Continue reading Working with the “enemy”, a horseman’s thoughts on tractors.

Rise and decline of the Mechelen greenhouse, today an honored object of cultural heritage in Flanders

Fig. 1. Oldest conservatory of the Mechelen type in neighbouring Sint-Katelijne-Waver. The emergence of the Mechelen (English: Mechlin, French Malines) greenhouse type coincided with the rise of vegetable cultivation in this area of Flanders in Belgium, developing in the late nineteenth century, so that it became a typical feature of the open-ground horticulture on vegetable… Continue reading Rise and decline of the Mechelen greenhouse, today an honored object of cultural heritage in Flanders

Your good seed for the day

Fig. 1. Source: The Finnish Museum of Agriculture Sarka In celebration of the International Year of Glass, we wish to show the readers some interesting glass artefacts in the Finnish Museum of Agriculture Sarka collection. These small bottles resemble an egg standing on a funnel-shaped leg (Fig. 1). Most of them do not have visible… Continue reading Your good seed for the day

Glass and Hotbeds

The Early Modern period in Europe was itself a “hotbed” of innovation involving glass, often attested in renowned publications such as Diderot’s and D’Alembert’s Encyclopédie, among other remarkable sources. Come and explore hotbeds, bellglasses, “lights”, pane-production techniques and the debate on what might be “natural” … or not.

Virtual “Draft Animals” and a Virtual “Plowing Match” before they happen! A note from Bob Powell

Before I begin, I will blame this impromptu personal “blog” on our colleagues and friends, Cozette Griffin Kremer and Claus Kropp who suggested, nay twisted my arm, to write something to link two up and coming events. As 2021 proceeds still under the effects of the Covid-19 virus, two related “virtual” events are occurring. Firstly,… Continue reading Virtual “Draft Animals” and a Virtual “Plowing Match” before they happen! A note from Bob Powell

Bees in Egypt of the Pharaohs

Abstract: In Ancient Egypt honey bees seemed to have been of great significance during all periods – as decoration or motif in various contexts as well as icon within the religious and mythological sphere. In addition to that, bees also seemed to have been devoted as a symbol of the royal status and were applied… Continue reading Bees in Egypt of the Pharaohs

How to do bee business despite Covid-19? Some practical and personal experience from Firestone Farm, Dearborn, Michigan

Abstract While the global pandemic disrupts our routines, those who care for livestock, including domesticated honey bees, must continue care without disruption. Patrice Fisher, the beekeeper at Firestone Farm, reports that bees are thriving at the living history farm within Greenfield Village, The Henry Ford, in Dearborn, Michigan, as of 4 June and 6 July… Continue reading How to do bee business despite Covid-19? Some practical and personal experience from Firestone Farm, Dearborn, Michigan

Poetry of agriculture? On the Significance of Beekeeping in Slovenia

AbstractsSlovenia is home to excellent beekeepers and the indigenous Carniolan bee. Beekeeping is one of the oldest traditional activities and an important part of Slovenia’s identity, natural and cultural heritage. It is a kind of a national hobby; there are 5 beekeepers per 1000 inhabitants in a population of just two million, together around 11.000.… Continue reading Poetry of agriculture? On the Significance of Beekeeping in Slovenia

Did anybody care about, or for, bees in the European Middle Ages?

Abstract: Medieval texts and iconography have much to tell us about beekeeping in Europe, from how hives were constructed to who took care of them, and… for whom. Résumé: Les textes et l’iconographie du Moyen Âge en Europe recèlent une pléthore d’informations sur l’apiculture, sur les ruches, sur qui s’en occupait et… pour qui. Keywords:Honeybees… Continue reading Did anybody care about, or for, bees in the European Middle Ages?

How has beekeeping changed over time? An archaeobeekeeper and an archaeological open-air museum in Germany showcase pre- and proto-historic beekeeping methods

Abstracts: Archaeological finds provide proof of beekeeping in man-made places for bees to live in for the first sedentary cultures. Tubular wooden constructions (log hives) and skeps are the typical bee habitations for (pre-)historic beekeepingin Central Europe. Only two really groundbreaking changes can be pointed out that have led to the modern type of beehives… Continue reading How has beekeeping changed over time? An archaeobeekeeper and an archaeological open-air museum in Germany showcase pre- and proto-historic beekeeping methods

What can law do for bees? A touch of history

Abstracts: We have evidence for honey-gathering from rock art dating back to the Mesolithic, but there is also information about beekeeping in the context of laws (and literature) in early Ireland – what do you do when a neighbour’s bees invade your property? Worse still, what happens if one stings you? Even worse, what happens… Continue reading What can law do for bees? A touch of history