The Age of the Machine
In the past hundred years British Agriculture has seen a revolution and much of this can be put down to the introduction of the diesel engine.The life of the Victorian farm labourer is easily viewed with rose tinted spectacles but on closer inspection it was a hard life few would want for themselves today. The machine has revolutionised the way we produce food making farm work more appealing and more productive. Let us look at some of the main machines that power our farms and produce our food.
First the plough digs into the soil to create a bed for seeds to be sown into. A hundred years ago one man and one horse would plough just one acre in a day. Today one man and one tractor can do 40 more.
Then the drill accurately places the seeds into the soil which then germinate to become leafy green plants. The farmer wants his crops to be well spaced. This ensures each plant will capture optimum amounts of sunshine and rain.
Several months later when the plants have matured the combine harvests them. It separates the nutritious seeds from the stalks. The seeds then go away to be stored before they are turned into food. Why not visit a local Farmers Market in the Peak District & try this fresh produce. For more information visit our section on Farmers Markets For further information about the history of farming why not visit the Voice of British Agriculture where lots of interesting information can be found.