Typical Livestock and Crops

This extremely lengthy book called “Fundamentals of Farming and Farm Life” was written to offer highly detailed and educational instruction for the various aspects of working the land, including both agricultural and livestock. The suggestions for the teacher subtly comment on the ideologies at the time when the author says, “the school should… stop leading the farmer’s children directly away from the country and into the town. The teacher should encourage the natural interest which both country boys and girls, and town boys and girls, have in growing plants and animals” (xi). This statement implies the interest in moving away from farmland that was most likely the result of the decreasing financial stability that occurred as a result of the Great Depression and the industrialization of farming. However, this book is also a testament to the outstanding and intensive work that was done in the lives of farm owners and farm laborers. The table of contents include “the soil,” “the garden,” “animal husbandry and cattle,” “horses,” “sheep,” “poultry,” and many more sections that go in depth regarding the care of each individual category. A book like this would have been immensely important to farm workers for ensuring they are giving themselves the best opportunities for success on the land they farmed.

Mattie gives a description of the crops and livestock they had on their farm.