Farming and RanchingFarming and Ranching

Farming After the Civil WarFarming After the Civil War

p. 424 - 427p. 424 - 427

Farming on the RiseFarming on the RiseFarmers who moved to the drier parts of West Farmers who moved to the drier parts of West

Texas discovered that with the use of new Texas discovered that with the use of new techniques, they could produce profitable techniques, they could produce profitable crops.crops.

Windmills pumped water from underground Windmills pumped water from underground sources up to the surface for livestock and sources up to the surface for livestock and household use. household use.

Dry farmingDry farming used a manner of plowing that left used a manner of plowing that left loose soil on top of the ground. The layers of loose soil on top of the ground. The layers of loose soil kept water in the ground by slowing loose soil kept water in the ground by slowing down the rate of evaporation. down the rate of evaporation.

Railroads also quickened settlement by Railroads also quickened settlement by encouraging farmers to settle along their encouraging farmers to settle along their routes.routes.

Texans Rely on King CottonTexans Rely on King CottonThe most important crop grown in Texas The most important crop grown in Texas

was cotton.was cotton.The typical Texan in the late 1800s was The typical Texan in the late 1800s was

not a rancher but a cotton farmer.not a rancher but a cotton farmer.The cultivation of cotton had spread The cultivation of cotton had spread

rapidly throughout the state.rapidly throughout the state.Railroads played an important role in Railroads played an important role in

cotton farming; as tracks were built cotton farming; as tracks were built westward, farmers were provided with a westward, farmers were provided with a cheap and efficient means of getting their cheap and efficient means of getting their cotton to market. cotton to market.

Better markets offered the chance of Better markets offered the chance of higher profits. higher profits.

Texans Rely on King CottonTexans Rely on King CottonBefore the end of the century, Texas led Before the end of the century, Texas led

the entire nation in honey production.the entire nation in honey production.Farmers also grew sugarcane and rice Farmers also grew sugarcane and rice

along the Gulf Coast.along the Gulf Coast.Elsewhere, they planted wheat, corn, and Elsewhere, they planted wheat, corn, and

oats.oats.Many farmers did not succeed because Many farmers did not succeed because

they were unfamiliar with the land of they were unfamiliar with the land of Texas, did not know how to use the Texas, did not know how to use the land properly, or did not know what land properly, or did not know what crops were best suited for the land.crops were best suited for the land.

Texans Rely on King CottonTexans Rely on King CottonHardships included swarms of Hardships included swarms of

grasshoppers and droughts.grasshoppers and droughts.If there was a surplus of a crop, it If there was a surplus of a crop, it

would result in lower prices.would result in lower prices.Although many farmers failed, they Although many farmers failed, they

still paved the way for others who still paved the way for others who came later and who learned from came later and who learned from and profited by their experiences.and profited by their experiences.

The Tenant System Replaces The Tenant System Replaces SlaverySlavery

A new system of farm labor developed A new system of farm labor developed after the end of the Civil War.after the end of the Civil War.

After the Civil War, many smaller farms After the Civil War, many smaller farms replaced the vast plantations.replaced the vast plantations.

These small farms were sold to new These small farms were sold to new owners, or the were rented to tenant owners, or the were rented to tenant farmers.farmers.

Sharecroppers received a share of the Sharecroppers received a share of the value of the crop.value of the crop.

Sharecropping or tenant farming meant Sharecropping or tenant farming meant an end to the evils of forced gang labor.an end to the evils of forced gang labor.

The Tenant System Replaces The Tenant System Replaces SlaverySlaveryMany tenant farmers were former slaves who Many tenant farmers were former slaves who

once had worked on the plantationsonce had worked on the plantationsMost African Americans were sharecroppers.Most African Americans were sharecroppers.Droughts, financial panics, overproduction of Droughts, financial panics, overproduction of

crops, problems with pests, and high charges crops, problems with pests, and high charges by landlords often left tenants with no money.by landlords often left tenants with no money.

It was difficult to succeed financially.It was difficult to succeed financially.Sharecropping often put poor farmers into Sharecropping often put poor farmers into

debt from which they were unable to escape. debt from which they were unable to escape. Farming brought large numbers of people to Farming brought large numbers of people to

Texas because it required more people than Texas because it required more people than ranching. This led to forming new cities. ranching. This led to forming new cities.