Thomas Jefferson: Farmer

Thomas Jefferson is best known as one of the founders of the United States. His chief love, however, was not politics, but farming. His writings abound with expressions of loathing for the former and perpetual fascination for the latter. "Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens," he wrote to John Jay in 1785. While his contributions to the field of government overshadow his many other accomplishments, he also made many brilliant and expert contributions to the development of sustainable, regenerative methods of farming.

The 11 chapters address a variety of issues that shaped Jefferson's farming including his methods, crops, alternative crops he promoted, farm machinery, his workers (overseer, slaves, and free workmen). Monticello, landscaping practices, and his plans for a school of botany at the University of Virginia.

This book also brings to the fore the human qualities of the man in relation to both his family and his country and shows that his aspirations for both were habitually put before his own. Here is yet another way to understand that without Thomas Jefferson, America would have become a different nation.

"1101324138"
Thomas Jefferson: Farmer

Thomas Jefferson is best known as one of the founders of the United States. His chief love, however, was not politics, but farming. His writings abound with expressions of loathing for the former and perpetual fascination for the latter. "Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens," he wrote to John Jay in 1785. While his contributions to the field of government overshadow his many other accomplishments, he also made many brilliant and expert contributions to the development of sustainable, regenerative methods of farming.

The 11 chapters address a variety of issues that shaped Jefferson's farming including his methods, crops, alternative crops he promoted, farm machinery, his workers (overseer, slaves, and free workmen). Monticello, landscaping practices, and his plans for a school of botany at the University of Virginia.

This book also brings to the fore the human qualities of the man in relation to both his family and his country and shows that his aspirations for both were habitually put before his own. Here is yet another way to understand that without Thomas Jefferson, America would have become a different nation.

29.95 In Stock
Thomas Jefferson: Farmer

Thomas Jefferson: Farmer

by Barbara McEwan
Thomas Jefferson: Farmer

Thomas Jefferson: Farmer

by Barbara McEwan

Paperback(Reprint)

$29.95 
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Overview

Thomas Jefferson is best known as one of the founders of the United States. His chief love, however, was not politics, but farming. His writings abound with expressions of loathing for the former and perpetual fascination for the latter. "Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens," he wrote to John Jay in 1785. While his contributions to the field of government overshadow his many other accomplishments, he also made many brilliant and expert contributions to the development of sustainable, regenerative methods of farming.

The 11 chapters address a variety of issues that shaped Jefferson's farming including his methods, crops, alternative crops he promoted, farm machinery, his workers (overseer, slaves, and free workmen). Monticello, landscaping practices, and his plans for a school of botany at the University of Virginia.

This book also brings to the fore the human qualities of the man in relation to both his family and his country and shows that his aspirations for both were habitually put before his own. Here is yet another way to understand that without Thomas Jefferson, America would have become a different nation.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780786467327
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date: 11/09/2011
Edition description: Reprint
Pages: 231
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Barbara McEwan, a retired botanist living in Lynchburg, Virginia, has written numerous articles on horticultural subjects for a variety of gardening and country magazines.

Table of Contents

Introduction vii

Jefferson's Views On The Subject Of Farming And Gardening.

1 Jefferson In The Context Of His Times 1

How Agriculture Was Practiced During The 1600s To Jefferson's Day

Jefferson As A Leader Of Agricultural Thinking

Help He Received From Farmer-Authors Abroad (Arthur Young, John Sinclair, The Roman Professionals: Cato, Varro, Columella And Palladius)

Help From American Farmer-Authors (John Taylor, John Beale Bordley, Bernard Mcmahon And Others)

Help From Personal Friends (Dr. George Logan, Thomas Mann Randolph, George Washington, James Madison And Others).

2 Farming For A Living 20

Extent Of Jefferson's Estates And Their Potential Vis-A-Vis Agriculture

Jefferson's Capabilities As A Manager Of His Estates

Jefferson As A Prophet Of Good Agricultural Practices

His Program For Rectifying The Destructive Land Uses Of The Past

Exchange Of Ideas With George Washington, James Madison And Thomas Mann Randolph Regarding Crop Rotation

Input From Other Friends

After Resigning As Secretary Of State, Jefferson Puts His Plans Into Action

Election As Vice-President And President Makes Him An Absentee Landowner Again

Retirement In 1809 Allows Him To Resume His Explorations In Land Rejuvenation

The Role Of Manure And Gypsum Which He Adds To Crop Rotation As A Method Of Restoring His Land.

3 Crops Jefferson Grew 39

Tobacco, Wheat, Maize, Tye, Oats, Barley, Potatoes, Peas, Etc. Tobacco, Wheat, Maize Each Put Into The Context Of The Era

Jefferson's Problems In Growing Each And In Marketing The First Two

How The Remainder Fit Into His Farm Economy.

4 Plants Introduced 66

Rice, Olives, Cotton, Sugar Maples, Sesame, Wine Grapes, Sainfoin

Why He Chose These Particular Plants For American Farmers

The Success Of His Efforts.

5 Farm Implements 84

Invention of his mouldboard plow

Thomas Mann Randolph's plow

Jefferson's improvements on his threshing machine

invention of the hemp-breaker

minor farm implements.

6 Mills And Home Manufacturing 102

Milting on the Rivanna River: grist, saw and manufacturing

home manufacturing

spinning jennies and looms with flying shuttles.

7 Animals 116

Cattle, work horses, mules, 'sheep, pigs

how many Jefferson owned

what each was used for

a discussion of breeding better animals b;y Jefferson and others of his era.

8 Farm Personal 131

Jefferson's requirements in terms of their numbers and skills

how they were treated

his experience regarding the effectiveness of each class of worker.

9 Monticello Gardens 148

The early years

the first plantings in the orchard and vegetable gardens

Jefferson's original plans for landscaping

a description of the fruits, nuts and vegetables he grew

the sources of his seeds and nursery stock

how his selections compare with what was available

the growth over the years of his orchard and vegetable garden

the changes in how the fruits and vegetables were grouped

the charts he developed in 1809 and used thereafter as an aid to successful gardening

his fences.

10 Landscaping 166

Jefferson's earliest purchases, his observations regarding landscaping in Europe

landscaping at Monticello after his tour as secretary of state

plans formed and those executed during his years as President

the gardening role of his granddaughters Anne and Ellen at Monticello while Jefferson was in Washington

letters between the girls and their grandfather on gardening subjects

Jefferson's landscaping plans for the White House and Pennsylvania Avenue

seeds and plants from the Lewis and Clark expedition

retirement and resumption of tree and shrub planting at Monticello

development of the flower borders

landscaping at Poplar Forest.

11 The Final Years 189

Landscaping and the establishment of a botanical garden and plans for a school of botany at the University of Virginia.

Notes 195

Index 217

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