The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk
If you believe you should have access to this document, click here to Login.
Field name | Value |
---|---|
Collection Reference Number | GLC07670.01 |
From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1817 |
Title | Thomas Jefferson to Tristram Dalton about agriculture |
Date | 2 May 1817 |
Author | Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) |
Recipient | Dalton, Tristram |
Document Type | Correspondence |
Content Description | Thanks him for the copy of Agriculture Magazine he sent. Regarding cattle feed, he states that instead of the widely used crops of carrots, potatoes, and beets, he recommends Jerusalem artichoke and succory (chicory). He describes the merits of these two crops. Shares his method for plowing hillsides horizontally, which he states his son-in-law (Thomas Mann Randolph) has been doing for years with great success because it prevents rainfall from carrying the soil away. Discusses a modified plow which works well on uneven land. Ends by saying that horizontal, deep plowing, "beginning to be used here will . . .restore this part of our country to its original fertility, which was exceeded by no upland in the state." Includes separate cut-out drawing of the modified plow design. Letter is not addressed but recipient is identified in collateral letter, GLC07670.02. |
Subjects | President Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Inventor Science and Technology |
People | Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Dalton, Tristram (1738-1817) Randolph, Thomas M. (Thomas Mann) (1768-1828) |
Place written | Monticello, Virginia |
Theme | Agriculture; The Presidency; Science, Technology, Invention |
Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
Additional Information | Dalton was a US senator from Massachusetts. Jefferson had an interest in improving farming technology. When he retired to Monticello, he returned to his agricultural pursuits. He designed an improved plow that offered less resistance when pulled through the soil. See GLC07145 for more information on his plow. |
Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
Transcript | Show/hide |