New tech and Plains Farming

• What were some of the problems faced by farmers on the plains?

  Farmers faced a lack of trees, drought, crop failure, extreme weather, and wildlife destruction.
• How did the lack of trees impact the farmers on the plains?

  It limited their ability to build structures and find fuel for burning.
• What was one innovative solution farmers used to cope with the lack of trees?

  Farmers used tree roots to create sod houses for better insulation.
• How does a self-governing windmill operate?

  It points into the wind automatically to maximize efficiency.
• What improvements were made to wind pumps after 1870?

  Steel blades were introduced to withstand strong winds.
• What were some drawbacks of the early wind pumps?

  Many wells were deeper than 30 feet, and early pumps required constant maintenance.
• Why was barbed wire significant for homesteaders?

  It allowed them to fence off their land from animals effectively.
• How did barbed wire compare to wooden fencing in terms of cost and construction?

  Barbed wire was cheaper, easier, and quicker to build than wooden fencing.
• What issue did early barbed wire face, and how was it resolved?

  Early wire rusted, which was later solved with protective coverings.
• What type of plow was first used in the 1830s, and what was its limitation?

  The early sodbuster steel plows were slow and expensive.
• What was the sulky plow, and when was it invented?

  The sulky plow, invented in 1875, was a ride-on plow that was strong and easy to operate.
• What were the advantages and disadvantages of the sulky plow?

  Advantages included strength and ease of operation, while disadvantages included instability on bumpy ground.
• What were the main technological solutions to the problems of plains farming?

  • Wind pumps addressed the lack of water.
  • Barbed wire solved the lack of wood for fencing.
  • Sulky plows overcame the challenges posed by tough prairie roots.
• How did railroads contribute to the solutions for plains farming?

  Railroads helped transport new technologies to the plains.