Agricultural Events 

1850 — Total population: 23,191,786; Farm population: 11,680,000 (estimated); Farmers made up 64% of labor force; Number of farms: 1,449,000; Average acres: 203

The 1850s — Commercial corn and wheat belts began to develop; wheat occupied the newer and cheaper land west of the corn areas and was constantly being forced westward by rising land values and the encroachment of the corn areas

The 1850s — Alfalfa is grown on the west coast

The 1850s — Successful farming on the prairies began

1850 — With the California gold rush, the frontier bypassed the Great Plains and the Rockies and moved to the Pacific coast

By 1850, about 75–90 labor-hours were required to produce 100 bushels of corn (2-1/2 acres) with walking plow, harrow, and hand planting

The 1850s — Steam and clipper ships improved overseas transportation

1850–1862 — Free land was a vital rural issue

The 1850s — Major railroad trunk lines from eastern cities crossed the Appalachian Mountains

1850–1870 — Expanded market demand for agricultural products brought adoption of improved technology and resulting increases in farm production

1854 — Self-governing windmill perfected

1854 — Graduation Act reduced price of unsold public lands

1856 — 2-horse straddle-row cultivator patented

1858 — Grimm alfalfa introduced

1859–1875 — The miners’ frontier moved eastward from California toward the westward-moving farmers’ and ranchers’ frontier