Farmers and Ranchers Flashcards
What is dry farming?
A method that creates a blanket of dust to keep moisture from evaporating too quickly.
What crops were made easier to grow due to dry farming?
Wheat, corn, oats, and hay.
What seasonal difficulties did Plains farmers face in winter?
Crops froze in the field and snow easily entered sod houses.
What problems did melting winter snow cause in spring?
Floods that washed away houses and drowned livestock.
What were the summer challenges for Plains farmers?
Temperatures regularly exceeded 100° F and dry grasses posed fire risks.
What fire hazard did dry grasses present?
A single spark from a campfire could ignite thousands of acres.
What insect was a major problem? Why?
A massive population of grasshoppers that ate crops, food, tree bark, and clothing.
