80 Years Ago
Engines and tracks! Big changes to harvest operations came in the 1940s when Caterpillar tractors replaced the horses. Also, bulk combines were added. The new machines eliminated the need for large crews of men. Another change on many farms about this time was the introduction of soft white winter wheat called Hymar. It yielded 40 bushels per acre, the largest crop up to that date. Hymar wheat was a new hybrid of the old Albit type developed by the Washington State College (now Washington State University) in Pullman, Washington. (Information courtesy of Washington Rural Heritage)
Click any image below to enlarge and show description.
