[imported_delmonico]

By the turn of the century most farmable land had been homesteaded and improved, many sold their 1/4 sections to other farmers which allowed larger farms.  Improved machinery allowed larger crops to be grown, plus the war clouds over Europe brought the price of corn up into close to 50 cents a bushel.

This is the 1902 corn crop of G.W. Farmer near Merna in Custer County Newbrassky, 6000 bushels.

Corn was still picked by hand at this time and this amount would have been shelled by either a horse powered corn sheller or one powered by a steam engine.  Notice the dog who seems willing to help. ;D

After WWI the price of corn and wheat would drop badly, leaving many farmers who had payments on land and machinery in trouble.  "The Great Depression" would hit most farmers a few years be for the crash of 1929.

Photo 12488 of the Butcher collection.

 

[MidwestGirl]

wow that is a nice built barn ..they dog is cute ;D

 

[imported_delmonico]

Often a nice frame barn was built while the family still lived in a sod house.

 

[Paddysmom]

That was my first thought, too. A fine looking structure and the dog is adorable!

 

[tuckersmom]

Very interesting - thanks!

 

[TangerineFizz]

Me too. I love barns, and that one looks pretty nice.

 

[imported_delmonico]

Did you see that episode on "Mega Movers" on History Channel about a year ago where they moved that huge barn in Newbrassky?  Those folks that had it moved are customers of mine.  That was about 30 miles from my house.  I've been invited to come out and see the barn, but haven't made it yet.  They had a festible out there last fall, but I had another place I was commited to go.

Here is a photo of a horse powered corn sheller.

1903, the August Liesky farm near Amherst in Buffalo County Newbrassky.
Picture 13355 of the Butcher collection.

Here is a close up of the shaft that powers the sheller, the shaft runs along the ground past where the horses have to step over it.