One Row Corn Planter, circa 1855

Farmers planted corn in hills during the 19th century. That started a year-round effort to raise food for livestock and farm family. Some used single-row planters like this. Then they cultivated with a shovel plow until corn was knee-high. They then planted squash or pumpkins to keep down weeds and retain moisture (a form of double cropping). At harvest they husked ears (to feed pigs) and shocked stalks (to feed cattle).