1890s
1890
Sherman Antitrust Act passed.
Developed simple test to determine butterfat content of
milk.
McKinley Tariff Act passed with a tariff on some
agricultural products.
The second Morrill Land-Grant College Act authorized
separate land-grant colleges for Negroes17 were established.
(more)
Meat Inspection Act authorized inspection of salted pork,
bacon, and live animals intended for export, and the quarantine of imported
animals.
Of gainfully employed persons, 43 percent were engaged in
agriculture.
Combination corn-shucking and fodder-shredding machine
patented.
Nitrifying bacteria isolated from soil.
1891
First comprehensive list of animal and
human parasites developed; today it comprises more than 30 volumes.
Bacteria shown to cause plant diseases,
including tumors.
Antibodies proposed as responsible for immunity.
1892
First successful gasoline engine farm tractor built by John Froelich.
Viruses discovered.
Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia
eradicated.
Cotton boll weevil found near Brownville, TX.(more)
Canadian Marquis, first successful cross-bred spring wheat,
released.
1893
Cause of cattle tick fever discovered;
demonstrated that a disease-producing microorganism could be transmitted by an
arthropod from one animal to another. (more)
1894
Carey Land Grant Act granted land to western states after irrigation provided
by the states.
Milestone document in soil conservation
published: Farmer's Bulletin No. 20, Washed Soils: How to Prevent and
Reclaim Them. (more)
1895
Spindle-type cotton picker invented
Insects shown to spread plant
diseases.
1896
First extensive table of food values
published. (more)
1897
Tea Importation Act passed, the first U.S. law regulating food products.
Concluded that disease could be caused by depriving body of
certain substances, later defined as vitamins. (more)
1898
Congress authorized testing of seeds purchased on open market.
First funds officially appropriated to
collect, test, and prepare foreign plant materials. (more)
1899
Field mapping of soils began by
USDA. (more)
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