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Mole Ditcher

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/ef3b3150-0d92-0135-23f6-0050569601ca-7
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Descriptive Information

Title
Mole Ditcher
Description
The mole ditcher was an iron-tipped log, series of logs, or round iron blade (such as seen here) about four inches in diameter, which was pulled through the soil a few inches under the surface.
Interpretation
The mole ditcher was supposed to help solve the problem of standing water in McLean County fields. It was extremely difficult to drag the mole ditcher through the ground, usually accomplished by attaching oxen to a long wooden arm affixed to a windlass. The mole ditcher was not very successful and did not see much use.
Inscription
A mole ditcher. These were widely advertised but not very successful devices for draining farmland. (U.S. Patent Office)
Lesson Plans / Themes
  • American Communities in History  
  • Communities and Geography  
  • How We Learn About Communities  
Learning Standards
  • 18 Social systems  
  • 16 History  
  • 15 Economics  
Author or Creator
McLean County Historical Society, Bloomington, Ill.  
Other Contributors
Walters, William D, Jr., 1942-  
Source
  • ISBN 0-943788-15-3 (1997)  
  • The Heart of the Cornbelt: An Illustrated History of Corn Farming in McLean County,' by William D. Walters Jr.  
Subject / Keywords
  • Corn  
  • Croplands  
  • Drainage  
  • McLean County (Ill.)  
Temporal Coverage
1860~
Collection Publisher
McLean County Museum of History
Rights
Copyright Not Evaluated
Resource Identifier
  • IL MCLEAN AGR WAL - Figure 4:1, p. 41
  • mch0257
Date Created
7-18-00
Collection Title
Teaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)
Collection
Teaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)
TitleMole Ditcher
DescriptionThe mole ditcher was an iron-tipped log, series of logs, or round iron blade (such as seen here) about four inches in diameter, which was pulled through the soil a few inches under the surface.
InterpretationThe mole ditcher was supposed to help solve the problem of standing water in McLean County fields. It was extremely difficult to drag the mole ditcher through the ground, usually accomplished by attaching oxen to a long wooden arm affixed to a windlass. The mole ditcher was not very successful and did not see much use.
InscriptionA mole ditcher. These were widely advertised but not very successful devices for draining farmland. (U.S. Patent Office)
Lesson Plans / Themes
  • American Communities in History  
  • Communities and Geography  
  • How We Learn About Communities  
Learning Standards
  • 18 Social systems  
  • 16 History  
  • 15 Economics  
Author or CreatorMcLean County Historical Society, Bloomington, Ill.  
Other ContributorsWalters, William D, Jr., 1942-  
Source
  • ISBN 0-943788-15-3 (1997)  
  • The Heart of the Cornbelt: An Illustrated History of Corn Farming in McLean County,' by William D. Walters Jr.  
Subject / Keywords
  • Corn  
  • Croplands  
  • Drainage  
  • McLean County (Ill.)  
Temporal Coverage1860~
Collection PublisherMcLean County Museum of History
RightsCopyright Not Evaluated
Resource Identifier
  • IL MCLEAN AGR WAL - Figure 4:1, p. 41
  • mch0257
Date Created7-18-00
Collection TitleTeaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)
CollectionTeaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)

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Mole Ditcher
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