Harvesting Rice, Wallis Tractor, Moline Reaper (#1) - c. 1920
This highly-detailed view shows a Moline No. 11 reaper being towed by a Wallis tractor, likely in the Sacramento Valley. Photographer Meiser had moved to Eureka from the Portland area about 1905. Commercial rice production had started in the area in 1912.
This reaper was built by the Moline Plow Company, which had broadened its line by multiple acquisitions of other factories in the early 20th century. Moline Plow was itself absorbed into Minneapolis-Moline in 1929. The reaper automated several steps in the harvesting of grains, cutting and tieing the stalks in small bundles.
Threshing was still a separate operation. Eventually all the processes were taken care of by combines, which we still find in use today.
-- This photo is restored and printed by Old Oregon.
Photographer | Jesse A. Meiser |
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Location | California |
Decade | 1920s |
Print Maker | Old Oregon |
Original Type | Glass Negative |
Size of Original | 7.3 x 9.5 inches |