This particular diorama, completed in the 1939, shows a transitional period in agriculture. By this point, Henry Ford’s tractors had been on the market for more than 20 years. Slowly, as the machinery became cheaper and more reliable, it began to replace mules and farm hands. The introduction of machinery and fertilizer revolutionized agriculture, allowing farmers to produce more food with less effort.

The animals in this diorama are not horses, but mules. A cross between a donkey and a horse, mules were often used for farm work in the early 20th century as they were less stubborn than donkeys, less expensive than horses, and worked harder than either.

It was only after the Civil War that Rice became a major crop in Louisiana. The state government began cheaply selling off large uninhabited tracts of land in the south west of the state. Farmers from across the country who’d fallen on hard times moved south to take advantage of this opportunity. The land proved perfect for rice cultivation. After World War II, the rapid improvement of machinery made rice production lucrative.

In 2014, Louisiana produced nearly 16% of all rice grown in the United States.

Read about the history of Louisiana Rice Farming here and here.

Read about modern Louisiana Rice Farming here and more about Rice farming in the United States here.