A Useful Time Filler
Tobacco Harvesting at the Rowan Farm (1)
This picture shows Thomas Rowan from Stackallen, Co. Meath, harvesting on his farm in 1933. Neither the woman nor the farm worker is identified. The workman is stripping leaves from the tobacco plant and placing them on the wooden pole, one end of which is held by Mr Rowan, prior to transportation to the curing shed.
By permission of Meath County Library.Tobacco Harvesting at the Rowan Farm (1)
By permission of Meath County Library.
By permission of Meath County Library.
Tobacco Harvesting at the Rowan Farm (1)
This picture shows Thomas Rowan from Stackallen, Co. Meath, harvesting on his farm in 1933. Neither the woman nor the farm worker is identified. The workman is stripping leaves from the tobacco plant and placing them on the wooden pole, one end of which is held by Mr Rowan, prior to transportation to the curing shed.
By permission of Meath County Library.It took many more people to harvest tobacco than any other crop grown in the country. There were 748.5 hours manual labour required per acre, as against 309 for potatoes.
This meant there was more work for people living in Meath. A whole family could be employed and their living standard improved by the wages from tobacco farming.
Tobacco Harvesting at the Rowan Farm (2)
Photograph from 1933. Two workmen, two women and a horse and cart can be seen in a tobacco field working at harvesting. The men are pulling the leaves off the stems of the plants prior to bringing them into the curing shed on the horse and cart. The remains of the rows or drills can be seen on the ground with discarded leaves strewn about. The high hedge at the back of the field indicates the level of shelter needed to grow the crop successfully.
By permission of Meath County Library.Tobacco Harvesting at the Rowan Farm (2)
By permission of Meath County Library.
By permission of Meath County Library.
Tobacco Harvesting at the Rowan Farm (2)
Photograph from 1933. Two workmen, two women and a horse and cart can be seen in a tobacco field working at harvesting. The men are pulling the leaves off the stems of the plants prior to bringing them into the curing shed on the horse and cart. The remains of the rows or drills can be seen on the ground with discarded leaves strewn about. The high hedge at the back of the field indicates the level of shelter needed to grow the crop successfully.
By permission of Meath County Library.Most of the work took place at a quiet time between the turnip sowing and before the early meadows were harvested.