In the 19th century, agriculture in the Périgord was characterised by numerous small and medium-sized family properties practising mixed farming. These farmers only slowly but inexorably modernised their techniques: modernisation of tools, mechanisation, motorisation, improvement of soil improvers and crop treatments.
Initially oriented towards self-sufficiency and a few activities generating cash income at the beginning of the 20th century, the production of these farmers became more and more commercial in order to be able to support the cost of agricultural equipment linked to the mechanisation of agriculture.
Illustrations :
– lithograph of an allegory of agriculture, Annales de la société d’agriculture de la Dordogne, 1832 (©Musée André Voulgre)
– Photograph of a farm in Saint Médard de Mussidan around 1935 (Escarment Collection)