Polish publications for farmers 1795–1918: (textbooks, how-to books, journals)

Abstract

The article surveys the topics concerning crop and animal production dealt with in Polish publications for farmers from the period of the partitions. After the collapse of the Polish state some popularisers of economic thought saw modern agriculture as a chance of improving the living conditions of peasants. Their publications propagated the idea that new developments in growing crops and raising livestock would boost Polish countryside, stimulating it to work harder. Numerous books and articles were published to popularise agricultural theory and practice. Most of them were devoted to growing cereal and root crops and breeding horses, cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry. Publications on agriculture from the years 1795-1918 are an interesting source of data, a testimony to consistent efforts towards enhancing agricultural production and popularising knowledge.