Image
Description
#3 Occupation: Farm Laborer
When farmers did not have enough help from family members, they would hire additional help. Farm laborers did the same tasks as farmers, but they did not own the farm. In this photograph, many workers are seen harvesting potatoes in a large field. Sometimes farm laborers were called "migrant laborers" because they moved from one farm to another depending on what field work was needed at that time of year.
Source-Dependent Questions
- What is the working environment for these farm laborers?
- What skills does this farm laborer need in order to be successful at his job?
- What machines and equipment make this job easier? How might these farmers get their potatoes to the consumers who will eat them?
Citation Information
Schlueter, Frank J., "Gathering potatoes in Fort Bend County, Tx," 1909. Courtesy of Library of Congress