Threshing Machine in Operation

Threshing Machine in Operation  A threshing machine or thresher is farm equipment that threshes, removes the seeds from the stalks and husks, by internally beating oats or wheat to make the seeds fall out.  Before they were developed, threshing was done by hand.  During the 19th century, threshers became widespread and made grain production much less laborious.  Today, they have largely been replaced by self-propelled combines. Threshing machine were then generally powered by steam engine tractors.  On a “threshing day”, farming neighbors gathered at that day’s farm to help complete the job in one day. The women and older girls cooked the noon meal. Children did jobs based upon their age.  For more information, check out this year’s Threshermen’s Reunion.