Plowing New Ground: The Legacy of Harry Ferguson

Harry Ferguson Statue at his Memorial Garden at his former home at Growell.

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. November 4, 1884 Today we celebrate Harry Ferguson [FUR-guh-sun], born on this day near Dromara [droh-MAR-ah] in County Down, Ireland. While we often think of gardening in terms of hand tools and intimate…

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Isaac Newton: First Commissioner of the USDA and Lincoln’s Trusted Friend

Isaac Newton thumbnail image

The First Commissioner of the USDA President Abraham Lincoln created the U.S. Department of Agriculture today in 1862. When Lincoln signed the bill, he was bombarded with advice about who should be the first Commissioner of Agriculture. Perhaps he should choose the editor of a Farm magazine? Perhaps a scientist would be best? Maybe a…

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