Homework Check 2.2

Match the following

• Stephen Long

• explored the Great Plains in 1819

• bonanza farms

• often brought their owners big profits

• dry farming

• planting seeds deep in the ground where there was enough moisture for them to grow

• homestead

• productive farm area that began at the eastern edge of the Great Plains

• Wheat Belt

• a tract of public land available for settlement

Threshing machines were used for

• planting crops.

• clearing homesteads.

• harvesting wheat.

• improving irrigation.

Settlement of the Great Plains was promoted by the railroads and supported by

• the mining industry.

• the government.

• cattle ranchers.

• plow manufacturers.

Large landholders on the Great Plains were able to

• determine their own prices.

• prevent droughts from happening.

• grow any crops they wanted.

• invest in the tools they needed.

One approach to farming on the Great Plains was "dry farming", in whic farmers

• cooperated to build community irrigation ditches.

• planted seeds deep in the ground.

• grew crops that could withstand long periods without rain.

• dug out depressions to create ponds for irrigation.

The Homestead Act gave land to homesteaders if they ____________ for five years.

• fenced it off

• planted crops on it

• cut down trees on it

• lived on it