Agricultural Science - Soils and Insects

Throughout this period, another growing industry - agriculture - leads to an increased interest in science. Agriculture within Illinois explodes in the 1850s; by the end of this decade, Illinois leads the nation in production of wheat and corn. It becomes clear that the most important natural resource in the state is its fertile soil. In 1840, the Prairie Farmer is established in Chicago (then called the Union Agriculturalist and Western Prairie Farmer) and advocates chemical analyses of soils. Interest in agricultural insects also grows, and a state entomologist is appointed in 1865.