Plant production on a Faeroese farm 1813–1892, related to climatic fluctuations

Abstract

Journals written by a farmer family in the village ofNorÐoyri, Faeroe Islands have made it possible to obtain detailed information on important aspects of the operation of a Faeroesefarm over a long time span. This article, covering the period 1813–1892, concentrates on the analysis of plant production, i.e. haymaking, grain and potato growing. While haymaking for winter fodder for cows was relatively stable, a new crop, potatoes, first planted in 1823, gradually took over the role of grain. This happened, it is concluded, because of its weather resistance, stability and more flexible harvesting period—seen in relation to grain. Furthermore, the journals contain information or proxy data that admits statements on climatic variation. It is shown that there have been three periods with good climatic conditions separated by three worse periods, within the time span considered.

Keywords:

• Faeroe Islands
• Historical agriculture
• Agricultural systems
• Barley
• Potatoes
• Haymaking
• Proxy data
• Climatic variation