Object number
55/195
Description
This is the head of a rather unusual three-pronged hoe, used for hoeing sainfoin, a perennial herb and important forage crop. Sainfoin played a significant part in hay and silage production and is believed to have anthelmintic properties, to reduce bloat in livestock, and to be otherwise beneficial as a foodstuff for animals. It was used as fodder for cattle and horses.
Physical description
1 hoe; metal; fair condition: rusty
Archival history
MERL miscellaneous note - This artefact played a part in the research process of artist Deirdre O'Mahony, who undertook one of two livestock-themed artistic residencies at the Museum in summer 2017. These formed part of the project 'Our Country Lives: Health, Nutrition and Rural England,' which was generously supported by the Wellcome Trust. O'Mahony's project explored the role of legumes like sainfoin in supporting environmentally sustainable and responsive practices in cattle-rearing, past and present, which led to the production of a film installation entitled 'Speculative Optimism' exploring whether carbon-neutral beef is possible. [Ollie Douglas, 22 November 2017]
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External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_824.tif - High resolution image
