Everyone who has seen the film about the amazing Scarlett O'Hara probably remembers the first scene - a panorama of a huge cotton plantation called Tara. And from the TV screens we are told about tea and coffee plantations where the best varieties of these plants grow. What are plantations, where are they located and which ones are rightfully considered the most unusual?
Etymology
The origin of words is studied by etymology. It is this department of linguistics that will help to understand what plantations are. This word appeared in Russian in the 18th century. Borrowed from Latin, it means "planting". Derived from planta - "seedling". It should be noted that this term does not have a precise definition. Also, it is not official.
First plantations
Plantation farms first appeared in the West Indies in the 16th century. Their founders were the Spaniards, who exploited the indigenous population of the continent. The tools of labor among the slaves were the most primitive. The 18th century was markedthe emergence of European colonies in Asia and Africa. Most often, the owners of plantations were foreign citizens, but sometimes large corporations became the owners. For quite a long time, Negroes were plantation workers. The main purpose of creating large plantations was the production of sugar cane, tea, coffee, tobacco, pineapples, cocoa and much more. Of course, for commercial purposes. The plantation system reached its peak at the beginning of the 19th century. Then the United States of America became its center. In the southern states, a huge amount of cotton was grown.
Investment and wage labor: what are plantations of the capitalist kind?
After several centuries after the advent of plantations, a new economic species appeared - capitalist plantations. It was no longer slaves who worked here - thanks to investments, the owners could afford to hire workers. This type of farming also had other characteristics:
- Permanent staff.
- Fixed salary.
- Increase the number of workers for harvest time.
By the way, often hired workers managed to work on several plantations in a season. After all, different cultures mature at different times. This tradition is still relevant among the population of third world countries.
What determines the germination and quality of the crop?
Now you know the meaning of the word "plantation", the history of the appearance of agricultural holdings. It should be noted that any plantationcalculated on the basis of its profitability. That is why the location is chosen in accordance with the requirements of the crops that are planned to be grown.
For example, most of the tobacco plantations are located in China, India, Brazil and the USA. It is here that the soil and climate are most suitable for growing this plant. The largest strawberry farms are located in Western Europe, Uzbekistan and in the Krasnodar Territory. But blueberries are mainly grown in countries of northern latitudes - this berry needs swampy terrain and moist soil. In tropical countries, vanilla is actively cultivated. The future of the Russian timber industry is timber plantations. What is a timber plantation? This is a solution to the problem of timber deficiency. The most unusual plantation can be considered a cactus plantation. And in Queens there is a legal marijuana plantation! Plants grown here, of course, will not go on sale - they will be used exclusively for medical purposes.
