When the world of industry takes over the fields

Mining company farms, 19th-20th centuries

Abstract

Two mining companies, those of Lens and Béthune, have chosen in the 19th century to exploit their land directly by running an agricultural operation made up of several farms. Their objectives were subordinated to industrial activity: maintaining the many horses, feeding the miners, which could sometimes interfere with agricultural work, especially at the Béthune company where the head of the litigation department who directs the culture department does not master the work. agricultural. And when companies develop the chemical industry, these farms make it possible to test ferti- lizers. These farms apply industry methods with the rationalization of work, the keeping of accounts, and significant mechanization. At the Lens company, which gave itself the means after the Great War to promote agricultural activity with the employment of an agricultural engineer, the farm became an experimental model farm. In both compa- nies, the work is carried out by workers from the agricultural sector. Their remuneration is modeled on that of the personnel of the mines to which they belong. Permanent workers benefit from the same advantages as miners. During peak harvest and beet seasons, miners’ wives and children were employed as day laborers. However, these two worlds collide.