government did not have the resources to enforce the law and keep American farmers

from taking Indian land illegally (Hurt, 1987).

 The Cherokee's signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship with the United States

of America in 1791. One of the aims of the treaty was to lead the Cherokees "to greater

deal of civilization, and to become herdsmen and cultivators, instead of remaining in a

state of hunters" (Kappler, 1904, Article 14). The U.S. also promised to assist the

Cherokee Nation with implements to advance animal husbandry and agriculture.

Cherokees began using the plow and associated tools to increase crop yields (Perdue,

1996).

 Iron tools such as hoes, axes, scythes and plows were too costly to use before this

period. Now Cherokees used these tools more commonly (James Mooney, 1900). Many

Cherokees learned how to use introduced farm implements and relied upon them for

agriculture with the help of the U.S.. Draft animals allowed them to use large, heavy

tools to clear difficult terrain, such as mountainous and heavy vegetation. The Cherokees

began using the plow and could now cultivate introduced grain crops such as wheat,

barley and rye.

 Beginning in this period a distinction was made between different Cherokees and

their agricultural activities. One group became more acculturated into American society.

These Cherokees were sometimes characterized as mix-bloods, wealthier Cherokees or

assimilated Cherokees. They were characterized as having plantations and engaging in

large-scale commercial production. The other group was sometimes characterized as

poorer, full-bloods or less assimilated. Their agriculture was often described as small

scale and subsistence based. In later periods it is difficult to determine if there is an

overlap between these two distinctive groups and how mutually exclusive they are.