Iron had a breakthrough in farming during the Middle Ages. Spades and mattocks were made of iron. Instead of a simple wooden plough, which only made a furrow in the ground, the iron plough was used more and more during the early Middle Ages. All these iron tools made it easier to cultivate the land. New areas, previously impossible to cultivate, were now cleared. Both the heavy clay soil on the plains and the stony ground in the wooded districts could now be farmed. Now, there was more farmed land in many places. Pleasant meadows were cattle grazed became a more common sight.
As iron became more important, so did the production of iron and forging. In many places in the woods, people started to make iron. It became an important occupation to many peasants there. To many peasants, the smith was essential. Many farms had their own smithies.
Another invention within farming was a new type of harness, which made it possible for the horse to pull the plough. This was a great help on the plains, because the heavy soils could now be farmed, with horses as draught-animals. In the forests, though, only cows or oxen were used as draught-animals for ploughing.
You may read more about iron-making under "Country Life" and "Work".