Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - February 8, 1928

Old Mission, Mich. Feb.8 1928 My Dear Miss.Taft: I thot' I would write now as our letters wouldn't cross on the road as usual. I went to town the other day the first time since the last of the old year so I found what oats & corn was worth they are charging [$].71 a bu. for oats and corn is worth [$].45 a bu. on ear but they are not buying from here as they say the corn isn't hard enough unless put in a dryer & they haven't that any more. Do you want Jos. to get your oats now. It has rained steady for the last 24 hours & quite hard some of the time a down pour. Basement of barn is dreadfully wet this A.M. Every one has been afraid of a sleet storm so we can be thankful it hasn't frozen onto the trees. There is a dense fog this morning so hope it turns cooler. Mrs. Lardie spoke about corn last Fall & you didn't care to sell then & they never have any money. We don't feel as tho' they should have credit any more than other people it is all O.K. if you say so. I know they don't like us for not being easy. Homer Willobee will take all you have to spare. Joseph plans on selling 100bu & saving the rest. That will open the crib & if there is more to sell later on the price won't be any lower. And he wants a plenty for another year in case there isn't corn. It doesn't pay to sell short & buy over again & we know what our own grain is. Are you going to put manure on all orchards again this year? There is going to be a lot of it. If you would care to sell 3 or 4 loads Jos. would be glad to buy it of you for our 107 large cherry trees. He can buy it in town for $5 per ton but has to haul it our here. We will have to buy something again this Spring. If I remember correctly you mentioned to me you wasn't going to manure your cherry orchard this year. The stock clean their fodder up good & Joseph uses refuse for bedding. So your whole corn field will be in the manure pile. If you care to let any go to us please mention & we would be very glad to get a little. We have had quite a time with Hazel the past week. Had tonsilitis & ear ache & I am nearly tired out caring for her. Roger wants to write you a letter but is so busy with school work that he keep waiting. He will have to hurry or you will soon be here again. Well I must close as he is ready for school & waiting for me. yours with love Essie. P.S. Hazel just came out with a little house for you. She thinks you are partly hers too & I guess Roger feels about the same.