Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - June 9, 1929

2020.1.174 06091929.pdf

Dublin Core

Title

Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - June 9, 1929

Subject

Old Mission Peninsula (Mich.)
Agriculture
Farmers
Crops and climate

Description

Carolyn Gay Taft (1873-1952), was the owner of a small cherry farm on Old Mission Peninsula in the early 1900’s. While she spent her summers on the Peninsula, her primary job as a teacher at the Illinois State School for the Deaf required hired hands to run the farm in her absence. These farmers, and their families, lived on the farm and sent frequent written reports to Ms. Taft. Most letters are written by the farmer’s wives, and provide a record of both agricultural and social history.

Creator

Ralph Kitchen, Joseph Kitchen, Essie Kitchen, Max Gilmore, Hazel Gilmore

Source

Collection donated to Peninsula Community Library by the surviving members of the Taft family.

Publisher

Peninsula Community Library

Date

1929-06-09

Contributor

Mary T Morgan

Rights

This document is protected by copyright law. Contact the Peninsula Community Library for permission to reproduce, display, or transmit this document.

Relation

None

Format

PDF

Language

English

Type

Document

Identifier

LHC 010

Coverage

Traverse City, Peninsula Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan

Scripto

Transcription

Old Mission, Mich. June 9th 1929

My Dear Miss. Taft:-

Received your letter Saturday and this is Sun. I wonder if you received the last letter I sent to Illinois.

It is hard to decide on the cherry crop it doesn't pay to estimate when they are so far back as they are now. It is nearly two weeks ago since they blossomed and they had wonderful weather for that. But it turned so cold and we have had frosts until the corn froze so I can't estimate. There are lots of small cherries in the husks but they are not growing so may all fall off. We looked at our own cherries today and they look about the same. The apples look pretty good. In another week we can tell you more about it. But at present I can't say.

The mercury has been down to 40 in the morning about 9 o'clock and cold enough for to freeze down here in the hollow. Mr. Wunsch's cherries are very poor can't even find small cherries in husks on his trees. I think we may have a fair crop a week ago we all had fine hopes but must wait now and see.

We had a shower since I last wrote you. The hay won't be ready to cut before you get here.

Jos. had to replant nearly the whole corn field and I haven't but very little garden so far as the worms eat it up.

Queen chews tobacco every day with Joseph and it chases the worms out by the handful she looks like a new horse. As slick as a button. She coaxes for a chew and thinks it is very good. I think it dreadfully nasty stuff for any thing to like either man or beast.

I wish you would let me know when you are coming as I haven't the house ready I have used the couch all winter and still am so will have to bring it over there. I can't clean the windows with shutters on so will leave that for you to do if you care to do it. But will dust and clean the rest. perhaps you would rather unpack your dishes as I hardly know what you want to use. Joseph will remove his disc and lever dray from the garage also crates. we have used it to store things in and find it pretty handy. So you see we would like to know how much time there is to have every thing ready for you. I'm so busy I have to plan like a good fellow to get every thing done as I work out of doors quite a little.

It is past bed time so must roll in

with love, Essie Kitchen

Transcribe This Item

  1. 2020.1.174 06091929.pdf