Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - March 11, 1930

2020.1.190 03111930.pdf

Dublin Core

Title

Carolyn Gay Taft Farm Letter - March 11, 1930

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

1930-03-11

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 March 11th 1930

My dear Miss Taft:

How time flies. Mar. will soon be half gone but it seems like Jan. out instead. A terriable blizzard is sweeping down on us tonight. But am thankful for is as the weather was too warm some time back. Altho' it did us no harm so far. The buds look fine in fact couldn't look better. The ice is still in the bay and blanket of snow covers all at present.

We have some pumpkin seeds but perhaps not enouugh as we had no crop last year. The roots are good for the stock and saves a lot it certainly takes lots of feed when every thing [??????] up all summer and winter starts early There won't be enough hay again Altho Jos. is as saving as can be. I find it costs us enough for one small horse it would be cheaper if a person could get on without them as there are so few months a year a person works them But with our hills a crawler tractor is the thing we could use & it costs a fortune to buy one. I get tired of trying to figure out a way to keep going.

Pratt & Cross are having trouble of some kind guess its from being dishonest with some of their buyers.

I find honesty the best policy. And stick to what you know has proven true. Fay Dohm tried to tell Joe what a fool he was not to join the new canning concern as he did. Jos. flew to pieces & told him what he [tought???] about things and said they neighbors didn't run his business. The bunch kind of rub in in because we stay here but why leave you as long as we get on together. Miss. Taft you mean lots to me moe than just a common friend.

I know some times I get [nervous] and perhaps you feel like spanking me but I can't help it. There is so much depends on me. I hope this summer we can have a nice time sitting in the shade.

Mr. Bryte wanted to rent our house for the summer but we wouldn't consider renting to any family as it takes too much for up keep. Children can destroy a lot in fact some young ups don't care what they do. I love to have a place to go & visit some times. You know the pleasure you get out of coming here in the Summer time.

If Mother Nature favors us this Spring I think we will have a good price for our fruit. Perhaps in some way it will help our apple market.

Jos. ordered a new pressure gauge & as the other one wouldn't last. The spray eats them in time until it hardly pays to repair much as they can't last.

Well I'm tired & sleepy so much go to bed.

With love Essie K.

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  1. 2020.1.190 03111930.pdf