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Old Mission, Mich Dec. 28th 19-25 My Dear Miss. Taft:- Am very glad to hear you are with the Stutsmans for to spend your vacation. It is much nicer to be with your own folks. We have had some very bad weather cold & stormy but some better today. Hope it isn't too cold for a few days as we have to take Hazel in the 31st to have her eyes tested so she can have new glasses. please pity my poor pocket book. It is usually flat but will be worse if expenses keeps coming along. There was a farmers Institute held at Old Mission about 2 weeks ago and Joseph & I both attended. It surely was fine so many things was brought up that a farmer should know about. If ever there is another held here I want to go again. I thought of you many times that day. They talked quite a little about Alfalfa and how to prepare the ground before planting seed. One thing was to lime the ground & work well then plant the seed and pack ground firmly with a cultipack. This may not be properly spelled but you will know what I mean. A rolled could also be used. He said where the soil was left loose & the seed sprouted and began to come thru. A great many times the earth checked and the hot sun burned the small plants. And that was why so many people failed. I noticed here with the new seeding that the ground was cracked and exposed the plant roots. Of course you have read all this and much more. Also heard a lot about fruit. We wish to thank you for the papers the children has enjoyed them so much. Roger intends to write to you before long. And also Hazel. I bought some Xmas cards and intended to send one to you but don't know what I done with them so will have them left for another year. I felt sorry as I don't like to have people think I forget them. Joseph is going to send a package to you before long it won't be much but let you know we think of you. The Lannin's has gone away again. And they had a nice pig & sold it to us for a very little also the feed for it We will only keep it a very short time and kill it. I would have asked you about our takeing it here but they would have let it go before we could hear from you. It will make us nice meat and a person has to pay dear for what you buy from the meat markets. I didn't think you would care as long as we have our own feed. It isn't near any of your animals and is healthy any way. It will be pork in a few days. I wanted to tell you about it so as you wouldn't think us dishonest. I want to treat you fair the same as you do us. Every thing on farm is fine so far. And the barn is nice and warm. The manure hasn't even frozen in barn so you see it is quite comfortable there. Kauer cow has not been taken yet no signs so far but promises to be a fairly good cow. Gives nice rich milk. I wish also to thank you for sending check early it is a great help as we can get Hazel to town earlier now and she won't miss so much school. I must go to bed now We wish you a very Happy New Year With love Essie K.

  .15  Axel greese
  .15  horse shoe nails
  .70  toll bill
  .65  storm window fixtures
  .15  salt petre
  .25  poke root for cows
$2.05

5.15 1.00 for apples $6.15

$6.15 2.05 $4.10 to your credit