Re: farming in the 1950s and 1960s ?

Posted by pete 23 on April 16, 2021 at 11:21:27 from (45.52.51.97):

In Reply to: farming in the 1950s and 1960s ? posted by swindave on April 16, 2021 at 08:08:23:

Early 40's. Dad had a F 12 that was converted to F 14 if I remember right. I was too young to drive that thing but in the winter of 46 he lucked out and got a new Farmall H. He needed more tractor because we had moved to a 160 acre farm where the other farm I was born on was 120.

Thing is, he rented that 120 for eleven years. Tail end of it during WW 2 and made good money. Raising seven kids, me one way from youngest. Was able to actually save some money and bought saving bonds.

He was paying eleven bucks and acre cash rent. Then it got rented out to relatives so we had to move. The 160 acre farm was 50-50 rent. Had to buy more newer equipment so never really made enough to add to savings.

He seeded grain with a horse drawn seeder and came behind with the single disc to work the seed in. Then he got a new Moline drill and was in heaven. Mowed hay with horse drawn sicle mower, put up loose with a hay loader and put into barn with slings on the track and leveled by hand.

I was old enough then to drive the horses for Dad while loading the hay as older brother was in the Navy . Five years and again , farm rented to owners relatives.

Land prices were climbing rapidly, farm we had been on sold for $400 and acre. We had to move farther north and Dad bought an 80 for eleven thousand dollars. Hit a dry year first year. Very poor crop. No spare money as he used that to pay good share of the farm. It never did get really good. Rented a quarter across the road so had to buy another new H. I still have them both by the way.

Then got into small square bales, grew soy beans for first time. Sunflower heaven around here at that time so pulling them out two or three times across the field was always lots of fun.

Dad never had a sprayer or commercial fertilizer on the farm. Milked cows by hand . Seperated milk and sold the cream in cans. Had chickens, pigs and cows. Cleaned barn gutter twice a day when cows were inside. It went in a pile and was hauled out after grain harvest in August.

But, I was young and healthy. Found a girl friend young and healthy. I'm not in too bad a shape at 84 but have to take care of her now. Her body just plum wore out. Hip jumped out of socket couple weeks ago due to arthritis eating up the bones. Too brittle and shot to do anything with. And so it goes.

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