SEGMENT: LAND, FARMING METHODS & TENANT FARMING
Leland Sweatman>ISM Interviews M-Z>ISM Interviews M-Z, Segment 12
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- LAND
- First farm was level with black soil. First year crops failed. Can't plow that soil in the spring because of clods. Low yield. Next year better. Grew corn, wheat, oats, clover till 1954. Add anhydrous ammonia, drop clover.
- FARMING METHODS
- Cut with tooth harrow, drop at end of row. Pitch hay to wagon, go to barn, track in loft with fork to lift hay. It was early 1940s before a baler was contracted to do it.
- TENANT FARMING
- Rented a farm, three years, landlady died. Rented another farm E. of Virginia in 1952 to 1993. Started farming in 1949. Took over father's farm in 1960 on his retirement. REA restarted building lines after the war. Father knew how to install it, so he and Leland helped wiring old houses. Good business.
