SEGMENT: FARMING DURING WWII, FARM EQUIPMENT, & NEIGHBORS
Howard Lanan>NIU Collection>NIU Collection, Segment 12
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- FARMING DURING WWII
- War caused prices to rise & farmers increased production. Corn, Oats, Hay were big crops. Needed livestock feed. Hemp grown for rope. DDT not used during war. Hybrid seeds used since before war. Could not get new machinery during war. Comments on new machinery costs today. Did not hire extra help. Wife did not do farm work. Had big garden. Produce from garden canned.
- ACTIVITIES
- Going to Town, Shows, Visiting Neighbors, & Going to Church. Went to town to sell eggs & place order for groceries. Went to Sycamore because Aunt & Uncle lived there.
- FARMING DURING WWII
- Gas & Tires rationed, but no trouble getting tires or fuel for farm. Didn't buy any new land during WWII. Never bought land. No loans during war, just paid of debts.
- FARM WORK
- Got up at 5 AM, milked the cows, took care of the other livestock, & chickens & did other chores. Breakfast at 6 or 6
- FARM EQUIPMENT
- Talks about harvesting corn by hand, a difficult job. Comments on storm on November 11 (Armistice Day) that blew down all of corn making that harvest "back-breaking." Got a corn picker later than most farmers. Rented a corn picker from his father-in-law during war. Could not get corn-pickers during the war.
- NEIGHBORS
- Bought equipment (one-row picker & combine) with neighbors (50-50 ownership) in 1947. No disputes or arguments. Lots of sharing of machines with neighbors. Decided who's crop was ready first and then shared accordingly.
- FARM ORGANIZATIONS
- Farm Union not active in DeKalb County because of strength of Farm Bureau. Mentions Secretary of Agriculture, an agent who would come around.
- FARMING DURING WWII
- Story of young hired help who was a little "slow" electrocuting himself on the farm. "I don't think the draft board would have taken him."
