AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURISTS (MORRISONS COVE)

The chief business of Morrisons cove is farming (in 1933). Travelers tell us there are no finer, more productive farms anywhere than we have throughout the cove. We have many splendid farm buildings. Practically all the 165 farms in South Woodbury township have good buildings. To show some of our farm buildings is no reflection on others. I have selected a few because of the setting, and also because we were in a position to get the pictures. There are many otherss that compare favorably with those I have selected.

Harry Snowberger of New Enterprise owns two fine farms. We are showing one of these one mile west of New Enterprise. This is among our most productive farms and everything about it is in most excellent order.

Harry Kegarise owns an excellent farm one mile from Enterprise on the Salemville road. This land, as well as the Harry Snowberger farm, is part of the land owned by John Brumbaugh, one of our pioneers. The J. H. Snowberger farm, the Jacob Horner farm, the Charles O. Brumbaugh farm, the farm now owned by Frank Brumbaugh and a number of others were all a part of the Brumbaugh estate. For almost two hundred years some of this land has been cultivated.

The farm owned by Albert Replogle, formerly known as the John L. Replogle farm, is also among the best. This land is in a high state of cultivation and is very productive.

The “Sylvan Dell farm” one-half mile east of New Enterprise is owned by Mrs. Mary Alice Sponsler. The buildings are new and modern in every particular (in 1933). Here is one of the finest springs of limestone water in Morrison cove. Certainly this adds greatly to the value of any farm. Daniel M. Bayer, Edgar Little, Chester Hall, Earnest Replogle, Andrew Baker, Joseph S. Bayer, Ross T. Snider, Paul Detwiler, Edward Ferry, Jerre Detwiler, William A. King, Frank King, Burger Baker, Charles Detwiler, Earl Brown, Harry Gephart, Lawrence Pennel, the Bowsers, Snyders, Kegarises, Teeters, Resseys, Furrys, Koonts, Clappers, Eshelmans, Imlers, Fetters, Bakers, Bloughs, Ritters, Reffners, Henrys and many other farmers are among our best citizens and by their honest toil are helping to feed the nation (in 1933).

Quite a number of our farmers are students of methods, and are scientifically conducting their business. Some are college men and are intelligently using their knowledge in practically conducting their large farms. A few are specialists in some lines, and are engaged in congenial pursuits of special work, such as fruit growing, stock raising or some other specialty.

Lawrence Guyer, Lloyd Clappers, John Dittmar, Earl Brown, the Snyder brothers, Elmer Imler, and Orlo Ferry are orchardists, and grow fine peaches and apples.

Lawrence Pennell prides himself on his fine sheep. Beech raises fine pigs, Luke Bowser raises turkeys. Last year he had 1,400 turkeys. Elmer Imler raises strawberries. Peter Rock is the plum man, though I rather think I can beat him myself.

Not a few of our farmers produce a large quantity of milk, and probably in recent years it has been our chief industry. When the farmer could sell his milk at a fair price it brought him a much appreciated monthly check.

Forty years or more ago (before 1933) almost every farm had a stable full of cattle to feed through the winter, and to be sold in the spring. Two years ago when the census was taken there was not a single hoof of beef in the township, except bulls and old cows. The census also showed that many farmers sold all their milk and bought their own butter.

Years ago the farmer raised one or more colts each year, so he had a horse or two to sell. In 1930, there was not a colt in the township. Perhaps in these difficult times it might be wise to go back to general farming and not depend too much on milk or any other specialty.

A very good farmer told me during the hard times of 1897, that he could take a couple of cows, two brood sows, two brood mares, ten sheep, a few chickens and turkeys and in ten years pay for a good farm. He owned two or three farms and told how he had bought them. He emphasized the importance of general farming--a little bit of everything. He declared diversified products always enabled one to sell something. I am not a farmer and am not sure his plan would work now. This one thing I know--we have as good farms in our township as may be found anywhere, and if farming can be made profitable anywhere it ought to be here in South Woodbury township.

Just now, because of industrial conditions in our markets (in 1933), it may be difficult to procure fair prices for our products, but surely better days are coming. I believe the wise firmer will be ready with a variety of products when the revival of industry does come. Even in these days people must eat, and the soil is the source of all our necessary foods.

(Source: adapted from information in Historical Sketches of Morrisons Cove, 1933, Mirror Press, pp. 159-60.)

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