Tharp, Lewis 1974-06-01
Area farmer and former farm implement dealer Lewis Tharp reviews his personal and family history. He discusses the growth and development of farm mechanization and expresses attitudes toward farm issues.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Lewis Tharp
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: June 01, 1974
Location: Farwell, Texas
Interviewer: Jeff Townsend
Length: 1 hour
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Family background, early life,
Bought Farwell area farm in 1907,
Necessity of moving back and forth from Oklahoma to Texas,
Homestead claims reasserted,
Moved to Clovis, New Mexico, in 1925 to enter farm implement business,
Cites early tractor purchase as reason for becoming an implement dealer,
Description of innovations in mechanical sorghum harvesting,
First cotton crop recalled,
Obtained patent on a cotton stripper in 1934-35,
Buel Jennings patent noted,
Survey of career,
Farm labor and implement labor combined,
Story told to illustrate attachment of farmer to his teams,
Humorous incident on experimentation with cotton stripper,
First irrigation well remembered,
Solution to sand problem related,
Use of bicycle tires for siphoning recalled.
Tape 1, Side 2: Insect-irrigation correlation asserted,
Criticism of insecticides,
Use of ladybugs for insect control described,
Criticism of herbicides, fertilizer,
Criticism of terracing, approval of summer fallow technique cited,
Discussion of crop insurance and water depletion,
Large purchase of sprinkler systems from California recalled,
Farm implement business characterized,
Clovis packers’ opposition to cattle shoot program noted,
Attitude toward federal farm program expressed,
Beef prices, problems discussed,
Mrs. Tharp’s comments given.
Range Dates: 1907-1974
Bulk Dates: 1907-1940
Access Information
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Transcript:
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