McMenamy, L E 1974-05-10
Shallowater farmer L. E. McMenamy describes his farming operations in the Shallowater area and Oklahoma.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: L.E. McMenamy
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: May 10, 1974
Location: Shallowater, Texas
Interviewer: Jeff Townsend
Length: 1 hour 10 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Family background, early life,
Farming equipment, purchase of land in 1925 discussed,
Early crops, mechanization recalled,
Marketing practices examined,
Lifestyle described: fuel, electricity, plumbing,
Farm inventory in 1929 listed,
Bankers’ suspicion of tractor noted,
Water supply and irrigation discussed,
Anecdote on loss of finger in well machinery,
Change to shorter sorghum varieties explored.
Tape 1, Side 2: Farm labor discussed,
Recollection of first cotton stripper,
Complaints of gins on stripped cotton noted,
Cultural practices in 1930s recalled,
Farm organizations, co-ops mentioned,
Oklahoma farm arrangement described,
Changing irrigation practices cited,
Early use of farm chemicals for insects discussed,
Disillusionment with chemicals,
Farm insurance examined,
Attitude toward cloud seeding expressed,
Moved to Oklahoma in 1939,
Discussion of weather,
Anecdote on excessively wet year,
Social life described,
Examination of banker’s attitudes toward farming and expansion.
Tape 2, Side 1: Anecdote on grandchild’s comment,
Food preservation, refrigeration mentioned,
Poultry production remembered,
Tornado anecdote related,
Loss of chickens by fire recalled.
Tape 2, Side 2: Blank
Range Dates: 1925-1974
Bulk Dates: 1925-1939
Access Information
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Transcript:
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