Container
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Title
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3/18/81
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
00:30
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Howard J. Brusveen Born : Howard born on 81-acre farm and lived whole life there until 1977; father, born 1876, came to Green County from Tarpa, Norway, at age 9; mother, born 1882, came to Green County from Jaren, Norway, at age 2 1/2.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
02:05
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Brusveen's Parents Buy 81-Acre Farm in 1912 : After marriage in 1907, worked on two farms, later bought 26-acre farm (Section 6, Town of York, Green County), finally bought farm on which Howard born.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
03:35
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Educated at York Center School : Started at age 4 1/2; educated through eighth grade. Accident shucking walnuts at home left him with one eye impaired during first year of school. Walked or skied two miles to school in any weather. No allowances made for farm work. Had chores to do at home before and after school each day.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
07:00
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Father Sells Wood for Extra Winter Income in 1920's and 1930's : Howard often helped.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
07:30
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Typical Chores during Childhood : Helped with milking at age 5. Swept feed alleys and put down bedding. After school, carried silage by hand in steel baskets.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
11:05
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Father Also Does Carpentry and Blacksmithing : Forged own summer and winter horseshoes and plow shares. Forge area located in what became garage.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
12:10
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Howard Brusveen's Family Identified : Father Hans; mother Bertha. Brother Thomas born in 1908. Sisters Mabel and Dora born 1912 and 1914, respectively.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
13:05
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Background of Wife Avis (Colden) Brusveen : Born east of Loyalty School in Town of York, Green County. Father Teddy Colden; mother Elizabeth.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
13:50
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Howard Finishes School in 1930 : Would have liked more schooling but began work on farm. Brother Thomas hired out to Oscar Vamstad farm near schoolhouse.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
14:30
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Gets “baptism” Behind Walking Plow in Spring 1930 : Clydesdale horses were good pulling team, trained by grading roads. Father gave Howard, small for his age at age 13, rockiest piece to plow. Lines under arm and around neck pulled him over when plow hit big stones. Had to finish field nevertheless.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
19:05
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Other Field Jobs : Rode six-inch disc all day; picked rocks for days after plowing. Also dragged, drilled and planted corn.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
20:25
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All Equipment Repaired by Father in Early Years : No welders in county. No electricity until June 8, 1938, when Wisconsin Power and Light lines reached farm.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
21:30
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Description of Farm Acreage : About 160 rods long, 80 rods wide. Forty-one acres cropland in eight fields; all but seven upland north of farmstead. Anecdote about gully erosion along corn rows after spring storm in 1930's. Howard reorganized field arrangement in contours after buying farm from father in 1960.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
24:05
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Works Clydesdale Horses until 1935 : Very old by then; father bought pair of three-year-old Belgian mares, which were worked until 1942.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
25:10
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Buys First Tractor in 1942 : Bought tractor to save on feed grain; several consecutive dry years by then. First tractor an Allis-Chalmers B with steel lugs; came with mounted plow. Traded off for John Deere 4B with two 12-inch plows. Sold horses in mid-1940's to Gilman Helmeid in nearby Yankee Hollow.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
26:55
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Rotates Corn, Oats, Alfalfa on Cropland : Kept as much land as possible in hay and grass to avoid erosion. Corn land manured. Oats planted as nurse crop to alfalfa; red clover not hardy enough.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
28:15
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Non-Cropland Kept as Open-Wooded Pasture and Lowland Meadow
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
28:35
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End of Tape 1, Side 1
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
00:30
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Steam Engine Powers Some Farm Implements : Bought cooperatively in the 1920's by York Center farmers Hans Brusveen, Peter Paulson, Bennett Paulson, Ed Thompson and one other. Same farmers also owned silo filler, thresher and corn shredder. Engine often got stuck because lugs pulverized soil. Machine rescued by Clydesdales.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
02:55
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Clydesdales Used for All Transportation Before 1932 : Same horses used for farm work also pulled surrey and light buggy.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
04:15
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Livestock Kept to a Minimum in 1920's and 1930's : Kept four brood sows and their litters until 1940's. Kept chickens. Kept 16 to 18 dairy cows, including young stock; tractor power helped support 20 or more.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
05:30
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Water Pumped by Windmill, or by Hand if No Wind : Took up to half a day to pump water by hand for cattle.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
06:40
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Disposition of Crops and Animals : Corn ensiled for feed; leftovers cut and shocked, then shredded in October and used for bedding or feed. Hogs, calves, and “market” cattle sold in New Glarus or Blanchardville.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
08:40
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Milk Sales : Hauled to York Center Cheese Factory on York Center Road. Had 11 patrons at first. Whey barrels filled by cheesemaker for patrons who used it for hog or sometimes calf feed.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
10:20
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Seed Purchases : Bought from New Glarus Feed and Fuel Co-op or Tri-County Co-op Feed in Blanchardville. Seed corn and then grass and alfalfa seed later obtained directly from seed companies.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
11:15
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More on Farm Machinery : Hand-operated grass seeder. Horse-drawn grain binder and horse-drawn corn binder with bundle carrier. Father constructed hay hoist with carrier track in barn loft.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
14:40
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Poor Year for Hay and Corn Harvests in 1936 : Harvested only seven loads of hay, mostly foxtails, because of hot, dry weather. Horse-drawn mower had sickle bar and dump rake, but anything mowed slid right through dump rake. Hay and corn harvest just enough for survival of 12 to 15 cattle.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
16:40
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Soil Supplements Used by Brusveens : Manure applied to corn ground only. No commercial fertilizer until 1940's. Sweet clover sometimes used as green manure. Lime not necessary.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
18:30
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Description of Farmhouse : Center section built long ago, of logs. South section added in 1915. North end built on in 1944 to replace old kitchen with wood floor and open rafters.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
21:00
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Howard Brusveen Family Lives in South Section of Farmhouse from 1942 to 1970 : Moved into rest of house after parents died. Description of living in south section during the 1940's. Kitchen range bought from Henry Hoesly Hardware in New Glarus for no money down and no set terms. Farm operation shared by Howard (40 percent) and father (60 percent).
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
23:50
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Description of Barn and Silo during Early Years : Barn's first section only 20 feet long, enough for five or six cattle. First addition built around 1917; 26 feet added in 1921. Silo constructed of wood staves. More spacious roof built by Brusveens when silo full so they could stand inside and work. Silo collapsed during windstorm in 1960's.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
25:50
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End of Tape 1, Side 2
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3/24/81
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
00:30
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More on the Silo : Built in 1915-1916. Father decided to change and build “hip” roof in 1946. Roof's design described. Anecdote about putting up silo pipes.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
03:35
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Milkhouse Built Adjacent to Barn in Early 1930's : Former milk cooling method was to pump water over ten-gallon milk cans. Swiss cheese production required better cooling and milkhouse. First cooler was cold water in a pipe system over which milk poured. Electric bulk cooler bought in early 1960's.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
06:10
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Windmill Supplies Water from 1917 to the Present : Originally built about 1917 in bottomland for cattle water; moved to present location on upland in 1927. Family members and neighbors laid pipes by hand from well to farm buildings. No leak in system until 1977.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
08:55
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Blacksmith Shop Built South of House in 1916 : Built by father, Bennett Paulson and Benhard Brusveen. Part of building made into auto garage. First Ford Model T bought in 1926; father bought Model T touring car in 1929 and converted to truck to haul milk and grain.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
11:05
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Hog House Built South of Barn in 1939-1940 : Logs cut on the farm hauled in wagon to sawmill in Postville. Well-built building held five brood sows; lean-to in back used as tractor shed.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
13:30
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Chicken House North of House : Built before Brusveen born; still stands on farm.
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Tape/Side
14:50
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Cornerstone on Southwest Corner of Barn Laid by Maternal Grandfather in 1921 : Was stonemason all his life. Paternal grandfather, a blacksmith, also a good woodsman, grubbed prairies and cleared land west of New Glarus.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
16:20
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Grandparents All Came from Norway : Mother's parents, Thorston and Ingeborg (Ellefsrud) Ragnhildrud, brought her to the United States in 1884. Earned living by farming, stonework and bridge construction. Father's parents, Haldor and Marit (Venden) Brusveen, brought him to the United States in 1885. Earned living by blacksmithing, clearing timber and some farming.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
20:35
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Specific Location of Brusveen Farm : Straddles York Center Road in middle of Section 11, Town of York, Green County. Parents earlier owned 26-acre farm straddling present State Highway 39 at Drummond Valley in Section 6. Before buying that farm, had worked on the 60-acre Venden farm now bisected by 39 just north of Highway 78 in Section 5.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
22:15
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End of Tape 2, Side 1
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
00:30
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Brusveen Baptized, Confirmed, Married at York Center Lutheran Free Church : Old church located southeast of York Memorial Lutheran Church which is at junction of Highways 39 and 78. Was torn down and replaced during congregation's centennial celebration in 1955. Discusses membership schism in late 1800's. Brusveen has served church in different capacities.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
2/2 03:55
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Leaves School after Eighth Grade to Help on Farm : Father 54 years old at the time; Howard felt obligated to help.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
04:40
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Begins Full-Time Carpentering in 1950 : By 1949, farm could not support both families. Brusveen sold share of cattle to work with Olin Nelson. One of a crew of five that built barns and homes. after Nelson died in early 1950's, worked with Bernie Barr, Arthur Juve and Orvin Phillipson to build homes and barns, install barn cleaners, etc.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
07:15
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Father Rents Out Farmland in Late 1950's : Decided farm becoming unprofitable, so rented to neighbors. Howard disturbed because land cropped and nothing returned to soil.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
08:40
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Howard Brusveen Buys Farm in 1959-1960 : Money borrowed from local source and Federal Land Bank for land contract purchase. Paid $100 per acre. Laid out upland on contours and strips. Also rented about 20 acres from nearby 40-acre farm.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
11:10
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Interview Interrupted by Arrival of Visitor
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
11:15
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Tape-Recorded Interview Resumes after Visitor Leaves
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
11:20
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Gets Clear Title to Farm by 1966 : Bought out interests of parents, brother, sisters; converted all debts to Federal Land Bank. Bought almost all used equipment, through Bank of New Glarus. Savings in Bank of New Glarus was basis of credit.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
12:40
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Makes Own Farm Repairs : Bought welder; worked in shop adjoining garage. Had no repairs made in town; left good working equipment when he quit farming.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
14:00
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Resumes Basic Corn, Oats, Hay Crop Rotation after Contouring : Contouring consolidated upland 41 acres into 77-foot wide strips running from one property line to the other. Tried to keep at least half in hay.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
17:15
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Seed Information from Old Neighbors in Early Years : Criteria for hay seed choice were thriftiness in summer and survival in winter. Corn seed came from best ears in field; dried in attic of house.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
19:20
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Corn Planting Done with Hand Planter until 1946 : Plant marker marked three rows at a time; could plant five or six acres a day with two hand planters. Still uses one planter for garden sweet corn.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
21:05
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Begins Using Hybrid Corn Seed in Late 1930's : Impressed with Alvin Paulson's results after he won bushel of hybrid seed in mid-1930's. Improved drought resistance; higher yield. Open-pollinated varieties used before hybrids were Golden Glow and another variety. [Brusveen recalled the hybrid's name, Yellow Murdock, in an unrecorded discussion on July 7, 1981.]
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
22:50
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Use of Commercial Fertilizers Begun in 1938 : Very little used at first, for corn. Each year, gradually increased amounts. Never keen on commercial fertilizer; now convinced of its overuse.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
24:05
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Pasture Land Used until 1977 : About 40 acres, open wooded; could not go in with implements so pastured cattle there. About nine acres in bottomland plowed under and reseeded occasionally.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
25:15
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Pastures and Water Supply Both Improved by Contouring : Well on hill was critically low by 1959. after contouring, water held on hill instead of running down valley. Galvanized steel pipes laid in 1927 now need replacing, especially under barnyard; water level itself not reason for improvement.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
27:05
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End of Tape 2, Side 2
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
00:30
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Brusveen Grows Oats during Entire Farm Tenure
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
01:15
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Hogs Raised until Early 1950's : Breeds included Duroc Jersey, Spotted Poland China, Belted, Land Race. Land Race lean but difficult to raise to 220 pounds. Hogs and chickens gone after early 1950's, after which grains fed to dairy cattle.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
03:30
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Chickens Raised until Early 1950's : Kept from 100 to 125 chickens per year; kinds included White Rock, Plymouth Rock, White Leghorn, Brown Leghorn, Bantees. in early years, eggs brought important income to buy boots, clothes, groceries.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
05:35
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Work Horses : Heavy-footed Clydesdales great work horses. Mares bred for colts in addition to field work. Colts sold; not needed on farm. Description of various wagons pulled by horses.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
07:40
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Rocks Picked from Fields Every Season : In early days, rocks picked, piled, unpiled, hauled to crusher, crushed for lime; lime hauled to and spread on fields.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
08:50
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Every Farmer Owns Surrey Before Model T's Arrive : Description of surrey. First area Model T Ford bought by Bennett Paulson. Brusveen given first ride to York Center Cheese Factory and back.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
10:30
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Plows Seven to Eight Inches Deep Using Horse Power : Farm soil shallow loose soil over deep red clay. if plowed too deep, moldboard would not scour. First had walking plow, later obtained David Bradley riding plow which was used until first tractor purchased.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
13:20
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Buys Tractor from Erb Implement Company, Inc. in New Glarus : Tractor, unlike horses, did not eat anything when unused. Had steel lugs and mounted 16-inch plow. Bought corn cultivator and corn planter in 1946-1947; worked for neighbors for extra income. [Also see Tape 1, Side 1, 25:10.]
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
15:25
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Other Tractors Obtained : Sold Allis-Chalmers B to George Lewis of Forward. Bought McCormick H in 1946 from brother-in-law Ed Jorenby. Was first tractor in community with rubber tires. Dependable even in coldest weather; kept until 1977, by which time had also bought two McCormick Super C's.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
19:40
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Corn-Raising Implements Change from Horse-Drawn Cultivator, Planter and Binder to Tractor and Combine : In 1950's, father began to rent neighbors' combine for harvesting. Brusveen continued renting in 1960's. Combine covered 30 to 40 acres per season.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
21:25
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Buys First Grain Binder from Zumpker Brothers of New Glarus
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
21:55
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Buys Used Haybalers : Bought first at auction in Belleville, second from neighbor in exchange for pick-up truckload of corn plus $75. Brusveen fixed up both balers; probably still used in neighborhood. Service important in keeping good farm machinery.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
24:20
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End of Tape 3, Side 1
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
00:30
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Converts First Allis-Chalmers B Tractor to Rubber Tires Soon after Purchase : Four-inch lugs on gravel road would “just about shake the liver out of you.”
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
01:30
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Later Uses Grain Binder on Neighbors' Lands for Extra Income : Binder a McCormick with four levers; had to operate one or another constantly. Earlier-owned binder, also with no bundle carrier, was much heavier, requiring three horses to pull it. Anecdote about once shocking grain behind binder without rest as a storm was coming.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
05:10
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Shocks Corn Behind a Binder Also : Heavier and slower work; bundle carrier used behind binder eliminated need to run during shocking.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
07:45
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Other Equipment : Corn elevator bought as junk and rebuilt; also owned auger elevator. Corn picker owned during last six or seven years on farm.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
08:20
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Never Irrigates
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
08:30
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Begins to Use Commercial Fertilizers in 1940's : Used sparingly because expensive; also, felt it was a contaminant. Discusses similarity between fertilizers and nuclear fallout as contaminants to environment.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
12:25
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Brusveen Writes Often to State and National Government Representatives : Responses varied; has no respect for local politics. Believes should relate “Golden Rule” to political problems; international examples of its neglect discussed.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
14:35
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Uses Some Commercial Fertilizers and Pesticides in Later Years : Fertilizer use minimal before 1960. Insecticide use required after 1970 when Brusveen grew corn two consecutive years on bottomland. No major insect problems. Herbicides not used very much.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
17:25
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Noxious Weeds : Yellow rocket first seen in mid-1960's. Every year, family members all pulled out weeds after rains. Mustard also a problem; pulled twice a season from corn fields. Used scythe and corn knife in open, wooded pasture to cut thistles, a three-day job for whole family.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
21:00
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Family Members Work Both on and off Farm : After 1930, brother Thomas worked another farm a few years before becoming a barber in Monticello. Both sisters hired out to help support family. Howard worked farm at home; wife Avis helped with farm work after marriage. Howard a full-time farmer besides carpentering during later years.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
23:40
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End of Tape 3, Side 2
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
00:30
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Works at Both Farming and Construction : Even while full-time carpenter in 1950's, Brusveen did chores and field work when needed by father. Earlier in father's tenure, neighbors often worked together on their construction jobs.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
02:50
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Full-Time Farmer and Part-Time Builder after 1960 : Construction work included adding onto Sylvan Erickson's barn, installing barn cleaner in brother-in-law Byron Kittelson's barn. Had green chopper during last ten years, so collected and fed green chop forage before and after construction work most days. Green fed forage more effective than pasturing.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
05:05
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Brusveen Himself Does Most Work with Implements in the Field
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
06:55
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Brusveen Children Help on Farm Before Eventually Leaving : Steve, born in 1950, a good, conscientious farm worker but did not like milking. Now a fourth generation woodworker who lives in New Glarus and works in Madison. Betty, born in 1953, also helped on farm; later worked with deaf people.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
12:30
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Exchange Work with Neighbors : Worked well without formal record keeping until around 1970. Seasonal help not needed except back in days of cooperative harvesting work. Women made meals together. People enjoyed the company although outside work was hard and dirty. Cooperatively owned 22-36 McCormick International Harvester Tractor succeeded steam engine later.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
17:45
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Family Garden Furnishes Large Part of Food Supply : Father and children prepared garden; mother and Avis cared for it and canned. Garden hand hoed.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
18:40
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Neighborhood Butchering : Neighbors often butchered beef or hogs cooperatively on various farms during winter months. Describes goodness of home-canned meat.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
19:45
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Garden Care More Intensive Than Field Care : Plowed in spring and cared for with hand tools. Area was 40 feet by 60 feet. Shared sweet corn, planted around edge of field, with raccoons. Cultivated garden in early days with riding horse and one row cultivator. Later used two-horse cultivator with pin-break to avoid rock damage.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
23:50
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Farm Shifts to Emphasize Dairy Production in Early 1950's : Kept some chickens and brood sows until the mid-1950's. in 1946, sold eggs to Southern Wisconsin Produce for 74 cents a dozen. No higher in price today, which doesn't seem right.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
26:10
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Size of Dairy Herd Expands from 12 to 25 Head Between 1920's and 1970's : Included all ages. in 1920's and 1930's, no milk produced from December 1 until around March 15 each year. in later years, kept about 15 to 16 milkers at a time; cows freshened to keep milk flow even all year. Cream separated from first milk in spring and made into butter; stored at neighbor's springhouse all summer.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
28:40
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End of Tape 4, Side 1
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
00:00
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Introduction
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
00:30
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Stream on the Farm : Farm stream was deep enough for fishing. Anecdote about falling off bridge into water as child. Stream fell in size after well drilled.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
01:35
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Dairy Feeding Done Largely by Hand Through the Years : Before hay baled, loose hay in field put up into haycocks with dump rake. Cured for two or three days. Harpoon fork used to hoist hay to mows. Seven mows in barn; each held about 1,000 pounds of hay spread with a fork. Temperature probably at least 100 degrees in mow.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
04:30
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Feeds More Grain, Feed Supplements and Green Chop after Silo Collapses : Fed mostly concentrated grain rations and hay in winter. Fed hay and grain also in early years if silo froze up. if a dry year, fed shredded stalks combined with diluted molasses; enough to sustain dry cows through months.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
06:50
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Begins Buying Feed Supplements and Concentrates Periodically after Early 1940's : Some roughage not nutritious enough. Experimented after obtaining information from advertisements in farm papers.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
08:10
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Need for Supplements and Medications Increases after 1960 : Seemed to be more diseases among livestock than before Brusveen purchased farm.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
10:10
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Improves Grade Herd of Early Days to Purebred Standards : No paperwork kept. in 1930, got purebred calves from Roscoe Smith near Monroe for 4-H project; home improvement of herd begun at this time. by the 1960's, utilized artificial insemination from purebred bulls. Hogs were improved also.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
11:40
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Keeps Bull from Time to Time Before Artificial Breeding Becomes Reliable : Artificial breeding part of attempt after 1960 to build more productive herd and farm; began to haul 60 acres worth of hay from nearby rented land.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
13:00
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1936 as a Year of Summer Drought and Winter Deep Snows : Harvested only seven loads of hay instead of normal 30 to 40 loads. No land available to rent to obtain extra hay. Rain in September allowed harvest of foxtails and any other plants. Salvaged everything possible from fields. Winter had five weeks below zero degrees; couldn't get off the farm for over three weeks. No mail delivery was possible for two weeks.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
17:10
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In 1930's, Everyone Works Own Farm So Little Nearby Land to Rent : Brusveens and relative rented farm halfway to New Glarus for several years in early 1930's.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
18:45
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In 1960's, Brusveen Rents Land Wherever Possible : Used three tractors for convenience. Rented on halves of crop instead of renting for cash.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
19:35
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Health Prevents Desired Expansion of Farm to 120 Acres : Wanted to buy 40-acre farm to the northeast. at first, lost out to a higher bidder; later chances passed up because of developing problems with neck and shoulders.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
21:25
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Builds Up, But Never Registers, Holstein Herd : Herd was of registrable quality, however. Also had purebred hogs for breeding stock. Hog variety switched from time to time to follow market demand.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
22:55
|
Returns Crop and Animal By-Products to Land When Possible : Spread manure with tractor-drawn spreader from 1940's on. Piled manure until he had time to put it out on corn ground. Crop residues salvaged when useful for feed or put back in ground for humus.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
24:00
|
Hauls Milk to York Center Cheese Factory until 1967 : York Center factory remained in operation, but smaller farmers lost control when cheesemakers increased volume, relied on larger pro- ducers, and reduced quality of product. Next, sold milk to Pure Milk Products Association (PMPA). Considered PMPA satisfying to an extent, but overall, thought all cheese discriminated against farmers. Last two or three years, sold milk to Milwaukee Cheese Company in Monroe.
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|
Tape/Side
4/2
Time
26:15
|
Remains Grade B Milk Producer until Retirement : If health had permitted, would have updated barn and upgraded equipment to produce grade A. Felt, however, he was already producing milk under grade a standards.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
27:35
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End of Tape 4, Side 2
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4/9/81
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
00:00
|
Introduction
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|
Tape/Side
5/1
Time
00:30
|
Begins Mechanizing Dairy Operation in Mid-1940's : First milking machine, with two DeLaval units, bought in 1946. Before then, took a “long couple of hours” to milk 15 cows by hand. Mechanization allowed addition of a few head of cattle but required more care to maintain clean, bacteria-free equipment and standards. Converted from can storage to bulk tank in 1964. Never interested in installing a pipeline milking system.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
04:25
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Owner-Sampler Milk Testing : Kept track of breeding records but not milk weights. Owner-sampling just as good and honest as Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA). Describes possible ways to cheat if one so inclined. Decided it didn't help a farmer to emphasize production records, but to upgrade herd in both milk weights and butterfat. Learned owner-sampling procedure from another owner-sampler; bought own bottles and scale.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
08:00
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Hauls Milk for Family after 1930 : Took over hauling chore from brother; hauled milk in light wagon and both horses. at first had no filters or coolers so hauled twice a day; later obtained a milk cooler in which water flowed through pipes. Reduced milk hauling to once a day.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
10:20
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Brusveens' Milk Made Into Swiss Cheese : Required extra cleanliness of coolers from milk solids buildup. Quality of swiss cheese reduced after state regulated butterfat content. Cheesemaker used separate cheese kettle for milk with increased butterfat level to make cheese for farmer-patrons.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
12:25
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Condition of York Center Road to Cheese Factory from Farm : Was dirt or dirt and rocks until 1933; then graveled.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
12:50
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Possible Origin of Brusveen's Neck and Shoulder Problem : Possibly related to incident with milk hauling wagon at age 9 or 10. Fell out of milk wagon when horses bolted; landed on head on frozen rocky ground.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
13:25
|
Uses for Buggies and Wagons : Surrey for luxury riding; buggy for regular trips to Blanchardville and New Glarus. Hayrack wagon and heavy hauling “lumber” wagon used for other functions.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
16:30
|
Farm Trucks : First truck a home-converted Model T Ford in late 1920's. Next a V-8 Ford coupe bought and converted in 1943; traded for factory-built 1949 Ford pickup. Finally, traded for 1966 pickup, still used to haul wood for heating house in New Glarus.
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|
Tape/Side
5/1
Time
17:50
|
More on York Center Road Improvement : Blacktopped in 1933 and made freer of dust, although traffic may have increased as a shortcut between county highways. Road had already been relocated from factory to State Highway 39 in 1933. Formerly had run east to area of junction of County Trunk a and County Trunk J, then swung north to Highway 39. Anecdote about having to hand-shovel road from farm to Highway 39 during winter of 1936.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
21:45
|
Brusveens' Immediate Neighborhood : Close neighbors existed around work and joint ownership of machinery; “everyone was pretty much equal.” Good neighbors north of farm, but formed a separate crew. Always got help when needed it; not like that today.
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Tape/Side
5/1
Time
23:45
|
Farmhouse Changes Little after Kitchen Rebuilt in Early 1940's : Bathroom built in mid-1940's. Water heater installed in 1959.
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|
Tape/Side
5/1
Time
24:45
|
First Area Telephone Company, Farmer-Owned, Begins in 1916 : Father a member of cooperative which built and maintained own lines; serviced by United Telephone Company, which later became owner. First telephone in house still hangs on wall of den in New Glarus house.
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|
Tape/Side
5/1
Time
25:30
|
Electric Lights First Obtained in 1938 : Before that, lantern and aladdin lamps lighted house; kerosene lantern lighted barn.
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|
Tape/Side
5/1
Time
26:30
|
First Refrigerator Received as Wedding Present in 1942 : Crosley Shelvador, it still operates in basement at New Glarus home.
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|
Tape/Side
5/1
Time
27:20
|
First Freezer Obtained in Early 1950's : Used for garden produce and home butchered meat.
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|
Tape/Side
5/1
Time
28:10
|
End of Tape 5, Side 1
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|
Tape/Side
5/2
Time
00:00
|
Introduction
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|
Tape/Side
5/2
Time
00:30
|
Freezer Still Important for Preserving Garden Produce in New Glarus : Easier than canning, although Brusveen misses taste of good canned meat. Used to can 40 to 50 quarts of meat a year.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
02:05
|
First Electric Washing Machine Obtained in Late 1930's : Purchased just after electricity installed. Recalls first washing machine, operated by hand lever. First electric dryer obtained in mid-1960's.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
03:50
|
Brusveen Listens to Radio from Childhood On; Television Since 1954 : First radio in family an Atwater-Kent. in 1940, bought a Silvertone from Sears. Claims first item heard after once picking up radio from repairman was news of Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1948 bought one of the first table model AM/FM Philco radios. Whole family would hurry with evening chores in order to hear “The Lone Ranger”by 6:30 p.m. Bought television in 1954.
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|
Tape/Side
5/2
Time
06:40
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News Shows Important during World War Ii : Brusveen's brother served in France during the Battle of the Bulge and D-Day.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
08:20
|
Buys Television Because Nearly Everyone Else Has One : Bought a used Zenith from cousin Earl Erickson.
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|
Tape/Side
5/2
Time
09:20
|
Installs House Plumbing in 1945 : Plumbing installed with help from neighbors. Gravity-fed system brought water from well at top of hill. Heated bath water on stove range before electricity and hot water heaters.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
10:35
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Heats Both Farm Home and New Glarus Home with Wood : Less expensive. Good neighbors continue to permit access to cut wood on their property, in exchange for other help.
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|
Tape/Side
5/2
Time
12:15
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Takes Two Vacation Trips during Career : Went fishing in Canada for a week in 1946 with father-in-law and brother-in-law. in 1972, Brusveens went to Badlands and Black Hills for ten days while son Steve milked. Felt vacations would often lead to neglect of something on a dairy farm.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
14:15
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Spare Time Usually Devoted to Carpentering and Remodeling; Some Photography and Fishing : Started doing photography in 1959; used to fish for trout in local streams after evening work.
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|
Tape/Side
5/2
Time
15:40
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Family Goes to New Glarus Or Blanchardville Doctors for Health Care : In 1920's, mother hospitalized in Madison after nervous breakdown. Father had hearing problem and dizziness every morning for years. Brusveen had high blood pressure; arthritis now bothersome.
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Tape/Side
5/2
Time
17:55
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Neither Son Nor Daughter Interested in Financial Investment Necessary to Take Over Farm : Each spent year at Madison Area Technical College. Son a good farm operator but never cared for milking; opted for wood work. Daughter now a housewife; has worked with the deaf.
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|
Tape/Side
5/2
Time
19:40
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End of Tape 5, Side 2
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|
Tape/Side
6/1
Time
00:00
|
Introduction
|
|
Tape/Side
6/1
Time
00:40
|
Daughter Finds Financial Investment in Farming Too Great for the Return : She and husband started on a farm as hired hands, but wages not good enough. Husband began working for Monroe Cheese Corporation.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
01:55
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Down Payment from Sale of Farm in 1977 Helps Clear Loan with Federal Land Bank : Brusveen had borrowed to buy farm from father on land contract. Later, incorporated all loans and put them into Federal Land Bank. Used some of new owners' down payment to pay off Federal Land Bank in 1977. Farm sold in 1977 for $1,000 an acre; might be worth $1,200 an acre if a willing buyer existed today.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
04:25
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No Neighbor Farmers Offer to Purchase Brusveen Farm : Some interest but no money.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
04:55
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New Owners of Brusveen Farm Do Not Farm It : Charles Bauer and Charles Beckwith bought farm from Brusveen but put more of land into trees. Brusveen respects fact that land not being hurt and will be there again when needed.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
06:10
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Brusveen Believes Bigger, Expanding Farms the Wrong Trend : Large farms alter demand for farmland. with high per-acre prices, high farm loan interest rates, plus taxes and insurance, landowner becomes “a slave to either agriculture or the government.”
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
07:45
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Father Once Rents Out Farmland in Late 1950's
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
08:10
|
Brusveen Obtains Farm Knowledge Mainly by “School of Hard Knocks.” : Absorbed what he wanted to from Wisconsin Agriculturalist, Farm Journal, The Prairie Farmer. Received the Capital Times and the Blanchardville Blade regularly.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
09:55
|
Informed by Agriculture Programs on Radio and Television and Soil Conservation Service (Scs) : SCS helped him lay out contours. Also, joined Conservation League in 1950 and planted pine trees in a grove north of the house.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
11:50
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Enters Farming Discussions Mainly with Neighbors : Talked usually during exchange jobs or spare time.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
13:05
|
Little Contact with County Extension Agents : Absorbed what he wanted from a few publications. Only real contact with county agents was in youth when he and sister obtained 4-H purebred calves. Little connection with New Deal programs or Farmers Home Administration.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
14:15
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Assistance of SCS Support Programs : Discusses dairy parity prices; contrasts dairy farming with automobile manufacturing and relates the difference to political discrimination.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
17:10
|
Farm Operators Who Survive Will Be the Most Efficient, Not the Biggest
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
18:25
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Federal and State Election Results Benefit the Larger Operators and Owners, Not the Most Efficient : Federal government has often discriminated against farmers altogether. Local election results have not affected farmers much.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
20:35
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Since the 1930's, Brusveen Family Has Leaned Toward the Democratic Party in Elections : In later years, Brusveen saw no difference between Democratic and Republican parties; voted more for individuals advocating his beliefs. Persistent letter-writer on many subjects to representatives and public institutions. Discusses container disposal laws, American Heart Association opinions about dairy products and heart conditions, and the “farm surplus problem.”
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
25:15
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Belongs to the National Farmers' Organization (NFO) from Early 1960's Through Early 1970's : Tried through NFO to obtain the right to bargain for milk prices that cover the cost of production plus a reasonable profit margin. Indicates other farmers' organizations, like Farm Bureau or National Farmers' Union, profit from membership without offering such a program.
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Tape/Side
6/1
Time
27:25
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End of Tape 6, Side 1
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
00:00
|
Introduction
|
|
Tape/Side
6/2
Time
00:30
|
Participates in NFO Milk Holding Action in Mid-1960's : Leadership backed down after President Lyndon Johnson received permanent court injunction; Brusveen would have ignored the order. Individuals in an organization cannot be too effective unless they exert themselves.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
03:25
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Participation in Government Set-Aside Programs : Set aside an allocated percentage of his corn land. Program helped in some years, but no real effect in good years. In 1976, yield so poor that program had no effect.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
05:50
|
1976 as a Difficult Farming Year : Drought started in 1975 carried into summer of 1976. Following winter was very cold, yet robins and a blackbird stayed on farm year round. Ice storm in March knocked out area's power for nine days, with three inches of ice on telephone wires and trees breaking under strain. First milked by hand, then improvised milking unit using vacuum created by pickup truck
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
09:15
|
Gravity-Fed Water Supply and Windmill Function Well during Ice Storm of 1977
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|
Tape/Side
6/2
Time
10:25
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Brusveen Wants to Participate in Woodland Tax Program, But Needs All His Pasture Land
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
10:50
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Builds New House on West Edge of New Glarus : Zoning regulations restricted him from reserving an acre on farm for new home; couldn't get waste percolation test done. New Glarus location easier for water supply, grocery access and resale value. Move ended 61 years living in the farmhouse, most of the time in the south wing.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
13:20
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Daylight Savings Time Worthless to Farmers : Discusses disadvantages and advantages.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
15:05
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Holds Position of Property Tax Assessor in Town of York from 1950 to 1973 : Job got more difficult with increasing age and health problems. Also did soil sampling for Green County one fall in mid-1960's, as part of the county's soil sampling service to get mineral requirement data from the University of Wisconsin.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
17:05
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Has Belonged to Sons of Norway Since 1972; Member of Board of Directors for Several Years : Joined to get opportunity to speak Norwegian again. Sings in Norwegian church choir. Neighbors all spoke Norwegian to one another for many years. In early years whole community was Norwegian; first Norwegian neighbor moved out in 1942, and more left after 1960.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
20:40
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Change Among Neighborhood Farms in Town of York : Not nearly as much land utilized today; much of that poorly handled. Brusveen's contemporaries were good operators; fears that once his generation and the one after disappear, no one will be left to utilize land properly, especially if need rises again. New owners of Brusveen's farm leave over 99% of land idle compared to when he farmed it. Believes yearly growth of vegetation, however, can help build and preserve the topsoil.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
23:55
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Brusveen Learns from Schoolbook in 1920's That Japanese Farmers Contoured Their Farmland : In the United States, neither his family nor anyone else in community contoured until federal governmental programs began. Hard to understand why not.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
25:35
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Other Changes in Area's Agricultural Economy : Included transfers into beef and sheep operations and expansions of dairy operations. Little non-farm development.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
26:30
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Brusveen Works on Township Roads, Grading and Removing Snow, from Mid-1950's until Early 1960's : Recalls removing snow with Earl Erickson for a funeral in 1959. Job took from Thursday morning to Tuesday evening; had only about four hours' sleep and three meals, given by neighbors, during that time.
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Tape/Side
6/2
Time
28:10
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End of Tape 6, Side 2
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7/7/81
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
00:00
|
Introduction
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
00:30
|
Arrival at Pine Acres Farm, Formerly Owned by Brusveen Family and Now Owned by Bauer and Beckwith : Sounds include house wrens, car doors, and wind blowing against the microphone of the tape recorder.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
01:35
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Beginning of Farm Tour-Interview on Location at the 80-Acre Farm in Section 11, Town of York, Green County : Quick walk past flower garden and up ridge toward barn; high growth of bromegrass and chicory noted.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
02:15
|
Examination of Tractor Attachments Stored Outside Behind Barn : Home-made carrier for fencing materials and other items, and grapple fork for picking up loose hay both lay idle. Brusveen describes each.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
03:15
|
Entering the Upper Level of the Barn : Brusveen describes hay hoist system for loading hay into the mows. Lumber once salvaged from a building still stored. Sickle bar mower found. Corn bedding chopped by Brusveen still covers floors. Hay now stored in barn probably made up for Bauer and Beckwith on share basis.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
06:15
|
Walk Up the Ridge from the Barn Through a Barnyard Above It : Multiflora observed as farmyard hedging; planted by Brusveen to help keep cows in yard. Occasionally froze out though.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
07:10
|
Observing the Windmill : Brusveen describes it. Mechanism still connected but hasn't operated since new owners installed pressure system by the house. Windmill now vine-covered.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
07:55
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Continuing Up the Ridge Across Acreage Formerly Contour Stripped : Contour strips now grown over with bromegrass; few alfalfa plants remain. Strips were 76 to 78 feet wide alternating corn, oats and hay. Brusveen points out an old contour strip boundary.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
10:00
|
Anecdote About Accident Falling Into Badger Hole in 1975 : Tore arm from shoulder to elbow while haying. Badgers still quite active in the area.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
10:45
|
Accident Adds to Mobility Problem Which Eventually Forces Early Retirement : Would liked to have kept farm two or three more years to finish paying for it before giving it up.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
11:15
|
Nearing Crest of Ridge and Far End of Former Upland Cropland : Forty-one acres of cropland lay on this ridge of the farm.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
11:45
|
Standing on Crest of Ridge : Four corners of farm seen from crest. Brusveen discusses landmarks and farm layout; discusses some neighbors whose lands or buildings are visible from ridge. Talks about windmills; believes should return to them instead of over-reliance on electric pumps.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
15:20
|
Walking Down Ridge Aiming for Other Side of Farmstead : Discusses hauling manure up the ridge in bad winter weather. [Wind on microphone a problem here.]
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
15:50
|
Discussion of Advantage of Continual Undisturbed Growth of Grass on the Ridge : Plant materials allowed opportunity to decay; should help topsoil build back up a bit.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
16:00
|
Standing at Bottom of Former Upland Cropland, Northwest of Barn : Thick growth of crownvetch and birdsfoot trefoil observed in one contour strip; never planted by Brusveen but probably planted as contaminants with alfalfa. Discussion of weed seeds contaminating crop seed.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
16:40
|
Observing Burr Oak Grove West of Farmstead : Has been good source of building materials.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
16:50
|
Sampling Black Raspberries Growing Wild Along Field Road Just Above Barn : Oak grove next to road was open wooded pasture for cows; was hog grazing ground before that. Area is steepest part of farm.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
18:35
|
Examination of Steep Portion of Lane on West Side of Barn : Driving tractor here could be “hazardous to your health.” if tractor got stuck on way up, could fall back over 15-foot bank into pasture land. in the early 1950's, Brusveen and tractor fell backward while manure spreader attached.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
19:35
|
Examination of Old Silo Location : After silo collapsed, Brusveen compensated with concentrates and dry feed. Couldn't afford to erect new one. Wood stave silo kept silage well enough but would be hard to find today in the region.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
20:20
|
Examining Stanchion Level of Barn : Nothing changed since early 1970's. Brusveen rebuilt this part in 1960 with oak lumber from own grove, sawed by Robert Hanson west of Blanchardville. Manure shovel, barn scraper and straw fork still visible in barn. All stanchions still in place, but rusting a bit.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
21:25
|
Standing in Corn Crib Portion of Hog House : Tape recorder malfunction between barn and hog house necessitated farm power sources for remainder of interview.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
21:35
|
Hog House Corn Crib Swept Clean : One of the current farmhouse residents now sleeping in it.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
21:45
|
Anecdote About Dog Eating Mice during One Season's Cleaning of the Corn Crib : Mice escaping when cleaning operation reached bottom of crib. Little brown collie swallowed two to four dozen mice; then vomited them in the yard, just at dinner time.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
23:45
|
Interviewer Recapitulates Tour from Field Road and Silo to Hog House Because of Recorder Malfunction
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
24:30
|
More Comments on Hog House Structure
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
24:55
|
Viewing South End of Farm through Window on South Side of Hog House : Field just below hog house was “probably the best acre and a half in this part of the country.” Produced more feed than five acres of bottomland or ridge land. Rough hillside east of driveway was site of Brusveen's initiation with a walking plow. [See also Tape 1, Side 1, 14:30.] One of farmhouse residents seen gardening in bottomland.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
26:50
|
Interview Continues in Garage : Tour proceeded from hog house/granary to chicken house. Date carved in stone of chicken house wall indicates 1915, but Brusveen believes structure built before that. Scrap iron lying beside chicken house salvaged from dairy processing plant in Monticello; intended to be used for repairs and equipment construction. Tour moves to root cellar just north of farmhouse.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/1
Time
28:20
|
End of Tape 7, Side 1, Part 1
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
00:00
|
Introduction
|
|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
00:35
|
Discussion of Root Cellar : Dug out of hillside. Used to store potatoes and vegetables in winter. Used also as a storm cellar in summer; threat of big storms coming up valley from southwest.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
02:00
|
Discussion of Back Yard Area : Old summer kitchen, now a shed, separate from house; still has Brusveen's mother's stencil decoration inside.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
02:35
|
Discussion of Farm Blacksmith Shop Located Next to Garage : Old iron and materials cleaned out; portion of forge remains. Some woodworking power tools formerly housed in shop taken to New Glarus home.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
04:20
|
Viewing Southeast Area of Lawn and Farm from Blacksmith Shop Doorway : Lawn area just outside shop kept as croquet court; farm neighbors came for night games which had severe ground rules. Games could go until 3 or 4 a.m. Closer examination of stony area, uncropped lowland, and formerly cropped bottomland.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
07:20
|
No Farming Relatives Remain in the Area : Neighbors were all relatives of Brusveen from time he was born until early 1960's. at least 7 out of 10 or 11 nearby farms owned by relatives at one time. No old neighbors remain in 1981. Only one relative, a third cousin, still farms in the 6- to 7-mile-long valley of York Center Road.
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|
Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
09:40
|
Brusveen Knows Only a Few of the Neighborhood Farmers Today : Met some who moved in during his later farming years. Clifford Rear, a son-in-law of Oscar Vamstad, took over Vamstad family farm of about 240 acres southwest of Brusveen farm.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
10:35
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Interview Continues after Water Break : Day of interview is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside; interview continues in shade of blacksmith shop.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
11:05
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Sale of Farm Helps Pay for New Home in New Glarus : Believes the agricultural land should be preserved but wouldn't have minded if new owner had built houses on the non-agricultural land.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
12:05
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What Brusveen Might Have Done Had the Opportunities Been There : Would have expanded operation within the 81-acre farm to make it more prosperous; would have improved equipment storage facilities. Getting rich, though, wouldn't have brought more happiness.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
12:35
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Satisfied with Life and Operation of the Farm
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
12:45
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Discussion of Farming as a Way of Life Versus Farming as a Business : Government hasn't made effort to preserve family farm. Nationally, the United States has reached dangerously low level of skilled agriculturalists with “down-to-earth experience.” Modern equipment alone won't sustain agriculture. Wishes farming could remain a way of life but feels too many elements of big business are invading.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
15:40
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Farm Incorporation : Believes wisdom of family decision to incorporate farm depends on financial situation and whether farm being passed to younger family members. Government actions also affect such decisions.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
17:15
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Government Support of Agriculture and of Other Industries : Discusses President Ronald Reagan's recent decision to cut dairy price support level to 70% of parity. Questions why agriculture shouldn't have parity as one looks at oil and automobile industries; why an automobile sells for $10,000 with full sales lots and gas costs $1.25 per gallon.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
19:15
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Opinion That People Living on Bauer-Beckwith Land Today Will Live Well on It as Long as Their Outside Business Holds Up
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
19:35
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Pine Trees : Trees planted over the years while member of Green County Conservation League; planted thousands by hand.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
20:20
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Major Factors Leading to Success of Brusveen's Farm Operation : Had to be conservative by doing most work himself and buying only what he needed.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
20:50
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Why Brusveen Bought Farm in 1960 Instead of Working in Construction : Felt it was his life to live on the farm. if had the chance to start all over, would have been other things of interest, but he probably would have farmed. Believes that farming has challenges, but “there isn't a greater place to live in the world than out on a farm.”
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
22:35
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Anecdote About Cow Bought for Top Price in Early 1960's That Had to Be Marketed Again Within Three Days : Cow very sick; sellers had doctored her up for the auction. Sickness showed up the next day. Brusveen got only 10 percent return on what he paid for the cow; no choice but to absorb the loss.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
24:05
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Anecdote About Cow Close to Freshening That Died Within a Few Hours Between Brusveen's Visits : Government “disgusting” because does not allow farmers to write off such a loss.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
25:05
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More on NFO : NFO farmers dumped milk in mid-1960's. Stopped after an injunction by President Lyndon Johnson, but Brusveen felt NFO should have continued. Brusveen dropped membership about three years before quitting farming but felt the organization's policies and goals were right.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
26:40
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Life More Difficult Today Than 25 or 30 Years Ago : A would-be farmer would have harder time starting without better finances now. Would go back to carpentering if not for specific health problem. “I'm just a helpless creature out at the end of the stick right now.”
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
27:15
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New Home in New Glarus as Compared with Old Farm Home : New home better insulated, but old one better sheltered on slope surrounded by pine trees.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
27:45
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More on New Home in New Glarus : New house, built for wife Avis, liked by both. Avis took care of Brusveen's parents for many years; also raised family just in south wing of house. Married 40 years.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
29:25
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Feelings About Interview; Nothing Else to Add : Probably will think of something later. Interview ended with provision that it may be continued later.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
30:00
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Huge Burr Oak Broken off during Ice Storm in Winter of 1976 : Burr oak, a foot in diameter, broken along with maples all along the valley. Bluebirds used to live in bird houses in the oak grove, then started disappearing; now reappearing.
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Tape/Side/Part
7/1/2
Time
31:30
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End of Interview
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