IMH 75:2 206-207

"Chronicles of Upper Burnet" (1)

1881

Monday, May 16th.

A nearly clear almost uncomfortably cool day. I harrowed
in the field below Hand's wheat finishing it about three o'clock,
then scratched down some burs weeds etc. on a patch just on
the house side of the oats. From 4.30 0 clock till night I plowed
on a land joining to, and below the one plowed May 3rd. Father
and Alvin were occupied in painting the fireplace room the
greater part of the day. Those roaming swine of Bed. O'Neal's
were in again this morning. Bill Dezearn came and got the harrow
after I began plowing. Alice and John Foster were here
a short time in the evening and got some sweet potato
plants I felt rather under the weather for awhile at night but
not seriously so. The old cow, Peg, has a rather small nearly
white heifer calf.

Teaching Notes: Milk cows can give around 3-5 gallon/day. It seems that they have
several all that must be milked by William's mother. That would explain the rather
continual number of neighbors that are regally stopping by for milk...sweet and sour. The
sour is likely the leftover cream that has been made into butter. The butter and egg money
provided a regular dependable source of income for the family