Friends, please read the info below. If you can help answer the questions, please communicate privately and direct with Tyler and Ellen Waybright. They have been copied on this, so find their e-mail address above. Their questions follow:
We just bought an old farm in mathews
Did they grow these bulbs in rows? if so How often were the rows reworked/replanted?
Did the farmers use tractors and/or people to work the farms?
How were flowers harveted?
If they used tractors do you know what types or configurations were used?
How were they marketed/sold?
Thanks for your help!
Tyler and Ellen
Appreciatively,
Jaydee Atkins Ager
Executive Director
American Daffodil Society, Inc.
www.daffodilusa.org www.daffodilusastore.org www.daffseek.org
Tyler,
I’m an old country boy that has memories of the 1940s. Tractors were very primiative back in those days. You can see those tractors in what is know as historic tractor shows or museums. A Model John Deer’s, Olivers, Cub Farmall’s, etc.
Many farmers were still using horse/mule drawn farming equipment.
Many of the daffodils farmers grew their daffodils in rows and dug them with a plow that is sort of a modification of how potatoes were dug. Labor intensive work to pick up and preserve the bulbs.
In general, from what little reseach I have done on the old daffodil farms from the cut flower industry of years ago is that it was a labor intensive business. daffodils were hand picked in the bud, packaged and shipped to distributors that took them to various markets, usually by train.
Good luck on finding out more about farming in the 1940s in your local area.
Clay Higgins