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Archiver > HUNGARY > 2004-10 > 1097161924


From: "Roy Johnson" <>
Subject: RE: [HUNGARY-L] translation ! OFF TOPIC
Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 10:12:17 -0500
In-Reply-To: <84.35ab0523.2e96abc6@aol.com>


I had a fascinating exchange with a German who was raised on a farm in the
1930s-1950s as I was, and it was amazing how closely our experiences
coordinated. The horses in Germany were smaller, the harness was a little
different, and the wagons were differently constructed, with hooks for
benches to be used as conveyances for people, but otherwise, there was more
similarity than difference. No one locked their doors, we didn't even have
keys.



Our cows were fenced in but they usually knew to come to the barn even from
a distant field when it was time to milk them, which we did by hand (we
didn't have electricity until 1954). But we did have excellent stock dogs.
Not too far from us was "open range" country and the farmers there could
send their dogs to sort out their cows from the others and bring them home.
Some even said they could give their dogs the name of a particular cow, and
the dog would bring just that cow, but that may have been a tall tale. Our
stock dogs would go and get the cows if they didn't come when they should,
wherever they were, in sight or not. One of them would go after the cows as
soon as she heard the milk buckets rattle. We had to be careful not to
rattle them at the wrong time. Another dog would start the cows, take a
short cut to our spring and take a swim, then run ahead and wait for the
cows to pass, knowing that once started they would come most of the way on
their own, and then hurry them up a bit to get to the barn. (The cows would
have continued on their own, but taking their time and grazing along the
way.) Whoever said animals don't think for themselves?



Yes, we lived close to the land. The weather was of great concern. The
summer of 1954 was the hottest and driest on record. However, the farmers
never lost their sense of humor. Some said it was so hot and dry that the
Baptists (who baptize by immersion) were sprinkling, and the Methodists (who
baptize by sprinkling) were just using a damp cloth.



Farming everywhere was much the same in those days. But no more. The
corporate farmers in my childhood area are ruining the land, paying no
attention to erosion, just pouring on the fertilizer to get huge crops to
meet today's market demands. A real tragedy.



Roy Johnson



_____

From: [mailto:]
Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2004 9:25 AM
To: ;
Subject: Re: [HUNGARY-L] translation ! OFF TOPIC



Thanks Gerald, Joe and Roy for such an interesting exchange. Those of us
studying the Dobo(z) name learned something new and some who are studying
the 1956 Revolt have gained more insight.

The exchange also speaks of how important everyday living, close to the
land, was to our farmer forefathers; such as the acorn discussion. I have a
1907 letter to my grandmother from her father in which he relates how the
cows are doing. More recently a story came my way about how the village
keeper of pigs would let everyone's out of the gates and when they returned
home, they knew their owner's gate, where they lived, and all headed to
their individual homes. I have seen cows do this in Switzerland through the
aid of the bell tones around their necks, but never heard it about pigs.

I certainly don't have space to keep conversations on our list, but the
"translation" one is a keeper. Thanks to all of you, and my deepest sympathy
to you Gerald.

Marika


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