Letter by Andrew Simpson MURRISON, written 1942

MURRISON, DUNCAN

Posted By: Pat Watt (email)
Date: 11/20/2010 at 22:04:46

LETTER
Written in 1942 by Andrew Simpson Murrison to his NZ cousin* Oswald “Colin” DUNCAN in New Zealand (*1st cousin once removed)

Printed Letterhead Paper - Desota & Plymouth with the cars crest either side.
Brooklyn, Iowa, July 13th 1942
Dear Cousin,
Your letter written June 15th was received today, Not bad time I thought was very glad to get it. You told me several things I wanted to know one was that your Aunt Christina was Allens Mother. I did not know which of the Girls was his Mother. I remember her quite distinctly when they left America. I don't know and can't find out what year they left the States. Was about 1874 to --[crossing out] don't know for sure. I knew your Father was born after leaving this Country. Allen has proven a very good correspondent & I do enjoy getting his Letters. Angus writes once and awhile but not often.

As for our Family I have a sister (widowed) 71 years old. A Brother 68 years old all living in Brooklyn. I the older was 76 last October. Have no Children. Brother Gordon has one Daughter who married a Dr and lives 800 miles from us. Sister had no Children so looks as if the Name will drop out. My brother says he don't think it will make much difference.

Your climate report sounds good as we have it colder here than you. (O today and at a time 30 below in Winter but not often. Have to feed Cattle for 4 Months every Winter. While farms vary as to size with us I would say 160 Acres would be average. Tell me about size of a N.Z. Farm. Don't know a Man in this part who milks 25 Cows. We can't hardly understand what kind of Soil you have that will take care of such excessive rainfall. We average about 36 & that amount when properly spread out will produce good Crops. We do nothing with Roots here aside from what is needed for Table use. Not very much Commercial feeds fed to Dairy Cows with us. A good cow will sell for $100.00 to $ 150.00. Hogs sell live weight at $14.50 per 100 at present. Butter fat 39 cents at Creamery. We pay 38 Cts for Butter. Eggs 28 Cts. Corn is selling for about 76cts per Bushell. Have not seen a field of Wheat this Season as its an uncertain Crop with us. Iowa is Hog Headquarters. 150 to 200 is not uncommon on an Iowa Farm.

So glad you enclosed a Map and will spend this Evening with it. Letter was Censored in NZ but nothing cut out. I wonder if they Censor ours to you. 26 days I think is the shortest time any Letters from you have reached us.

Wonder how you graze so many Cows. Are you able to lease adjoining land for that purpose or are your Farms of large Acreage. Allen for instance with 100 cows and no doubt your Stock besides would require large Acreage. Would take more than 160 Acres here for 100 cows. They figure 2 acres per Head with us. Allen sent me a NZ Farmer which I read from Cover to Cover. Shewed the Milking shed. So many had asked me is you milked without Shelter in that rainy Climate, now I know

Think your Father lives in the North Island. Are your Sisters there, or in the South Island, as I take it you are short on Railways. Think Angus was more impressed with our Transportation facilities than any other one thing in this Country, and they are 100%. What size town is Whakatane.

We only have 1500 people in Brooklyn. Takes about $100.00 a year for fuel for a five room house. And the same House Modern in every way will rent for $25.00 a Month cost possibly $4500.00 when built. Horses have advanced in price last 6 Months as Gas is likely to be rationed soon and Tires are at this time. We are practically out of Business for the present. Have 2 Mechanics in the shop and 2 1942 Cars (new) on hand and always a few used Cars. Farmers here are busy with the Oat Harvest and possibly 1/3 done cutting with a lot of hay to be cut yet. Cut Alfalfa 3 times most seasons. 1st cutting the best of the three. Corn just about Tasselling stage with good prospects for yield. Potatoes very good with prices high but none raised for Market with us. Use a lot of Lime on the Soil 2 Tons per Acre at a price on $2.25 per Ton spread on the ground.

Now I will quit for this time and rest assured I did appreciate your writing me and would ask that you don't wait 36 years in writing again. With very best wishes to all the Cousins and hope you are not asked to leave your family for the War.
from Your Cousin
A. S. Murrison
PS. Wish I could drop in for Sunday with you.