Tuesday, March 31, 1936

Cold north wind with little snow flurries-
Iliff came and trimmed up all the broken limbs* in orchard and piled the brush-
worked 6 1/2 hrs
I done all the chores and stewed prunes and used the remnants of the chicken for a pie and bisciuts
Finished the ironing this P.M.
Mother has been fine to day-

Peach tree pruning techniques Virginia Tech guide pg. 4*

*Like father like son. My father is quite skilled at pruning trees, fruit trees in particular. Looks like the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Pun intended. Based on this pruning guide from Virginia Tech, peach trees should not be pruned before February because is can "reduce their cold hardiness." So, it is a good thing this storm happened so late in winter. Hopefully the trees will recover quickly. (Above image is from page 4 of the Virginia Tech guide referenced.)

Saturday, March 28, 1936

plesant all day-
Cooked the rooster mopped the kitchen and done usual Saturday work-
Harry worked in yard and burned burdocks* and brush in peach orchard^-
Mother got nervous and Harry was going to take her for a ride and the car would not start-
Aunty & Harry went to brick house-

Burdock burrs*

*I remember when we lived for a few months with the family in Cato, NY in the fall of 1981. My younger sister, Heather, & I made Barbie furniture out of green burdock burrs. When the burrs are green they aren't as difficult to detach. We used them like you would Bristle Blocks. Apparently burdock, or arctium, are not native to North or South America, but were introduced by Europeans. Plus, they were an inspiration for the invention of Velcro (The Big Idea: How Business Innovators Get Great Ideas to Market by Steven D. Strauss). (Image from Cherry Gal.)

^It's interesting to me that there is a peach orchard. I don't believe Irene has baked anything with peaches yet. Maybe the fruit will show up later in the year at harvest time, for NY that would be late July through early September.