HORSELESS FARMING SHOWN THROUGH COURTESY OF FORD MOTOR CO Part 2
Description
The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “Who at some time has not envied the apparently happy life of the farmer.” Cattle grazing near farm building, stream. “Little Bill Todd the farmer’s boy is always happy.” Boy holding basket full of kittens. “But with increasing years and piled up chores a farmer’s life looks different to Bill.” Boy chopping kindling wood. “In order to make a bare living, his father keeps everybody on the jump.” Father giving orders. “Bill has been doing this since daylight.” Bill in field using horse-drawn plow. “Yet his father can’t understand why he has that tired feeling.” Bill sitting on plow petting dog, father approaching, sending Bill back to work. “Mother Todd who doesn’t know what the word REST means.” Father and mother talking. “Both man and beast welcome the dinner bell.” Mother ringing dinner bell - Bill in field unhitching horses - riding one, leading the other. “But before Bill can eat many little chores must first be done.” Mother talking with Bill. “Disgusted with farm drudgery he seeks new opportunities in the city.” Bill kissing his mother goodbye, climbing into buggy. “The big city -- the goal of the country boy.” Times Square, automobile, streetcar, pedestrian traffic - Bill with suitcase on busy street. “Meanwhile.” Father feeding pigs - mailman in car leaving mail - father reading letter. “They get the cheerful news he now has a better job -- learning how to make tractors.” Father handing letter to mother - foundry - several views of workers assembling tri-wheeled tractors - father and mother with letter - workers adding wheels, fenders, and other body parts - father and mother. “Bright and efficient, Bill goes as a demonstrator to an up-to-date farm.” Men arriving at farm in car - farmyard, tractor. “The farmer’s daughter enthusiastic over the new tractor proceeds to give a demonstration of her own.” Girl driving tri-wheeled tractor around in circles while others watch. “Under Bill’s experienced direction, the farm hands accomplish an incredible amount of work with little effort.” Various tractor-drawn implements being demonstrated in field. “This device enables the trailer to readily turn sharp corners.” Sliding hitch on bar around back end of tractor. “The cause of Bill’s frequent visits to the farm.” Bill and farmer’s daughter walking along behind tractor. “And the result.” Couple being married - couple leaving building, getting into car. “Modern methods appeal to Bill and with his savings he sends a present with the news that he will follow shortly with his bride.” Tractors being driven into railroad boxcar. “Returning from the village with the good news.” Father on horseback reading letter - mother and father examining tractor pamphlet. “A few days later.” Bill and wife in wagon being greeted by mother. “Mother takes then down to the field to surprise Father -- where Father surprises them with his ability with machinery.” Mother, Bill, and bride walking toward field - father driving tractor going around in circles. “If Bill feared that father would not take to his ‘new-fangled’ ideas, a glance at this picture is the answer.” Father working on tractor. “They no longer have to work eighteen hours a day to collect dividends from Mother Nature.” Father on tractor drawing farm implement - Bill pulling hay wagon with bride on top. [1917]
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