Hello Dear Readers! I’ve been shopping my little heart out at the thrift store, and I simply couldn’t believe my luck when I stumbled across this fascinating 1934 Department of Agriculture, Bulletin 1731 about everybody’s favorite grain, Alfalfa!
First of all, let me begin by saying that this precious bulletin has sustained serious water damage. Meaning only one thing. It was in the 1934 Flood of 1934.
By carefully perusing the pages, I was able to ascertain that the owners of Bulletin 1731 were United States farmers, Ma and Pa Ludd and their little boy, Sheldon and, from what I can tell, they were lucky to escape the 1934 Flood of 1934 with nothing but the shirts on their backs, the pants on their legs and the hairs on their arms.
And yet, somehow this courageous family managed to float through the house and, by kicking their feet at precisely the right coordinates, managed to rescue their most prized possession, Bulletin 1731.
This was not without a little bit of harm done to Ma Ludd. Shortly thereafter , her heart started acting up again and Pa had to take her to the doctor in Dusty City. Pa Ludd waited in the waiting room while Ma Ludd went in to have her heart checked out by Dr. Olcreepee.
“I think it’s still ticking, but let me just double check again.”
Anyway from what I could glean from reading between the lines of Bulletin 1731, Dr. Olcreepee decided to do some X-rays so he could get a better handle on the situation with Ma.
“Bulletin 1731?”
“Precisely.”
It seems Ma had inadvertently swallowed Bulletin 1731 in the confusion of the 1934 Flood of 1934. And of course, Dr. Olcreepee had no choice but to operate on Ma to removed Bulletin 1731 once and for all.
Shortly thereafter Ma Ludd and Bulletin 1731 were wheeled into the operating room but the only thing that was wheeled out — still in tact — was Bulletin 1731. It seems Ma had kicked the bucket as they liked to say in those days.
I know it’s a sad tale but there is some indication that Pa Ludd and Sheldon did get some money from the “death by swallowing government bulletins” insurance policy that Pa Ludd had the wherewithal to take out on his entire family.
And they all went on to lead long and happy lives. Except for Ma who continued being dead.
And there you have it, Dear Reader, a glimpse into the rich history of Bulletin 1731 and the 1934 Flood of 1934.
Be sure and check back tomorrow when we will turn to the first page of Bulletin 1731 and read all about everybody’s favorite grain, alfalfa!
Until next time . . . I love you