They knew they had to work hard to survive but retained a certain dignity in their attitude while doing this menial labor. I love Mrs. Bissie's genuine smile and her effort to fix her hair for the photo and also the youngest girl's defiant crossed arms just in case someone is looking for a fight. The closeness of all the family members comes through the picture.

I've got to start making my teenagers look at some of these Shorpy photos. Maybe then they won't whine so much when I tell them to empty the dishwasher.

I understand that the Eastern European laborers were frequently paid with brass checks bearing their initials and numbers representing the number of quarts or pecks that had been picked.

This golf course is now located on the site of the old Bottomley farm. I find this much less heartbreaking than seeing old buildings becoming decrepit or being torn down.