Farm & Garden Program 4x-xx-xx

Summary

Podcast Summary: Farm & Garden Program 4x-xx-xx
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Release Date: March 19, 2025

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Introduction

In the April episode of Harold's Old Time Radio's "Farm & Garden Program," host Tom Evans brings listeners an engaging blend of agricultural insights, local market updates, and historical reflections, all interspersed with classic tunes from the Golden Age of Radio. This episode, released on March 19, 2025, provides a nostalgic journey back to the days when families gathered around the radio to stay informed and entertained.

Main Discussion

1. Boston Wholesale Trading Market

Timestamp: [01:36] – [02:04]

Tom Evans opens the episode by discussing the latest developments in the Boston Wholesale Trading Market. He highlights that while most produce prices remained moderate, there was a noticeable increase in the prices of specific vegetables such as beets, celery, endives, escarole, parsley, and radishes.

Tom Evans:
"Have you noticed, sir, that the price of radishes seems to be climbing?"
[01:57]

Bernard Hoskin, a prominent local farmer, admits limited knowledge of produce pricing, humorously stating his struggles with numbers and games like cribbage.

Bernard Hoskin:
"I don't know too much about them prices. I can't. Figures and I don't get along. I can't even play cribbage very good."
[01:57]

2. Insights from Bernard Hoskin’s Farm

Timestamp: [02:04] – [06:45]

The conversation shifts to Bernard Hoskin's expansive farming operations. Bernard proudly discusses his farm, which some consider the largest in Massachusetts, primarily focusing on cultivating radishes, parsley, escarole, and endives.

Tom Evans:
"You do raise a lot of radishes. And you have no idea."
[02:18]
Bernard Hoskin:
"Radishes, parsley, escarole, a couple of endives. Ever have an endive?"
[02:23]

Their dialogue reveals the uniqueness of their farming methods, including the innovative conversion of old trolley cars into carrot carriers, a testament to Bernard's ingenuity.

Bernard Hoskin:
"We have them trolley cars just plum full of carrots on the way down to Haymarket."
[06:45]

3. Conversion of Trolleys into Carrot Carriers

Bernard elaborates on repurposing vintage trolleys, originally designed for transporting passengers, into efficient carrot carriers. This creative reuse not only adds charm but also enhances the distribution process.

Tom Evans:
"The old trolleys that used to run with a wire I got them have now been converted into carrot carri by the Hoskin people."
[06:49]

Musical Interludes

Throughout the episode, classic Frank Sinatra tracks provide a nostalgic backdrop, enhancing the listening experience with timeless melodies.

Example:

Frank Sinatra – "Never Saw You Look Quite So Pretty Before"
[07:17] – [09:54]
The song captures the romantic essence of the times, aligning perfectly with the program's vintage theme.

Historical Reflections

1. Eli Whitney's Anniversary

Timestamp: [10:42] – [11:08]

Tom and Bernard acknowledge Eli Whitney's contribution to agriculture, celebrating the invention of the cotton gin on this day in 1794. They reflect on Whitney's impact on the industry and his vision for technological advancements in farming.

Bernard Hoskin:
"I understand that Eli Whitney is having a celebration today. He's. He invented the cotton gin."
[10:42]

2. Iwo Jima Flag Raising Anniversary

Timestamp: [11:08] – [11:22]

Additionally, Bernard commemorates the historic raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima in 1945, paying tribute to Reginald Marsh, a renowned artist and prominent farm owner.

Bernard Hoskin:
"I'd like to mention that on this day, friends, back in 1945, American flag was formally raised in Iwo Jima."
[11:08]

Fish Market News

Timestamp: [11:35] – [15:21]

The hosts transition to discuss the arrival of nine vessels at the Boston Fish Pier, bringing in a substantial 230,000 pounds of mixed ground fish. They highlight the resilience of the fishing fleet, noting the harsh conditions endured during winter months.

Tom Evans:
"We had nine vessels arrived at the Boston Fish Pier today."
[11:43]

Bernard adds details about the types of fish, including ocean perch, emphasizing the market's diversity and the hard work of the fishermen.

Bernard Hoskin:
"Some of the tough ones to get."
[15:14]

Conclusion

Timestamp: [14:30] – [15:38]

As the episode wraps up, Tom and Bernard reflect on the engaging morning, expressing hope for good weather and a productive day for farmers and gardeners alike. Bernard invites listeners to visit his impressive 5,000-acre carrot farm in Somerville, encouraging community engagement.

Bernard Hoskin:
"Somerville, stop in, say hi."
[15:26]

The episode concludes with light-hearted banter, leaving listeners with a sense of camaraderie and anticipation for future programs.

Tom Evans:
"Hope it's a nice day for everybody."
[14:41]

Notable Quotes

• Tom Evans:
  "Have you noticed, sir, that the price of radishes seems to be climbing?"
  [01:57]

• Bernard Hoskin:
  "We have them trolley cars just plum full of carrots on the way down to Haymarket."
  [06:45]

• Tom Evans:
  "The old trolleys that used to run with a wire I got them have now been converted into carrot carri by the Hoskin people."
  [06:49]

• Bernard Hoskin:
  "Somerville, stop in, say hi."
  [15:26]

Final Thoughts

This episode of "Farm & Garden Program" masterfully blends informative discussions on agriculture and market trends with historical anecdotes and classic music, offering a comprehensive and enjoyable experience for both longtime listeners and newcomers alike. Bernard Hoskin's insights into modern farming practices and his innovative approaches provide valuable perspectives, while the musical interludes and historical reflections add depth and nostalgia, embodying the essence of the Golden Age of Radio.

Transcript

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[Bernard Hoskin]

Well, here's young Tom Evans with the outstanding farm and garden show here on wcop.

[Tom Evans]

Happy Friday morning, everyone and welcome now to music and news on the farm and garden program.

[Bernard Hoskin]

You want to lead a band, do you?

[Tom Evans]

Getting our show underway this morning with news of interest to farmers. The Boston Wholesale Trading market. Boston wholesale produce trading was mostly moderate. Prices were higher on beets, celery, endives, escarole, parsley and radishes. Have you noticed, sir, that the price of radishes seems to be climbing?

[Bernard Hoskin]

I don't know too much about them prices. I can't. Figures and I don't get along. I can't even play cribbage very good. I can't.

[Tom Evans]

Isn't that odd? And yet you run one of the biggest farms, if not the biggest. Is it the biggest or one of the biggest in Massachusetts?

[Bernard Hoskin]

We like to think it's the biggest. We're told it's one of them.

[Tom Evans]

One of the biggest, yes, sir. Well, you do raise a lot of radishes. And you have no idea.

[Bernard Hoskin]

Radishes, parsley, escarole, a couple of endives. Ever have an endive?

[Tom Evans]

No. We've been reading about them now for several weeks. I never had one. I thought perhaps it was something you did in a swimming pool.

[Bernard Hoskin]

It is. Something like that. It's sort of water crest looking stuff.

[Tom Evans]

Well, that's enough for farming.

[Bernard Hoskin]

Throw the end of it right in the water. We'll have an endive.

[Tom Evans]

We'll have some music. We'll have some music on the farm and garden program, sir. And then we'll be back with the Boston Live Poultry Market news.

[Radio Announcer]

It's that's.

[Tom Evans]

Wide Awake music for early birds on the farm and garden program this morning here on Radio Boston, wcop.

[Bernard Hoskin]

That's the end of our show.

[Tom Evans]

Wasn't that. No, not quite. We have two more records to go yet. One of them. One of them is going to be.

[Bernard Hoskin]

It was, as a matter of fact, six minutes easy.

[Tom Evans]

I. I didn't introduce you this morning. I suppose I should, seeing as you've Been in and out of the show all morning long. That's Bernard Hoskin, the owner of the famous world renowned Bernard Hoskin carrot farm and endives. A 5,000 acre farm located in downtown Somerville and certainly one of the most. Davis Square to be exact. Right off Davis Square, that's where the house is. One of the most productive carrot farms I think the world has ever known. You control about two thirds. Is it?

[Bernard Hoskin]

What we do is we built one of them. See what it used to was. Was a parking lot by the. By the metropolitan district commission. Used to have big parking lot in one of them big skyscrapers. Was a place for cars. We just filled it in full of dirt and grew things.

[Tom Evans]

Carrots.

[Bernard Hoskin]

Yep.

[Tom Evans]

In 2/3 of the world's export, I believe. Or import. However those things work.

[Bernard Hoskin]

We have them trolley cars just plum full of carrots on the way down to Haymarket.

[Tom Evans]

That by the way is an interesting side light that not too many people know about. The old trolleys that used to run with a wire I got them have now been converted into carrot carri by the Hoskin people. And they. They're doing quite well. It sounds comical but it's. It's. Who'd ever. Who'd ever thought that funk that you have such a. Such a thing. Would you introduce this Next record please, Mr.

[Bernard Hoskin]

Rage mean by the Ray Child singer.

[Tom Evans]

That's one of my favorite.

[Radio Announcer]

In your Easter bonnet with all the thrills upon it. You'll be the grandest lady in these dark forever I'll be all in clover. And when they look you over I'll be the proudest fellow in on the avenue fifth avenue the photographers will snap us and you'll find that you're in the road of your eye at the start of your Easter vine. And of the girl I'm taking to the star.

[Frank Sinatra]

Never saw you look quite so pretty before. Never saw you dressed quite so lovely once more I could hardly wait to keep our date this lovely Easter morning. And my heart beat fast as I.

[Radio Announcer]

Came through the door pouring.

[Frank Sinatra]

Your easter.

[Radio Announcer]

Bonnet with all the frills upon it.

[Frank Sinatra]

You'd be the grandest lady Easter foray I'll be all in clover. And when they look you over I'll be the proudest fellow in Easter parade on the avenue avenue, avenue avenue avenue avenue. The photographers will snap my soul and you'll find that you're in the road of curburo. I could write a sonnet about your easter bonnet. And of the girl I'm taking to.

[Radio Announcer]

The Easter for a.

[Tom Evans]

It won't be Long now, Bernard, before we're hopping into our Easter finery and stepping out on Easter Sunday, I'm selling end dives frozen.

[Bernard Hoskin]

And women can attach them to their hats, put them on their bonnets for the day. You see, they'll hold up and they won't melt till about 2:00, we figure.

[Tom Evans]

Is that 2:00 in the afternoon? Yeah, I. I'm always.

[Bernard Hoskin]

I understand that Eli Whitney is having a celebration today. He's. He invented the cotton gin.

[Tom Evans]

That's right. On this date back in 1794, the.

[Bernard Hoskin]

Fellow who went down to Georgia and he. He says such a machine would be a great thing for the country.

[Tom Evans]

That's right. He was the first man to make good straight gin from Cotton King. Cotton King? I don't know. Well, anyway, Bernard Hoskin, will you take over for just a minute while I sneak over here and get this right.

[Bernard Hoskin]

I'd like to mention that on this day, friends, back in 1945, American flag was formally raised in Iwo Jima. Let's see. Reginald mash is 60 years old today. He's an outstanding. Well, he's an artist.

[Tom Evans]

He. Reginald Mar. Marsh, actually is one of the biggest farm. Farm owners in the country. You've probably heard of Marshland. That's true. It's all over. Well, what could I tell you? We.

[Bernard Hoskin]

I understand that some fish trawlers or something came in.

[Tom Evans]

We had nine vessels arrived at the Boston Fish Pier today.

[Bernard Hoskin]

You know, those things take a whale of a beating up north in the winter time. They sure do come back all covered with ice snow.

[Tom Evans]

They come back loaded with fish too, apparently. We have not.

[Bernard Hoskin]

No wonder they're heavy in the water.

[Tom Evans]

Well, here's Frank Sinatra with the Stars fell on Alabama.

[Frank Sinatra]

We lived our little drama. We kissed in a field of white. And stars fell on Alabama last night. I can't forget the glamour. Your eyes held a tender light. While stars fell on Alabama last night I never planned in my imagination a situation so heavenly. A fairyland where no one else could enter. And in the center just you and me. My heart beat like a hammer, my arms wound around you tight. And stars fell on Alabama last night we lived our drama. We kissed in a field of wine and stars fell on Alabama last night. I can't forget the glamour. Your eyes held a tender light and stars fractured. Bama. Last night I never planned in my imagination a situation so heavenly. A fairyland where no one else could enter. And in the center just you and me. My heart beat just like a hammer. Arms wound around you tight Wild stars fell on Alabama last night.

[Tom Evans]

Well, I declare, Bernard, I don't know where the time has gone.

[Bernard Hoskin]

Too much time left?

[Tom Evans]

No, but a minute, maybe, at the most. Yeah, we've had a lot of fun this morning. We've had some information on the farm and garden program.

[Bernard Hoskin]

Hope it's a nice day for everybody.

[Tom Evans]

It's a daily event on radio Boston WCOP 15 minutes before the Tom Evans show.

[Bernard Hoskin]

He's right, friends.

[Tom Evans]

And Bernard from time to time drops.

[Bernard Hoskin]

In, which is then 10 vessels arrived up in Gloucester. Now that you mentioned.

[Tom Evans]

Before we go, we best mention that 10 vessels did arrive at the Gloucester fish pier with230,000 pounds of mixed ground fish.

[Bernard Hoskin]

Three of them couldn't make it.

[Tom Evans]

This here ocean perk. Is that perk or perch? It should be perch.

[Bernard Hoskin]

That means perch.

[Tom Evans]

Ocean perch. Sold four to five Perky.

[Bernard Hoskin]

Some of the tough ones to get.

[Tom Evans]

I'll bet so. Well, we've had a lot of fun this morning, and we're going to say so.

[Bernard Hoskin]

The nets is what they do.

[Tom Evans]

Bernard Hoskin has been our special guest. He'll be back. Bernard of the Hoskin carrot farm. Anytime you're out Davis Square way in.

[Bernard Hoskin]

Somerville, stop in, say hi.

[Tom Evans]

All right, Bernard, any final parting words before we march out?

[Bernard Hoskin]

No. I think it's about time you woke up the drum major, though.

[Tom Evans]

Are you ready to go, Bernard?

[Bernard Hoskin]

Left foot forward.

[Tom Evans]

All right. Attention. Yep, there.