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