In terse, usually one line descriptions, the daily work of a male farmer on a mixed farm through the depression years are depicted. In addition to grain the couple raised both cattle and pigs; if there was also poultry this would presumably have been the purview of the woman and was not noted. Entries in a second hand are found at the back of the 1927 diary, primarily regarding quilting; and at the back of the 1939-1942 diary, noting household expenditures. At the end of 1929, the main author noted "Very poor year. Drought. Shortage of feed and water;" to which his partner appended, "All poor if you ask me???"