Up Before Five – the Family Farm

A humorous look at growing up on the family farm in Prince Edward County

by Terry Sprague, 2011

1,000 copies sold! Now out of print.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT “UP BEFORE FIVE”

“A story of farming life riddled with humour and characters from Prince Edward County. We tried to take our time, but we were glued to the book, and finished it, through much out-loud laughing and nodding of heads, over a few days. A wonderful read – witty with warm-hearted memories and an exceptional ability to describe events and people. Great job Terry! Please write another one!”   – Louisa and Bill, Pleasant Bay

“Your book arrived during a biography-reading phase of mine. Up Before Five found its way between Conrad Black’s A Matter of Principle and a biography of Queen Elizabeth II by Sally Bedell Smith, Elizabeth the Queen -The Life of a Modern Monarch, just started. So far, of the 3 books, yours has captivated me the most. You infuse your writing with yourself, and the stories about dancing with Cheryl and the lives of your pets will remain with me.” – Carol McNeil, Ancaster, Ontario.

“Sprague’s yarns are woven together with care, with chapters titled ‘Memories of SS #14’, ‘Alive To Tell About It’, and the exceptionally funny ‘The Herd’ where Sprague tries to describe the behaviours of the common 1960s milking cow (and the appropriate human response). ………and while each farmer was up with the sun, milking his own dairy herd, there was a good chance that later that day, he would be joining his fellow farmer in a field somewhere close by to lend a hand or just lend an ear. “   – Jason Parks, Picton Gazette

I just now finished reading “Up Before Five” The Family Farm. A great read my son. Thanks for writing it. It took me back to a lot of things I’d sort of pushed to the back of my mind. I’ll give your book some time, then read it again, and then, maybe again. A welcome addition to my county writers library.  – Jerry Foster, Picton

I thoroughly enjoyed your book, as I read, the memories flooded back, things I hadn’t thought about for years, suddenly I remembered them as if I was there. It is a very accurate account of life on a farm at that time. It would be a good read for young people today to give them a feel for how farming was back then compared to today’s large specialized farms.  Thanks, Terry for documenting this “slice of life” for all to enjoy.    – Morris Yarrow, Demorestville

Just wanted to drop you a note to let you know what pleasure I had in reading ” The Family Farm” which I won the bid for at the Kemptville College silent auction Oct 22. The tales almost mirrored perfectly my own life as a boy /teenager who lived and worked on farms near Ottawa in the 1940s/50s. We purchased our own farm in 1966 and it came with Massey 35 tractor and New Holland Baler which we used until the round baler came along in 1980. Our daughters often ask me why I waited until they were all gone to buy the round baler! Of course, you know the answer to that. We continued to operate the farm and I also worked off the farm until 2008 when we sold it to a neighbour who has five farms.We are fortunate to live in a nice home right next door. I especially am fond of the 1950s when there was lots of work to do as a teenager but at a pace where we still played ball or euchre at the neighbours in the evening. Your book is almost a carbon copy of our lifestyle in those days.  Thanks for writing this book.  – John Newman, Kemptville

Just a line to say how much I enjoyed your book. It certainly brought back memories as I am close to your age and grew up on a family farm too. Ours was much smaller, just 100 acres, and a little different focus — we took sweet corn and other vegetables to Belleville market, and had 350 laying hens. We canned the chickens after two years; Doug Crawford wrote about it in his book on the County canneries. Boy, I remember picking those tomatoes though. A great read, and a time that’s pretty much gone forever. Thanks for bringing it back…you have a great sense of humour. I like your column in the paper too. – Lynn Weber, Picton