Agria 42. (Az Egri Múzeum Évkönyve - Annales Musei Agriensis, 2006)
Szűcs Judit: Élet és gazdálkodás Csongrád és Szentes határán, a Kis-Tisza-szigeten. (A Gólya-család példája)
Judit Szűcs Life and Farming on the Borders of Csongrád and Szentes, on Kis-Tisza Island (as exemplified by the Gólya Family) The natural islands, and those artificial ones created by the straightening of the River Tisza, including those on the edges of Szentes, provide a unique environment in which to make the most of what the floodplains can offer (woodland, reed beds, rushes, grass) and farming (grapes, fruit, cereal). While in earlier centuries several island-like features were created when the water level so dictated, after the straightening of the river, Kis-Tisza Island was the only natural island to survive. Two additional islands, Labodár and Zsup-sziget, were created by cutting off the Tisza's meanders. According to 19th century sources the floodplain woodland, the waterside (reeds, rushes and meadows) provided a living on Kis-Tisza Island. At the beginning of the 20th century, following the straightening of the river, the area was divided up, the higher-lying sandy territories being used for growing grapes, the lower-lying ones for corn and other crops, leaving the areas immediately next to the water for the woodland. The only person to live with his family on the natural island lying 5km from the town was Imre Gólya (1874-1946). Returning from the First World War his father chose that particular plot from 3-5 hold /1 hold = 0.57 hectares/ plots on offer. The entire island was divided up into 17 parts (1 part being 395 négyszögöl /1 négyszögöl = 13.57m 2 /) or 5 kishold (= 1200 négyszögöl) and 715 négyszögöl. He worked the land in the manner that was usual after the straightening of the river. Apart from the farmstead he tended vines and fruit trees on seven parts of land, and kept bees. The lower-lying territories he planted after the May floods. He didn't have to water the crops, as they got sufficient moisture from the rain and the dew. He didn't need to fertilize the areas affected by flooding, and he didn't need to spray the grapes or the fruit. His house (room, kitchen) stood on the mound at the top of the island, together with a shed, a fruit store, a pigsty, a stable and beehive. The mound and the flooring of the buildings he had to raise and fill every ten years to cope with the ever higher floods. They also kept a cow for their milk supply and for working in the fields. The whole family took part in the farming work and the sale of their produce. They maintained contacts with the tradesmen of the town and the primary scholl teachers. While the defence of the crops (the so-called holding) was carried out by the field warden; the transport between the island and the dam was provided by a common rowing boat and punt. 285
