Like all agricultural workers, Gardener John toils mightily from sunup to sundown in his garden. Lately he worked so hard hoeing and planting and weeding, he shed his overalls and shirt, deciding he could work just as well in his long johns and be more comfortable. Still, he worked up quite a sweat. So, like millions of other gardeners, farmers, and toiling outdoor workers before him, he learned that his union suit cooled him down in conjunction with a gentle breeze. 

While working he noticed that his bright red union suit kept birds, from crows to sparrows, away from his garden so he decided to spend an hour or two each day as a human scarecrow. 

Garderner John, Union Suit Fan
 and Part-time Scarecrow

Added June 19, 2019:
Clay of Saranac, NY emailed me a photo of a scarecrow with this comment...

"Chris, ole John better be careful standing out in the hot sun or like this scarecrow his red union suit will likely turn pink!  And, notice the crow at the bottom of the picture? Goes to show you that once your long underwear fades it's no longer conducive to keeping the varmints away!  ... Clay"

If I ever try this myself, Clay, I will take heed of your warning. After all, who wants a faded pink union suit?  ...Chris

And Seth of Bangor, Maine sent me this:

"Chris, here's a picture of a hen and a farm boy wearing a sweater over his union suit while washing his feet. Even chickens aren't chicken of this kid... Seth"

Ha! Thanks guys ... Chris

Union Suits - YesterYear

Sam of Duluth, MN sent me this copy of a postcard he had found in a box of letters while going through his deceased grandpa's attic. The card, featuring a man dressed in a well made "summer" union suit, was addressed to his grandpa from a clothing company located in Chicago, Illinois.

The ad agreed to send Sam's grandpa three "French Balbriggan Union Suits" for less than three dollars, COD with no delivery charges!  Apparently, this limited bargain was the "greatest value we have ever offered." Can you imagine the price of this long underwear compared to what we have to pay for union suits in this day and age?! 

Sam, a union suit wearer himself, told me his grandpa wore union suits year around but he doesn't know if he ever purchased these. Probably not since the reverse of the card required the recipient to print his name and address before mailing, and since Sam thought his grandpa wore only long sleeved union suits. He believes the postal date of this card may have been between 1915 and 1922. The date on the reverse side mailed to his grandpa was illegible. 

Thanks, Sam. This is very interesting and the price of that underwear is extraordinary. I had not run across any this inexpensive. The postcard itself may be worth some money to you as there are probably collectors that would pay to own it. Appreciate you taking the time to send... Chris