MUSSEL MUD DIGGING In the spring of the year farmers used to haul a great deal of mud from to fertilize their land. The mud which contained a lot of oyster shells supplied lime and potash to the soil thus improving the crops. To-day mussel mud digging is unheard of as ground limestone and commercial fertilizers are available. The digger had a wooden frame-work, the top part of which was made in a "V" shape with a vertical capstan under the point of the "V". The fork for digging had a twenty-five foot stem with an iron bucket on it. Lifting the mud was done by attaching a heavy chain to the fork reeving it around the capstan. This was rotated by using a pole to which a horse was hitched. The horse walked slowly in a circle. In the spring of 1939 Parmenas Phillips and Major Sinclair lifted the last load of mud that was dug off for Jarvis Dalzell . THE MILLS Building of mills played a big part in the settling of the new land, which advanced steadily as the mills catered to the needs of the people. These needs comprised shelter, food and clothing. The saw mill provided the shelter, the grist mill, the food and the carding mill, the cloth¬ ing. Many of the mills provided all three services. In the spring when the water was high, the mills were run day and night, to catch up with the pile of logs awaiting them. The grist Mill was a busy place grinding the wheat into flour: oats into used good, old oatmeal, which was used for porridge and oatcakes which were a great favourite in those times and buckwheat into flour for pancakes. Grain for livestock was also crushed at the mills as grain crushers on the farm were unheard of . The fleeces from the sheep could be manufactured entirely at home. Washed, made into rolls, spun and woven into great webs of various kinds of cloth and blankets. The Carding Mill made rolls and batts. Much weaving was done in those days, the women were very skilful at this occupation and handled their looms quite cleverly. To-day many men, as well as women, are taking up weaving as a hobby. JAMIESON 'S MILLS In the 1820's William Jamieson (Squire) built, on the banks of the Barbara Weit River , New Annan , a saw mill, a grist mill and a cloth mill which were operated by water power. Here they put top quality men's suitings in different colours not home-spun which were sold throughout the Maritimes. It is believed some sixteen people were employed by Mr. Jamieson including house servants, in the different operations. Mr. Dalzell of New Annan , a great grandson of William Jamieson , says the saw mill had per- 35