PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND 51 
     
    
   
   
    
     the primitive reaping-hook, and the first potatoes dug with a hoe. Excellent mealy 
     
     potatoes they invariably were; and the wheat, ground by hand, between two stones, 
     
     and properly baked in the ashes on the earth, furnished bread of good quality. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The labors of our pioneers during winter were as toilsome as those of summer. 
     
     Timber was needed for the ships in course of construction on the banks of con- 
     
     venient harbors and rivers, as well as to furnish freight for the ships that sailed away 
     
     to the English markets. Lumber was required for the construction of a neighboring 
     
     mill, or to be sawn at the pits for use in. the erection of houses for the Government 
     
     officials and the menin trade, who came with money in their pockets. The supply 
     
     of these wants furnished ample employment throughout the months of frost and. 
     
     snow; and the land was, at the same time, relieved of its burden of forest. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     STANLEY BRIDGE 
     
    
   
   
    
     By the return of spring, our pioneer settlers, had in this way earned enough to 
     
     purchase, besides the absolutely necessary supply of tea, tobacco, and rum, a cow 
     
     or, perhaps,ahorse or a pair of oxen; and, for the shelter of these, a log barn was 
     
     added to the farm-steading. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Then the work of cutting down and clearing away the woods was continued, 
     
     and was not infrequently accompanied by great forest fires. Year after year, the 
     
     seed, in wheat and oats, barley and potatoes, and a little flax, was committed to the 
     
     ever-widening area brought by continuous labor under the dominion of the hoefiand 
     
     year after year the fertile soil yielded to the slow reaping-hook and hoe the grain and 
     
     potatoes required for the sustenance of those by whom it was tilled. 
     
    
   
   
    
     With equal pace the pioneer’s family and his stock of cattle, to which a few 
     
     sheep and pigs were " added—increased and 
     
     multiplied. There were ‘ no covered carriages in 
     
    
   
   
    
     those days. There were 
     
     any kind. But when the 
     
     go to the town, or the 
     
     strong, light poles, at- 
     
     on either side, to the 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     no wheeled vehicles of 
     
     pioneer farmer had to 
     
     mill, he took two long, 
     
     tached them as Shafts, 
     
     straw collar of his horse,