21

shipwrecks. The reason for the great number of shipwrecks is two—feld. Firstly, the great number of treacherous reefs ex- tending out 2 1/2 miles. Secondly, the intensity of the cur- rents which come from the East, South and North.

East Point has long been an agricultural community. The land was formed by its first European settlers. In 1808/, the map shows eight farms. The 1880 map shows there are 17 farms are operating. These were small family farms. However, these farms later disappeared until today we have only three SH.D

1,440, DJ: Can/«51)

commercial farms at East Point. The early farms were—eempesed of horses, sheep, cows, pigs and(gfcropiof—vegetabl631 These farms were for the most part self—sufficient in food and energy. They were small by todays standards. Large families were an asset because of the need for labor in times of sowing, cult— ivating, and harvesting. The 1880 census reveals that many farmers in the East Point area hired servants.101 The farms in the East Point area were considered to include some of the fin-g est L3}: the Island.

The problems which the farmers faced because of ab— sentee landlords will be dealt with later. However those hard— ships encouraged the farmers to couoperate. When agriculture societies were formed, East Pointers were involved. Hon. lauchlan MacDonald served as President of the Cheese Board of Trade for P.E.I. He was Fresident of the East Point Farmer's .Institute. He was also secretary, cashier and managing director

102

cf the East Point Dairy Association. The last group operated