Some reminiscences tell us that furniture in the house was not the only item that was crude on the farm. Harness for the horses was also rough and cheap. Horse collars were made of plaited ruskes and sewn together with thongs. The britches was made of straw fashioned with thongs. This required watching as the cattle would gnaw this harness even if it was on the horses back. One man reported that he lost two sets in one winter. This no doubt was a time-consuming job so farmers were warned to learn from someone else's experience. Reins were made from horse hair knotted together. It is said they proved quite serviceable. Farm implements were just as crude as the harness, as plows were made with wooden mould boards, and harrows were constructed with wooden teeth. Another problem for the pioneer was the fire for cooking. As there were no matches, the coals in the fireplace were covered with ashes for the night. If the fire could not be enlivened in the morning, someone in the family would have to take a covered pot (fire bucket) and go to the neighbours for "fire-brand" or take some tinder that it might be ignited with flint and steel. Sometimes fires could be started by using a set of eye-glasses and holding them so they reflect¬ ed the sunlight over the tinder or punk. The woman of the pioneer home had to be extremely versatile to look after her family, as she taught the acceptable forms of society, or performed the duties of the doctor for the usual chil¬ dren's sicknesses. Home cures for colds included the not so long forgotten goose grease and tur¬ pentine, sulphur and molasses, mustard plasters, molasses and ginger or boiling water and cream of tartar. The 'best and first' store bought cure-all was called "Zam-Buk". Part of its claim reads thus: 'The different medicinal qualities of ZAM-BUK are beautifully balanced. The healing side with the antiseptic, the soothing with the germicidal; it is penetrative yet not too stimulating, and has just the right lubricity for removing superficial swellings sprains and pains' Spring Medicine was also a must in every household. The following recipe is written in a cook¬ book dated 1887, and uses the following ingredients: 1/4 lb. salts, 2 oz. cream tartar, 4 lemons and 1 quart boiling water. Pour boiling water over salts and cream of tartar. Stir until dissolved, then add lemon juice and bottle, and repeat. Gingerette is also recorded in this book and required the following: (Presumably this is an effervescent drink) 1 gal. water, 1 lb. sugar, 1/2 oz. ginger root, 1/4 oz. cream tartar, 2 sliced lemons. Boil ginger and lemons in part of water for 10 minutes, dissolve sugar and cream of tartar in cold water, mix all and add 1 gill yeast (1/2 cup). Let it ferment all night and bottle in the morning. Cosmetics were unheard of; however there were substitutes. Charcoal was suitable for eye make-up, but juice gave colour and 'sour' cream rubbed on the face before retiring at night would help maintain youthful skin. Oh, the smell to sleep with! Dyes could be used from leaves, ashes, buttercups or highly colored wall paper could give color, if any was left over after papering a room. "Soda Bread" of the Irish and "Bannock" of the Scotch, was considered first-rate food and girls were told that by eating this bread, beauty would be added to the skin, and the temper would be sweetened. Another very important discussion that took place around the kitchen table were plans for fam¬ ily weddings. Early weddings usually took place at the home of the bride, or if the couple were 476