speed up the process. It is interesting to note that even the rain water was gathered in a barrel

placed under a drain pipe. This water was used to wash clothes in the era before running water was available.

Very little fertilizer was used on the crops. Instead, kelp and mussel mud gathered from the shore was used instead. It was time consuming to go to the shore to gather this product, but it was cheaper, and they did not have to worry about the cost, when money was not available to buy fertilizer.

Rags were not discarded. Instead they were saved to make mats to place over hard wood floors for warmth. The wool from the sheep, when spun into yarn, was used to make woolen socks, mittens and hats, sweaters and many other woolen garments.

Goose grease was used to rub on one’s chest when they were suffering from a cold. Even the feathers were saved and used to dust the furniture. They were particularly good to retrieve particles of dirt from comers.

Some women had a talent for sewing, and made all the clothes for their families. Some even made the mens suits. In the first place, they had no money to buy clothes, so they compromised and made their own.

As the saying goes, “Waste not want not”. This was so true when living on a farm forty years ago. Good food made everyone forget that hard times existed. With the absence of stress, we were truly blessed and led very happy lives. What more could we wish for!

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