64 AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS 



sweet herbs, were not below his attention. As a considerable portion 

 of every farm was covered with forest trees of various kinds, the 

 owner was at no expense for fuel or for materials to be used in making 

 fences or in erecting ordinary buildings. 



In those times most of the trade of farmers was carried on by 

 barter. Eggs, butter, cheese, and smoked hams were taken by coun- 

 try storekeepers in exchange for groceries, dry goods, and notions. 

 Nearly every farmer went to the seashore once a year, and exchanged 

 apples, cider, potatoes, and garden vegetables for fish. The prod- 

 ucts of farm, garden, and orchard often paid the salary of the minis- 

 ter, the fees of the doctor, and the subscription price of the newspaper. 

 A thrifty farmer generally managed to have the skins of the animals 

 that he slaughtered at home tanned and dressed on shares, as by so 

 doing he obtained leather for making shoes and boots for his family 

 without the payment of money. Shoemakers, tailoresses, wheel- 

 rights, and pump-makers plied their arts on farms at the call of the 

 owners. 



Every farmhouse was then a manufactory, not of one kind of 

 goods, but of many. All day long in the chamber or att c the sound 

 of the spinning-wheel and loom could be heard. Carpets, shawls, bed- 

 spreads, table-covers, towels, and cloth for garments were made from 

 materials produced on the farm. The kitchen of the house was a 

 baker's shop, a confectioner's establishment, and a chemist's labora- 

 tory. Every kind of food for immediate use was prepared there daily ; 

 and on special occasions sausages, head cheese, pickles, apple butter, 

 and preserves were made. It was also the place where soap, candles, 

 and vinegar were manufactured. Agricultural implements were then 

 few and simple, and farmers made as many of them as they could. 

 There were no commercial dairy establishments, but every farmhouse 

 was a creamery and a cheese factory. As there were no sewing 

 machines, the farmer's wife and daughters had to ply the hand needle 

 most of the time when they were not engaged in more laborious pur- 

 suits. During the long evenings they generally knit socks and 

 mittens or made rag carpets. 



As has been stated, little money circulated among farmers. In 

 fact, but little was required, except to purchase schoolbooks and 

 other articles that could not be obtained by barter, and to pay the 

 taxes and postage. Some of the taxes, even, were not paid in money. 

 The highway tax was generally paid in labor, or rather in play. In 

 many cases farmers had their postage charged up to them till they 



