36 



U. OF N. H. AGRI. EXP. STATION [Bulletin 249 



INDIVIDUAL DESCRIPTIONS 



Some mention is made of a very few individual cases of roadside 

 market development, not necessarily because they are the only ones 

 in their class or even that they represent the largest sellers, but in 

 order to suggest concrete possibilities as evidenced by successful op- 

 erators. 



The first one is a rather unique community enterprise, the Sand- 

 wich Home Industries. This was first started in 1926. Sandwich is 

 a rather typical back country town, some twelve miles removed from 

 the disturbing influence of a locomotive whistle. In the days of a 

 self-sufficient agriculture she boasted her full quota of good"^ farmers 

 as well as her craftsmen who plied their trades of making baskets, 

 nails and other iron work, shoes, candles, homespun clotliing, quilts, 



linens, rugs, etc. The results of such 



handiwork of past generations are 

 sought diligently and constantly by 

 this modern generation, not alone for 

 their beauty but for their utility as 

 well. The lure of such a secluded 

 spot, nestled among the mountains of 

 the Sandwich Range between Squam 

 Lake and Chocorua, has also reached 

 afar and claimed its share of people 

 who, in respite from their usual city 

 routine, experience here a desirable 

 contrast for a summer vacation. A 

 proper appraisal, each of the others 

 problems, virtues, and responsibilities 

 has led to a most friendly spirit of co- 

 operation here until "summer board- 

 /5ANDV)1^H HOnE ImDU5TRIE5^1 ers" have tended to become perma- 



II- • — -^ nent residents and native townspeople 



to regard them as neighbors. And 

 out of this fine feeling has developed the Sandwich Home Industries. 

 The old crafts have been revived and new recruits trained; the old 

 looms and candle moulds have been rescued from their hiding places 

 and the fires have been rekindled in the forges — all to furnish supplies 

 of finished products; and finally a market "in a house by the side of 

 the road" has been organized as a matter of accommodation to both 

 buyers and sellers. Here several thousand dollars' worth of home-made 

 products are marketed annuallj^ in increasing amounts. Only the very 

 best that hand labor can perfect in both old and new is offered, for no 

 effort has been spared to place the project on a sound basis of well de- 

 veloped skill. Not only has the best local talent been exercised, but 

 trained specialists from the large cities and from the State University 

 have been used to perfect and criticize, particularly in meeting the de- 

 mand for the more modern types of hand work. Some of the major 

 products sold are braided, hooked, woven, husk, and Indian tied rugs; 

 woven bags, towels, runners, sofa i)illow tops, etc. ; sewed aprons, 

 dresses, pillows, pillow cases, etc.; baskets of all sizes and shapes for 

 which the material is pounded from brown ash ; knitted sweaters, socks. 



