One of the best methods of learning the old way and becoming more self sustainable is to go to the source. This interesting book, How To Do Things, was published by Wilmer Atkinson Company out of Philadelphia, copyright 1919. It is composed of popular articles that appeared in The Farm Journal which began publication in 1877.
Here I can find helpful hints and how to make things we take for granted today, all supplied by the experts of the time. The index alone is 31 pages, everything from how to pick apples to creating an emergency wrench.
It is 572 pages, every one full of short, helpful hints. I can learn to make a tail tie for a cow, in fact, three different ways. I have instructions for various outdoor games and church or school entertainments, how to make a variety of coops or how to hang wall paper. There is a section on how to butcher and cure meats, recipes for crackers, cakes and chowders.
If I want to design or remodel a house, it's all right here!
Would we really use this information someday? You betcha!
This book is still available today on Amazon if anyone is interested. Good reading!
8 comments:
Definitely my kind of book, thanks Kathy
Really cool! I love books, and that looks enticing. :)
What a neat book. I'm sure it does have lots of info that could be used today.
What a great post!! We could learn a thing or two from a book like that!
I'm going to see if I can find a copy on Amazon. Cool book!
I LOVE that!! I always have my eyes open for old books.
You might like this link. http://tinyurl.com/44yld2e
It is is an old farm journal. It's not the first volume, but I think other volumes are listed on the side.
Google Books is my bestest buddy. I'm a huge reader, and a lover of old, old books.
If you aren't familiar, you can download old books in their entirety from Google Books. Just search a book, then go to the left column and choose 'free books' and it will usually leave you with mostly old, wonderful downloadable books.I prefer ink on paper, but I'll NEVER have as many in my real library as I have in my Google download library. WARNING: Could lead to many hours of lost time!
Also, here's another blog you might like:
http://agrariannation.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for the links! I'll check this out.
Your Farm Journal is the SAME ONE! Can you believe it, in it's original magazine form no less. Look how it show the Wilmer Atkinson, CO. That's the magazines that they used to make my book which is a compilation of those articles. Amazing. Thank you!
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