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For the pioneers, wood was everywhere!

A newly cleared farm by Riverside, Upper Canada, 1791, with stumps left to rot for later removal and rough rail fences.
Credit: McIntyre/National Archives of Canada/C-1529

Before they could begin to farm, pioneers had to cut down many trees and remove the stumps so they could plant crops.

It was very hard work to clear the land, but the wood was useful in many ways.

How Pioneers Used Wood

log cabins Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum larger image	kitchen utensils wooden bowl, rolling pins Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum larger image	fences	barrels and pails Markham Museum and Historic Village larger image	furniture child's bed Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum larger image
yokes for oxen Markham Museum and Historic Village larger image	farming tools hay rake and pitch fork cradle scythe larger image larger image Markham Museum and Historic Village			toys checker game Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum larger image
mallet Markham Museum and Historic Village larger image	miller pail This is the pail the grist miller would use to take his fee of one tenth of the grain that he ground. Markham Museum and Historic Village larger image			grain shovel Markham Museum and Historic Village larger image

The Land Fed the Pioneers

Pioneer Farming Facts

	Sometimes a crop had to be planted before the land was completely cleared so seeds were planted around tree stumps and stones.
	The pioneers brought their own seeds for the first planting. They saved seeds of the best plants from their first crop to use the next year.
	They grew grains such as corn, wheat, rye and oats, as well as vegetables and fruits.
	Herbs such as thyme, sage and dill were grown in the garden.
	Pigs were common farm animals because they needed very little care and would eat almost anything!
	Oxen or horses were used to pull ploughs and wagons.
	Sheep were raised for their wool.
	Ducks and chickens might also be on a pioneer farm.

Do you think you could match farm animals with their uses? Click on the barn to try!

[HOME] [ Origins ] [ Settlements ] [ Aboriginal Peoples ] [ Land ] [ Water ] [ Village Life ]

Pioneer Life in Upper Canada La vie de pionnier dans le Haut-Canada

For the pioneers, wood was everywhere!

Before they could begin to farm, pioneers had to cut down many trees and remove the stumps so they could plant crops.

It was very hard work to clear the land, but the wood was useful in many ways.

How Pioneers Used Wood

The Land Fed the Pioneers

Pioneer Farming Facts

Sometimes a crop had to be planted before the land was completely cleared so seeds were planted around tree stumps and stones.

The pioneers brought their own seeds for the first planting. They saved seeds of the best plants from their first crop to use the next year.

They grew grains such as corn, wheat, rye and oats, as well as vegetables and fruits.

Herbs such as thyme, sage and dill were grown in the garden.

Pigs were common farm animals because they needed very little care and would eat almost anything!

Oxen or horses were used to pull ploughs and wagons.

Sheep were raised for their wool.

Ducks and chickens might also be on a pioneer farm.

Pioneer Life in Upper Canada

La vie de pionnier dans le Haut-Canada

The pioneers brought their own seeds for the first planting.
They saved seeds of the best plants from their first crop to use the next year.