IMH 75:2 204 -205

"Chronicles of Upper Burnet" (1)

1881

Wednesday, May 11th.

I plowed all day on the "land" begun yesterday. (My day's
work generally last 8 or 9 hours.) It was still very warm and at
noon the thermometer said 88° in the shade. The fat horses
sweat and puffed profusely. Father drove the old Curtis sow,
which has been fattening ever since she ate her pigs. She
weighed 440 lbs, and for $4.50 per cwt. It was sundown when
Pap got back. Alvin was busy at one thing or another all day.
John Fowler finished plowing in his field to-day. I was down
there a few minutes and also a little while where the senior
and junior Donald Bains were trying to haul logs. The wind
blew in refreshing breezes from the south, big clouds floated
over but still it was very warm. A Benge was here again after
his milk or milks perhaps it would be more proper to say.

Teaching note: can you imagine driving a hog to the butcher down the road with only
a staff to direct it? That must have been a sight and one you will not see in today.. at least
in the United States. Math opportunity...the old Curtis hog brought how much? I figure $19.80.
A rather comprehensive listing of prices for various goods can be found here.