WORKING LANDSCAPES I

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First growth forests, streams and meadows provided a bountiful habitat for wildlife, First Nations communities and early settlers to this region.

Much of the land was turned to agriculture, and a patchwork of farm, field and forest alongside rivers and lakes has since provided for generations of growing population and local communities.

“A garden of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and an orchard of graceful trees, give a farm an attractiveness that it could not otherwise possess, and form the main beautifying feature of country scenes.” Farming. March 1896. Toronto, Canada

First Nations lived with the land and, practicing shifting agriculture, grew large fields of corn to support their communities. Early settlers cleared homesteads that in time grew into extensive farms. For many years wheat growing was the focus of most Ontario farmers.

Huron-Iroquois Village. C.W.Jeffreys, The Picture Gallery of Canadian History

By the 17th century, native populations had grown into larger communities. They were farming extensive corn fields to feed their numbers but remained migratory, moving on when fields became exhausted and natural resources thinned.

An early settler’s primary goal was to clear enough land to secure a first crop and build a shelter before the onset of winter. Land was granted on condition that, within 2 years, “improvements” were completed, which included fencing, clearing and the planting of 5 acres. Drinking water was abundant and obtained from streams or from wells dug to ground water often held close to the surface by the spongy forest floor.

Stong Farmstead, circa 1910. Black Creek Pioneer Village Archives.

Peter and Barbara Durst pose proudly with most of their 15 children in front of their first log house and their new frame house. 1874. Stratford-Perth Archives.

Generations worked the land and most primitive homesteads developed into established farms practicing
extensive cultivation.

“...they that are industrious can find by their labour to satisfy all their wants, as to eating, drinking and wearing apparel, ... they have a house, and land of their own, and plenty of fire to keep them warm... “ David Gibson, surveyor, York county, 1827.

Indicator Trees

Early settlers often appraised the fertility and quality of the land by the trees that grew upon it. Today, foresters still make use of the presence of so-called "indicator species" in assessing the qualities of the soil.

"Land upon which black and white Walnut, Chestnut, Hickory, and Basswood, grow, is esteemed the best on the continent. That which is covered with Maple, Beech, and Cherry, is reckoned as second rate. Those parts which produce Oak, Elm, and Ash, are esteemed excellent wheat-land, but inferior for all other agricultural purposes. Pine, Hemlock, and Cedar land is hardly worth accepting as a present ...." Circa 1824.

The Shade Tree

Often at least one big first growth tree was retained to provide shade for the farm house.

Woodman! Spare that tree!

'Twas my forefather's hand
That placed it near his cot;
There, woodman! let it stand --
Thy axe shall harm it not.

When but an idle boy,
I sought its grateful shade:
In all their gushing joy,
Here, too, my sisters play'd.

My mother kissed me here;
My father press'd my hand,
Forgive this foolish tear --
But let that old tree stand!"

 

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