Life on a Rocky Farm Lucas C. Barger’s (1866–1939) eye for element with a folksy, anecdotal type to provide us a extraordinary and remarkable depiction of either the conventional methods of farm existence, and the demanding situations the farmers confronted because the instances replaced. formerly unpublished, Barger’s first-hand account of farm lifestyles close to ny urban starts within the overdue 19th century. Little had replaced for good over a century within the hilly and rugged terrain of Putnam Valley, the place Lucas grew up as a member of the 6th iteration of Barger farmers. yet because the 19th century gave strategy to the 20 th, industrialization and mechanization lowered the call for for farm exertions and farmers needed to get a hold of exchange how one can make money.

For decades, supplemental source of revenue got here from different potential reminiscent of beekeeping and utilizing the neighborhood woodland assets to supply railroad ties, send trees, and barrel hoops. prosperous summer time boarders from long island urban additionally supplied a few additional source of revenue, yet regardless of the fast distance, transportation remained exhausting, and inhabitants development didn't happen until eventually excessive advancements have been made within the 1930s.

Peter A. Rogerson’s transcription displays the flavour of Barger’s unique writing, as Barger himself acknowledged whilst he was once first trying to submit again in 1939, “I learn whatever alongside again, writer wrote, and he acknowledged, ‘Do no longer switch your style.’ He claimed the fashion used to be occasionally the simplest half. and that i wager that's what you're getting at. in case you can name my scribbling a method, and also you imagine it ‘odd’ use it any manner you're keen on. For my major intentions have been to jot down an odd book as I instructed you as soon as before.”

“Life on a Rocky Farm is a charming first-hand account of agricultural lifestyles in 19th and early 20th century Putnam County, big apple … Barger describes projects vividly and colorfully in his personal distinctive style.” — Historical Geography

“Happily, this meandering, idiosyncratic account provides … offering readers with a helpful narrative of Northeastern rural lifestyles in an period of decline.” — Hudson River Valley Review

“[The e-book] offers a few perception into longstanding folks customs within the Hudson Valley, however it is extra poignant for its experience of coming near near switch and loss.” — Agricultural History

“This publication explores the area of small-time farming earlier than the fashionable age. Lucas Barger takes the reader via all elements, from how you can elevate source of revenue, to what the jobs have been among women and men. every one bankruptcy has its specified concentration. it truly is an attractive examine a existence that's not around.” — San Francisco ebook Review

“Barger’s stories are a deal with and a treasure.” — Chronogram

“Life on a Rocky Farm bargains a glimpse into rural existence in a hilly, resource-poor portion of ny kingdom. where is remarkably just about ny urban, but there's little trace of urban impression felt there. terrible, backwoods way of life may possibly exist so as regards to the good city, for therefore lengthy, is fascinating in and of itself.” — John C. Hudson, writer of Chicago: A Geography of town and Its Region

Peter A. Rogerson is exclusive Professor of Geography on the college at Buffalo, kingdom collage of recent York. he's the writer of a number of books, together with Statistical tools for Geography: A Student’s Guide. He lives in Amherst, New York.