Rural Heritage Reading Room

Above: Rural Heritage August – September 2024 Cover: John Walker brings a wagonload of logs to the landing with his team of Belgians that had helped John cross haul load the logs moments before.

Vol 49, No 4
August – September 24

Rural Heritage is a bimonthly
journal in support of farming
and logging with draft horses,
mules, and oxen. The August/September 24 issue was mailed to subscribers on July 30, 2024. Below is this issue’s annotated Table of Contents, with a link to a full feature article to showcase the good reading delivered to your door every other month when you
Subscribe to Rural Heritage.

If, in your reading, you run across
a drafty word you don't recognize,
consult our online Draft Dictionary.

Table of Contents

Departments

Publishers Post

Joe vists Arthur Reist of Lancaster, Penn. to see his extensive collection of antiques from European pioneers. His many stories had Joe riveted.

J C Allen Archives

Vintage photos of rural life by renouned photographer JC Allen including photos of a pea viner in action, picking tomatoes, feeding cows, a boy and his team, picking blackberries, boys with chickens and ducks.

Rural Bookshelf: Profoundly Country

Rural Heritage reviews Dick Courteau’s collection of stories about his many pursuits and adventures over the years: “Profoundly Country: Memories and Meditations of an Old Farmer/Cowboy.”

The Hitches for Draught Horses

Rural Heritage Bookstore

Selections from our extensive catalog of books and videos
on draft animal farming, logging, self-sufficient living
and much more.

Associations and Breeders Directory

(contacts for breed registries and regional draft clubs)

Events Calendar

(frequently updated online)

Our Advertiser Directory

(please tell ‘em you saw it in Rural Heritage)

Features

Lumpy learning “Whoa” on the tether.

Donkey Training, Commands and Harness

Bob Erickson concludes his three-part donkey training series by going over a variety of commands – standing turn right and left, back, whoa stand, and more – as well has giving detailed descriptions and advice on harness

Donn Hewes training a horse to skid a log. photo Donn Hewes

Starting Skidding Logs − − − click on title to read this story in full.

Donn Hewes offers guidelines for beginning teamsters on how to haul logs. Teaching your draft animal to haul logs can be a great next step if you are doing well driving and/or your horse is dragging things.

Ginseng drawing by Jerry Hicks

Ginseng

Jerry Hicks recalls a time when he became interested in harvesting wild ginseng and then in cultivating this interesting plan.

A Hard Winter on the Plains: Horse Power on the Ice

Dick Courteau recounts the harsh winter of 1983-84 on the Great Plains when he turned to splitting firewood and selling it in order to make ends meet.

Two fields in Germany were fertilized the same day. The field in the background was treated with raw liquid manure (slurry). The field in the foreground was treated with pre-fermented slurry.

Regenerative Agriculture: Promise, Practice and Proof

Jenifer Morrissey discusses the direct link between plant health and human health – and strategies to grow the highest quality foods.

A 12-horse-hitch of spotted drafts at 2024 Horse Progress Days.

The Switzerland County Historical Museum displays a scale model of the Hewitt (Mormon) Hay Press.

2024 Horse Progress Days: Forecarts, Powercarts & More

Photos and descriptions of some of the equipment on display at Horse Progress Days, which took place in Gordonville, Penn., this year. Includes a vendor list.

The Hewitt Hay Press

A description of the Hewitt Hay Press and the Switzerland County (Ind.) Historical Society, which restored and demonstrates this press at the Thiebaud Farmstead outside of Vevay, Ind.

Ohio Suffolk Gathering

Ralph Rice reports on the recent Ohio Regional Suffolk Gathering and how such get-togethers can help further the people’s interest in draft animal farming.

Jake Rice with his mare and foal. His children, Keagan and Kinley enjoy the ride and some snacks.
Photo by Jennifer Nidy

Index of Past Issues of Rural Heritage

The Reading Room is updated with each new issue. If you wish to be notified by email when new contents are posted, please Contact Us. If you wish to receive Rural Heritage in your mailbox every other month, please Subscribe.

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