| THE NEW SETTLEMENT There was much work that needed to be done after the first Finnish families moved to Spencer. Most of the men were fairly skilled in construction, so improvements were soon seen in repaired houses and barns. The new buildings that went up were usually built without outside help. Children took it for granted that they had to help in all manner of farmwork. Electricity was not yet available in rural areas and few labor saving devices were in use, so there were countless tasks for boys and girls in the home, barns and fields. As a rule, the women were capable homemakers. They baked their own bread with whole wheat or rye flour added to the dough. “Pullaa” or Finnish coffee bread was made in large quantities. Rare was the household that did not offer even a casual visitor a cup of coffee and “pullaa”. During the winter months a few of the women worked in New York City as cooks for wealthy families to help out with the farm income. As girls in Finland they had learned to spin, weave, knit and sew. Woolen socks, mittens, caps and sweaters for the family were knitted during time that was free from the many tasks of the household, garden, dairy and poultry care. Most of the new arrivals became engaged in dairy and poultry farming, with the whole family pitching in to help. Crops of hay, oats, wheat, corn and buckwheat were harvested. The depleted soil was built up with fertilizers, lime and manure. One or more pigs, a winter’s supply of potatoes and vegetables, in addition to the dairy and poultry products, provided a healthy diet. Nearly all the farms had old apple orchards and pear trees that still bore fruit. Children were sent to pick the plentiful wild berries to be eaten fresh or canned for winter desserts. There was much to be learned concerning local farming methods and machinery. Crops such as field corn and buckwheat had not been raised in areas where most of the newcomers had lived before. New and different kinds of machinery were needed to plant and harvest the crops. Although most of the Finns came here with enough funds for a healthy down payment on a farm and even for some livestock and equipment, often unexpected expenses had to be met. Sometimes it was for more livestock than a farmer had anticipated as necessary just to make a living income. Loans from the bank as well as credit on purchases were needed by many of the newcomers until their farms became productive. Local businessmen were initially reluctant to give credit to the first of these foreign-born arrivals. After a few years the trustworthiness of the industrious Finns became evident and it was easier for those who came later to get loans and credit. Without this help it would have been even more difficult to get started. Mr. Charles Seely, for instance, helped many of the farmers by permitting them to buy feed, grain and seed at his mill on long-term credit. Mr. Henry Fisher even learned to pronounce and use many words in the Finnish language to the surprise of the customers at his general store. American born neighbors of the new residents were friendly and helpful and many lasting friendships were made. |