Farms at Williamsburg Va
Most Virginia planters raised livestock more for subsistence than profit. Domestic animals were allowed to range freely for significant portions of the year, kept away from valuable field crops by strong fences, hobbles, or pokes. Farmers provided their stock with what corn fodder, wheat straw, or root crops were available during the lean winter months and relied on spring vegetation to fatten them again. Most animals received little care when well and were given treatments more harmful than beneficial when ill.
Farms at Williamsburg Va
Most Virginia planters raised livestock more for subsistence than profit. Domestic animals were allowed to range freely for significant portions of the year, kept away from valuable field crops by strong fences, hobbles, or pokes. Farmers provided their stock with what corn fodder, wheat straw, or root crops were available during the lean winter months and relied on spring vegetation to fatten them again. Most animals received little care when well and were given treatments more harmful than beneficial when ill.