Back to Basics: How to Learn and Enjoy Traditional American Skills

Description

This Reader’s Digest “BACK TO BASICS” handy book is a how-to, user-friendly guide that teaches self-sufficiency covering all of life's essentials: shelter; alternative energy sources; growing and preserving food; home crafts; directions for making herbal remedies; and even home-grown entertainment. Part One Land: Buying It— Building on It 10 Buying Country Property 14 Planning Your Home 18 Preparing the Site 22 Converting Trees Into Lumber 26 Building a Log Cabin 36 Building With Adobe 42 Building a Stone House 48 Raising a Barn 54 Developing a Water Supply 58 Saunas and Hot Tubs 60 Sanitation 62 Fireplace Construction and Design 66 Stone Walls and Brick Pavements 70 Fences Part Two Energy FromWood, Water, Wind, and Sun 76 Making Your House Energy Efficient 82 Wood as a Fuel 86 Heating With Wood 94 Waterpower 104 Wind Power 110 Solar Energy 122 Other Energy Sources Part Three Raising Your Own Vegetables, Fruit, And Livestock 126 The Kitchen Garden 148 Gardening in Limited Space 151 Herb Gardens 154 Fruits and Nuts 168 Pest Control 172 Grains and Grasses 176 Beekeeping 180 Fish Farming 182 Raising Livestock Part Four Enjoying Your Harvest The Year Round 202 Preserving Produce 222 Preserving Meat and Fish 232 Making Your Own Dairy Products 242 Maple Sugaring 244 Homemade Beverages 252 Baking Bread 256 Regional Cooking 264 Cooking With Wood Part Five Skills and Crafts for House and Homestead 270 Natural Dyes 274 Spinning 278 Weaving 284 Hooked Rugs 286 Braided Rugs 288 Patchwork Quilting 294 Rope and Twine 296 Tanning and Leatherwork 302 Woodworking 332 Broommaking 334 Scrimshaw 336 Household Recipes 344 Metalworking 362 Stenciling 366 Flower Drying and Pressed Flowers 367 Gourd Craft 368 Soapmaking 372 Candlemaking 374 Basketry Part Six Recreation at Home And in the Wild 384 Old-time Good Times 390 Crafting a Mountain Dulcimer 392 Celebrating Holidays 398 Canoeing and Kayaking 406 Wilderness Camping 430 Outdoors in Winter 436 Fishing 442 Living With Nature Appendix 446 Organized Assistance: The Extension Service and Other Groups Picture Credits 448 Index 449