8 Food!

After asking some questions Theodore had learnt a bit more about the local circumstances.

Apparently, there was a vast variety of trees in the Nothern woods. Black spruce, White price, jack pine, eastern cottonwood, larch, lodgepole pine... Most trees are conifers, with needle leaves and cones. A few are broad-leaved species, like the Aspen, cottonwood and white birch.

Most important were the species of hickory and oak that grew around here. Hickory was one of the hardest available hardwoods. It was very practical to make sturdy wheels with this wood. Oak was a bit sparse, but it was a great addition to the available supply.

Since the first was very expansive they did not use any form of sustainable logging. Theodore had decided on the spot to correct this. As much as these vast expanses of the forest would be available for decades. It would still be better to have the cut trees replanted, for future use.

Because Trevor also frequently bought new supply he could also accurately tell about the business. there were many people logging in the forest. With winter approaching quickly, fewer and fewer people would go logging as snow could start to fall any day now. Once the snow would cover everything in a thick layer, it would be unwise to go to the forest. Not just because of the danger, but also because of logistic reasons. Having the logs transported to town would be almost impossible.

Barn also chipped in on that conversation. Apparently, now that the farmers had little to do, the oxen would be used to quickly transport the logs. When the oxen were not available, the logs would be cut on the spot and transported with a handcart. This was hard labour. Because of the requirement on strength, the average woodcutter was aged between fifteen and thirty. Only a few would be able to continue when they grew older.

The older woodcutters would be promoted to overseers. They would go out in the woods and mark the best trees and indicate how they should be cut down. Their experience would then train the next generation to do the same.

Because the wood was of good quality, merchants also bought some of it. Because of how much space they took on an average merchant ship, the total volume bought wasn't that much. He did learn that these logs would be turned into fancy furniture and sold with a hefty profit to nobles south of the river.

He also learned why wagons were not used to transport logs. They were simply too expensive. Making the suspension, spokes, wheels were very costly. So much so that sending them down the river with a ship might even be ten times cheaper. Because the river was often too far removed from the forestry, hand-drawn carts were the obvious solution. With just two wheels, no suspension and manual labour to move them they were very affordable in comparison. Another thing expensive was the harness that needed to be made to fit the horse or ox.

The oxen made it possible to ship large logs and therefore the expense of a harness was worth it. However, they were still attached to a modified hand cart. These would also frequently break down.

All in all, there was much to be improved in this sector. He couldn't quite start a factory and pump out wagons made by high precision machinery, but he could certainly find ways to improve the current situation.

Theodore could now also more or less ascertain what time-period he was in, compared to earth.

With suspension being available but expensive, he was likely in the 14th century or so.

WIthout rubber wheels and coiled metal springs, the carriage rocking on the road to Fivernely was easily explained. He would quickly introduce the metal springs, these would vastly improve the comfort of riding on any transport. His bottom was all in favour of this innovation!

As far as rubber went, the native plant did not grow here as far as he was aware of as, on earth, it only grows in rain forests. Not to mention, creating it would be far outside of the scope of his knowledge.

After saying their goodbyes they decided to go out to the farms. Since Theodore was up to speed with the logging industry, carpeting and smithing he was very interested in the state of agriculture. Since the yield was little, the time they could work the lands was only three months or so, it was a very important process to perfect.

If he could up the yield, he could improve the overall situation of Fivernely quickly. They would be less dependant on imports and would, therefore, profit more from their exports.

It would also make the city more attractive for people to settle in, as prices would be more affordable for staple food. With the amount of hunting going on, he feared it would not be sustainable for the long term if things stayed the same.

Farmers did invest in wagons. Since they had so much to transport, it was only a matter of course for them to own these expensive vehicles. They were longer than average, with only a flat, hard, wooden platform between the four wheels. It was far from comfortable to ride on, but it still beat walking!

Only the driver and one other could sit on the front seats. With Barn driving, it was a given that Theodore took the seat next to him. Mr Ferris, captain ward and his companion all sat in the back and could be heard grumbling about the uneven terrain and the discomfort they were put through.

Luckily they were all more or less used to it so the grumbling would only occur when the ground was particularly harsh to traverse.

As they left the city they quickly arrived at the farm fields.