Preparing for winter - Glimpses of the Past with Karen Webster
In our modern times, preparing for winter’s onset might go something like this: snow tires on, find the ice scraper, cover the air conditioner, switch out summer duds for warmer ones and, finally, put up the Christmas décor.
Looking back a few decades, preparations looked quite different and required much effort. Because many homes were heated with wood-burning devices, wise people started working on one winter’s supply in the previous winter when the sap had not yet risen in the trees and the ground was covered with snow, making dragging the logs out of the bush much easier. It is said that cutting and using wood produces heat many times: first in the exertion of cutting the wood, then splitting it, piling it in neat stacks to dry out, bringing it into the home, the actual heat from it burning and finally the last task of carrying out the ashes.
Animals require year-round nourishment and thus crops had to be planted in spring and then harvested in summer to prepare for winter’s feed. Likewise, gardens had to be planted in spring and summer. In order to preserve the bounty from the garden and orchards, much time and effort was put into canning and drying food. Rows and rows of gleaming jars of pickles, jams, fruit preserves held the promise of satisfying hunger during the long cold months. Many gardeners had a root cellar, a cavity dug out of the ground or into a bank where vegetables such as potatoes, turnips, carrots and beets could be stored below the frost line. Thick boards covered with straw helped protect the vegetables from freezing. Some homes that had a basement might have a cold room that would be used for the same purpose. Some edibles, like beans, once dried, could be stored in canisters.
Meat is a valuable asset in keeping the food larder full. Once the colder days of November came around, it was safe to slaughter a pig and butcher it. To store meat for future use, it could be packed in barrels with salt used as a preservative. For some people who had a smokehouse, they could process meat that way to keep it edible for the winter months. As well, meats could also be canned and stored in jars.
Some homes had an addition called a summer kitchen. In late spring, the cook stove was moved from the main house and installed in its summer position. Meals were eaten in this room in the hotter months. All the heat from cooking the meals and canning and preserving activities would not be funneled into the main house thus keeping it somewhat cooler for sleeping. As the days grew shorter and the cook stove was brought back into the main dwelling, it was time to check the stovepipes to make sure they were in safe condition. Many farmhouses ran the stovepipes through additional rooms before hooking them up to the chimney. This practice helped heat more of the rooms, but also posed a greater risk of soot buildup in the horizontal run of pipes that could result in a fire. Diligent cleaning of stovepipes was a necessity for safety.
When it came to sleeping conditions, a nice new feather tick mattress was of benefit. In the summer, the cover of a worn-out feather tick was opened and the contents discarded. When fowl were plucked during the summer months, the soft inner feathers were carefully washed and dried to be used to make new bedding. On top of those cushy mattresses, heavy woolen blankets made of patches from worn-out coats were piled on the bed.
To help keep homes warm, heavy wooden storm windows were hauled out of storage and washed, ready to be fitted into the existing window frames. These sturdy windows were held in place by wooden pegs that were turned to secure them, but sometimes a bent spike served the same purpose. These wooden outer windows often had three holes bored across the bottom with a wooden slat that could be raised to allow air into the house. This feature was rarely used as, during the winter time, most bedroom windows were covered with a thick layer of frost, making it difficult to see out. As well, frost was often seen lining the inside walls of bedrooms. The frigid conditions in a bedroom made for interesting ways of rising and getting dressed. Some folks tucked their clothes under the covers with them, keeping them relatively warm. Otherwise, dressing in the cold air was not an occasion to dally.
Clothing was also adjusted to adapt to the colder days. Out came the “long johns” combination underwear. Some bachelors were jested that they put on a pair in fall and didn’t shed them until spring. Lightweight thermal clothing was yet to be invented, so the only protection from the elements were layers of heavy woolen garments. As well, fleece-lined snow boots were years down the road, so thick woolen socks inside shoes encased in rubber galoshes were the typical footwear.
Once a heavy frost had occurred, many folk would bank extra dirt and straw around their buildings to act as extra insulation. When snow mounted up, it too was packed around buildings to keep in the heat.
The art of preparing for winter in the decades past required much effort and thoughtful planning. Successful completion of the tasks involved was essential to the wellbeing of the folks of the day.