Whether it's making ice cream or sharpening an ax, cleaning a chimney or growing raspberries, you'll learn how to do it in this treasury of time-honored country wisdom. Illustrated step-by-step instructions will show you how to milk a cow, tap a maple tree, clean a fish, lead a horse, and build the best chicken coop. You'll find out how to heat your house with wood or by the sun and how to de-skunk a country dog. You'll learn the proper way to put in a water system, rewire an old house, stack a cord of wood, and grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

SYNOPSIS

This is the book for anyone who wants to become more self-reliant, from suburbanites with 1/4 of an acre to country homesteaders with several. The information is easily understood and readily applicable. More than 150 of Storey's expert authors in gardening, building, animal raising, and homesteading share their specialized knowledge and experience in this ultimate guide to living a more independent, satisfying life. Readers will find step-by-step, illustrated instructions for every aspect of country living including: Finding country land Buying, building, and renovating a home Developing water sources and systems Understanding wiring, plumbing, and heating Using alternative heating and energy sources Vegetable, flower, and herb gardening Traditional cooking skills such as baking bread and making maple syrup Preparing and preserving meat, fruits, and vegetables Building and maintaining barns, sheds, and outbuildings Caring for common farm and ranch animals and pets

About the Author:

While Storey's Basic Country Skills has no one specific author — as it is a compilation of the best of Storey's projects, plans, and sage advice — John and Martha's voice of experience rings loud and true throughout the book. Their vision, combined with the editorial expertise of Deb Burns (also a Storey author!) brought this treasury of country wisdom to fruition. Martha also lent her party-planning advice to Keeping Entertaining Simple. She has mastered the art of relaxed hostessing, whether giving small dinner parties for close friends or large corporate picnics, and she shares her secrets and inspiring ideas with readers. Country-living publisher for more than 17 years, Martha also draws on her country roots to bring you the time-honored classics of the American country kitchen in her book, Treasured Country Recipes from Martha Storey and Friends. John and Martha Storey founded Storey Communications, Inc. in 1983. They have three children and eight grandchildren. They live in western Massachusetts and farm in Westport, New York.