I thought this week would be a good time to look at one of the essential entries in the Red River farmer’s Day Timer. It’s an aspect of the livestock farmer’s life even to today: making hay.

The expedition began to go downhill for Donald Gunn once they arrived at Lake Manitoba. He developed a skin infection that painfully affected his eyes. On the third day, the group turned south, heading home to the RRS. They were near the south shore of Shoal Lake when the heavens opened, and they were forced to set up camp beneath the carts. The rain was intense, and they feared a lightning strike to the carts, caught as they were on the open plains. Everything, including the specimens, was thoroughly soaked.

“…some of the people are planting the Corn bad, 20 or 30 Grains in a hill.”

Corn was a novelty to the first arrivals at Red River, and it was necessary to teach them how to plant it. Although Macdonell mentions his own party planted some on the 19th and 22nd, I can’t find reference to anyone teaching the Settlers how to plant it properly.

“Set my men to repack the seed grain in iron hooped Rundlets- the Casks it was in were not sufficient.”  – Miles Macdonell Journal

The work party is making ready to head inland from York Factory.

“I have sown a Bushel of Wheat this morning on good ground in order to assertain the return. the Settlers got 2 Bushels more potatoes, 1 Bushel Barley and teo Gallons of Wheat for each family, seem all very happy, they go on with their labour with an admirable degree of emulation, calculated to benefit themselves and give satisfaction to the people who hve them in charge.”  – Alexander Macdonell Journal

“The wheat I sowed last fall does not appear it was too late sown & had not time before the frost set in to vegetate.”  – Miles Macdonell Journal

“…the plains are all on fire North side the Pembina- sent men burn round Heneys Fort- Our two Express men who went on the route to Brandon Ho. returned this evening- could not find their way on account of the smoke to one of them, the only guide we have who Knows the way is quite Knocked up- I am quite perplexed what to do.”  -Miles Macdonell Journal 1814