Page 322 - Panjek, Aleksander, Jesper Larsson and Luca Mocarelli, eds. 2017. Integrated Peasant Economy in a Comparative Perspective: Alps, Scandinavia and Beyond. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 322
integr ated peasant economy in a compar ative perspective
ous products that could be produced at the farm, primarily grains and oth-
er foodstuff, but occasionally livestock, wood, charcoal and labour in re-
turn. At Matses, in contrast, most of the temporary dayworkers were paid
in kind: potatoes, butter, milk, grains, a sheep, firewood, planks, logs for
sawing, and occasionally dayworks in return. In Backåker´s diary there are
notes about payments to temporary workers, but considerable work was,
performed in a mutual exchange between farms in the village and relatives
in other villages (Isacson 2014).
2.4 Sources of income
Backåkers did not produce enough cereals for the household needs, but ne-
eded to buy these products. The income was based on a combination of
charcoal production, transport, and proto-industrial work such as carpen-
try and forging. Large amounts of firewood and small quantities of fish,
crayfish, milk, and eggs were sold in villages and the nearest town, Hede-
mora. (Svenske 1987, XXVIII–XXXI). Family members at Backåkers also
did work for other farmers, both in return for work and as paid work. They
also worked at a nearby sawmill and later on at and for, the small carpent-
ry workshop in the village, owned by Erik´s brother in law.
Matses sold charcoal from two kilns yearly, which during 1865 and
1866 accounted for 55% of the cash income from the male’s work. Around
40% of the income was earned on ore transportation (25 loads), and the rest
mainly on the transportation of other goods. It is likely that milk prod-
ucts made an important contribution, but such production was performed
by the women and not described in the diary. As mentioned above, cereals
were used for payment in kind, but no trading of rye or oats is mentioned
in the diary.
At Hyttbäcken during 1860–1866, 35% of the income came from live-
stock, 29% from cereals, 17% from charcoal burning, 6% work of trust, 4%
forest products, and 9% from hay, straw, and transport.
During 1863–1866, Hyttbäcken sold 90 barrels of oats, giving a total of
810 rd. Rye was paid more per barrel, and the 23 barrels rendered 403 rd.
(Hyttbäcken, Cash book). Cows supplied the main part of income from
livestock, primarily as butter and milk, but also as live animals, meat, and
hides. 4 Anders Jansson lent money to other people at a 5% interest rate, but
4 During 1860–1870, half of the income from livestock came from butter and milk, and
half from selling live animals, meat and hides. Source: Farm accounts Hyttbäcken:
Income and expenses.
320
ous products that could be produced at the farm, primarily grains and oth-
er foodstuff, but occasionally livestock, wood, charcoal and labour in re-
turn. At Matses, in contrast, most of the temporary dayworkers were paid
in kind: potatoes, butter, milk, grains, a sheep, firewood, planks, logs for
sawing, and occasionally dayworks in return. In Backåker´s diary there are
notes about payments to temporary workers, but considerable work was,
performed in a mutual exchange between farms in the village and relatives
in other villages (Isacson 2014).
2.4 Sources of income
Backåkers did not produce enough cereals for the household needs, but ne-
eded to buy these products. The income was based on a combination of
charcoal production, transport, and proto-industrial work such as carpen-
try and forging. Large amounts of firewood and small quantities of fish,
crayfish, milk, and eggs were sold in villages and the nearest town, Hede-
mora. (Svenske 1987, XXVIII–XXXI). Family members at Backåkers also
did work for other farmers, both in return for work and as paid work. They
also worked at a nearby sawmill and later on at and for, the small carpent-
ry workshop in the village, owned by Erik´s brother in law.
Matses sold charcoal from two kilns yearly, which during 1865 and
1866 accounted for 55% of the cash income from the male’s work. Around
40% of the income was earned on ore transportation (25 loads), and the rest
mainly on the transportation of other goods. It is likely that milk prod-
ucts made an important contribution, but such production was performed
by the women and not described in the diary. As mentioned above, cereals
were used for payment in kind, but no trading of rye or oats is mentioned
in the diary.
At Hyttbäcken during 1860–1866, 35% of the income came from live-
stock, 29% from cereals, 17% from charcoal burning, 6% work of trust, 4%
forest products, and 9% from hay, straw, and transport.
During 1863–1866, Hyttbäcken sold 90 barrels of oats, giving a total of
810 rd. Rye was paid more per barrel, and the 23 barrels rendered 403 rd.
(Hyttbäcken, Cash book). Cows supplied the main part of income from
livestock, primarily as butter and milk, but also as live animals, meat, and
hides. 4 Anders Jansson lent money to other people at a 5% interest rate, but
4 During 1860–1870, half of the income from livestock came from butter and milk, and
half from selling live animals, meat and hides. Source: Farm accounts Hyttbäcken:
Income and expenses.
320
