The Rural Living Handbook: An Illustrated Guide to Practical Country Skills

Packed with facts, advice and projects; this beautifully illustrated book is an indispensable guide to the art of country living. Written by the editors of Mother Earth News, The Rural Living Handbook puts decades' worth of hands-on homesteading savvy at your fingertips. Whether you're planning a rural retreat or have been living in the country for years, this unique guide tells you everything you need to know to make your life in the country more rewarding, self-sufficient and fun, including: * Setting up a homestead: from buying land and having a house built to septic systems, stone walls, gravel roads and firewood * The right tool for the job: from basic tools and elementary carpentry to cutting wood with a chain saw and using a tractor * Garden plots and farm animals: from planting a vegetable patch to the pros and cons of chickens, horses and other livestock * The country kitchen: from curing meat and canning produce to cheese making and brewing your own beer Authoritative, comprehensive and engagingly written, The Rural Living Handbook shows you how to make the most of both traditional country ways and modern technological conveniences. It's the only guide you'll ever need to make your life in the country a soul-satisfying venture--and a down-to-earth practical success.