Domestic apple orchard in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli

On Chrysologue Dubé’s property in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, as on the land of many farmers, there was an orchard that produced more fruit than the family could eat.

These surpluses were sold to neighbours or local merchants. Remember that we’re talking about the late 1800s. In the countryside, there was no question of harnessing up a horse to go to the grocery store several miles from home. In fact, there were no grocery stores like there are today. There were several general stores, often at opposite ends and in the heart of villages. They were called “general,” because they had everything: nails, cloth, tools, animal food, human food, and much more. We know that the owners of large orchards sold mainly in large quantities to city markets. Farmers then sold their surpluses to local stores or from door-to-door.