Saga - 1975, Blaðsíða 157

MANNLÍF f MJÓADAL
151
binding, while his largest source of income was from bookbinding
and the sale of books.
Rural life in Iceland in 1855 was still essentially based on self-
suí'ficient, non-commercial farming, with minimum of trading: in the
■fell that year 13 sheep from Mjóidalur were sold to town; in eon-
trast, 40—50 sheeps were generally slaughtered at home for winter’s
supply 0f meaf_
canine epidemic decimated the dog population of Bárðardalur-
valley in the fall of 1855, and — since tending sheep was impos-
sible without dogs ■—- three men from there were sent late in March
°f 1856 on an arduous mission across the central highlands, to pur-
chase replacement dogs in the South.
Early in 1857, Jón reports, a youngster spent some time in
■l°idalur — „to get a little instruction in writing from me.“
Ei 1855, a virulent epidemic of scabies affecting sheep broke
in the South of Iceland. Jón reports that men came from the
°uth and from the district of Húnavatnssýsla, to the west, to buy
eep in Bárðardalur, as their entire stock had been slaughtered to
ehminate the disease.
Earmer’s meeting took place on frequent oceasions in Lundar-
ie«a-parish during the time while Jón kept his diary. On April 22,
°°> he attended one such gathering, along with 50 others —
Wners and their sons. As Jón reports, matters like a trading society,
savings association, a fund for improving land, and other pro-
kressive measures were on the agenda. Abstaining from tobacco —
order to save money — was discussed as well.
. the spring of 1858, Jón states that he assisted tlie preacher
moving to a different farm residence, following which he writes
^yptically: „_ _ . brought home with me S. St. cL., who will stay
re f°r good — for her sake and mine ...“ Yet it was not until
16 — after haymaking and roundup of animals — that Jón
”®isurbjörg Stefánsdóttir, 34 years of age.“ At this time,
.'iust filled 25 years. The wedding was attended by 50 guests,
of them staying overnight in Mjóidalur.
With
no previous hint as to his plans, Jón makes this entry in
i jJLcviuub iiiiib iiö lu iíiö jjiaiiö, «
gtlS [:iary in June of 1861: „Last Thursday ... I moved out to Jarls-
2^ lr‘" When he started there as an independent farmer, not quite
years 0ld yet, Jón’s total holdings of livestock amounted to merely
sbeep and goats.