The Ultimate Guide to Self-Reliant Living The Ultimate Guidi to Self-Reliant Livin Edited by Jay Cassell Skyhorse Publishing Copyright © 2013 by Jay Cassell All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Skyhorse Publishing books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications. For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or Printed in Canada Table of Contents Introduction Buying Property and Building on It Buying Country Property Converting Trees into Lumber Building the Home Camp Energy Leaving the Grid Energy from Wood, Water, Wind, and Sun Growing Food Growing Food in Small Spaces How Mini-Farming Works for You Planning a Garden Planting and Tending Your Garden Soil and Fertility Seed Starting Raised Beds Fruit Trees and Vines Vegetable Gardens Harvesting Your Garden Time and Yield Composting Pest and Disease Control Preserving the Harvest Raising Animals Chickens Keeping Bees Goats Fish Hunting, Trapping, Fishing, Gathering Tracking Planting Tips to Attract & Hold Wildlife Traps and Trapping Deer Hunting Tips Bait Fishing for Bass Taking Trout on Bait Lake Trout and Salmon Fishing Wild Fruits Wild Nuts Wild Plants Mushrooms Cooking, Baking, Storing Foods Preserving Meat and Fish Preserving Produce Canning Fermenting Freezing General Observations on Food Dehydrating Methods of Dehydrating Basic Dehydrating Techniques Using Preservatives Storage Pantries Bread Making–Basic Techniques Cheese Making Dutch Oven Cooking Aluminum Versus Cast Iron Campfire Coals Bean Hole Cooking Survival Skills Fire Shelters Direction Finding First Aid Backyard Medicine Dealing with Disasters Make a Plan! Survival Kits Know the Dangers Store Water Fill Your Pantry Learn to Cook Off the Grid Develop Self-Sufficiency Protecting Your Property Security and Defense Natural Disasters Coping with Disasters How to Recognize the Arrival of Day One