Livestock

Livestock were important to the Maryland settlers in the 17th century not only for food, but to provide inheritances for children. Nearly every household had hogs and some cattle which foraged in the woods for food, saving the planter time which could be used in cultivating his tobacco. Planters raised few sheep because there was little time to spend protecting them from wolves and it was more efficient to buy cloth than to make it from wool in Maryland. Many planters also raised chickens which were kept in hen houses to protect them from predators. Initially, horses were rare and very expensive and were not used for transportation until later in the century.