Presents a phase of pioneer agricultural economy in the early nineteenth century. Portrays Ohio Valley farmers as they fell trees, prepare the lumber, and build a flatboat to carry their produce down the river to market. Shows the farmers’ families helping them prepare for the trip, and the men on the first lap of their journey downstream. For junior, senior high school and adult groups. Shows dependence on the land for livelihood and on the river for transportation.

VS rivers and foliage. LS men chopping trees. MS of someone chopping then cuts to close ups of faces and chopping. MS wheat field. LS water wheel. LS corn field. CU corn mill. VS of fields (fruit, hemp, tobacco). MS of pigs. LS of cows. MS men hammering. VS man hammering. MS two sawing to CU of men and the saw going through lumber. MS men carrying board across field. LS men assembling wooden structure. CU of nails. MS man hammering to CU of boy watching. MS men assembling boat. MS cabin. MS women working in house. CU woman grinding sausage. CU ham and bacon hanging on wall. CU woman churning butter. MS men working on boat. CU man chiseling. VS women doing house work. LS men in boat loading bags. VS men carrying bags, boxes and barrels to a boat. CU feet walking across plank. LS men getting into boat. CU plank being pulled into boat. CU stick pushing against shore. MS oar going through water. LS men driving boat. MS women in bonnets waving. LS of men waving from boat. LS of boat going down river. MS of river. MS of man on boat pointing towards shore. MS man cutting down crops. MS men lying on deck of boat going down river. VS scenery and boating. LS high of boating. LS men sitting around fire. MS man playing fiddle/violin. MS man cleaning gun. CU cooking with camp fire. VS men around fire. VS men on boat going down river. MS of bags. MS man playing fiddle on boat.