The customers of a country cooper caused him a vast deal of vexation by their saving habits and persistence in getting all their old tubs and casks repaired, and buying but little new work.
“I stood it however,” said he, “until one day old Sam Crabtree brought in an old ‘bung-hole’ to which he said he wanted a new barrel made. Then I quit the business in disgust!”
Town Talk – 1859
—Jeff Burks
Can you imagine what the plastic 5 gallon bucket did to the cooper industry.
Plastic buckets were not available until 1967.
Thanks for posting that. My great-great grandfather was a cooper and wagon wheel maker at that time and I have always tried to imagine what his shop was like.