Between 1830 and 1880, much of the New England landscape was far more open than it is today, with 50 to 80 percent of the land cleared for pasture, hayfield, crop fields, orchards, and buildings. In rural towns, agriculture was the main occupation, and farmers cut forest trees to create the pastures, hayfields, and croplands needed for their work. Trees were also harvested for fuel, building lumber, and fencing, while hundreds of small shops and large factories used wood to manufacture furniture, tools, barrels, baskets, wagons, and many other items.