From the history books:

I’m researching traveling across the Atlantic Ocean in the early 1800’s–what passengers should bring for such a journey, in particular. The book I’m reading says steerage passengers by law are required to bring 80 lbs of meat each (80 lbs! How does all that keep for a sail across the Atlantic?!). It also says:

Eggs to be kept in Bran and frequently turned, 10 lbs butter, Milk will keep if boiled and mixed with sugar in the proportion of 2 1bs to the quart.[…] If there are females in the party there should be some fowls.

–History of North America, Vol 2

Interesting ways to keep Eggs and Milk fresh. Huh.

But wait! Why only bring fowl if there are women in your party? I would love to ask this author the logic behind that…