as the understanding grew among people that the clearing of the eastern strzeleckis had been a tragic mistake, a slow blight settled. the first world war broke out, and many young men left their farms to serve, leaving older people confronted with the reality and hardships of the land. farms were ill-equipped and when the soldiers returned butterfat prices collapsed and never recovered, the steep hills were not suited to agricultural machinery and later there was the great depression of the 1930s.