Just fifty years ago, people in the countryside mostly sowed corn, wheat, barley and other cereals by themselves, which they would take to mills for grinding after drying. They did not pay for the grinding service with money, but the miller charged his work by taking part of the cereals for himself (the so-called “ušur”).

The amount he was allowed to take was determined with a container in the form of a wooden pot. He was allowed to take a full container from one “vagan” (61,5 litres) of cereals.