Saruman's economic infrastructure unexplained?

[eowyntje]

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

Truth be told, that could be said about hunting a lot of things. I'm not sure the orcs would have been put off by that.

yes, but the result would be that some orcs died, which would not be veyr positive for the orc-poppulation in Moria.


I think it is veyr likely that the orcs outside Moria fed on whatever the found, from animals to traveling humans, and attacked villages nearby if they needed extra food.
But the orcs in Moria were not visited by traveler or many animals so often so they might have had some other source. (as Alatar explained so wll, feeding on cannibalism alone is biologically impossible) Perhaps orcs from the surrounding area borught them food, or they ventured outside to hunt.

[Kuruharan]

yes, but the result would be that some orcs died, which would not be veyr positive for the orc-poppulation in Moria.

There always seemed to be more where they came from...

[cookieman]

Hello, I'm new here, but if I may chime in, let's keep in mind that Saruman was amazingly cunning. He was a wizard, and he was smart enough to be the HEAD of the White Council. Elrond, Gandalf, and Galadriel,( keepers of the great rings) even with their reservations made him the head. You have all made some wonderful points. Saruman would be smart enough to use all of your ideas in combination. It is not only plausable, but Likely, that through his cunning he would be able to supply his army.

[A_Brandybuck]

I think, that Saruman's economic infrastructure is based on the production, which Isengart naturally have. I think, that Isengart itself must have a nearly autarc system or the possibility of being nearly autarc.
In the time before the coming of the Rohirrim, Isengart was an outpost in the nearly deserted fields of Calenardhon. The people living in Isengart must have fed themselven alone (I suppose).
That would mean, that there was an existing infrastructure on which Saruman could build his own economic infrastructure.
We know from Saruman, that he is a cunning head and we know also, that Saruman have some economic skills, because of the story with the tobacco and the Shire.
So, it is likely, that he did some trade not only with the pipeweed in the Shire, but also in other things. He had the mountains and the Dunlendings directly in front of his home. Consequently there was a potential of trade there.
We know also, that Saruman had many activities in the region of Dunlendings. Dunlendings were in his army and they succumb to the propaganda of Saruman (thinking that the Rohirrim are very cruel to his prisoners of war). I think, that such a propaganda needs some time and trust on the side of the Dunlendings towards Saruman. This time and this trust could Saruman had gained through economic things.

Which I can't explain with this theory is, how Saruman could feed thousands of orcs. But I find the Dol Guldor theory very good. ;-)

[Gil-Galad]

Hmmm...with the Dol Guldur theory, perhaps Sauron sent some of his food stuffs to Saruman? through the black gate to Dol Guldur, then across the river and trhough Rohan

[Kuruharan]

I don't know that food would necessarily have to come from Mordor. Hunting would be good in the forest, and some food could be grown locally.

[The Elf-warrior]

Saruman did grow some food in the area. From Chapter 8 of Book III:

Beneath the walls of Isengard there still were acres tilled by the slaves of Saruman; but most of the valley had become a wilderness of weeds and thorns.