How do colonies benefit the mother country under mercantilism?

Between 1640-1660, Great Britain enjoyed the greatest benefits of mercantilism. During this period, the prevailing economic wisdom suggested that the empire's colonies could supply raw materials and resources to the mother country and subsequently be used as export markets for the finished products.

Explanation:

for hobos it was a very hard time most hid on the sides of the railroad tracks causing people to get bulls and get them off sometimes causing in fatal death they couldnt get people to give them money because the   people were also in need of money