Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-11-05

rs 10 comes, and as soon rs 10 u gone the
land is all ready for the plow. So the ground
is ready to receive the seed rs early in Aroos-
took as IL Is here.
SOIL.
The soil Of AroOstook varies very much In
different localities. but In all places, 80 far
as observed, II possesses rare and peculiar
qualities. On the river are broad in,ervalcs
composed Of the richest alluvium. In the
vicinity OF IIoulton the land is lighter and
mixed more with sand than in most other
places. In but few instances did see any
granite boulders. Scattered through the
towns Of Smyrna and New Limerick and
some other townships in the same region,
are jus, abou, enough for building purposes:
but all Of these belong to the drift, forma'
ton having been brought here from the
granite upland. and mountains in the north
west. All the rocks Of Aroostook, which
are technically termed "a piao,. are states
and limestone. In some places, as on the
banks Of some Of the streams, tho slate pro.
trudes through the soil. lis strata being
tilted up nearly vertical, in tho same man.
ner rs |, is on the Kennehec, and having
about the same dap. Many OF these states
contain per cent. Of lime, and by their
disin,egra,ion are continually supplying
lime TO tho soil. Considerable mari beds
have been formed in some places by the mp
ia disiniegra,ion Of these states. Fossil re-
mains Of existing species Of sea shells are
found in the interior and on the highest
land. showing tina, this whole countryat no
very remote period was redeemed from the
sea. The luIuriant forests, too, which COW
cr the whole surface. are undoubtedly the
" forests prime,al." Tor the ground is al
most entirely free from PROSTATE trees Of
former generation.
There are veins Of clay in various parts Of
the country, and a, Prc.quo Isle and ioul.
ton. bricks Of superior quality have been
manufactured. There is plenty Of limestone
for all the future wants Of the country. and
thi. ! regard as very important thing. II
all the lime had to be conveyed from Ban.
gor. with the present mode Of conveyance.
lime laid wall. and lime plas,ercd rooms
would he luxury only to bc enjoyed by n
few. But now IL can BE- furnished to the
inhabitants rs low as il can BE- bought at
Bangor.
The question may 30 asked, II there are
no rocks in the soil. of what the fences are
TO be made > answer, Of cedar. Cedar l.
abundant here, and what scimcd q novelty
to me. IL grows with the hard wood. IL IL
nothing uncommon to Sc the sugar maple
and collars in size like to the "cedars Of
Lebanon, growing side by side. There is
no lack Of them anywhere. i, is often diff.
cult Tor settlers to find stone to wall up
their cellars, and here again the cedar makes
very good substitute. Large tree. are cut
and acwn square, and with these they make
very good wall.
There is hardly any 10, that does not have
,ufhciency Of pine Tor the uses Of the set
tier in erecting his buildings. Struggling
pines are mixed in here and there with the
hard wood. and those found in such place.
are generally Of the BIS, quality. Spruce
and hemloek generally grow on the highest,
lands, and the ,oil producing them il gen.
orally regarded by the settlers a. Of inferior
quality.
The richness OF the soil in lime renders il
admirably adapted to the production Of
grain Of all kinds. and grasses. vhcat.
oats, rye, and harley can be produced In
the greatest perfection. Wheat grows very
stout, and the head. aro always long and
well filled. but OF late years the wecyil has
attacked IL badly. ~ tina, the farmers do no,
SOW rs much Us they formerly did. The
pas, year. however. has been very favora-
bic on account Of the wecvil, and hopes are
entertained that It's ravaees may soon cease.
Corn is but very little cultivated. Tho
fault however Is not in the soil. I, always
attain, a fair growth, but early frost. are
very likely to injurc l, before it comes to
maturity. There is decided improvement
in the corn crop, and there can be bat little
doub, that in few years when tho forest.
are cleared away aud the country becomes
older, tina, corn can be produced here as
we'll rs in other parts u the State. E,cu-
lent roots are almos, indigenous 10 the soil
Of Aroostook. A prominent farmer told me
that he could raise potatoes for eight cents
Per bushel. II was generally remarked by
our party who attended the Far at PresqUe
Isle, that oil the garden vegetables there
exhibited would average better than those
usully seen on exhibition at Pairs in the
western part OF the State. For all farming
purposes the land is new, fresh and rich,
and needs Only TO bc " tickled with the hoe
to laugh with an abundan, harvest"
There has always been good home mar.
ket for all the products Of the soil to the
lumbermen who usually carry on extensive
operation. in the pine districts during the
winter, and when the timber shall be ex.
haus,ed and home market no longer fur.
nished, it mus, either 10 furnished at Ban.
COR. or on tho scabOard, by way Of the St.
Johns river. Supplies for settlers on the
frs. ranges Of townships, are now during
the summer season, received by way Of this
river, Ms the route to Bangor is long, tedious