The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-09-29
MOOsEHMAD LAKE AND IT'S SUR
RoUNDINGs
GREENv1LLE Sept. q, 1855.

REGION Is 0Ot only PA"SS =. - 1890 -
pleasure hunters, but also for lumbermen.-
The Pie forests are not cuiled of their lumber;
| for can see from the chamber window where
| I am writing quito a pinery within ahauling
distance" of the Lake. At the foot of the lake
where stands the little village of Greenville,
the land was loree coHered with stately pine
trees. A Mr.. Ge-rish, native of Windham in
your county, who, now resides in Monsoon,
came here through the woods some thirty
years ago, and cleared up farm. He pointed
out to me yesterday q tract oflaI1d on the
shore of the lake, and within few rods of
the village, which he could have purchased
for less than dollaraper acre, but it was so
densely covered with pine trees that he
concluded not to purchase it, but selected
some land on the bill some half mile from the
lake, -. 81, .......,... sy.-r
Isa9e0i' said he sif 7 had purchased it and let
the noble trees stand I should now be rich
tnan.n. True enough he would have BEEN
Pine timber then wasof no account, but since
that time milIiens upon, millions have been
cut and run down the Kennebec river which
flows out of the lake about twelve miles from
the village. When timber was plenty and
handy to water the lunbermen hardly made
a living at their business, but as the pine
groves grew scarce, and the distance toohaul
the lumber increased, those engaged in lumber
ing made more money. - q
| The business as it was carried on in its
early stages ruined thousands where it made
I one man rich. The history of numbering in
Maine would make an Interesting chapter.
Millions upon millions of the very best lumber
has been literally wasted and. been the. ruin
Ilof thousands. But the business is now sys-
tematized, and numbering operations are car
ried on with skill and profit. When the luni-
Der will all be cut and foated to market from
the forests Of Maine is more than can tell
There is much left and we shall have pine
numbering in Maine for many years to
come.
The Lake, as seen from this village looks
like a large river more then like a lake. For
several miles from the foot it is quite narrow
and dotted with many small Islands. 1t pre-
sents beautiful view both of land and water.
Squaw mountain, some two miles from the
west shore Of the lake, is a grandold elevation
and covered with trees quite to its summit,
as nearlyalI the mountains are in this region :.
The scenery from the high lands is grand and
picturesque. Mount Kineo, some twenty miles
distant, is plainly. visible. It is a singular
mountain, and attracts much attention from
tourists. but more of this in another le.-
ter. ~ -
Moosehead Lake is just becoming a great
resort for lovers of nature and Of wilds sports.
People come here from all sections of our
country. Here you viii see the New York
and Boston anglers who viii throw the fly all
day for the sake OF raising and killing few
large trout, when with the worm they, could
bag ten times as many, Such is the power of
taste and habits n II issquite amusing to hear
them discuss the great, and to them, + i'm
portart question how to cast, the fly nSstln
and running waters. / saw one New Yorker
last evening go through the motions and IN
form his hearers how he raisedla four-pounder
and safely landed him. He ives quite eloquent
upon the subject. Good taste forbids me to
telate any Of my angling feats with tie "vui-
gar worm" but / could s'tale unfold that
would stir the blood Of Portland anglers. 4 We
live on .partridges and trout, and somebody
must kill then, and we do not feast on the
spoils others have taken. From such premis.
es the conclusion is easily drawn. But enough
1 of wild sports for the present. g,g4 10 nv
| Anew words more and / have done. A
bachelor from Nova Scotia hnnGht fa-,.> en-
an island some -four miles from the foot of the
lake. He gave 100 dollars for one, hundred
acres Of land he has a log house ahdsis put
ting up barn. Last spring, he burnt OF sew
eral acres and put the seed in His crops are
heavy. 7 Never have fseen finer wheat, which
is not yet reaped, as it was sown very late. 1t
i.isnotTipe for thesickle. Good judges say he
will have. 50 bushels for gore,E The straw is
very bright and the heads some over six inches
| long. It is the bald wheat. His oats and po-
tatoes give aheavy yield. I give this as a spec:
linen of farming this season on the BORDERS OF
the lake. Thelcrops hereabouts are magnif-
cent, if such an adjective may be used
Just as ana closing this letter the steamer
@Fairy Of the Lake." has arrived - from
Mount Kinee, bringing gentlemen from New
YORK philadelphia, anal other .dties, south
and west A partyof ladies and gentlemen
from Bangor, also came IN the boat. i mention
these arrivals to show what life is here i1aothe
forests and lakes Of Maine. It must must be con-
fessed that Maine is great country, and it is
growing greater every day. 4TEAW--..a %.