Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-04-30
Bethel Items.

The general success attending the
cultivation Of potatoes last year, and their
comparative freedom from rot, leads to
the hope that the malay which has so
extensively prevailed for years past, is
passing away. This spring there is a
much larger quantity of potatoes which
our farmers have on hand for market then
has been at the same period for several
years, and they are much more sound.
Thousands of bushels are now in the
hands OF our farmers in this town which
they might have sold last fall and winter
at from 60 to 70 cents a bushel, but think
ing sl.00 would be better in the spring,
many kept them over. while now only 30
and 40 cents are offered. As general
rule, early planted potatoes have been
most free from rot. because they have
nearly reached maturity before the time
has arrived when the vines have been
struck with rust. Farmers should eX-
anime their young fruit trees. Las,
spring purchased some pear trees and
set them out on my best land. During
the summer they grew finely this spring,
on looking TO them, found they were
three feet under snow and on digging
them out. to my surprise found broken
down trees completely worthless, caused
by the helt of snow above.
Mr.. John S. Swan tapped, this spring,
eleven hundred trees Mr.. 5. has two
sugar houses--in one, he has made quite
an improvement, of late. Last week be-
sent to Lewiston and procured two iron
pipes, one 81 inch. the other inches.
The former il connected with the cistern,
which is elevated To the height OF the
arch, then running through the brick
work connecting the inch pipe which
has free access to the fire, then up through
the top Of the arch over the kettle or pan.
Now | think every one must see wherein
lies thu peculiar excellence of this i'm
proycment. The sap in the cistern finds
an egress into the 81 inch pipe, then It
passes into the The inch pipe, which Is
exposed 10 the fire in the middle Of the
arch-here IL becomes heated TO boiling
pitch NJ Il passes up through and finds an
ingress In the kettle. A stop-cock IS at
tached to the pipe TO regulate the fo" OF
sap. then the sap comes without checking
the boiling. rs when bucketful of cold
sap is poured in.
At last, winter has consented 10 SUI
render Internationally to General Spring.
and her cold biting winds have given
way TO the warm sun Of spring. The
snow has vanished within u few days past,
/ like the dew in the morning sun. The
( fee is all ont OF the river and the river
drivers have gone up 10 run down the
large amount of timber which has been
hauled in during the past winter.
The sugar business is over, aud some
have gathered up their buckets.
Mr.. Samuel F. Kilburn has sold out his
sland on Park Street to Mrs. Jane Clark.
Major A. Grover sold his stand last week
ON Main Street To Samuel ). Dunn, for
$500.
Samuel S. Dunn and G. c. Tubbs, hay
sold out their door, sash, and blind
factory in Mechanic Street to q. A. Bur
bank. Robert {. Thayer and Samuel +.
Kilburn. The new company are, we have
been told, thorough going, money men
and are about to make additions TO their
stock Of tools and machinery, and are
disposed to satisfy every one who may
favor them with patronage, both in
quality and price.
Our village is giving signs of improve
ment. Mr. Elijah Berry, Station Agent,
is building house on Railroad street
Mr.. r. Kendall is fitting him up one on
Mechanic street.
Last year. April 2lst. we sowed one
acre of wheat 18th, planted Il acre OF
potatoes, which got ripe the middle OF
July.
Mr. O'neil Hastings, OF this town, owns
pair of five year old steers that girt
eight ieet and one inch.
The Rising Star Lodge, No. 3S5, OF
Bethel. now numbers some over one
hundred. and is in hourishing condition