The Portland daily press., 1869-06-15
Letter from = ork County

Hta5 Republican State COMMITTEE
Letter from = ork County.
The Portland & Rochester Railroad-Farm-
ing Interests-The Hauoc amonq Pine
TTees-The Shakers, dc.
ALFRED, June IS, 1869.
The "Husbandman," owing to circum
stances which he could not control, is COM
pei ed this time to paddle the canoe with his
own hands and "set the ball in motion" soil
tary and alone. The companion of his pre-
yious angling and mosquito killing voyages
could not find it in his heart to go; therefore
the husbandm an nayigated his little bark the
best way he could and surveyed the ancient
and honorable town of Alfred and its sur
roundings. If he only had the descriptive
power of his companion, he could the more
willingly be reconcied to the loss of his COM
pany. But as it is, he must make the best of
such a misfortune. And now what is the
| first duty of pilgrims and travellers in this
vale of tears? Surely to speak well of the
bridge that carries them safely over.
But for the Portland and Rochester rail-
road we might never have seen the town of
Alfred, and we are glad we shall not die with
out that sight. This railroad now runs to
Alfred and runs wen. The new part from
Saco river to this town is admirably FINISHED
and well equipped. 1t is seldom, if ever, that
better road bed is seen anywhere. 1t is
handsomely gravelled up, good ties well laid,
bridges substantially built and good rails over
which ha nuynrou-fIof r,,,orf l;tflo ;lr ood
pony-will go his twenty miles an hour and
not sweat. This pony is an ingenious inven-
tion and everybody feels safe in riding after
him. True, he occasionally neighs in shril,
startling voice, but those screams are only
sure signs that the engineer, snugly ensconc-
ed between the boiler and the driving power,
Is upon the lookout for anything in the shape
of danger. We have great fancy for this
little pony, he does his work SO well and so
safely and promptly. There is fine place
for the depot buildings at this end of the
route. The soil is sandy, the land level, and
the buildings new, neat and convenient. 1t
| is fine locality and well improved.
The terminus Of the track line is abrupt.
| 1t is in fact "square DOCK" the rails and
sleepers butting up against sandbank six
feet high, but still pointing westward and
looking as if they expected to go farther
| Yes, they point towards the setting sun and
sa~--;-' lies the hope of this enterprising cor
Polaslon. 1has little pony must one of these
| Gays ma ms way to Rochester, scarcely an
hours drive for him. The sooner he gets
there the better for the corporation, for the
people along the line and for Portland. The
whole line from Portland to Alfred, a dis
tance of 80 miles, is in good condition and
promises well under the administration of The
President and Directors.
We noticed in passing through Hollis and
WATERPROOF, some very fine woodlands, and
young pineries. And we also noticed that
the butchers have already commenced the
havoc upon these saplings since the railroad
gives them transportation to the Saco river.
1t does seem as if some people have timber
mania and can never be satisfied to see
young pine trees grow, but must seize their
axes and cut them down, especially if they
are or 10 inches in diameter. We saw
thousands Of these thrifty saplings on the
cars and on the track ready to be conveyed to
Saco river. 1t would be better for those en-.
gagged IN such butchery-we can call it by nc
other name-and better for the community
if these lumberman would cultivate the soil
and raise their own bread, instead of mang
ling these young forests, the Growth of which
would yield more than ten per cent. interest
annually. 1t is sad to think what havoc has
been made with our forestsl And the work
goes shamefully onl sie
Alfred village is very pleasant place, and
those who wish to rusticate, breathe pure all
and drink pure water, win find them here
But what falling off in the farming inter.
ests! We notice on the clapboards that COW
er the stores, "Corn and Flour" printed in
large letters. In almost every country village
in the State one may see just such signs
Yes, corn and -four for salel And to whom
The farmers And where does this bread
stuff come from? Hundreds of miles away
1t passes through many hands before II
reaches the mouths of the consumers. Well
might Mr.. John Stuart Mill say that the
great expense of the ultimate distribution to
consumers Of useful products is the chief re-
proach of trade. A generation ago such signs
| upon the outward walls Of country stores
were not common. Alfred once raised its
own breadstuff, but not now. 1t was o rare
sight to see a barrel of flour brought into
town, but now thousands upon thousands
every year. 1t is so in all our country towns
And how our farmers contrive to live and
| purchase all their -four goes quite beyond oui
comprehension. Maine pays tremendous
tribute to other States for her breadstuffs
Farmers of Maine! how long shall this great
drawback upon your industry continue? /,
is for you to say. The power is within your
| own hands. "a .;-,
/ The Shakers of Alfred are well worth a
visit More than eighty years age they
"pitched their tents' on an elevated spot thai
overlooks quite an extent of territory. The
soil is hard, and an immense amount of labor
has been done by them on this hard hill
Thousands of rods of stone wall have been
built, fields have been cultivated, and an hon
est living obtained. Early they set out apple
trees, and acres upon acres are covered witt
old trees which are fast going to decay. They
have splendid young orchard about twenty
years old, containing some 900 trees, which
look thrifty and well cared for. There are
two families here, numbering nearly a hum
dred, but they lack labor, as they do in New
Gloucester. Many and most of the strong
men have gone to their rest, and how theil
places can be filed is a problem not easily
solved. In the towns of Alfred, Lyman
Dayton and WATERFORD they own about 15Ot
acres; and although they do not "increas
and multiply" yet they are progressive a
well as most industrious people. Anything
new and valuable they are sure to have. They
are not behind the age, but have always beer
IN advance of the farmers generally. Thel
are among the first 10 have the best breeds o