The Portland daily press., 1870-09-28
Letter from Aroosfook County.
How ARoosTOoK STANDS THE DROUGHT
POTATOES, MUTTON, HORSES, AND BUCK
WHEAT = RAILROADS COMING EDUcA-
TIONAT
HOULTON, 9th Sept. 1870,

| FoIAIOES, MUTTON, HORSES, AND BUCK
WHEAT = RAILROADS COMING -EpUcA
TIONAL. -sr
HOULToN, 9th Sept, 1870.
Upon coming into this county a few DAYS
ago 1 could not help observing that the
drought had not done so much damage as in
other parts of the State. There is nothing,
except the greenness of the fields, to indicate
That more rain has fallen in Aroostook than
ELSEWHERE Brooks, ponds, rivers and wells
were never so empty as now, yet the fields
and pastures are green. A second crop of
clover, all in bloom, is icing cut on many of
the farms, yielding. perhaps, a ton to the acre.
1t has long been observed that Aroostook
land, for some reason, stands drought much
better than land in other portions of the
State. That is only one of the good things
about Aroostook. ~
The crop of potatoes is very good one,
and am tod that they can probably be
bought in large quantities, at this time, for
twenty-five cents. That is not one of the
good things about Aroostook-a poor market;
yet it is not impossible that money may be
made raising potatoes for twenty-five cents.
A gentleman who has just harvested his po-
tatoe crop, getting some three hundred BUSH
els to the acre, tells me they did not cost him
above twelve and half cents bushel. Of
course he followed some of the economical
processes of cultivation.
Aroostook has very good market for most
of her products; it is supplied by the Luna
bermen. There are certain things, however,
she can afford even now without railroads to
send abroad. Some eight or ten thousand
sheep are driven out of the county every
year, going by the single road from Houlton
to Mattawamkeag. Other sheep are driven
over other roads. Then quite number of
fine horses are exported from Aroostook. To
the production of pork there seems no limit,
as there is no limit to the amount of buck
wheat that can be raised, and for making
pork nothing is better. The products of the
dairy have not yet received that skilful and
delicate attention which they merit, and for
which Aroostook possesses special advantages.
But Arooostook is soon to have railroad
communication with the outside world. In
a few weeks the railroad, connecting Houlton
with the road just over the line in New
Brunswick, will be completed. 1t has fallen
into the hands of the court, because of the
proposal to put the depot in a place not at
first fixed upon, but this will not probably
prevent the speedy completion of the road.
Houton will thus be put in steam commune
cation, by land and water, with Portland ard |
Boston. This will be a special advantage to |
Houlton and central Aroostook, but it will |
also benefit somewhat all parts of the county.
The friends OF the great Aroostook railroad,
which will cost some three million dollars. are
'anguine that that is soon to be built. Last
Monday the working of surveying for the pur-
pose of ascertaining the most feasible route,
vas begun by Mr.. Ramsay. If necessary five
thousand dollars will be expended upon this
urvey. The friends of the road, when they
SIX for further legislation or other aid, mean
o say just where they want the road built.
{ Will, OF course, leave the European and
North American road somewhere near Malta
'akeag, probably to the west, and run north
ward, the length of the county, to some point
IN the st. John river. 1t will run tbrouch an
ocean OF forest, go where it may.
houlton is decidedly smart town. Much
rade is done here, and those who do it are
getting rich. The three sons of the late sben-
,ro oary are among the most enterprising of
nc business men, and Mr.. Page is another.
This is very fine farming town. One of tho
pest farms is owned by Mr.. Barnes. a son of
he distinguished Portland lawyer.
The public schools of Hoalton are not what
hey should be, and what they could readily
re made, if few of the citizens would take
old of them resolutely.
Honton, however has fine, new Acade-
~ building, toward the completion of which
ne last Legislature wisely contributed four
lousand dollars. Mr.. c. III. Fernald is Prin-
pa! of this Academy. He is very progress
we, earnest, practical man, watchful for i'm
rovements. The attendance upon his school
quite large.
zDurlng the week Teachers Institute, at
shoed by l2O teachers and older pupils in Mr..
er,aias school, has been held in the Acade-
~ oulldins' 1t was conducted by Prof. Allen. !
l d., assisted by Mr.. Stetson, of Lewiston,
nd the County Supervisor. Mr. S,.o.o
mere was large attendance of citizons PC. l.
the evening meetings which were bed
rlsble Hall. The Institutes are dec;.iadIn
opular IN Aroostook County. Some of tbe ,
est teachers in the State are found here.
BARLOW.