Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-06-05
Aoral anD State Nems.

tirelv upon the annual report of the oyerscers
of the Poor, for their information respecting
the condition of the poor, or the management
of affairs at the city farm. Were this depart
ment in bad hands, this neglect would per-
haps result detrimentally to the interests of
the city and its benefciaries. As the city
farm with its buildings lies on North street. a
few rods from the head of Bridge street. it is
easy of access, and the management would
doubtless be glad to have all interested to
come and see for themselves the real comfort
surrounding the unfortunate poor, and get an
idea of the farming and other operations that
are carried on.
The farm is naturally isolated on account Of
the hill above North street, but it is still very
near the business part of the city. 1t contains
one hundred and twenty acres of tillage and
pasturage, there being no wood land. Most
of the cultivated land lies on an inclined plain
admirable for purposes of irrigation. 1t is
kept in high state of cultivation The thick,
rich looking, dark-hued clover, covering
eral acres, and the tall herds grass, waves
now in the breeze, and marks in its undula-
tons the shadows made by the clouds passing
over the face of the sun, just as see in
fields that ready for the mowers scythe.
The refuse stuff that in the spring time makes
the streets of the city SO destructive to the
expensive trails of the ladies, used here as a
top dressing, has spread ont soft carpet Of
green that might invite the tread of a princess
with golden sandals. Experience has made
the Superintendent firm believer in the eli
cacy Of top-dressng in ''bringng to" hard
looking and worn out fields. Much labor is
saved by this method of fertilzing. Several
acres have been put down this year to Lost
| Nation wheat, oats and rye. Corn potatoes,
beans, peas, &c, are raised, more than
enough for the consumption Of the household,
and what is left over finds ready sale at the
city market. Hay is of course the principal
crop. Some thirty or forty tons will be cut
this season. This makes q good ground work
for dairy enterprises. Eleven head of cattle
are kept, fine sleek looking animals. A large
quantity of cheese, butter and milk are sold
annually. The stock is now being bred into
the Jersey, that being superior breed for
milking purposes. The pork produced AT the
farm is no small item. Two tons were put
down in barrels last fall. Two or three bar
rels remain untouched in the cellar now, the
most of which will he sold. No oxen are kept,
the work on the farm being done by horses.
We were glad to notice a young orchard of
about one hundred and fifty apple trees re-
Gently planted, that have got good start, and
will be in bearing trim by the time the old
orchard, which has done such good service,
passes its day OF fruitfuluess.
Should the city decide to build aims
house, it would be located on precisely the
site of the present building, but it would be
very differently arranged. The consde.a-
ton of convenience evidently did not enter to
any exten: into the thoughts OF its architect
OF builder. There is plenty of room, if it
were only rightly distributed. But the best
advantage is taken of present circumstances
by those whose business it is to conduct the
affairs of the establishment. Everything in
lnd about the house, is neat hone-like and
comfortable; the inmates appear TO be con-
ented with their lot and are quite happy.
lrhev are fed with the same kind of food that
placed on the table of the Superintendent,
comfortably clothed, are furnished with neat
nd airy rooms, clean bedding, and in fact
laye many Injuries, even, that persons out
de of the poorhouse, and not specially de-
bendQnt, are forced TO deny themselves Of.
The temperance reform has had marked
fleet in diminishing the number of depen-
ents, there being at the present time but if
cen inmates in the house--mostly old ladies
nd gentlemen, whose relatives are poor,
trayed away beyond their call, or are dead.
We recognized the familiar face of ''Cncle
pay," who has partially lost the use of his
mbs and is confined to his room. But this
little world to him. With the companion
hip of his three cats, and other playthings,
lie harmless old man is waiting, lar in the
ventide, for the common messenger, and will
epart just as happy from his humble cot in
e poor house home, as though the messen-
er had beckoned to him from the most mag
fcently draped and darkened chamber of a
lace "Patrick O'Hara," has been an in
ate for two or three years He contentedly
bunts his beads and smokes his ''Dudeen,'
ID never wants to come to town except to
Il his sins pardoned and drop of whiskey,
hen he ''kills two little birds with just one
tie rock" There are other old persons who
We been in the house for years, and it is to
EN- the only real home they ever had. One
or crazy girl is sick with the rheumatic fc-
r, the only case of sickness in the house at
present time.
Mir. A. w. Hall has entered upon his fourth
I'm as Superintendent of the farm and house
lie business management Of the place is at
hded to by Mr.. Hall without any assistance
d the laborious duties of the farm arc per-
med By him with the help of one man, and
hat little assistance is rendered by the in
ties. great deal of money annually
sses through the hands of the Superinten-
ut. 1t is absolutely necessary that he
puld be thoroughly honest; he should also
a humane man, Thoughtful, patient, ingen-