Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-09
OUT ~ OCTOBER.

ANDovER, Oct ), 1871.
To the Editor Of tie Journah
We reached here yesterday noon. The ride OF
twelve miles is one of the most delightful i'll
Maine. This time the weather was most unfavor-
able, being cloudy and little damp. However,
as the rain delayed its threatened coming we per-
severed, and did not find the ride disagreeabe
This lovely village has lost none of its attraction
but improvements are going on In every direction
The dwelling houses and other buildings are well
kept up, with paint AMI every needfu repair, ex
tensions are being made, and new buildings being
erected II is said that the summer boarders from
the city have been more numerous than ever One
man is raising his house to four stories in height
with cupola or lookout to crown the whole.
The others do not appear to aspire quite so high
But Andover village has in ts limits an increasing
number of neat residences, with ample grounds
and front yards displaying variety of beautiful
flowers.
The autumnal foliage assumes more brilliant
hues as we come amongst the mountains perhaps
because the country in this region has suffered less
from drought than the valley of the kennebec
and the leaves have not dried up gradually upon
the trees. The forests by the roadside, and the
slopes of the mountains were arrayed in CAV and
gorgeous colors as we rode through them, our at
tentiOn continually attracted on either hand. The
scenery presented marvellous panol anna of va
regated b 7auty.
We took advantage of leisure hour in the af-
tcrnoon, to stroll down to the starch factory on
the margin of the Ellis rve. About 1000 bush
els of potatoes have been collected together to he
manufactured into starch. The first process is to
cleanse them They are placed in sort of a hop
per into which a stream Of water is constantly
poured, and the dirt falls through a species OF
-. l,.
hopper, and are still further washed. Then they fall
into the mill or machine where they are ground
into pulp. The pulp flows into vat IN
derneath. After this, the pulp is pumped into
conductors which convey it to a large vat, where
a revolving wheel keeps 1t in motion, and separ-
ates tle starch from the impure part of the pulp.
When sufficiently ceansed the starch is transport
ed by an elevated railway 10 the upper part OF the
dry house, and is shovelled into net work frames
inclosed in large box under which there is fur
mace. When sufficiently died, the starch is taken
out by doors in the sides of the box. Potatoes
purchased at the mill at twenty cents bushel
taking them as they are dug. without sorting the
sizes.
A party Of workmen have just commenced blast
ing the rocks IN the river below the dam, IN order
to clear the channel for running lumber next
spring down the Ellis river. We took look at
their camp. They had Il large low tent near the
bank of the river to sleep in. Their fire for Cook
ing was out doors, the pots and kettles hanging on
pole sustained By two crotched sticks. They had
large old fashioned Yankee baker for baking
bread. The pot of beans had been prepared for
baking, and hole dug in the ground, with pile
of round stones in readiness, when to he heat
ed, and placed in the ground under and around
the bean pot when set for baking. Such is camp
lite.
Last evening the rain came down 10 earnest,
and continued TO deluge the earth until this morn
ing. Now The wind has shifted to the northwest,
aud blue sky begin, 10 appear. How do we pass
"A
several ladies and gentlemen iron diiiel eUt sec
tons, besides our party. The poet recommends,
as u prevenliv: of ldleness, "b ,oks, or WORK, or
healthfu play" We had work at hand, nor
many hooks. So we re,orted to conversation,
mu ,ic and "healthful play" The evening passe I'd
away pleasantly, aud when it rained, we "let it
ram" This morning the roads are iapidly drain
ing of and driving up, and we shall be in
condition to proceed on our "windlng way
Pen HOLDER.