Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-07-18
COL. Robe AS A FARMER.
KenncOcC journal
GORHAM, July 10, /,

GORHAM, July 10, lSS2.
In some places, where the facts are IN
known. the question has been RAISED
whether Col. Frederick Robe, the Repub'
lican candidate for Governor, and the head
of the order Of Patrons OF Husbandry' in
the agricultural State OF Maine, i q praC-
teal farmer. That question i not raised
in this town where he was born sud
where he has resided for the greater
part OF his life. /, j. not claimed that
Col Robe i exclusively a farmer, or tina,
he has given the greater part or his
time and attention 20 his farm. He i
4 man of wealth, his business Is varied and
has been successfully prosecuted 10 all its
branches IL is. however, claimed, and il
appears upOn examination OF his premises,
that ne has q thorough knowledge OF the
business. that ne carries that knowledge
into practice. that he makes farming pay,
and al the same time i yearly Improving
his farm and increasing its productive ca
pacity and value.
Col. Robes farm j. composed of -tu
acres of land lying south of the pleasant
village of Gorham, the Portland d ROCh-
ester railroad passing along - northern
boundry for distance OF abou. Ouc-halt
mile. The whole tract lays quite lcyel.
incliniug gently 10 the south and east, and
the greater part Of il i better adapted 20
paSturage and grass than 20 crops. requir-
ing working of the soil IN the spring OF the
wear. The natural moisture OF the soil
has. however been greatly overcome by
an extensive system OF drainage, the prac-
ticibility Of which the heavy growth OF an
excellent quality OF grass gives abundant
proof. The fields under grass aggregate
about fifty acres aud are expected 10
Weld fully - tons OF merchantable hay
This ysar-au average cut OF above one
and one half tons 10 the acre. \ large
portion OF this viii yield two tOU> 10 the
acre, and of course some portions will fall
below one ton, but 50 high an average in
dicateS good cultivation and management.
am not informed in regard % the fer
;ilizerS used 70 keep up the productive
ness of the soil, but doubt uOt that Col.
Robe will be glad 20 give anyone who de
sires il this information. The hay crop
is pre-eminently the crop Of Maine, anc
information in regard 20 the method OF
successfully raising this crop and st the
same time avoiding impOVerishmeut Of
the soil, is, conceive, OF great Importance
10 the farmers Of the State. Aside from
his hay crop Col Robe does not 10 very
much farming. He has some four acres
in hoed crops, and the remainder of the
2GO acres, after taking out his hay delds is
given up 20 pSSturage and woodlands, The
latter being very valuable, 80 near the
city OF Portland, and 50 easy of access by
rail.
Col Robes farm team consist, OF Ont
pair OF heavy horses, and one pair OF sev
en- foot" oxen. He has three Jersey cow,
and some young stock. He has hot giveI
much attention 10 stOck-breeding his time
heretofore having been 50 largely occu
pied with other matters, but has in cOntem-
plation the making OF this prominent fea
ture in his agricultural operations, a sooI
As be can see his way clear TO give II the
requisite time.
The farm proper has set OF farm build
incs with ample room for storing hay, but
the old family mansion in the village,
which. however, is but few minutes
walk from the farm, Is the basis OF opera
tons and Col. Robe looks after the de
tails as closely as though it was his only
pursuit.
There is nothing OF parade or show
about the premises, and the Col. viii
not bore Won with interminable rehearsal
of flne-spun theories, but IL is evident he
takes pride and pleasure in hOmely, ev
ery-day. sensible agriculture, and boti
his farm and home show IT,
Let the man who thinks Col. Robbie l,
not a practical farmer, come here aud SEE
for himself