The Portland daily press., 1882-07-13
Col. ROBBIE as a Farmer.

GoRHAsI July 10, 1882.
In some places, where the facts are unknown,
the question has been raised whether Col.
Frederick Robbie, the Republican candidate for
Governor, and the he id of the order of "Pat-
rons of Husbandry" in the agricultural State
of Maine, is practical farmer. That question
is not raised in this town where he was born
and where he has resided for the greater part
of his life. 1t is not claimed that Col. ROBBIE
is exclusively farmer, or that he has given
the greater part of his time and attention to
his farm. He is man of wealth, his business
is varied and has been successfully prosecuted
in all its branches 1t is, however, claimed,
and it appears upon examination of his pre-
misses that he has thorough knowledge OF
the business that he carries that knowledge in
to practice, that he makes farming pay, and at
the same time is yearly improving his farm
and increasing its productive capacity and
value
Col. Robes farm is composed of 260 acres OF
land lying south of the pleasant village OF Cor
ham, the Portland & Rochester railroad pass
ing along its northern boundary for distance
of about one-half mile. The whole tract lays
quite level, inclining gently to the south and
east, and the greater part of it is better adapted
to pasturage and grass than to crops, requiring
working of the soil in the spring of the year.
The natural moisture of the soil has, however,
been greatly overcome by an extensive system
of drainage, the practicablllty OF when the
heavy growth of an excellent quality OF grass
gives abundant proof. The fields under grass
aggregate about 30 acres and are expected to
yield fully so tons of merchantable hay this
year-an average cut of above one and one
.@ptsA Of htd
will yield two tons to the acre, and of course
some portions will fall below one ton. but so
high an average indicates good cultivation and
management.
/ am not informed in regard to the fertiliz-
ers used to keep up the productiveness OF the
soil, but doubt not that Col. Robbie will be glad
to give any one who desires it this information.
The hay crop is pre-eminently the crop OF
Maine. and information in regard to the meth
cd of successfully raising this crop and at the
same time avoiding impoverishment OF the
soil, is, conceive, of great Importance to the
farmers of the State. Aside from his hay crop
Col. Robbie does not do very much farming.
He has some four acres this year in hoed crops,
and the remainder of the 260 acres, after tax
ing out his hay fields is given up to pasturage
and woodlands, the latter. being very valuable,
SO near the city of Portland, and SO easy OF &C
cess of rail.
Col Robes farm team consists OF one pair
of heavy horses, and one pair of seven foot"
oxen. He has three Jersey COWS and some
young stock. He has not given much atten-
tion to stock-breeding, his time heretofore hav-
ing been SO largely occupied with other mat.
tiers, but has in contemplation the making OF
this prominent feature in his agricultural
operations, as soon as he can see his way clear
to give it the requisite time.
The farm proper has set OF farm buildings
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 operations, and Col. Robe looks
after the details as closely as though it was his
only pursuit.
There is nothing of parade or show about
the premises and the Colonel will not bore you
with ipterminable rehearsal OF fne-spun theo--
ries, but it is evident he takes pride and
Measure in homely, everyday, sensible agricul-
ture, and both his farm and home show it.
Let the man who thinks Col. ROBBIE is not
practical farmer, come here and see for him
self.