Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-09-28

Fl FAIRFIELD, Me-, Sept %, 1888.
Spee'dl Correspondence of the Ken. Journal
Although much is heard about the marvel.
lous potato crop of Aroostook county. We,
this IL but small portion of the products OF
her wonderful soil, which is adapted TO the
growing of almost everything in the vegeta.
bic line that the season will mature The
nay crop of the county il nearly if not fully
equal In importance to its potato product
AS IN southern Maine. this year, the yield OF
hay has been enormous, and Aroostook coun-
" barns, in many instances, are filled TO the
ridge-poles. This is the natural home Of the
clover and il grows with luxuriance seldom
equaled in lower Maine A variety of red clo-
yer, rarely met with in other parts of the
State, is largely sown here II possesses the
peculiarly of not heading a sec
ond time in the fall after the first cut
ting. Alsike clover is much sown.
and makes a very good growth. Bees are
very fond Of this variety and it is grown quite
extensive by bee-keepers The growing of
seed hay is quite an important industry. The
grass instea adj of being cut is allowed to stand
until maturity, when it is cut and during the
winter season the seed is extracted The
new land of the county is nnexcelled for
growing grass seed as it is free from weeds
Thus the grass seed is nncontaminated by
any bad seed. One widow lady in Fort Fair
field raised acres of seed hay this season
and has just sold it standing for the snug sum
of Sis. This is return at the rate of over
sl4 per acre and we venture to say is larger
than that OF any acres of grass in kennebec
county the past season. The growing of
hops is assuming considerable importance
here at the present time. The town of
/ ID ie To-.
One day during our STAY we took a ride from
Fit Fairfield to Presque Isle and on our re-
turn visited hop field in Esston. 1t was
Just the commencement of the hop-picking
season and the field was well nigh alive with
girls picking hops from the poles. 1t was
busy scene. The girls are paid from 80 to so
cents day. We stepped into the dry house
and were at once greeted by the fragrant
aroma of the drying hops This dry house
Is simply story and half building. in the
loft of which is placed horizontally wire or
cloth screen arrangement. on which the green
| hops are spread out on being brought in from
the field. Beneath is furnace the heat from
which. passing upwards through the hops re
lieves them Of their moisture. Last year hops
we're extremely high, and the owner of this
| field realized from three acres of land net
profit of about $1,000. The cost of harvesting
the crop was about $40. Although prices are
not as high this season as last, yet the hop
grower is receiving very fair returns and al
ready the hop buyers are in the county pur-
chasing this seasons product.
The grain harvesting season is just coming
to close, some two weeks later than in
Kennebec. The yield, as with all other
crops, is bOunteous one. 1t is noticeable
that all the grains stand up we'll, there being
but little lodged. In one locality in Easton.
we saw horse reaper in operation in 20
acre field. 1t was a genuine novelty TO us,
and was a forcible reminder of the Wholesale
way in which farming operations are con-
Quoted in AroostOok county.
field of India wheat is seen on nearly
every farm. Frost had struck this grain
few days before our advent. and turned it
reddish color. During our brief stay in the
| county we had the pleasure of sitting down
to meal of hot buckw heat cakes and honey,
which we partook of with keen relish.
BY the way this is great honey region.
Here the busy bee gets rewarded for his la
Dor. As one rides through the country he
will perceive group of bee-hives in the
neighborhoOd of Of least half of the dwelling
houses. Honey is a portion of the bill Of
fare in nearly every farm house. Bees seem
to live and flourish as they will
in no other section of Maine. The hives
approach of winter they are carried to the
cellar where the bees are wintered.
Farms are as rule well stocked with
cattle and horses. There are but few thor
oughbred animals to be found. nearly all,
especially the cattle, being natives. We saw
many plump and sleek oxen, giving evidence
that they were good livers. Jersey COW is
a rare sight. which does not speak well for
the dairy interests of the county. We miss
the gilt-edge butter which is one Of the most
noted products of Kennebec. DrOvers are
met with on every hand and they are pur-
, chasing up almost everything in the shape of
cattle that can be found. Iearlings and two
year olds are eagerly snapped at. After be-
ing purchased. the cattl- are driven south in
herds, and sold to farmers in the lower sec
lions of the State where young stock is W nted
to eat consume surplus hay crop.
Apples are about the only crop that does
not seem to flourish here. Whether it is be-
cause the season is too short for the growth of
the trees, or the surroundings and soil are not
| favorable, we are unable to understand. At
| all events, there is a scarcity of apple trees,
and what there are are small and do not ap-
pear to fructify Woodstock and western
trees are set almost entirely There are very
few if any local nurseries.
The country in the first settled districts is
assuming an older and more civilized aspect.
This change is quite noticeable in the vicinity
of Fort Fairfield. Presque Isle and Caribou.
There are fewer stumps, and the fields are
smoother. and the face of the land has dropped
that backw Gods look. Take it on the center
road in Fl. Fairfield, there are some of the
Oldest farms in the county. Thirty years ago
Wintate Haines, who went from kennebec
county. pushed into the unbroken forest and
settled there He reared a large family,
many of whom were boys. They grew up
sturdy men and to-day have large farms
in the neighborhood of the old homestead,
and the country in this vicinity bears the
impress of their industry. Yet the country
taken as a whole, is a new one. Stumpy
fields are common sight. Log houses and
barns abound and the towering. massive
| trunks of old growth trees, meet the gaze in
every direction. The farmhouses and build
ings of the settlers are, in many instances.
not ND to the standard in other parts of the
State Many of them bear tumble-down
lock. which is characteristic of q new coun-
try. barn without q door is a common
thing. and the dooryard and envrons
of the buildings often appear clut-
tered up. Yet we would not have
| the reader infer from this that it is the
rule to find buildings OF this character; on
| H. .on,rarv tbarp arc tbou apds of trim VI III