Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-03-25

The verdant hillsides of Franklin county,
Me-, afford an abundance Of rich pastur-
age and fertile fields. The farmers, how
ever, while they have taken advantage OF
the situation, have not aimed at the pro-
duction of meats but have generally en-
gagged in the production of everything
which would bring them an honest dollar.
Under these circumstances there have,
been very few specialists among the
farmers. As it is there is no portion of
New England where farmers are generally
in more comfortable circumstances. but it
il an easy matter for any one acquainted
with the facts to show that the most sue
cessful and prosperous of our farmers are
those who have given their attention
largely to fruit growing, the dairy, sheep
raising, stock growing or some other
speciality. In this way the farmer is able
to make special study of what he is do
ing. and if there Is dollar in it he is
pretty sure to find it,
Only a few years since and all the large
stock in the country was Durham and
even now the Shorthorn blood introduced
OF sJp wears .ifiIC Hay iCit iNS N@~~o-
Crossed with the white faces we doubt if
this is more profitable stock animal for
the farmer than the descendants of the
Shorthorns. In the southern and central
part of the county, except now and then a
spanking of Jersey for the dairy. the
farmers are breeding from Herefords.
Here if not for the shameful practice OF
selling veal calves, there would be an
abundance of large stocky oxen and cows
on every farm.
The first importation of Hereford stock
was made by Moses b. Bailey, in Janua-
nv, 1868. Mr.. Bailey was the first breed
er of Herefords in this county and exhibit
ed the first herd at our county fair. From
that time TO the present he has continued
stock raising and now has at the head of
his herd a fine yearling bull imported by
Burleigh & Bodwell. His farm is small
and he only keeps small herd but these
are OF the best quality
The largest breeder of Hereford stock
is j. +. Gowen of Farmingtrn. His Duke
of Franklin he sold not long since to Dean,
Williams Il Haynes of Canaan. Vermont.
Duke was a noble fellow. has won several
ribbons at the State fairs. was six years
old at the time of sale, measured feet
and tipped the scales at 2,090 pounds the
day he was shipped to Vermont. Sir
James. "A yearling bred by J. Gordon Glib
of Canada, now stands at the head of his
herd Mr.. Gowen has several thorough
bred cows, heifers and young bulls bred
BY himself. From the last State fair his
stock wore ribbons of all colors. and we
doubt if there was prouder stock grow
er on the grounds. His farm. situated
about five miles from the depot. is the
largest in town and it seems to be a mis-
fortune that Mr.. Gowen does not breed
more thoroughbreds. though his doctrine
is to sell when satisfactory price is offer
ed At the same time he is thoroughly in
love with his white faces and will not part
with breeders.
Several other farmers have small stocks
of Herefords. Probably one of the best
cows IN the State (Perfection 81, is owned
by NJ. F. Tuft. In the northern part of
the county. Elbridge Dill of Phillips, has
several full bloods. and is raising one of
the best herds in the State. j. ID. Thomp |
son of Jaw. Frank Stone of New Sharon. |
and one or two others have Hereford bulls. |
whose descendants in year or two will
be numerous in all parts of the county.
But stock raising is increasing in impOr
lance in Maine. Only few years ago
and all the large beeves were shipped to
the city markets, but now in many of our
smaller villages there is ready demand
tor OK beef, and ere long farmers will find
that it pays to raise beef for our own mar
kets. the Herefords. as breed, are so
well adapted to this purpose that our
farmers are readily adopting it as the
most profitable of all The demand for
Eerefords in the West last year took from
our farm yards several car loads of the
best cows and hefers that can be bought.
1t pays, however, to raise Herefords for
this purpose