Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-09-18


F. D. Welcome, in late issue of the
Lewiston Journal, says of the Aroostook
region, its beauty and agricultural indus
tries, etc..
Never did / welcome the bright and
beautiful "all time illumination more
than on the morning OF Aug. 9th, after a
long and weary night OF rain and tiresome
riding which brought US at half past FIVE
to the beautiful village of Houlton, here in
the famous Aroostoek region. This is
indeed a pretty village with its broad and
denselv shaded streets, The sun rose in
splendor and lightened up the eastern sky,
and as it cast its rays upon the flowers
and trees in Houlton, the effect was pic
turesque and grand to a degree not often
met with "outside," as they call it here.
| Our time was short here, so very little
news was gathered. We asked the hack
driver, Have you had any frost yet?'
mo, sar, none this year. None to do any
damage at all" Five minutes later, and
here we are at the Smell House, and
Mr. Philbrick, genial, good natured
landlord, did all in his power to refresh
the inner man. This hotel is pleasantly
situated in Central square, the bust
ness part of the village, facing Music
! Hall, which has seating capacity of 600
or 700 Mr.. Philbrick says finer one
cannot be found in the State. The opera
house is of like size The population of
Houlton is about 5000, which with the
surrounding country supports about 30
stores, six churches. and three hotels. A
Chicago firm runs large slaughter
house in which almost numberless sheep
and fine lambs are killed and sent to Bos-
ton. They employ refrigerator cars and
all modern improvements.
The ST. JOINS VALLEY.
Leaving Houlton, we soon cross the ;St.
Johns river, which winds noislessly
through the valley of the same name, on
either side of which are broad. fertile
fields, laden with immense crops of grain
and potatoes. CHANGING up and down
wonder at the beauty and grandeur OF the
scenery.
Our next stopping place was Fl Fair
field, little village situated on the Aroos-
took river, of 300 inhabitants, one hotel,
five stores, four churches, four single
mills and a starch factory.
AMONG THE BEE KEEPERs.
A five-mile ride and | was brought to
Mr.. j. F. Blaisdell's, bee-keeper of some
note. He has SO stocks, mostly hybrid.
He says the Italians are the best workers
for box honey, averaging As pounds per
colony says it is very poor season. He
uses Gallup frames.
Mr.. H. w. Blaisdell, brother of the
above, has AZ stocks of hybrids. Has Sc
cured about one half crop or 1000
pounds of box honey. He uses tox hives,
one foot square. One season he got from
Is storks 800 pounds of box honey.
Mr.. Otis Ames employs the same meth
DDS and makes specially of Bookkeeping.
He has so stocks. Has cellar and honey
house made especially for the purpose.
He has the only extractor have seen here.
Mr.. Ames says, This is the poorest sea-
son for four years. We usually average
about 50 pounds per colony, but this year
shall only get 600 pounds in three pound
glassed boxes" These are the prevailing
style of box used for surplus honey.
next visited the apiary of w. P. Hub
bard of Caribou, who has 80 swarms of
hybrids and blacks, and with all the rest
Hc says IL 10 very pun eodSOu- IIo ctu-
ploys more of the modern improvements,
using the standard Langstroth frames ,one
pound sections, in nicely painted simplc-
ty hives He has secured this season
900 pounds of as beautiful box honey as
we have ever seen.
GRAIN AND SHINGLES.
The largest fields of grain have ever
seen are here in Caribou, and the stalks
and heads of wheat and oats speak for the
fertility of the soil of which Names read
ers are well acquainted This is indeed
the garden of Maine.
At last | come to Messrs. G.. O. Good
win d Co.'S extensive shingls mandatory
at Woodland. They average with two
machines $4,000 shingles, daily. They
have also grist and board mill with
which they do an extensive business. They
also have store which gives them large
trade with the farming community. The
country is grand and picturesque as far as
IL. L. 4