Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-09

terday forenoon. through the eaurtesv of
treasurer Chase, we had the pleasure of a
brief trip into the hay field and garden of the
institution. Almost the first sound that
greets ones ears as he enters the field north
OF the road, is the merry click Of the moving
machine, and the air is fragrant with the
baimy odor of the new mown grass curiog
beneath the hot rays of the July sun. Here
was an area Of hay land mile long and com.
prlsing thirty acres, the grass on which had
Deen moved and was undergoing the drying
process. 1t bad all been cut in a dav and a
half by four horses and two machine, the
nrst grass blade having been struck down at
ten O'Clock A. VI. on Tuesday. A portion
OF this had been cured sufficiently to admit Of
housing, and three big hayracks pulled by
staiwart oxen were receiving the aromatic
product Of the farmers industry. The
hay was mostly made up Of herd sprass
and clover, and was bright and green There
were some twelve patients, besides several
hired men, busily at work under the efficien,
superintendency Of Farm Superintendent
Cony. The patients appeared industrious
and to enjoy their work They are no,
obliged to labor and can sit down or handle a
pitchfork at their pleasure. There are about
l50 acres of hay land and it is thought over
200 tons Of hay will be harvested. Since
the heavy rain storm the grass thickened up
wonderfully and the crop will be much larger
than other a. vnulI hav bel H.
drought prevailed. 1t is hoped if the weather
proves fine that about third of the crop
be placed in the barns this week.
The potato field was visited. This is ten
acres in extent and to one interested in agri
cultural matters a most pleasing sight The
vines nearly hide the ground from view and
many are in bloom Beauty of Hebron and
Early Rose are the varieties most general
ly planted There were no weeds to be
seen, an indication that the hoeing had been
thorough. Treasurer Chase said that he was
not afraid 10 pit these potatoes acre for acre,
against any similar area in the State. Myrads
of potato bugs were voraciously devouring
the vines, but their days of eating had about
ceased las workman was applying paris green,
which the digestive organs of this pest cannot
assimi!are. although he is proof against al
most everything else. The green was APP
piled in water which a workman carried upon
task upon his back, walking between the
rows with a sprihkler ia each hand and wet
ting two hills at a time. 1t is expec, ed that
the yield will be twelve hundred bushels of
tubers.
The oat field is well worth an examination
There are seven acres, and the grain is tall
and luxuriant, and is already heading out
The farming operations have evidently
been carried on with commendable skill and
nteihee lce, and the emplo, ment of Mr.
Horace b Cony d, superintendent, was
wise.
Talking about gardens; it is well for the
tyro in vegetable raising to inspect the Insane
Hospital garden, which is the largest in this
section OF the State. II consists of thirteen
acres of land located on the brow of the hill
south of the buildings, and exhibits in a
marked degree the benefit derived from the
extended experience and careful supervision
of Mr.. William II. Alien, the head gardener.
The straw berry bed is one OF the first points
t. Ire visited. There is no end of big berries,
blushing red, peeping forth from their hiding
places beneath the broad leaves Twenty
Ave bushels of berries have already been
picked, and it is expected that there will be
ten more. There is large pea field, and on
the Fourth twenty-six bushels of peas picked
here we're served to the patients. Among the
vegetables under cultivation are one acre of
onions, two acres of beets, two of sweet corn,
two of beans, one of turnips, one of squash.
Yesterday ,hirty-fve bushels of beet greens
were among the dishes served for dinner.
These vegetable are found to be a great adj
dition to the living during the summer and
are exceedingly healthy food. large part
of the work is done by patients. Mr.. Allen
has been engaged for two days in sprinkling
the handsome lawn and portions of the gar
den, as the effect of the dry weather is be-
coming evident. That portion of the grounds
devoted TO Horticulture is in its usual thrifty
condition and an abundance of choice flow
ers is found.