Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-09-21
Note. suxxe..ion and Comment.


inform Us that the prices for American
apples in those markets are as follows:
Greetings l3a les; Baldwins, las 1ss;
King of Tompkins, 2Os 25s-
1t has been interesting to notice this
fall, as we have while on little rides into
the country and on short tours of obser-
vation. the difference between farms and
farmers. so far as relates to condition OF
farm work, general appearance of fields,
and progress of farm improvements. 1t
is to be seen very quickly that one farm
is well kept up while another is neglected.
and even at a considerable distance from
the road over across lots, the well kept,
cleanly field can be distinguished from
that which is run out and has hedge
row of useless weeds and bushes by the
roadside and fence corners. Upon some
farms the work is all done in season,
nothing neglected, nothing behind hand
upon others the grain is left standing too
long, the potatoes are not dug, and the
fall blowing has not been commenced.
In the one instance farming is made a
business; in the other it is only sort of
temporary job out of which the man who
stays there manages to make a living.
The grange should not always discuss
agricultural subjects at its meetings.
These subjects, it is true, have vide
range, and allow much variety; but made
up as the grange is of both sexes and of
young and old, there should be a careful
choice of subjects in order that all may be
interested. In making up programmes
for the approaching fall and winter meet
ings this fact should be taken into consid-
Grafton, and topics that will interest the
granger members should be given place,
as W ell as literary subjects, and those that
pertain to home and its duties. At late
meeting of the Scarborough Grange a
lecture was given by Mr.. H. F. Moulton
on the Essentials and non-essentials to
success in the Journey of Life" Such a
subject well and considerably treated, as
it was by the speaker, could not fail to
have stimulating and encouraging in
fuence upon all, and especially upon those
young persons who have but so recently
commenced the journey of life. The
grange is an educator-let the programmes
of subjects for winter lectures and dis
cussiOns be made up with reference to
this broad and grand idea; that at every
meeting something shall be presented
which will tend in the direction of i'm
provement.
We think no one in this State will be in
clined to question the business of Mr..
Phineas Whittier's title to the apple King
of Maine. This gentleman read a short
paper at the fruit growers meeting at
Lewiston during the week of the State
Fair, telling how he disposes of his infe-
rior apples. These are evaporated, this
part of the business being conducted with
the same care and attention as is the grow
of the trees or the packing and handling
of the first quality fruit. In 1886 Mr..
Whittier sold his evaporated apple for l24
cents per pound; and in 1887 for 81 cents,
in the former year the apple netting him
the round sum of $1,000. 1t must be re-
membered too, that this item was OBJ
tanned from the sale of the waste" prod
uct from his large orchard, or in other
words from inferior or unmarketable APP
pies, those below No. 2 Mr.. Whittier's
crop this year will be sixteen hundred bar
rels. OF which six hundred barrels are
Baldwins. This last Mr. Whittier regards
the most profitable variety he grows.
We do not know, but it is intimated that
the recent potato digging race at South
Auburn was the result of some election
bet. BE that as it may, the race came of
between eA mayor Haskell OF Auburn and
Mr.. j. d. johnson OF Portland, and MAS
duly witnessed by large number OF per
sons. The test was to see which one
could dig row of potatoes in a
certain field tle quickest. Ii
is said that the potatoes and
dirt flew surprisingly, and at the finish
the fa-Mayor came out ahead. Now, Sc
riously, why would not genuine farm
ers' contest of this kind prove an amusing,
not to say profitable feature of some
field-day exercises among farmers-as
much so as ploEing match. for instance ?
Russia is the largest fax producing
country in the world, and produces six
times as much as any other country. But
there the weather has not been favorable
for the crop this season, and there is
shortage in the incoming yield, the crop
just now being harvested. Next comes
Germany where the crop is only fair. In
Austria, Italy, France and Belgium there
has been injury to the crop from unfavor-
able weather and insects and the crop is
not up to the usual good standard. In
our country what fax Is grown through
out the south and west is grown for the
seed alone, the fibre used here being
chiefly or almost wholly imported. The
| fax crop Of the world is said to be fully
ope-thrd short, the stock of old on hand
is light, and while fax is now held at SIS
per ton further advance in price is
looked for.
~ shS h'NNsihS vi ga L tI1Oud
Grange for September 9Th, held
with Northern Star Grange, woolwich,
one of the interesting features Of the pro-
gramme was report from members oil
the different subordinate oranges repre-
sented, on the condition of the crops of |
the county, including hay, the grain and |
corn crops, apples, potatoes, etc. These |
reports proved very useful. The grange3
in Woolwich is prospecting finely, and one |
brother remarked that it would be neces- |
sary to -"draft' certain members to re-
main at home by turns, when meetings
are held, as the hall is becoming too small /
for their use. At the above meeting one
hundred and twenty-seyep members were
present.
No better time in the whole year can be
found for making permanent farm i'm
provements than the fall of the year after
the crops are harvested. The weather ia
favorable, the farm teams are in good