Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-12-01

respects unfavorable, has witnessed the
largest crop of potatoes ever raised in the
county. No. only has the area under cultiva-
ton been extended, but the averag, yield
per acre has also increased, so that this
year we have not only the largest aggregate
amount but also the highest average Yield
ever yet obtained. This 10 accounted for
from number Of reasons aside from the
natural fertility of the soil. One reason
is that the xperience gained from continued
cultivation of this crop on 8 large scale has
resulted in bitter methods which have
secured proportionately better results.
Another reason vhich is certainly true 10
that the reports of the competition for the
prizes for best Yields last year, giving the
amounts obtained and the methods Of ob'aio-
ing them, have stimulated our farmers gen.
orally to more careful selection aad prept-
ration of seed and to better and more Intel
ligent cultivation of the crop. Another
reason which cannot be igaored, however
much it may cltflct with preconceived
opinions ard former theories, is that the
increased use of special fertilizers has this
year raise d the average yiel aud has re .ulted
in safe profit after pa, ing the cost of the
fertilizer. Here let me anticipate ques-
ton which know will be asked. AFT tn,
soil of Aroostoos is nat !rsliy so fertile,
why is it Necessary or profitable 10 use a
special fertilizer Many of US formerly
thought it WAS neither necessary nor profit
able, but what experience we have so far
b d 10 its use has seemed to indicate that
We were mistaken. l would answer the
question Their fore, Yankee Ike, By asking
why we fod our greatest p -oit in feeding a
highly concentrated food 10 the best COW IN
the herd The parallel IS an honest one.
In both eases the natural conditions for a
good average yield are present to start with
hence the addition of ration of concen-
trated food or fertilizer results ia greater
profit than the same ration supp led to an
inferior sol or animal.
Great Potato Crops Of 1900.
The Results this year secured are extreme
ly encouraging and illustrate the capabilities
of Aroostook soil. We here insert soma of
the figures Of this years production, which
l assure your readers are perfectly re-
liable, as both land and crop were accu,-
steiy weighed aud measured AMI sworn to
by numerous dsnterested persops in each
c.se. Mr.. Philo II Reed of Fo.t Fairfield
heads the list with 7i5 bushels AMI rs
lbs on measured acre. Thi, yiell is
thirteen bushels in excess of the pre-
yield obtained las. year by Mr.. Coy an we
look for il TO take the fret priza this year.
We would here remark that Mr. Reed is
also the fortunate possessor of fine Nelson
colt for which he WAS las. spring offered
$500 and the performances of his rogal sire
have in no way diminished his value Next
in order in pota,o yield, we mention Mr.
A. NJ. Dudley of Castle Hill, G0527-G)
bushels Emmons Houghton, Fort F,ir
field, $40 bushele, A. L. Haines, Ft FAR
fl Id 547 bushels, Thomas Bro ike, Presqua
Isle, ION C, B. Coy's farm 543 bushels
J. W. Dudley, Castle Hill, $50 bushsl,
Many Others have raised between 400 ard
500 bushels per acre. Many large averages
extending over fields of from ten to thirty
acres are also reported and few COED far
mers have this year secured al average of
less than 200 bushels on their entire plant.
While as we have seen the potato
crop has bee Jme the special crop with
the farmers of Aroostook who are
within reach of the railroad stations
and the production of thst crop has decreased
to an enormous extent, vet the fact that the
production of hiv grain and other staple
crops has also Increased shows that the
large amount of money received for pots-
toes has not been obtained at the expense Of
the fertility of the soil. The grain crop of
Aroostook for the present year is below the
average, owing entirely TO an unfsvorable
season, but should the price warrant. more
hay could be shipped this winter than has
ever before been exported from the county
AMI the yield of grass is the ultimate test of
sol fertility. We have in this article
described something of the methods of
Aroostook agriculture aud of the cipabili-
ties of its soil; In our next we shall speak
somewhat Of its other resources and also of
the needs of the county in whose develop
meat the whole State is financially inter
ested.