Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-07-19
BUILDING OPERATIONS,
And Other Changes Now Being Made
atthe Insane Hospital.
Farming observation-disclosures in Patients
Bad Effects Of Intsrmarriase Along seacoast.

shaded banks, the Maine Insane hospital
Is indeed an attractive place seen from the
distance on a summer day 1t is crafty
ing 70 know that many of the inmates
are able to appreciate these attractive
features which doubtless exert a salutary
influence upon them. Moreover, at this
season many are able to get out of doors
ana indulge In recreation and exercise,
ana not few obtain both by partlcipat-
Ing In the farming operations.
When Journal reporter called there
yesterday, he found haying in full pro-
gress and large number of men are
busily engaged in harvesting this CROP,
which will fall short of the cut of last
year. The probable quantity to be stored
this year will be about 400 tons, and it
Is expected that this will be procured in
excellent condition.
The hospital farm comprises land
amounting to about 600 acres and this is
under high state of cultivation, which
can be proven by the large crops grown
upon 1t. In caring for the hay crop a
large number of the patients render assist
| ance and not only receive the benefit of
being out of doors, but have the privilege
of vigorous and health giving exercise.
Just now building operations are lively
at this State institution and new barn
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which cannot be surpassed in New Eng
land when completed. 1t will be 203 feet
long and 40 feet wide, one story with a
monitor roof, and the material will be
brick. This barn will be exclusively for
cows and they will be arranged in two
lines facing each other, their heads being
IA feet apart. The managers will be V
shaped. A very ingenious arran cement
will be provided whereby one man can
will be provided for about 100 cows Tho
floor of this barn will be perfectly flat and
at the rear of the COWS will be the Stewart
self-cleaning stable grating. Under this
grating will be a water tight trench,
three feet wide and two feet deep made Of
Southern pine plank. The foundation
has been nearly completed and the brick
work is now well under way.
The two large barns have been under
going changes which have greatly i'm
proved their appearance. Their location
has been changed and when the repair
work is finished they will be of modern
design and exceptionally convenient.
Each is 1O7 feet long and AZ feet wide,
which will afford plenty of storage room
for the large crops raised on the fertile
farm. In one three silos will be made,
providing for about $50 tons of ensilage.
The farther barn will have two mammoth
hay mows where many tons Of cured
grass can be laid away.
One of the chief objects in moving
these barns and erecting the new one
where it is being built was to present
much better view from the south side of
the hospital wards, while previous to the
change the patients view was met by
these buildings, and when the changes are
all brought about the scenery lying to the
south of the hospital will be brought In
sight. The plan, yet to be perfected, Is
to remove the eight or 10 small buildings,
many of which are used for storage, so
that looking from the south side Of the
hospital all the buildings to be seen will
be the stable for the horses and the three
barns, all of which will be located quite
long distance away. The piggery will
be taken out to the portion of the farm on
the east side of the hospital road long
way from the institution. 1t Is proposed
TO enlarge the horse stable and erect d.
rectly in the rear convenient and suit
| able Ice house. thus doing away with the
several small buildings used for the stor-
age of this material so exceptionally
| necessary In hospital. Some of these
buildings now between the new barn and
the remodeled ones will DO removed to
the site where the hospital farmers
house and barn IS situated. When these
changes are made quite a strip of land
will be opened south of the Institution
and the purpose is to grade this so 1t will
have a gradual slope from the hospital.
This will greatly improve the appearance
of the grounds
| 1t cannot all be brought about this
season, but eventually will be accom-
plished and the beginning is very salts
factory one. Under cultivation at the
hospital are 25 acres of land for vegetable
and the product of the garden for this sea-
son will be especially large. Much OF the
vegetables arc sold and generally enough
of all kinds are raised TO supply the con-
sumption at the hospital. The grounds
lawns and flower gardens about tho insti-
tuition are kept in fine condition and many
Of the patients delight in passing por-
tlon of each day at work to keep them
looking well.
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