The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-07-06
In a Brooks Strawberry Patch.


twenty or thirty miles had become as ia
miliar as the streets of Belfast. This re-
taxation had not lost it's charm, but efrcum-
stances compelled its abandonment; and
the other day land cruise was planned
and duly executed and proved both novel
and enjoyable. A fine pair of horses from
the Belfast Livery Co. furnished the mo-
tive power that propelled comfortable
carriage over the roads at a rate of speed
that ought to satisfy any one; and we had
as pilot Belfast business man who could
drive all over Waldo county blindfolded
and tell you who lived in every house pass
ed on the road. The day was perfect-a
trife too hot, perhaps, but the wind blew
hard enough to make green waves in the
grass (where there was any grass and the
daisies simulated foam. There does not
seem to be any nautical smile to fit the
fields that were golden with butter cups;
but taken as whole the country wore its
fairest aspect and the air was laden with
pleasant odors from woods and fields
Brooks was the port of destination and the
outward voyage was by way of Citypoint,
over the long Littlefeld hill; and the re-
turn trip by way of Gurney's mills. 1t
may be remarked here that Brooks has set
a good example to other towns by placing
guide boards at each corner or fork of the
roads, giving distance and directions.
You can not very well miss your way to
Brooks village when once within the limits
of the town.
In due time the party of four were
safely landed at the York House, and
snug and comfortable haven it proved to
be. Not many places no larger than
Brooks can boast of a hotel with bath
room supplied with hot and cold water
steam heat, etc. The house is not large
but is neat and attractive throughout, and
an excellent dinner was nicely served in
an airy and cheerful dining room. Brooks
is to be congratulated on its hotel, as it is
in some other directions, and notably in
possessing among its residents men who
nave we'll CdIutu ltpuldllOu DIS IuSllGIS.
Although it was the writer's first visit,
handling the Brooks locals for more than
twenty years, and the occasional meeting
with Brooks people, have brought him so
much in touch with the affairs of the
town that neither the place nor the names
of the business men seemed strange. As
the town was written up in The Journal
not many weeks ago review of its in
dustries and enterprises will not be at
tempted now. 1t was pleasant to locate
the homes and business places, and to
note the progress of the work on the
church, recently moved to new location,
and which promises to be credit to the
town when completed.
After dinner, by invitation, the party
Stantial, where they received a cordial vel
come and after brief rest were turned
into the strawberry patch in rear of the
house and told to help themselves. MI
Stantia cultivates fifteen varieties of this
delicious berry, the Mckinley taking the
lead in his estimation, while the only ia
miliar name to the writer among the
other varieties was the Crescent AS we
sampled the different varieties Mr. Stan
tial called our attention to the varying
fiavors, which he said were as marked as
some of the berries made good sized
mouthful. Doubtless God could have
made better berry, but doubtless God
never did," said Dr. Boteler. This we read
in the July number of Table Talk The
berry referred to is the strawberry, of
course, but we have always understood
there was doubt as to the author of the
saying. Bartletts Familiar Quotations
gives it, however, as above.
Mr.. Stantial began the cultivation of
strawberries ten years ago, enjoyed it,
and about five years ago engaged in straw
berry growing in earnest and on business
lines. His soil and location are rot per-
haps the best, but unremitting labor and
the unsparing use of fertilizers are yearly
lICIedSluS HIS yltlu, anu ne is no QOuOt
to-day the leading strawberry grower of
the county. At the time of our visit he
had marketed over 5000 quarts, and if
the conditions are favorable will no doubt
pick as many more. In all he has about
two and one quarter acres in strawber-
ries. The field from which he will pick
next season was covered with trees and
rocks less than a year ago; and in the fall
the patches now furnishing the supply
will be plowed and new plants set in the
spring for the crop year later. The
pickers are mainly boys, who earn from
Is cents to 81 day. The berries are
picked into the baskets in which they are
marketed, packed in crates on the field,
and then stored in cool cellar until ship
ped. Three sizes of crates are used, hold
ing respectively, 80, 4s and 80 quarts.
Mr.. Stantial says the berries are better
for standing 10 or II hours after picking,
and as he is an eater as we'll as raiser of
strawberries his opinion should have
WEIGHT Mr. s. has nlantS for sale in the