Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-10-17
SHEEP AND SWINE.
The Unique Scheme Of a New Maine
Concern.

Bangor. oct. l6-(Spccian.- Farmers.
not only of eastern Maine, but OF the en-
tire State are interested in the methods
which the Maine Farm Product Co. is
taking to establish itself This company
was organized some months ago in thi,
city. under the general laws of the STATE.
with George :. Ma>tield, Il wealthy Ban
Sor man. as president Its purpose set
for II in the charter. was to engage in the
packing and wool business. This, Of it
self. was enough to interest the farmers.
but the company proposes to assist the
farmers III securing profitable herds and
tluchS. so that it may be certain OF Il sup
ply of mutton and pork for its packing
house, which is to be erected next spring
on the water front Plans for the pack
ing house are now being made by the
architect
IN order that there may be- a plentiful
supply of sheep and hogs for them TO
draw upon Inc company proposes to give,
practically, 1868 to lJ.0D eve SheCp and
a large number of swine to the farmers
of the State.
These sheep will be given in lots Of
from six to hundred, two and the
only thing which the company will ask in
return will be the guarantee that the
farm is CAPABLE of supporting the number
assigned to it, and that they the com
pdny) shall have One-half of thc off
springs and a pound OF wool for each
sheep given. And further. when Il farm
or desires to increase the size OF his flock
as quickly as possible they will, in ;aking
their half of the ofSpiinSs. take only the
bucks. leaving the ewes for the farmers
The half which they take will hr sent to
the packing house and in case any OF
them are not sufficiently fat for mutton
they will be weighed, left on the farm
until fit for slaughter and the farmer
paid 50 much pound for each pound
they gain. In addition to buying the
sheep and swine for packing the company
will also buy the wool of the sheep.
Will" the ewes which are to hc given
away will he natives. the Company has
Just received direct from England 100
which will he crossed with these natives.
The former of hese is an especially fine
mutton sheep and the latter is wool
sheep. Where a native sheep seldom pro-
| duCes more than eight pounds of wool a
| year the I.ircolrshires yield from II to ~
| pounds. 1t is believed that on the first
! crossing tn" sheep will yield 10 pounds :,
| year. These imported bucks will h"
! given ami loaned 70 the farmers. just the
| ~ me rs the native ewes.
! AT the sam tim" that the sheep We're
received from England there arrived "a
| large number Of Famworth swine. which
| Will be- croSs"d with the native grades
| These Tamworths are a particularly fine
| bacon hog something which this country
| has not and il * believed that hey will
! result. when crossed with natives. in ii
| splendid lard and bacon grade. They are
! particularly fitted for raising in large
numbers as th"l are natural grazer be
| ing direct descendants of the wild boIrS
of cd England. which got living by
! fora Ging
Thes,. hogs ami sheep are now quar-
tered on the nurtherly end Of tht Eastern
| Maine State fair ground. the Company
having leased that portion OF tho park.
| While the company is now directing its
attention to the sheep and swine end of
| the packing BUSINESS they intend ultmat-
~ to handle Maine raised beef and will.
| no doubt, fo- the purpose of securing the
! necessary herds Of cattle in the State,
| follow out the same plan. Mr.. r s.
| Peer "A director and the buyer of the
company. says that while the promoters
| of the company realize that there is Il
good business for a packing house located
| in Maine. they also realize that. as they
are coming in direct competition with the
| western packers they must depend upon a
local supply for their sheep. pork and
beef 1t is for this reason that they are
taking the method which they are to in
| crease the fioCkS il Maine.