Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-09-17
The Crops.

| Of course deal of interest centers In
the crops at this season of the year,
where the returns of the year for the
efforts put forth are either being realiz-
ed or so nearly in sight as to be measur.
ed in volume with approximate relia-
bility. So far has the season now ad-
vanced that it Is now seen that the dis
couragements of the unreasonable cold
of the early part of the season has not
finally worked so much damage to
farmers as was greatly feared at the
time, an outcome not unusually realized
when discouraging experiences suddenly
fall upon US. This experience is an
other case in proof that it is never best
to be cast down by conditions only to be
seen in the imaginary distance and then
rarely realized. The unreasonable cold
of calendar spring time was followed by
a tarried midsummer heat that forced
vegetation to make up measure of its
lost time, and is, as consequence,
bringing the desired harvest along in
not greatly belated time and in the aver
age bounty. All this in fulfillment of
the promise of harvest to follow the
seed time. When will a people learn
that a sweeping failure on the farm
never follows diligent industry?
A full average hay crop has been har
vested, and is now safely in store. A
crop of grain, yield more generous
than the efforts put forth in its behalf at
the seeding, has now substantially all
been gathered in. Corn has made re-
markable progress under the extreme
heat, and at this time is but trifle be-
hind its usual stage at this date, and in
proportion to the area planted, is likely
to return a surprising harvest. Pota-
toes, to look at, are just fine. They are
showing a remarkably even and healthy
growth that in the broad fields are de-
light to the eye. They have been un-
usually we'll cared for-scarcely field
to be seen that has been damaged by
bugs or is now choked with weeds.
True, there has been too much rain in
the far-away Aroostook, and not quite
enough in the other extreme of the
state, for the greatest possible yield at
the harvest, and we just little fear that
the heat of the past month has forced
growth of tops-(plants) that the two
or three weeks of time remaining will
not be so favorable for the growing of
the bottoms. However, the first early
crops that have been dug are turning
out fairly good yield of fine quality.
We need have no fears but there will be
potatoes enough.
Apples are a little late with their
growth and rather small at this date.
With needed moisture and continued
warm weather ahead there is ample
time between now and midOctober to
perfect the fruit and give us fairly full
crop of winter fruit, and there is every
promise it will sell for reasonably salts
factory prices.
Dairy products of all kinds are selling
at unusually high prices, and are sure to
so continue through the year. This is
the time for dairymen to take advantage
of the situation. A farmer just at hand
states his last monthly check for cream,
from seven cows was sixty dollars. An
other is selling his veals for twenty dol
lars apiece and upwards. Beef has
made a very substantial advance, and
everything in the form of fat cattle is in
quick demand and likely to so continue
for the next twelve months. But
farmer must be doing something or
these encouraging prices will be no ad-
vantage to him. Prosperity comes to
those who earn it. The present is al
ways "good time" for the active
farmer.-Maine Farmer.