Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-11

0hO"A-Nu <h-Ni
A RESTRICTED AREA OF GOOD FARM
ING LAND.
maine Farmer.l
Recently it was the pleasure of tn,
writer in company with another of til,
Farmers staff to drive some three o
four score miles through the towns o
Woodstock, Greenwood, Albany, Water
ford and Bethel in central western Ok
ford County and thus We were enabled
to gain our first on-the-spOt observation
of farming conditions there and becom,
acquainted with few of the farmers o
the section visited.
In contrast to the more level portions
of Maine, large farming operations ar,
much less frequently met except in tn,
vicinity of Audroscoggin valley, con
sequently in moving back and fortl
through the towns mentioned in ordel
to gain clear idea of this territory, W.
cOuld make only very limited number
of stops to interview individual farmers
but during our drives there was plenty
of evidence to show that Oxford County
has some of the most energetic and pro-
gressive farmers whose operations We
have yet observed in Maine. Good evi
dence of this is furnished in the fact
that the first cow-testing association in
New England was established by the
dairymen in the town of Waterford, OF
which more will be mentioned.
SCENIC BEAUTY UNSURPASSED.
Since coming to Maine we have listen
ed to the praises of the picturesque
beauty of this region of Old Oxford and
now after even this brief visit are pre-
pared to substantiate the seemingly
extravagant claims for her scenic at
fractions. The windings of the high
ways through valleys; over mountain
passes; along the banks of the Andros,
coggin; across turbulently foaming trout
streams; ascending magnificently tim
bered mountain sides; all combine to
make cOntrastingly noticeable the com
paratively small acreage of really good
farming land found in this section of the
county.
sCoRCHISG DROUrH's DIRE DAMAGE
Western Oxford County has suffered
more from the long g-contiuued parching
than has any other part of the state We
have visited aud of course the condition
of crops is no criterion of accomplish
ment of her farmers in ordinary years.
The writer has gone through Identical
drouth blighting experiences and could
read the farming story without Difficult
ty. In fact the practically experienced
farmer can more unerringly learn who
are the best farmers during such time
of extreme drouth than when the sea
son is more favorable. 1t is then that
the right handling of land shows the
good husbaudman and makes the right
treatment given his fields stand out un-
mistakably from among those who are
unwilling or unable TO meet the exact
ing requirements necessary to make
good during an unfavOrable season.
TIMBER INSTEAD OF TILLAGE.
During three days driving through thu
section named where hills and mountains
show such marked timber production
adaptability, we were continually i'm
pressed with the folly and uselesSneSs o
attempting the tillage of the rough
broken, sandy and rocky areas, some o.
which are now being cultivated with 81
much labor and so little returns to those
farming this type of land, which never
should have been deforested and now
should be allowed to revert to timber a.
speedily as possible. Maine has plent!
of land obtainable at small cost better
adapted to tillage and until this is al
being we'll farmed the broken, rock.
land should be kept growing timber o.
orchards.
SUCCESS IN BERRY FARMING.
After leaving the train at Locke's Mill
our course was by the farm of II. +
Maxim, of whose berry growing opera
tions we have frequently heard. Mr
Maxim purchased the farm where he II
now located about 10 years ago. Hi
entire holding contains about 800 acres
a large part of which is too rough fol
successful cultivation and is covered will
more or less growth" and timber. Tht
farming land was sadly in need OF gooc
handling and Improvement, 1t being
criss-crossed with stone walls which pre-
vented economical tillage. Nearly a
mile of this wall has been removed anc
buried in a ravine out of the way and II
consequence the fine slope, which il
largely devoted to the growing of Cuth
bert raspberries, is now in condition fol
successful culture.
At present Mr.. Maxim has about l:
acres devoted TO this crop which at the
time of our visit was just beginning tt
ripen. IL was certainly most interest
ing and instructive sight to lind thu
large acreage of small fruit in vigorous
fionrishing condition in spite of the lopt
drouth. Constant and thorough tillag'
was the secret, together with adequat,
fertilization and judiciOus thinning ano
pruning at the proper season. Th'
cultivators are kept going around amons
these berries just as would be done witt
Aroostook potatoes or corn in the corr
belt of the West. For several inches th'
surface was found to be perfect dus
mulch and under that the mat of fibrou'
roots were being nourished in moist sol
even though no rain had fallen for abou
six weeks.
One of the most important improve
ments made by Mr.. Maxim in his berr.
growing land is the under drainage pro
vided. The many score Of rods of thi
has changed the entire character of som
areas and enabled him to give early cul
tivation where it was previously impos
sible. His berry fields are set in rows
feet apart and the rows are allowed to nj
in Just to a degree that allows OF con
venient picking and ripening of the fruit
MANY PIcKERs NEEDED.
The present year Mr.. Maxim employ
four men steadily through the summe
season and four horses. During IN
height of the picking season from w Z
20 pickers are required TO keep the rip
ening berries gathered. These are pal
by the basket and many dollar
earned by women and children and me
as well during berry harvest on this farm
Last season the berries from IL acre
aggregated something over 200 bushel
and averaged rather more than ~ pc
bushel. The berries are marketed !
pint baskets and are consigned to a Por'
| land firm that is always hungry 10
more. The coming fall four acres NOR
will be set, the supply of plants for Sc,
ting being always available from sprou'
| in the edge of the rows. 1t is found d'
sirsble to renew these berry fields ono
in from five to six years by plowing an
cropping for a few years to grain an
hay before resetting to berries.
BLAcKBERRIEs, CHERRIES AND APPLE:
Besides the raspberries, Mr.. Maxil
grows something under an acre of hlacl
berries, and fine plat of cherries col
tanning about a score of trees and in on
section of his berry field rows OF BE
nay;s annles ara set in the berry row