The Republican journal., 1908-11-05
Raise Banner Crop.
Brunswick Merchants Demonstrate to
| Farmers That Potato Growing is Profit

Brunswick Merchants Demonstrate to
Farmers That Potato Growing is Profit
able.
BRUNSWICK, Me-, Oct. 26. Formed for
the purpose of showing the local farmers
that potato raising could be made profit
able if the work was done in scientific
manner, the Brunswick potato company
which last spring was looked upon as
something of joke, has prospered and
its members are so well pleased that plans
are now being made for next year, when
larger acreage will be planted and
possibly a modern concrete potato cellar
will be built.
Without owning foot of land or a
single farming implement, and having
to hire every stroke of work done, the
members of the company will this year
clear practically 100 percent on their in
vestment, and possibly little more.
Warren S. Morrell, a real estate agent,
last spring suggested the forming of a
company of business men to show the
farmers of Brunswick that potatoes
could be successfully raised here and at a
large profit. The following men, with
Mr.. Morrell, comprise the company:
Harvey J. Given, chairman of the
board of selectmen: Judge Frank E.
Roberts of the municipal court, Senator
Edward w. Wheeler, Charles l. Given
of the Pejepscot national bank, Herman
L. Slower of the Pejepscot national bank,
Stephen Litchfeld, civil engineer; Charles
L. Bowker, superintendent of the
Brunswick and Topsham water district;
John A. Beals, commission merchant,
and Charles l. Prince.
Harvey j. Given was elected president,
Charles |. Given secretary and treasurer,
and Warren S. Morrell, John A. Beals
and Charles l. Prince executive com
mittee Arrangements were made with
Mr.. Prince to use a portion of his farm
at New Meadows this year and 10 acres
were planted. These 10 acres were di-
vided into two plots, one of seven acres
and the other of three acres. The seven
acre piece was planted to norcross pota-
toes and the three-acre piece to new
queens.
The company purchased the chemicals
and mixed its own fertilizer. The work
on the crop was done under the direction
of Mr. Prince. The crop grew and pros
pered. On the seven-acre piece planted
to norcross potatoes approximately 1900
bushels of potatoes We're dug, while Ioo
bushels Of new queens were secured Oft
the three-acre piece.
The III acres planted TO POTATOES VIII
be turned over to grain, and after that
two crops Of hay will be grown, before
the ground is again used for planting.
The fertilizer placed in the ground for
the potato crop assures large grain and
hay crops for at least three or four years.
The company is now planning to secure
at least Is acres of land, which will be
plowed this fall for next springs plant
ing.
While more or less potatoes have al
ways been raised in Brunswick, an I'M
usually large number have gone into the
business this year. Among those planting
10 acres or over We're Emery A. Craw-
ford and L. P. Huntoon, E. A. Rogers,
Edward McManus, Harry Hutchins, Mr..
Ray of Topsham, Mr.. Morrill, of Topsham
and number of others. All told, it is
estimated that fully 200 acres of potatoes
were planted last spring.
This experiment means that many OF
the local farmers will devote practically
all their time to potato raising. Already
number of Long Island, N. Y, farmers
who have heard of the Brunswick potato
company and it's excellent results, have
purchased farms in Brunswick and more
are planning to come.