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

hens have been c0nnned among tn'
berry bushes by enclosing acre plats will
wire netting and it has been found tt
work well. The grass is eaten ant
scratched out, insects kept down and the
fowls kept in fine, healthy condition
In this connection Mr.. Maxim said tha
he had plans maturing for increasing his
poultry business to a 7000-hen plant. A
location on hillside will be used for {
large central poultry house of two-story
yarding on one side and the upper story
on the opposite side. In natural de
preston under the center of the house
will be located a cellar for roots anG
green stuff supplies, also storage place
for dressing, grain and other supplies In
rooms above. Poultry is found to return
a good profit and Mr.. Maxim is not going
into this without full experience.
DOGS BANE OF SHEEP INDUSTRY.
A small flock of good sheep is kept
and the profits are so satisfactory be
would gladly enlarge his number if dogs
were not making such havoc among
them. This present season Mr.. Maxim
has had three fine, high-bred eve lambs
killed by dogs which at time of killing
would weigh so pounds each. 1t was
quite refreshing to hear that Mr.. Maxim
has no intention of taking whatever the
authorities are willing to offer him for
the slaughter of the lambs, which were
being saved for breeders. He said, ~
am going to get $50 for those lambs or
know the reason why"
SKILL AND ENERGY WINNING OUT.
Besides the sheep and hens, sufficient
cows are kept for family use, and several
acres of potatoes are grown, and it is
easy to see that success is surely coming
to Mr.. Maxim and his family as result
of energetic and skillfully directed spe-
ciaizing effort. Having previously been
a carpenter, he is gradually putting his
buildings into condition that will,
when completed, be a credit to his place.
Mastery of the situation is evident in his
dealings with all his crops and opera,
tions. The black knot is held in check
on cherry trees by constant cutting of
of the knot formations wherever they
appear. The same is true in other lines
of work undertaken. He keeps abreast
of the best thought touching his farming
activities, but is unassuming and glad to
receive or impart information.
PINE BLIGHT A GRAVE MENACE.
During the three days travel in the
section of Oxford County heretofore
referred to, opportunity was afforded for
constant observation of the pine blight,
which is being regarded with so much
anxiety by every timber owner and all
having the best interests of New England
at heart. This blight or injurious NAL
ady, which attacks and kills the tips oil
the branches of last seasons growth, is
now in evidence practically wherever
pine trees were seen and in the case OF
many of the trees of small size and upon
those having a height of 10 or 20 feet,
practically no limb of the tree has es-
capped some injury, the brown, dried
condition affecting hundreds of twigs on
each tree. Not few of the small pines
ten feet in height are already practically
dead. The largest trees are still but
slightly or not at all affected as yet. But
the outlook is so threatening that the
life of every pine tree in northern New
England is endangered unless the danger
can be circumvented. The singular
thing in this instance is that the forestry
experts, entomologists, psychologists
and all who are being looked to for en-,
lighterment and possible remedy, are
vet apparently in the dark. One thing
is certain, il there is source of knowl-
edge that can be brought into requisi.
ton from any source on this planet, that
source should be found and the salvation
of our pines, which clothe thousand
hills, be secured.
ANOTHER PEST IN THE TREE TOPS.
As if the pine blight were not sufi'
cient to damage the forests, a light green
worm or naked caterpillar striped with
white has quite suddenly appeared in the
forests and orchards of Oxford County
and various other sections recently heard
from. In the section of Oxford County
travelled over, these green worms are
rapidly stripping the foliage from hqp,
dreds of acres of birch growth in partic'
ular, and in some cases are appearing in
apple orchards and there making short
work with leaves of all fruit trees
These caterpillars at the time of our
visit varied in length from one-half inch
to an inch and half and were so numer,
Gus as to be seen by hundreds on the
trunks of the birches. Their manner oi
feeding is to begin at the topmos'
branches in the tall forest trees and theii
destruction of the leaves has already
caused great sections of trees on the hill
and mountain sides to look bare and
brown as if the leaves had fallen. The
specimens which we brought to the office
of the state entomologist for identiti
cation proved to be the maple three
lined caterpillar, which is seldom sutfi'
ciently numerous to cause very great
destruction of foliage. it being held il
check by parasites. Evidently the para
sites for some reason during the past
season failed to destroy them when in
the transition stage and the caterpillars
have developed in force. From our own
observation it would appear as if these
caterpillars are more plentiful in Oxforo
County than elsewhere in the state
although reports are coming in from
various other sections asking for infor
nation. 1t is the opinion of Professor
Hitchings that the parasites will again
attack these pests when they cocoon anC
hold them in check another year. Since
these caterpillars destroy the foliage by
eating, Paris green or other arsenica
spray, like what is used for potato bee
ties, will destroy them on fruit or othel
trees.