Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-08-18
Maine Farmer.)

Maine Farmer)
While the editor and another member
of the Farmer staff traversed over 60
miles of Oxford County roads two weeks
ago, as noted in last weeks Farmer, a
large portion of the country seen was
not thickly dotted by prosperous farms,
and, TO our regret, We were unable to
call on all those whose homes We passed, (,
owing to limited time. We did, how
ever, make brief calls on few and our
readers in that good section of Maine
must not accuse US of favoritism because
we met so small number of the farm
ers. Our effort was 10 learn more about
portions of Western Oxford as general
farming section and, if possible, to
gather in few ideas from few farmers
which would be of value and interest to
others.
After leaving Mr.. Maxim, our course
led through Greenwood and Albany to
North Waterford. En- route we passed
the farm of Will Holt, near the boundary
line of Greenwood, u miles from Bethel
village. We found him gathering what
hay he could from land that was parched
and dusty, yet cheerful in spite OF the
drouth. He depends somewhat upon his
dairy operations for his farm income, and
owing to shortage of hay had already
sold several cows. However, some
meadow land with better growth of
grass and several acres of good corn were
features that will help him tide over the
bunch. His buildings are attractive and
commodious.
Towards night, after passing through
the little village of North Waterford, We
followed ON toward the "Center, miles
farther. All through this strip were
abundant evidences of good management
and prosperity, shown in fine homes and
well titled land, while from the height
of land were caught glimpses of fertile
spots on the surrounding hills where oc-
casional farms mark areas reclaimed from
the predominant forests, and these, too,
spoke well for the people and the soil,
where the right combination OF the two
had met.
We found at Waterford Center one of
those picturesque hooks which are COM
paratively rare and yet, in Maine, so
common. 1t is almost as if the Great
Creator, in passing His hand over the
earth, and plowing up the rugged hills
and mountains, had just let down little
body of water as change from the sur
rounding sceuery and had found this lit
tie nook here for its resting place.
The little village, somewhat famed as
the home of Artemus Ward, rests at the
foot of a rocky hill and borders close on
the shore of Lake Keoka, which name
s. Inl
nature.
The twilight hours, after lunching at
the pleasant summer hotel, were spent in
driving about two miles out to the home
of +. Ii. Morse. A little way from the
village we were attracted by modest
farm home which deserved more than a
passing glance. Nowhere in Maine have
we seen more delightfully."- located small
farm than was this one. The buildings
were not large nor extravagantly built,
but were located close to the road, sur
rounded by beautiful naples, while with
in and without everything was in the
pink of condition. In the barn yard a
half dozen cows chewed their cuds con-
tentedly.
From the door yard one looked of
across beautiful fields, finely titled down
a gentle slope to the lake, perhaps mile
away, while all around the guardian hills
kept silent vigil and the rays of the set
ting sun glinted on the hilltops far to the
south: il was certainly rural scene
which would be unequaled in many a
DAVIS travel. The owner of this desir-
able home we found to be young man,
+. II. johnson, who met with double
and sudden bereavement last year in the
loss of his father and mother and now,
recently married, is setting himself the
task of keeping these 20 acres of tillage
up 10 the high excellence maintained by
his father, who was known as farmer OF
advanced aud admirable methods.
Journeying on to the home OF Mr..
Morse, whose principal interest lies in
the direction of apple orcharding, we
first visited his young orchard near the
residence. Here We saw one of the few
Maine Stark orchards, small but profit
able. There were nearly 100 of these
trees, set about 90 years ago, and near
them 25 Scott's Winter, which Mr.. Morse
has found very hardy but not productive
of large enough fruit to be very desirable.
Two years ago this little plat of 80 odd
trees brought Mr.. Morse the snug sum
of 1922.
Four years ago Mr.. Morse began using
4 to ) pounds Of fertilizer to each tree,
spading it in, underneath the branches,
and he now makes this regular prac-
tice. He is certain that it pays and has
been a great help to the trees.
A pleasant hour spent in the home OF
Mr.. Morse in the evening brought out
many points of interest. Mr.. Morse Is
fortunate in having several husky boys
to aid him in his work, and doubiy
fortunate because i'll health prevents him
from doing the full quantity of work
which his enthusiastic mind foresees.
The next morning, starting from the
delightful little hotel in the cool OF a
beautiful day, we drove to South water
ford partly for a personal meeting with
w. X. Hamliu, the we'll known head OF
the creamery company of that town.
We had hoped to push on farther TO
meet some of the prosperous farmers
there whose names had been given US,
but our time was too limited. An hour
spent with Mr.. Hamlin was productive
OF much of interest and value, which
points will be touched upon elsewhere.
On the start of the return ride we
made our way past the second and larger
orchard of Mr.. Morse, partially to see
the apple storage house he has erected, !,
which is one of few in the state and
which we expect to illustrate in an early
issue. The owner was busy with his
crew harvesting the hay in the apple
orchard, while beneath the trees his sec
ond crew of workers was busy-in the
shape of s brood sows, whose active
snouts had plowed up the sods around
the tree trunks in manner not accom-
plished BY any other means. In por.
tion of this orchard we saw the demon
stration of the experiment in trees refer.
red to by Mr. Morse at the Auburn field
meeting. Twenty-Five years ago he set
out 15S N. Y. Baldwius aud at the same
time an equal number of Tallman Sweets
which latter were soon grated. Now
considerable number of the former are
showing less degree Of vigor and hardi
ness as evidenced by general appearance
and particularly by the frequent seams
where trunks have already begun to
split. On the contrary, those grated or