Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-08-10
The Experimental Orchard Farm.
A VISIT TO THE NEW PURCHASE OF
THE STATE.

VISIT TO THE NEW PURCHASE OF
| THE STATE.
| (Maine Farmer.)
The Maine Farmer has recognized for
some years the importance of securing a
farm we'll adapted to experimental pur-
poses for state use more nealry in the
corn and apple growing portion of the
state than is the University farm at Oro-
no. 1t was source of great gratitica-
tiOn that the last legislature made pro-
vision for buying and equipping farm
under the supervision of committee
competent to act in a matter of such
Importance.
Mention of the selection and purchase
of Highmoor Farm by the committee
has already been made.
Having a state farm, naturally we had
a lively interest in making personal
examination of it and for that purpose
Mr.. French, of the Farmer, and the
writer spent an hour In carefully going
over the farm and orchards, and verify it
was good to see what a magnificent
property the State of Maine has acquired.
In truth, it is seldom that stand
of farm buildings present better ap-
pearance than do those on Highmoor
Farm. Set ut just the right location on
the crest of a slightly slope they COM
mand one of the brosdest and most beau
tiful landscapes to be found in Maine
which is saying enough.
The house is large and we'll arranged,
the entire buildings being furnished with
the best of spring water brought by
gravity from living spring on the prop
erty fourth of a mile from the build
ings. The farm contains 225 acres of
which 100 acres is we'll adapted to tillage,
90 in orchards aud about so in pasture
and timber. From the height of land
where the buildings stand, on one side
the land slopes at quite pronounced
incline to the railroad, its boundary, Ia
half mile from the buildings.) On this
slope the great majority of the 300
apple trees are standing. In the oppo-
site direction the land is we'll adapted to
corn and grain culture, being fairly level
or rolling; the whole, together with the
orchards coming into bearing, makes
such an experimental farm proposition
as doubtless cannot be improved on the
country over.
Arriving at the farm just at milking
time in the evening We found F. j. Nun
DIV, from whom the farm was purchased,
and Wellington st. Clair relieving about
dozen head of good looking grade cows
of fair yield of milk. Mr.. Mundy has
devoted his attention to dairying largely
during his several years of ownership of
this farm and consequently has not de-
voted the critical and constant attention
to the orchards that their exceptional
promise deserved. He has been after
the dollar of the moment which Of
course could not be secured from trees
just getting to bearing age.
Mr.. Mundy will remain on the place
until his farm machinery and remainder
of cows and stock are disposed of and
then will return to New Jersey, his home Q
before coming to Maine. During his
ownership and operation OF this farm he
has succeeded in making it yield good
gross revenue, but in the opinion or ex-
perienced orchardists he could have
made the farm double or more its pres
ent value had he devoted his attention to
giving the thousands of apple trees
better chance by cultivating, fertilizing,
pruning, and spraying to the full measure
of their needs. Notwithstanding the addi-
tional cost that would have been involved
such treatment the majority of the $500
with eighteen year-old trees would now be
good for an average of from one to two
barrels year without question.
Under the guidance of Mr.. st. Clair,
we were shown the orchards. From this
brief time spent in going over the place
in his company we are going to hazard
the opinion that no mistake has been
made in securing his services as superin-
tendent of the new farm. He is college
educated and came to Maine from New
Jersey where he was foreman of Brook
lawn Farm and best of all, he speaks like
thinking, reasonable man and has
the ear marks of being a practical, ener-
getit farmer.
The apple trees early this spring all
received a fairly generous dressing of
chemicals and already have begun to
respond in growth as we'll as the grass
which has made surprising start where
before was but little. The trees have
also been thoroughly sprayed this season
in expectation of the farm coming into
possession of the state. The last spraying
had but recently been completed at the
time of our visit. The work had been thor
oughly done as could be seen by the trees
a two horse power gasoline engine being
used to furnish the power for the 200.
gallon sprayer used. The time required
to spray the 300 apple trees twice, was
eighteen days for two men, 5000 gallons
of Bordeaux and arsenate of lead spray
material being used. Previous to the
first spraying the trees were alive with
insects, many of which were of de-
structivs character, but at the time OF
our visit the trees seemed to be free Of
all insect life.
One of the best blocks of Ben Davis
variety approximating something like
| 1000 trees are quite we'll fruited although
quite seriously dented and cut by the
violent hail storm which struck that
locality few weeks ago. On one side
of the trees the apples will not be OF
much commercial value, but we shall
not be surprised if several hundred bar
rels of Bens are packed from that BLOCK
of trees. Beside the Ben Davis, which
are in the majority, there are Baidwins,
Il. i. GreenlnSS, NOuuodu5, olaIho ouo
Russets, besides small orchard OF ware
cites that were set for family use.
The barn proper is thoroughly well
built and is 40xS0 feet with shed room
4Ox6O feet and contains stabling for 81
head of cattle and dozen horses, be-
sides a number of box stalls. The stor.
age for hay will hold 125 or 190 tons,
there is also q cotton silo. The tie-up Is
provided with most modern conveniences
including stationary, drinking bowls and
| overhead manure carrier running to the
manure shed. The shed is in need ol
considerable repairs and the entire stand
needs paint. Some renewing will also
be required to put the buildings ship
shape. Nevertheless, no one competent
to pass critical and fair judgment car
visit this new state farm and go carefully
over the place, taking time TO fully ex
anime the great blocks of orchard ano
see the strong, well-grown, vigorous trees
Hundreds of which are as like as peas
in a pod-without becoming enthusias