The independent-reporter., 1909-10-21
VIII Set High Mark In Hlstor, Of
Maine Agriculture.

seemed to exactly suit him until he
got out into the well known Eaton
neighborhood. in East Skowhegan,
where he found just what he was
looking for and was able to purchase
it at what he considered a fair price.
The farm was formerly the home of
Calvin Eaton, having been his
birthplace and the trees Of the virgin
forest were felled by his father. 1t
Is next north of the we'll known farm
Of the late Horace Eaton, and south
of the farm of Edward N. Merrill. the
Skowhegan lawyer, so any one who Is
at all conversant with the geography
of that country will see that Mr.. Pat
ten has some good neigbhors, and Is
located on good SOIL where big crops
have been wont to grow for a good
many years. This farm contains 210
acres, and near the buildings is a fine
young orchard of $50 trees. many of
them in good condition and loaded
Will lIull. AClO5e Ino highway 10 d
beautiful field comprising just "a
acres. Here Mr.. Patten purposes
setting a thousand trees that are al
ready bought and paid fer in Michi-
gan. This will allow 30 feet between
the trees. They are equally divided
between the Starks, Mcintosh Red
and Gano varieties.
Unlike many new beginners, Mr..
Patten does not claim to know 1t all
but he is diligent student and Is
dead sure to know more than he does
at the present time, in the near fu-
ture. He purposes taking a course
at Orono this winter III orcharding,
and will also look into the live stock
at the college farm to some extent.
Just now his purposes are not fully
determined, but he is sort of feeling
his way to see what can be accom-
plished The place is to be known as
the Eaton Mountain Farm, for across
the highway from the buildings Eaton
Mountain rises right out Of the level
Of the country, to height OF 675
feet above the sea- The view from
this great elevation is simply superb.
On the east can be seen the villages
of Canaan and Clinton, and at the
foot of the mountain Is nestled
Round pond and 1t is we'll named for
1t is about as round as an apple and
is well stocked with good fish. A
little farther away is seen Cakes pond.
To the south the Kennebec river Is
plainly In view, also the new bridge
at Hinckley. To the west Bigelow
hill, and to the northwest Mt Bige-
low and Moxie. AS far as the eye
can reach in every direction a most
entranciug view is presented. Mr..
Patten will build a bungalow on the
highest peak Of this mountain as
summer home for his family, early
another season. For the present
while his children are in school he
will continue his residence in the
village, but is overhauling the farm
buildings very generally. The old
house is being newly silled and new
ly shingled and the outbuildings will
be rearranged to better suit the con-
veniences of the new tenant. Mr..
Patten Is fortunate in having a good
competent man on his place, and he
will be fortunate if he can keep as
good help all the time. Bert Ray
mond, who has been on the farm for
number of years will remain for
the present, and will doubtless be-
come permanent fixture.
There were number OF very
pleasing features about the place that
attracted our attention on a hasty
visit last week. The land ls good
strong soil, has been somewhat rocky,
but tous ard tons OF rocks have been
removed and Mr.. Patten is spending
lot of money STILL clearing his "a
acre orchard field OF surface rocks.
The rock diggers keep ahead of the
plow, Sc that when 1t comes to culti-
vating the orchard there will be ncth-
ing in the whole field to obstruct the
work. The bail jings stand on a
beautiful level plot of ground, the
barns standing several rods In che
rear, with ample space for handling
farm implements without going into
the dooIyard with them. One of
these barns Is, to be converted into a
tool shed, for Mr.. Patten proposes to
conduct his farm in up to date style,
which is another way Of SAYING that
he is going to employ the very best
known .netheds Of doing the work,
which means that labor saving ma
chimes will be used wherever they
can he employed effectively and eco
nomically but thev will not be al
lowed 70 be stored out of doors, not
for an hour, but each machine will
be put in its allotted place, when 1t is
not in use. Mr.. Patten is certainly to
be congratulated uron having started
Just right in this respect. In the rear
of the barns Is large valuable muck