The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-09-14
CORN SEASON NOW
BOOMING
Canning Factories Al
ready Started
Husking Machines. Are. Vigorously
Objected to by Farmers Who Claim
Profits Are LeSsened.

| prospects Seeu DllSut an OfCi int
State for a good corn crop and for a
! busy and prosperous season for the
corn packing establishments. During
the summer Maine has been blessed
with rather more rain than most
other sections of the country and
the general aspect of the country, es-
pecially in the vicinity of Bangor
and throughout the eastern section Of
the State, does not indicate that the
drouth has very seriously interfered
with growing and maturing crops.
Although 1t has been a dry summer
storms-enough in fact, to prevent
anywhere near as much damage to
crops here as they have suffered in
other parts of the country.
Corn in the fields hereabouts is
very thrifty and of good height. The
fact that the color Is generally dark
and uniform, with but few yellow
leaves, proves that it cannot have
suffered great deal by drouth.
Whether the degree of dryness Maine
suffered this summer retarded the
growth of the corn or not, it is diff
cult to say. From appearances, how
ever, it would seem that this was not
the case. Most of the corn appears
to be of about the usual height and
to have the usual number of ears.
The canning factories all over the
State are being made ready for the
opening of the season which, in some
localities, has already commenced.
Within the next week corn packing
will be quite general all over Maine.
1t is impossible, at this time, 10
speak accurately concerning the quail
ity of the corn or to make any esti-
mate of the amount of the different
grades which will be put up. 1t Is
probable that, while it will fall some
what short of a normal pack, that 1t
will nevertheless be large one.
There has been change In the
method of conducting many of the
corn canning factories in Maine dur
ing the past few years. Some of the
| factories which formerly manufactur-
ed their own cans have discontinued
doing so. Most of them have found 1t
cheaper to purchase them at whole
sale rates. Owing to the large num-
Der used by most canning plants, very
low rates may be obtained.
One interesting detail of the corn
packing business in Maine is the in
PRODUCTION Of husking machines. Here
tofore the corn has been husked by
the people living in the vicinity where
the canning factories operate. Men,
women and children from the entire
countryside took part in the work and
regarded 1t as an excellent opportuni-
ty to acquire little money for the
purchase of winter supplies. Last
year a considerable number of husk-
ing machines were installed in the
different plants.
In some instances reports indicate
that these machines have not proved
entirely satisfactory, either to the
Gamers or the farmers, particularly
the latter. 1t Is claimed that the ma
chimes destroy large proportion of
the corn by cutting off a portion of
the butt of the ear. Many farmers
seriously object to this, and, in some
localities, have served notice on the
packers that they would plant no
more corn If 1t was to be husked by
machinery.
One factory which put in a single
husking machine last season Is put
ting in several more this year despite