The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-06-15
SKOWHEGAN'S SUC-
CESSFUL FARMER
He Gets Back to Nature
and Hens do Work
VI. II. B0ylngt0n Is Making Tidy
Profit From His Farm on the River
ROad.

". H. Boynton Of Somerset cOun
ty Is operating with marked success
one Of the very few real poultry
farms in Maine-or for that matter
in New England. Instead OF tryinI
10 operate a large plant on little
ground, under sufficiently high pres
sure 10 pay the Everlasting grain bill
he gets back close to nature lets the
sale of poultry and eggs represent
the products of his soil. and conse-
quently makes a tidy profit every
year, no matter where the prices go
There are a few COWS, some garden
truck, small fruits and other cash
crops too but the hens are the main
stay through it all
Mr. Boyntons farm is close to the
kennebec river. and the soil is rich
sandy loan that grows grain of all
kinds to perfection. From d field
containing only a little over four
acres. he harvested four hundred
bushels of oats last year, for which
he was awarded prize by the coun-
ty agricultural society He grows
buckwheat and corn too and has de-
cided to try some winter wheat
again next year. These grains with
cabbages and raw potatoes for green
feed in winter. and the skim milk
from the COWS, keep the eggs coming
along at most satisfactory rats.
lncubators do all the Matching. and
as result of last years experience
Mr.. Boynton has discarded every
thing but five metal mothers. The
little fellows are all raised with fire
less breeders. and the combination
coops and yards that go with them
certainly give excellent results. Com
mercial chick feed with fresh ground
every day turn out vigorous little
fellows that give good accounts of
themselves later The GOODS are
2x3R feet while the yards are
3hX6 feet giving ample space for
from thirty to fifty chicks One of the
best features of the outat is the wind
shield of builders paper on one side
and end
Mr.. Boynton grows considerable
sweet corn for the canning factory
also, and the late Matched chicks
have the field to run in. This COM
bination is also nearly ideal, and the
May and June pullets do so we'll
there that Mr. Boynton hardly cares
whether they come off in April or
not BY prolonging the Matching
season he finds it easier to carry
along the other work of the farm.
and also to breed only from closely
selected stock.
As a charter member and director
in the Somerset Poultry Producers
association, Mr. Boynton is one of
those who markets his eggs CO.
operauvely. Quotations have been
rather low this spring but the re-
turns have uniformly been top of the
market. With the coming of hot
weather and the seasonal check in
production, better figures are antici-
pated.
Small fruits on this farm have
proved to be a most satisfactory side
line, and they are all given the
mulch system of cultivation. Mr.
Boynton simply takes the old litter
from the hen houses. and after cul-
tivating between the rows of shrubs
a few times. puts on a deep layer.
The yields and quality of the cur
rants and raspberries resulting from
this treatment, have marked effect
upon the cash income. Mr. Boynton
keeps no books to show what his
profits are, but he always pays cash
for everything he buys. owns his
farm free and clear and has
steadily growing balance in the saw
ings bank