Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-05-14
The Aroostook Depression.


county, and Aroostook county has
been proud of itself. At the present
time Maine is alarmed over the de-
preston and Encouragement in
Aroostook, and Aroostook itself ap-
pears rife with bitter feeling toward
the forces that have initiated for and
accomplished the destruction Of its
era of prosperity.
In the first place the Underwood
protection slashers kicked the bottom
from under the economic foundation
Of the potato industry, but the chaos
in Europe causes Aroostook growers
to view the tariff conditions with less
alarm than they would feel If Euro
pean men were farming instead OF
killing. Then comes the federal
Department of Agriculture with
potato quarantine which in itself is a
great detriment to Aroostook prosper
ity and is nothing short Of a calamity
when the present campaign system Of
inspection is accounted. Small Won
der that Democratic leaders in Aroos-
took county are alarmed over the BIT
ter resentment there against the des-
troyers Of Aroostook's potato indus.
try, and small wonder that Senator
johnson is so active in his efforts to
meliorate the unfortunate conditions.
At present, in spite Of the fact that
Congress appropriated funds SUFFICIENT
for inspection at shipping points in
Aroostook, the horticultural board of
the federal department instructs the
inspectors in Maine to examine all
stock at Portland, placing the re-
sponsibility for shipping upon tho
shipper. 1t is said that not only has
Portland no facilities for racking
stock. but the system Of work has ne.
cessitated the drafting into the in
spection Of gypsy moth inspectors.
The federal department might as well
order that all gypsy moth inspection
be done at Kittery and Berwick by
seed inspectors, driving trees and
shrubs from Franklin county when
necessary that they be examined. This
seems an absurdity, but even so is the
system of potato inspection, accord
ing to the views of Maine authorities
on the potato quarantine. For de-
partment which was created to aid
agricultural interests. the federal
horticultural board seems a great
success so far as Maine is concerned
as the antithesis of that which was
intended. No change is expected
within six months and Aroostook is
planning small acreage and a small
crop for 1915.
One Of the most serious conditions
arising out Of the inspection at Port
land is the spreading of such infected
stock as is discarded there amongst
farms outside the area of the State
already infected. II the powdery scab
is as serious as the horticultural board
insists, it certainly should not be-
dumped around Portland and thence
into points between Portland and
Bangor hitherto free from the disease.
If the stock must be inspected at all,
1t would seem as if it should be in
spected in the locality where the pow
derry scab already exists-or discard
ed stock should be condemned AMI
destroyed. In short, if the disease Is
serious let it be confined to Aroostook
county: IL it is not serious enough to
confine let the quarantine be lifted en-
tirely. In SO far as anyone knows
the Maine centrar' potato which IS
the best on earth and brings the
highest quotations in the New York
markets has as much right to protec-
ton from powdery scab as Massachu.
sets and New York and New Jersey
potatoes.