Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-15

long list of machines formerly operat-
ed by water power, or steam or gaso-
line engines. The pump, the separator
and the milking machine seem es-
pecially worthy Of mention for Two
reasons: Each Of them requires to pc
used every day in the year and that
makes a desirable customer for the
company; and the daily use of these
machines usually means. more and bet
ter farming The installation OF a
pump means running water, or at
least water under pressure in house
and barn. At ten cents per kilowatt
hour one cents worth OF current will
raise 200 gallons of water so feet. The
cream separator and the mixer pro-
duce a cash revenue to the user and 1t
Is very necessary to their successful
operation that they be run with the
certainty and steadiness afforded only
by the electric motor. Hoard's Dairy
man for December 20 presents report
on the use of mechanical mixers In
jefferson county, New York. Over 10
machines were found in the county,
and the report says. Most Of the
trouble with mechanical mixers oc-
ours with the engine" 1t appears that
gasoline engines are the universal
source of power in that county.
LAS already stated, there Is more
water power per capita developed in
Maine than in any other State and we
believe it is more widely distributed.
But the amount undeveloped is far
greater in fact several times as great.
It's complete development will never
occur. Its development to as high a
degree as is practical in the present
state of knowledge will require genera
tons. And that time may make such
changes in the art as will render water
power of far less consequence, but it is
useless to carry speculation so far into
the future.
THE question is asked as to whether
the farmer should install his own
power plant. If he has a possible
water power he should put that ques-
ton to an engineer who can advise
him as to cost and probable result.
But the ordinary private plant con-
sists of a gasoline engine and a small
elt-connccted generator, together with
a storage battery. This is what
Electricity on the Farm" has usually
meant outside of Maine. and there are
such plants in Maine. Complete out
fits including engine can be bought as
low as two hundred dollars. Ii there
is no hope of getting current from a
central station, one of these plants
may be worth investigating. but it is
la long way from the Maine idea of
Electricity on the Farm.
ITO hasten the spread of electricity
over our State we advise the managers
and the farmers to cultivate each 9TH
ers' acquaintance. Station managers
are anxious to do business, but the
heavy cost OF lines and small number
of customers per mile make matters
difficult. The problem of raising
money for more profitable business is
not easy. In our own case we have
offered residents along proposed line
preferred stock in our company and
have raised funds enough in that way
to build more than Is miles of rural
lines in the last two years. We know
OF no better method of raising funds
for this purpose.
suggestions for LEGISLATION are
asked for. We can think OF none. We
already rave more Legislation than is
used. Only two years ago an act was
passed giving any ten citizens the
right TO organize and build line to
meet the lines of gen, rating COM
pany and compelling the generating
company to furnish electricity at fair
rates. Action has never been taken
under this law and We believe it is I'M
likely ever to be taken. When ten
citizens or more or less than that
number have use for enough electricity
to make it an object, the companies
will be glad to go. The difficulties in
the way are practical and financial, not
theoretical or legal. And for the solu-
ton OF such difficulties we repeat, let
the station managers and the rural
residents get together"