Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-01-30
Aroostook Comes Back.

! Auo past year mas 0oen Q Wonuorful
one for Aroostook County, Ne. These
famous potato farmers again have the
laugh on those who would discourage
the speciality. The crop of 1915 is ex-
pected to turn $50, 900 900 into the pook-
cts Of Aroostook farmers. The high
price has made many wealthy, helped
put Others on easy street, lifted debts
and burdens long carried, and brighten
cd up the future outlook for many young
men who started out In life by buying
farms and have since been struggling
with debts. They now have relief, and
from this time can ride In their own
auto.
A few examples are thus cited by G..
N. Park: On the road on which live,
one of my acquaintance living on .
small farm which be bought few years
ago, has been working hard to support
his family and educate his children. He
lie not large farmer, his plant of pota-
toes being only about 20 acres q year.
This year he had some % acres. His
crop was around 1900 barrels. he con-
tracted some 300 barrels to pay and
make sure his phosphate bill, and pay
and guarantee other bills necessary to
be paid. He has now left between
1900 and 1900 barrels. II be sells at
present prices, 81 per barrel, it will be to
him great uplift, and place him In q
safe position.
Another neighbor raised this year
$500 barrels. Two weeks ago he sold
1000 barrels for "a per barrel, and has
since sold his farm for $4,000, snug
little sum to retire upon, which he ex-
poets to do, making It convenient for
him to educate bis children.
Another small Presque Isle farmers
crop from some 35 acres was some 4SOO
barrels. OF these, from less than eight
acres, the yield was over HOO barrels,
leaving him now in bis farm potato
house, 5000 barrels, which are worth
nearly $4,000. This will net our friend
a fine little surplus to add to his rainy
day fund.
Another of our larger farmers whose
yearly plant ia around 30 acres, and
whose yield ia seldom less than 5000
barrels, has sold 1000 barrels of his crop
for $4,000. These are no uncommon
samples, which might be multiplied over
and over again In Aroostook this year.
C. NJ. Fowle, Q prominent farmer and
potato raiser, and the owner OF two
large farms, raised crop Of 5000 barrels
from 90 acres. OF bis crop he has sold
only four carloads as yet.
This is story coming from our sister
town of Caribou: "Two men having
been associated 10 business divided, one
taking the farm at $4,000. he raised
enough potatoes this year to pay for the
farm, and has 5000 barrels left In the
cellar" Can anyone blame this man for
his good fortune or for living in Aroos-
took?
A Fort Fairfield farmer, not by any
means the biggest one, but OF course
quite substantial farmer nevertheless,
has sold his entire potato crop for
$82, 1000. This may not be precisely cor
rect, but 1t must have brought pretty
nearly that figure.
Another farmer living only few
miles away has crop of $4,000 barrels
of nice tubers stored away, from only
one farm. At present prices these would
bring about 8SS,OOO. What do you think
of farming in the Aroostook valleyP
Real estate is selling high, both In vii
lage lots, and farms. Among the Fl.
Fairfield sales are these. The B. +.
Good farm for SS3, 900, the Howard Ripp
farm for $4,000, and the Henry Darke's
farm TO Reed brothers for $25, 600.
In Presque Isle, the recent sales are
the George W. Wasbburn farm on the
state road for $4,000, the Ira Phinney
farm and the Charles Hardy farm for
equally good prices. No very large
farmer has been willing to sell, aud only
the large farms of the Phair estate have
been sold.
These are scattering stories OF Aroos-
took this year. Potato farmers may
have one or a half dozen poor or medi-
ocre seasons In row, but when they do
hit 1t they hit 1t hard. Single crops
more than pay for expensive farms. In
no way is Aroostook to be blamed or
envied for it's present great tide OF re-
ward for the hard work done, for its
continual study of potato culture until
the raising of it has developed >scientific
methods; for the manufacture and use
of the most costly and best machinery
and methods in the world. For it's un-
usual prices, Aroostook is not to be call.
ed to an account any more than is the
west for the high price of wheat, corn,
cattle and pork, or the south for the
high prices OF cotton.