Oxford Democrat., 1921-06-14
AMONG THE FARMERS.
"sPEED THE PI0w.'
The Coy Farm.

1 AnS wy -
One of the largest and best farms In
the town of Oxford is owned by Howard
o. Coy. The largest part Of it is inter
vale land lying on the banks Of the Little
Androscoggin River. The road leading
from Welchville to Mechanic Falls runs
through the farm, as does the roadbed
of the Grand Trunk Railway, cutting up
the land into fields. The largest field
lies betwe the highway and the river,
which is q section of low intervale, go
low 1t Is inundated during times OF high
water, but for that reason is rich With
deposits of river silt. 1t Is also under
high state Of cultivation.
This field is interesting because 1t has
many runs or abandoned beds of the
river, showing the migrations of the
Little Androscoggin-before man ap.
peeared upon the scene. This could
scarcely be comprehended II one bad
not an object lesson before him to day
In the river itself which shows constant
inclination to roam, not in pastures new,
but In new beds. Those who have lived
on this farm and those near by 1t can
point to places along the banks whore
the current of the river has cut into the
adjacent land, in some places as many
as one hundred feet in the last half cen
tury. Then again, points OF land can
be seen that contain anywhere from a
few rods square to an acre or so made
in by the river during the same period
of time, or, perhaps, to be more correct,
stolen from the opposite bank by this
mischievous brigand, who possesses
truly fourth of July spirit in exchanging
the property Of the various owners along
its banks. To show the fertilizing pow.
or of a voyage of soil and subsoil through
the alimentary canal of the Little Andro-
scoggin, one only has to observe the
luxurious growth of shrubs and forest
trees, grasses, vines and wild plants of
various kinds which spring up immedi.
ately the new made land is above even
low water mark, and become veritsble
tropical jungle. With such an exhibit
in view one can not be surprised at the
original richness OF these intervale
farms.
This farm has been owned by the Coy
family for three generations. 1t was
settled by Nathan Coy, grandfather of
the present proprietor, In the early part
of the nineteenth century. The land he
purchased contained the field already
mentioned, one between the carriage
highway and the railroad and another
small field east of the railroad, in all
sixty-five acres. The eldest Mr.. Coy
died at the age of SO years by the treach-
cry of the river beside which he lived.
he was washing sheep in the shallow
okor IF ha
ming out into the river, which have .
tendency OF dropping of into deep
water. One of his sons was playing in
the shallow water and slipped over the
edge of the bar into deep hole and
went down. Mr.. Coy jumped to the
assistance of his son, saved him, but
lost bis own life in 80 doing.
His oldest son, Henry W. Coy, sue
ceeded the father on the home acres.
He was but boy when he began to till
this land and he carried II on until April
Of the present year, when he died at the
age of SO years. The second Mr.. Coy
added greatly to the acreage of the home
farm. He purchased two good sized
farms adjacent TO his own, the Samuel
Wright farm which lies we'll up on the
hills behind the river valley, and the
Samuel Dudley farm lying between the
two. He also purchased the small
homestead lot of Seth Dudley. He was
not only a thrifty, hard working man
but took an active part in the life of the
town.
The present owner, as was his imme-
diate predecessor, Is engaged in the
dairying business, although he has sew.
eral side lines. His farm is particularly
adapted to this industry as the original
farm Is natural grass producing land,
while the later acquired property on the
hills furnishes excellent pasturage.
About twenty cows are kept and the
milk is sold In Portland.
To keep up the fertility OF the river
bottoms, large fields of sweet corn are
raised. Half century ago field Of
corn five acres in extent was considered
large. 1t WAS nothing strange for the
late Henry W. Coy to plant fifteen or
twenty acres.
The hill land owned by Mr.. Coy is
excellent apple growing soil and he
raises quite lot of this fruit.
Mrs. Coy Is interested in poultry and
large number Of chickens are raised
each year, quite portion Of which are
killed for the fall market