The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-10-25
Former AroOstook Farmer In Skow-
hegan

IJp in Aroostook County they are
in the habit of talking about farms
in souare-mile plots. sDown in the
western part of the state, this is rare.
But when W. II. Scott came down
from Aroostook county, three years
ago, he brought with him his northern
Maine measuring stick. He had been
potato grower in presque Isle. But
land Is high there, the soil Is very
rich. to be sure But he figured that
the land here in mld-Maine is good
enough for potatoes and 1t costs much
less to buy It. For instance farm
that would be worth 100000 in Aroos-
took. owing to the reputation that
soil has for potato productivity, could
be bought in Somerset county for one
half that figure.
So Mr.. Scott has set about proving
that potato growing can be made to
pay here in Skowhegan, where he now
owns GAO acres and Is doing one OF
the most extensive farming projects
in the western part of the state.
1t is a slightly spot, where Mr.. Scott
has located. close to the line between
skowhegan and Canaan. 1t Is hiily
country, we'll wooded, but with
sweeping fields that suggest large
crops of hay, and much cultivated
land. This year he is cutting some
200 tons of hay and the yield Is ex-
eellent. He has sixty acres OF grain,
in oats. buckwheat and winter wheat
There are a score of acres in field corn
for his silo besides ten more acres OF
sweet corn which will net him good
returns from the canning factory and
suppliment his silo stock.
Thus far his dairy and stock bust
ness rather exceeds his potato line.
For he has, this year, only Id acres
IN spuds. But he figures that he
ought to harvest 1900 barrels OF sound
Green Mountain tubers, a good part
of which he will hold for better mar
kets later in the season.
A visit to the Scott farm quickly
proves that modern methods are In
vogue here. A Ford tractor awaits
action. in the door-yard. Mr.. Scott
has been using 1t all the three years
he has been here and he figures that
this easily takes the place OF three
pairs of horses, in doing farm work.
OF course he does not pretend to do
without horses, but he considers a
tractor most valuable auxiliary
power for all kinds of farm work.
The Scott dairy includes, this sea-
son, some 35 head of grade Jerseys;
and the production from this part Oh
the farm goes to the creamery as
convenient and profitable means of
marketing the cream. The skinned
milk is turned into pork, with some
hundred hogs and pigs on his hands,
all the White Chester breed, for which
he finds q ready market in the neigh
boring towns.
A reservoir on one of the nearby
hills provides running water in house
and barns and Is great asset to SO
large a farm. The buildings are spa
cious and well-kept, being conspicu-
GUS from afar for their size and at
tractiyeness. His crews vary from
a few helpers to nine or ten men; and
Mrs. Scott is as skilled afleld as she
is in the kitchen, when 1t comes to a
tight place and more workers are
needed out OF doors.
From this hillside home, nearly all
the standing timber in sight belongs
to Mr.. Scott: 1t il mostly mixed woods.
but valuable in these days, although
Mr.. Scott is not especially working
this end Of the business. But It's
possibilities for the future are not to
be overlooked.
Then, too, there are the orchards
which furnish some 200 barrels of fine
winter fruit, in good seasons, which
are to be found in four or five differ
ent plots, over the farm. Mr.. Scott
sells his apples on the trees, as a rule,
thus Kidding himself of the problem Of
sorting, packing and shipping.
Just how he will come out, on this
Somerset county venture, remains to
be seen, but 1t Is not Mr.. Scott who
is worrying. He has faith In Maine
and what some other sections than
Aroostook can do for the farmer who
works with diligence and intelligence
toward definite goals.
Lewiston Journal.