The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-03-15
4 Mercer Farmer

One of the big farmers of Somerset
County is D. NJ. Bunker who lives on
four hundred acre farm at Mercer.
These broad acres run from Sandy
River to Bog Stream in Mercer
Village There are varied activities
on the Bunker farm and this past
season the crops have included
twenty-four acres of sweet corn, three
acres of potatoes and eight acres OF
oats Because of the wet weather,
Mr.. Bunker procured little better than
Il half a crop of sweet corn. This
product was sold to the new factory
at Mercer Mr.. Bunker plans to
plant as much next year. He has
always had excellent results from
his potato crop but this year proved
to be one of the worst in Mr.. Bunker's
history as a farmer. This was ac-
counted for by the wet season. Mr..
Bunker has raised as many as eigh-
teen acres and obtained therefrom
yield of three hundred bushels to the
acre. There is on the place a
hundred and twenty ton silo, but in
his conversation with the agricultural
editor, Mr.. Bunker stated that he
should prefer to have two smaller
silos because II the product Is not fed
rapidly after being opened il spoils.
This farm has been in the Bunker
family for sixteen years. The pre-
sent owners father John Bunker and
his grandfather, Moses Bunker lived
there before him. There Is a two
story house on the place built in 1876
and three barns. The COW barn is
S4x42 feet, the sheep barn 40x42 feet
and the stable 2SX30 feet.
Jerseys are the breed OF cattle
maintained by Mr.. Bunker. They are
practically thoroughbreds as thor
oughbred sire has been kept on the
place for thirty years. At the present
time there are twenty-four head, six
teen of which are giving milk. The
cream is sold to the Scion Creamery
Co. and a milking machine is operated
among other modern improvements.
Mr. Bunker has six work horses and
uses a Clear Track Tractor in his
farming operations.
Last season about one hundred and
fifteen tons of hay were harvested.
MI. buHhti was ChSu6th
in the growing of Alfalfa but has
given up this crop as Improbable.
He was the first in Somerset County
to raise soy beans for fertilizer.
There was formerly a large orchard
on the place of fifteen hundred trees.
When this was in the prime of bearing
it winter killed so seriously that apple
culture was not again undertaken, the
owner believing that the location of
the farm property was not conducive
to fruit husbandry. There is every
indication however, that it is most
desirable for corn husbandry as for
the last six years Mr.. Bunker has
averaged from $4,000 to $500 a year
on sweet corn. Among the conven-
fences at the Bunker farm buildings
is a mineral spring with four gallon
a minute capacity. a pressure tank
having been installed for supplying
water to the stock, During the pres
ent fall Mr.. Bunker purposes to erect
a hen house 1SxS0 feet to house his
flock of one hundred thoroughbred
White Leghorns and Rhode Island
Reds.
One reason for Mr. Bunker's success
in his farming ACTIVITIES is no doubt
due to his own good health and the
able assistance which his four sons
are able to give him. During the
past year Mr.. Bunker says he has
paid out but 1920 for hired help. Hisl
sons who are his efficient assistants
are Russell j., Rodney, Kenneth and
Ira, the latter not being yet through
school Living with Mr.. and Mrs.
Bunker and their sons is Mrs. John
Bunker, Mr., Bunker's mother who isl