Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-02-27
On the Farms Of Central Maine
News Notes OF Interest to Agrculturst Horticuurist
Daryman and Poultry Raiser


LESSONS Learned OR
LESSONS WE SHOULD LEARN
Every autumn brings its touch OF
sadness to the lives Of all of us who
love the great outdoor world. We
must say goodbye for time to many
things we love and see them wither
and apparently die. In this northern
cline they are buried out Of our
sight, but we know they are there.
hidden away under the frost and snow
awaiting the call of spring, to again
come forth to gladden. our hearts with
their fragrance and cheer. l do not
think it is possible for those who live
where there is no winter to appreciate
spring. At best they cannot appre-
ciate 1t as do those whose lot Is cast
amidst winters snow and ice.
AS compensation for the long, dark
and cold days Of winter, We have the
bright sunshine Of the spring days.
bare ground breaking through the
snow. the flow Of the maple sap, the,
return Of the birds, the piping Of the
frogs. One can almost hear them now.
each one apparently trying to make
himself, or herself heard above their
fellows. They seem to feel that peo-
pie will not realize that it's spring
time, and so they urge night after
night, SOW your wheat, SOW your
wheat" Soon the meadows begin to
green and the shrubs and plants that
seem to have left us again push out
their buds, as If to say. "Oh, We OF
little faith" did you not read my
promise. to return again, in folded
bud and hidden shoot?
Who has not watched and tended
some cherished plant, waiting to see
how 1t had Jared under the harsh treat
ment accorded it by hoary Old Winter?
A few weeks more and we will be able
to sing:
Springtime is love time, spring days
are here,
Winter is over with days cold and
Sunshine and flowers are with us once
more,
To cheer and to bless us as in days of
yore.
How many promised themselves, or
their loved ones, that another spring
should not come and go until they had
made provisions for future supply of
fruits, vegetables and flowers to bless
and brighten the home? How many
times have we permitted the everyday
cares of life to crowd these things
out of our minds until too late to do
it for the present and We are forced
to seek refuge under the old promise
that, never again" would we let the
spring pass without some preparation,
at least along the line of future hap
piness and contentment. 1t is not too
early now to begin our plans and
commence active work toward future
success.
Seeds and plants, flower and shrubs
should be ordered now, if this has not
already been done, and boxes and
hotbeds made ready for the seeds and
plants. Those who cannot afford
what they would like can work out
some substitute in the way of protec-
ton that will help out wonderfully in
getting early green vegetables on the
table. The storm windows can be
removed and made to do double duty
in protecting few hills of cucumbers,
lettuce, radishes, etc. If care is
used in handling and they are kept
painted 1t will not shorten their days
of usefulness as protection for the
house very much. Even though they do
not last as long they will pay divi-
dends in their secondary position.
A small hotbed is not an expensive
investment and every home that has
a garden should have one.
There is possibly no Investment in
fruits for the home garden that will
bring the returns in pleasure. health
and happiness that strawberry bed
will. To be sure one must set out the
plants a year before they can hope to
pick the berries, but once the start is
made then berries can be had in
abundance each year. barring acct
dents. 1t does not make a great diff
ference what varieties are selected for
the start. Each locality seems better
adapted to certain varieties than
others. 1t is best to select those that
are perfect Towering, but if imperfect
are desired, good strong staminate
variety, that blooms at the same time
should be planted near them. If there
is some one near that is growing
Strawberries successfully, they can
tell the beginner which varieties
thrive best in their soil. Senator
Dunlap, Glen Mary and several others
seem to be at home in most any loca-
ton. Among raspberries, the Herbert
is one of the more recent introduce
lions that is very hardy even in the
very cold climates. Not a good shipper
but for the home garden or nearby
market very desirable. This can be
grown where the Cuthbert will winter
kill to the ground. Blackberries must
be given protection if grown in the
northern part of the State, but in the
vicinity of central Maine or south of
this there Is no serious difficulties to
overcome.
Who does not appreciate an abund-
ance of small fruits on the table
throughout the season? They are we'll
worth planning and working for. With
the well known methods of preserving
fruits at the present time and the
reasonable cost Of glass sealers there
Is no real reason why every table
should not be supplied with some
fruits throughout the year.
There is no investment in time and
money that will pay greater dividends
than the home fruit and vegetable
garden. The home that has once en-
joyed an abundance of fruits and
vegetables will not again be without
them if at all possible to possess
them.
For. those situated where they can,
have these great blessings, the gifts
of an all wise Creator, they should en-
joy them. He meant us to have them.