PENOBSCOT AND AROOSTOOK SOCIETY. 239 



sorry to say that there are many who depend on the lumbering 

 operations or shingle making for support. If they would but 

 turn their attention to the raising of stock and the cultivation 

 of their farms, become members of an agricultural institution, 

 strive together with brotherly kindness, my word for it, they 

 would find themselves in one of the gardens of Eden before 

 they were aware of it. 



Wheat-growing has been neglected in this vicinity for the 

 want of mills. I am happy to say that we are improving in 

 this respect, Mr. Joseph Heald of Patten, having recently built 

 a good flour mill, with two run of stones. Also, Messrs. Gard- 

 ner, Coburn & Jackman of the same place, have just completed 

 another, with two run. And I soon hope to see Number Three 

 and Island Falls, improving in the same way. At the former 

 place there is now a sav/ mill and grist mill, with one run of 

 stones, built by myself, and now owned by Spaulding Robinson, 

 Esq. ; and at the latter place there is a superior water power. 



Our neat stock are mostly of the native breed ; in many cases 

 cros_sed with English blood, Messrs. Fish and Wiggin of Patten, 

 having introduced some years since, some of the North Devon 

 and Durham blood, which has made a perceptible improvement. 

 Also, jMr. Abner Weeks, some few years, introduced a bull 

 which originated from the Province of New Brunswick, and 

 which gives very perceptible credit in the improvement of stock 

 in his vicinity. Sheep are mostly of mixed blood, although not 

 inferior to sheep of better kinds in older settled j)laces. This 

 country is well adapted to the growth of sheep, they being gen- 

 erally vigorous and healthy. 



The wool growers of this vicinity, are indebted to Gen. 

 Wm. H. Smith and Peter Pluuket of Benedicta, and James 

 Brown, Esq., of Dayton, for the introduction of foreign breeds, 

 which arc improving our flocks. I am happy to say, that 

 Hon. Ira Fish has recently obtained some of the full blood 

 Cotswold, with other varieties, which will eventually farther 

 improve our flocks. Swine are generally of native breed, al- 

 though the Suff"olk has been introduced by Mr. Levi Sewall of 

 Golden Ridge, which is making a very perceptible improvement. 



Colts are raised extensively and considered profitable. As 

 to the breed, I am unable to say what one prevails most. Our 



