ADAPTABILITY OP MAINE TO DAIRYING. 265 



winters are long, but of even temperature and enjoyable. The 

 snow falls early in November and lies deep, covering' the grass 

 before it is frost-killed, and preserving it fresh and green in its 

 rich luxuriance, till Spring, with the warm breathings of her balmy 

 breath, uncovers it; so cows get their living till snow falls, and 

 then soon as it is gone again in the Spring. We know of no 

 section so truly inviting to the dairyman as the Aroostook section 

 of Maine. 



Fencing is an item of no small consideration to the dairyman, 

 and he must erect and maintain fences, unless it be that he prac- 

 tices whole soiling, and this we do not believe is ever profitable, 

 except near large cities where land is very valuable and fencing and 

 room scarce. Here we have abundance of the very best material 

 for fencing, and fences are easily constructed. Stone, wood and 

 hedges can be had or grown on every farm, or very near to it ; 

 enough to supply all demands for fencing. In some places hedges 

 and ditches will be found useful for fencing, and in connection as 

 wind breaks and drains. 



Cows are more easily fenced against than most other kinds of 

 farm stock. This is also an inducement to engage in dairying, 

 and dairying also requires less fencing than other kinds of stock 

 husbandry. 



A good cedar stake and yoke fence, well put up, will last a life 

 time. A good wall the same ; either need not cost over a dollar 

 per rod, outside the farmer's own labor — often nothing — and pas- 

 tures once well fenced with either are always fenced. Post and 

 board fence will last very many years, and post and wire fence is 

 cheaply built and does not harbor vermin or drift of snow. Hedges 

 are easily set out and grow rapidly, soon forming an effectual 

 barrier to cows. 



The Soil of Maine is quite uniform, yet varies in different locali- 

 ties from sand to clay, and from loam to muck or vegetable debris. 

 There is a good deal of washed soil or "made land" in valleys 

 and beside streams. These lands, known as meadows and inter- 

 vales, are among the very best grass lands we have. Swales with 

 muck soil, or wet, dark loam, are abundant. Clay loam prevails 

 along the seaboard and by the river courses. The soil of the 

 Aroostook is a dark, coarse loam, very rich and productive. 

 Naturally, the soils of Maine are "strong," and richer than those 

 of New Hampshire or Massachusetts, or even large portions of 

 New York. There is no soil in Maine so poor, but if rightly 



