SPRING, 1948

ECONEPanorama cf fflcume 25 Cents (A privately supported, state-wide, non-partisan, non-profit organization for the promotion and development of Maine’s agricultural, industrial and recreational resources.)

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cJn Jlu, cJ.A s u e : Page Fryeburg Town Meeting—1948 .... Carlton R. Mills 3 Treasure Hunting in Ma in e ...... Stanley I. Perham 6 Salt Water Hay Sh a k in g ...... Robert L. Dow 12 PINE CONE Goes Smelting...... 17 Mental Ma g ic ...... Catherine E. Thibodeau 22 Outdoors In Ma in e ...... John C. Page, Jr. 24 Made In Ma in e ...... William A. Hatch 29 Around the Cracker Barrel .... Elizabeth A. Mason 32 Minstrelsy of Maine .. Edited by Sheldon Christian 35 Famous Maine Recipes...... June L. Maxfield 38 Maine the Beautiful...... Eleanor Dutton Martin Inside Back Cover Maine In Springtime...... Florence Alberta Wales Back Cover THE p in e c o n e SPRING, 1948 VOL. 4, NO. 1 Published Quarterly by THE STATE OF MAINE PUBLICITY BUREAU PORTLAND . YORK CORNER . BANGOR . NEW YORK Main Office: 3 St. John St., Portland, 4 Maine GUY P. BUTLER RICHARD A. HEBERT Executive Manager Editorial Manager PINE CONE SUBSCRIPTION: $1 A YEAR (Printed in Maine on Maine-made Paper) Fryeburg Town Meeting— 1948

Again the most unique type of town report published in Maine comes from the pen of the “bard of Fryeburg”. Reprinted by permission of the Norway Advertiser- Demo­ crat.

By Carlton R. Mills

arch the first, once more it’s We know friend Buzzell’s style and time diction, Assured of a meeting, minus friction. To pencil our proverbial rhyme. For clerk, “My” Kimball is towns­ IT1 tell you folkses, who wouldn’t men’s choice. know, A salary raise makes “My” rejoice. It won’t be an ode to bee-utiful snow, For selectmen, Hill didn’t choose to (Or the glories of nature, at thirty run, below) And we thought election might bring There’s ne’er such weather since nine­ some fun; teen twenty, But with Stuart Stanley, we’re sitting When, with cider scarce and snow­ tight; drifts plenty, A solid cit’zen, and Harborite. We waited at old Post Office Square Treasurer, Hal Eastman, of “Western For Emerson’s pung and his prancing Maine” pair. Will coddle our nest egg, once again. I hope this March the first will bring I hope that our egg will be fertile, Poetic thoughts of beautiful spring, and hatch And temperate weather to our zone, For our bills, ’cumulating, make sure­ Then the fuel man won’t grin, alone. ly, a batch. It’s March the first, and the Old Town We approve Abbie Turner, for Town Hall School Commission, Again has beckoned the townsmen, And who’s better fitted for this high all. position? A fellow’s thoughts cannot be dreary, But ask Mr. Turner. I’ll hazard a And listen to a hum so cheery guess, Which eminates from the gathered She considered a spell, before she’d throng. say: “yes.” With folks as these you can’t go For road commissioner, Harold Mc- wrong. Keen Hearty handshakes; banter and jest, Will improve road conditions. You When the gavel plops, we’re full of know what I mean. zest He’ll make the roads better. I’ll add And rarin’ to go. We’re face to face to this verse, With old town gov’ment, our Coun­ They’ve gotta be better, they couldn’t try’s base. be worse. As free men we will do our parts For town tax collector, Merle Abbott, And follow the dictates of our hearts. they say, We can praise the Lord, and pray we Will collect all the taxes. Yours, merit mine, and his pay. The blessed government we inherit. To make prompt collections, we’ll trust our friend “Rabbit!” Town meeting’s on, and to preside, If you have a loose nickel, he’s right ’Tis Francis Buzzell, we soon decide. there to grab it.

SPRING, 1948 3 ’Twas thought, for this job, Harold At last, we were helped from the din­ Joy, we might mention, ing hall But, from Joy: “Gracious me, I had And patted fondly, our tummy no such intention.” “small.” (poetic license) He said that just one town position, That repast, I’ll kindly regard, for­ he’d wish; ever. “Fence viewer” would give him much But forgive those bold “pie swipers”? more time to fish. Never! We ambled back to the hall, at last. We raised money for bridges, for new roads, and tarring Meeting’s resumed. Lunch hour has For schools and school busses, no passed. measure we’re barring. School matters are approached once A plan by the school board, to relieve more, school congestion, A chance for all, who’d have the floor. Was proposed, as our citizens’ well Fred Hill’s land seems a swell school meant suggestion. site. When approval denied by the school To acquire the same. Well, perhaps board, itself, we might. We passed o’er the proposal, and At any rate ’tis a long range view, placed on the shelf. Committee may arrive at school sites, Hugh Hastings advanced, and said new. he’d advise These suggestions caused Fred Hill School planning, for future, be cau­ to say: tious and wise. “Just when will I have to move He advised us of Mud City new school away?” amounts, This caused some mirth. Before we Advised to be prudent in all our ac­ approve counts, He may reach old age ’fore he has to And stressed on the payment of min- move, imums or more, For, as Hastings says, there are Which brought from Town Treasurer, humps and hedges, a discordant roar. And: “We’re just nibbling ’round the For a time these two townsmen edges.” couldn’t see, eye to eye, For Weston’s Bridge, we will meet But I’m sure they’ll be friends, in the our note, sweet bye and bye. Each obligation is met by vote. After this discussion had been di­ For pine tree blister, there’s further gested, mirth. A motion, by Jerry, was here sug­ Ed Buzzell chimes in with his “two gested, cents worth.” The applause for his motion was just But though his remarks were perhaps complete, well meant, When he moved to recess, so we could By the vote, his plea wasn’t worth a eat. cent. The matrons and maidens at Odd Our fire bills caused some concern, Fellows’ Hall We’re short of funds, as the voters Had a wonderful treat, for one ana learn. for all. The State could help, and do their “Bud” Woodward, from Conway, who part came just for fun, If the subject could touch them, in And to see how town business is prop­ the heart. erly run, They seem to think that our conflagra­ Quickly relieved the table’s groans, tion In a manner we’d credit to Erlon Is pretty much our imagination. Jones. Their fire memories are far behind. They presented your scribe with a I’ll say that ours are fresh in mind. custard pie, Our fire fighters are “small pertaters” So lovely, a tear bedimmed his eye; From point of view of our legislators. But greedy hands were there, to grab, Would that they had sweat, on the And he only salvaged a lonely slab. fire line,

4 THE PINE CONE Blistered hands, by the blazing pine. But the prize orator, that’s in my Grubbed the turf, and dragged the slate, hose, Excepting Jerry, I must state Awaiting relief, When? No one Is Roberts. With gestures and gyra­ knows. tions. I’d say, without much hesitation, Too bad he’s lost to the League of They’d expect their full remuner­ Nations. ation. And Joy, who’s careful and precise, To the moderator, gives advice, The meeting has moved to the clos­ But from this rostrum, receives a ing time; frown, Time to curtail, and close this rhyme. When he tells how they did things in The women folks took an interest, his town. In each debate, they were at their Town meeting’s o’er, I’m sad to say, best. We’ll meet again another day. Abbie Nutter, and Mrs. LaCasce We’ll meet again, and hold the line Addressed the gath’ring, with poise At the next town meeting, in forty- and grace, nine.

Two OF Maine’s largest and most important industries, the Bates Manufacturing Company and the Maine Central Railroad, have just issued annual reports to both employees and stock­ holders that top anything ever done before in this field in the State of Maine. The Bates report, incorporated in the March issue of its Bates Magazine, is by far the most striking job of its kind of the thousands this editor has seen over the years. It is a simplified word and picture resume of all Bates activities and statistics and should be in line for top national awards. The Maine Central report, presented in the April issue of its magazine, also is a milestone for that publication, with photos and pictograms presenting all essential facts and figures at a glance. Both employees and stockholders of both these companies must share the pride and satisfaction of those who conceived and exe­ cuted such top-ranking annual reports. Every citizen of Maine also may be proud of them.

Our old friend Kenneth Roberts of Kennebunkport says about the State of Maine: “There is a peculiar sweetness to this sec­ tion of the world—some singular quality to the atmosphere, like that which gives the leaves their added brilliance in the Autumn. The very grass has a perfume of its own, and the land is redolent of sea and pines, of strength and freshness . . .”

SPRING, 1948 5 Treasure Hunting in Maine

One of Maine’s best-known mineralogists and pros­ pectors reviews the situation on our mineral resources, with some tips on where and how to go prospecting. The author is presently compiling a much-needed popular vol­ ume on the subject.

By Stanley I. Perham

p in Maine, or down in Maine Large manganese and iron deposits whichever way you call it, or are found in the northerly section of Uwherever you may be in Maine youMaine in Aroostook County and an can find fun or profit—casual, or for enormous pyrrhotite deposit exists at a long period of time—among the Katahdin, Maine. many gem and mineral deposits of Metals of the silver group have the State. been mined more frequently in the Maine is one of the few places in easterly part of the State. Copper, which a great variety of rare pegma­ lead and zinc have been explored in tite minerals occur and has some of the vicinity of Blue Hill. the world’s largest pegmatite rock The largest workings for granite areas. Minerals of substantial com­ and lime have taken place on the mercial importance lie side by side coast section with one notable excep­ with minerals for the collector, spec­ tion being at Jay, where a large ialist, or for the novice. Beautiful granite operation exists. specimens of the aquamarine are sometimes picked up at the mines, One of the best known mineral and Boy Scouts can actually find sections easily reached by the tourist their requirements for the minerals is around the Norwav-Paris-Rumford merit badge while vacationing here area in Southwestern Maine. One with the family. may find good accommodations, stores, Even with its large list of known theaters and recreation for the whole minerals, metals and gems, it is al­ family among the hills and lakes of most virgin territory as the explora­ Oxford County and take it as easily tion and development of its mineral or as hard as they wish in their deposits is still in its infancy. search of the rich gem and mineral Uranium ores are frequently found deposits of the area or while panning in traces and, at some spots near for gold or precious metals. Num­ Rumford, in rich masses. erous quarries, dumps and prospects Lithium, caesium, rubidium, colum- abound, to many of which the pros­ bium, uranium, radium and other pectors and tourists are welcome. rare element ores, feldspar, quartz, Admission to some of the operations scrap and plate mica, beryl, tourma­ even while in progress is at times line, topaz, amethyst, aquamarine as granted. It is doubtful if any other well as other gems occur principally one mineral region in the United in Southwestern Maine, according to States is as accessible and as open to present information, between the the visitor as is this particular sec­ coast and the Canadian Border. tion of Maine. Gold, either placer or vein form, Most of the rare minerals and gems has been found in many sections of for which the region is so famous are the State. often found as a by-product in the

6 THE PINE CONE Left: Raymond Dean, gem cutter at the Maine Mineral Store, fabricates authentic Maine jewelry at a bench littered with cut and uncut stones and other materials of his trade. Right: A sample display of Perham's Maine gems, rough, cut and in settings. The large teardrops are of rose quartz. Other gems shown include tourmaline, herderite, garnet, smoky quartz, beryl, aquamarine, amethyst and topaz.

mining of feldspar. This is a creamy If you visit several prospects it is white rock blasted with dynamite or not difficult to make up a collection powder from the ledge, separated of the following minerals: Feldspar, from its associated minerals, quartz, black mica, amber mica, aquamarine mica and black tourmaline or garnet, beryl, rose quartz, black tourmaline, by the use of small hammers or smoky quartz, white quartz, apatite, sledges, hauled to the mill, crushed uranium ore, lepidolite, spodumene, and pulverized to a fineness like flour, amblygonite, white beryl, pink tour­ then used in the making of dishes, maline, green tourmaline, clevelandite, glass ware, insulators, enamels, tripholite, vivianite, quartz crystal, scouring powders, etc. Some of the cookite and red garnet. More difficult principal using centers out of state to find are gem aquamarine, gem tour­ are at Wheeling, W. Va., Zanesville, maline, cassiterite, columbite, tanta- 0., Trenton, N. J., etc. Some of these lite, gem amethyst, gem garnet, feldspar deposits have what is termed eosphorite, cinnamon garnet, topaz a secondary group of minerals and if and arsenpyrite. A more complete lithium and other rare elements were list of Maine Minerals can readily be present in the forming of the deposit found by referring to the Maine Ar­ then somewhere during the mining, row Guide, available in most libraries. the rare gems and minerals are Some of the more important min­ found. If purple mica called lepido- eral locations are Mount Apatite, Au­ lite is in the deposit, tourmaline of burn; Bennett Quarry, Buckfield; gem or non-gem quality will occur. Noyes Mountain, Greenwood; Mt.

SPRING, 1948 7 Rubellite, Hebron; Mt. Mica, Paris quartz, aquamarine, feldspar, and Hill; Lord Hill in Stoneham; and mica. Baldface Mountain in Cold River Val­ At Norway at the head of the lake ley. one sees the famous Noyes Mountain, At Paris, in 1820, the first gem with Diamond Ledge, its Harvard green tourmalines were found at Mt. Mine, its Tamminen Mine, its Hayes Mica by Elijah Hamlin and Ezekiel and Willie Heikkinen Mine, all of Holmes. The fame of this find has which are of great interest to the gone to the four corners of the earth collector. and hardly a gem collection of any Maps to most of the mines and prominence exists without its compli­ prospects of the region can be se­ ment of Mt. Mica tourmaline. One of cured from Perham’s Maine Mineral the finest of these displays is at the Store on Route 26, at Trap Corner, Maine Mineral Store at Trap Corner as well as needed information. Route 26, West Paris, Maine. Nearby in Minot, and the edge of Perhaps you want to see some Auburn, miners such as Keith, Pulsi- radium or uranium ore. Very little is fer, Moulton, Havey, Damon and known about it in Maine but at many numerous others made the region of the quarries small amounts of it famous for its beautiful blue-green may be observed. and fancy-tinted tourmaline. The The Willie Heikkinen Mine over in most recent find of gem pink tourma­ Greenwood usually furnishes samples line in Maine was made here in 1946 of a light greenish yellow uranium by Nevin and Perham, at the Pulsifer material that fluoresces. It is most mine. ' i interesting to search with a flash light Between Minot and Paris lies in which the lens has been substituted Hebron where Mt. Rubellite has with a piece of corning U. V. Corax yielded many beautiful pink and glass. With this, in the evening you green tourmalines. It was chiefly can continue your search for uranium worked by Loren B. Merrill, one of minerals or other minerals that fluor­ the most famous tourmaline miners esce. Another ore of uranium is in the State, and it is said to have dendritic uraninite, some of the rich yielded stones clear and flawless as est of which has been found in the large as 30 carats. Its final oper­ vicinity of Rumford. ation was by W. D. Nevel of Andover Another ore of general interest and for pollucite. During this operation specific interest in that it is used in several large pockets of quartz cry­ connection with atomic fission is beryl, stals were found and a few pockets a beryllium ore, a six-sided green, of beautiful green and pink tourma­ white, blue or yellow crystal that con­ line. tains the element beryllium. The Other beautiful tourmalines have largest single crystal of this ever been found in years past at No. 4 Hill found in the world has been found lying between Hebron and Paris. at Albany, Maine. Numerous other Here are many, many openings that locations have been noted in the have been worked for feldspar and Androscoggin River region. One gems. On one side of No. 4 Hill is crystal 22 feet long and six and one- Singepole Mountain, with many pros­ half feet thick of lovely aquamarine pects including one which yielded color was found at the Bumpus purpurite, a rare lithium phosphate, Quarry in Albany some years ago. and on the other side is one of the Many other crystals approximately most prominent uplifts of the section, two-thirds this size also were found Streaked Mountain, which has on and there. It is one of the noted rose around it a large number of mineral quartz deposits as well, whenever prospects, including some for beryl, work is in progress, which is inter­ mica, pollucite, amblygonite, tourma­ mittently. line, etc. Just southwest of Mt. Mica Beryl is more interesting to the is historic Paris Hill, and nearby, go­ larger number of people when it is ing towards South Paris, is the clear and suitable for gems, when it Hooper Ledge section. Here are is called aquamarine. Notable finds many prospects which yield among of aquamarine have been made at other things black tourmaline, rose Sugar Hill in Stoneham, the Andrews

8 THE PINE CONE Ledge at Lovell, Songo Pond, Mt. beautiful pink center and a green Mica, Hebron, Brunswick, Auburn, outside. Mt. Marie, Sumner, Peru, Andover It is said that Uncle George Howe and Rangeley, in fact all through the of Norway, known to thousands of region. One of the really interesting nature lovers throughout the world, gem stones that a collector might pick named these “watermelon” tourma­ up occasionally is this form of beryl. line and the very rare variety with a white center he called “cucumber” Near Rumford there is a deposit tourmalines. The names have ap­ of minerals called the Newry Mine. parently registered well with col­ It was worked first as the Dunton lectors and gem lovers so that they Tourmaline Mine, later on by W. D. are very normally used today in de­ Nevel of Andover, for pollucite, for scriptions. In this deposit nearly one photo electric cell work, and more re­ hundred varieties of minerals are cently by The United Feldspar & said to have been found. The show­ Minerals Corp. for feldspar. This iest of course is the tourmaline. single operation which has prospect Some were in green, blue, green and pits, quite substantial open pits and pink, all pink, brown and black colors. some tunnel or drifting operations, is Occasionally large crystals the size one of the most interesting mineral of one’s arm were encountered. Those deposits in the world. It is here at of you who live near the large mus­ the upper pit that the beautiful eums should call and see the beauti­ watermelon tourmaline crystals found ful samples they have. in practically every museum and in many of the better collections oc­ It’s a lot of fun to go gold pan­ curred. Some of these crystals were ning. The place usually visited in one-inch or more in diameter with a this region is Byron, although many

Left: The author points to the interesting rock formation in Coos Canyon, Swift River, Byron, one of the more than 50 locations in Maine where gold is found. Right: Flakes of gold were found in the bottom of this pan of stone and gravel taken from the Swift River bed. sands and brooks in the state yield development at Mt. Mica was Loren gold. If you haven’t a pan of your B. Merrill of Paris Hill. For 28 own, the Maine Mineral Store usually years he actively mined the region, can supply them. It is well to pack developed methods of cutting the a lunch, have a pick, a gold pan, a gems and merchandized them, so that big spoon and a short bar and your the beauty of the stones he cut made mind made up definitely for some them outstandingly desirable gems to hard work if you expect to get any be acquired by famous collections gold. As you may note from the throughout the world. rocks set on edgewise in the river Other people of the past, closely as­ bed the gold catches in the crevices sociated with the development, in­ of the rotted rock and it is necessary clude former President Hyde of Bow- to open these with a bar and dig out doin College, Thomas Lamb of Port­ the fine yellow-gray like mineral with land, John Towne of Brunswick, and a spoon and put it into your gold pan members of the Carter family. along with all of the rock you have More recent associations with the broken out. industry have included such people With a good gold pan and some as the Damons, Wades, Pulsifers, coaching the beginner can often get Smiths, Kelleys and that wonderful gold. Occasionally large nuggets to cutter, miner, and delver into the the value of $5.00 or $10.00 are se­ chemistry of minerals, Martin L. cured. There is the story, believed Keith, all from around the Auburn to be true, that one bend of the river region. yielded $6,000 worth of gold. Some From Brunswick, the recent For­ prospectors camp at the location all rest L. Havey was a miner of note Summer and work the river for gold. with a remarkable collection of tour­ It is fascinating, back-breaking work malines from the Berry Mine in Po­ and after one has done it a while he land. can realize why the search for gold I. S. Skillin of Freeport has done is a lifetime hobby. There is always a great deal in the experimental work the chance of making a strike. on helping the Hobbyist cut better Throughout the state there are gem materials to his liking. He has mineral processing plants for feld­ done a great deal to help develop spar, granite, limestone, crushed rock, quicker sawing techniques. gravels, clays and mica. All in all, The last 25 years has seen many they constitute quite a large minerals from around the Norway-Paris area business, employing a large number develop the gem cutting and mining of people and directly affecting many and jewelry making. times more. The Bickford Brothers, Will, Knox One of the lesser known phases is and Robert, until recent years, had a the processing of gemstones, making complete shop in full action producing them into jewelry and marketing them superb work. Most of the other work within and outside of the State. has been done more in the attitude of This has been going or., particu­ the hobbyist. Outstanding cutters larly with the tourmalines, aqua­ have been Henry Cullinan, Arthur marines and amethysts for nearly 100 Valley, Elbridge Woodworth, Eugene years. It began, of course, with the Stevens, Perien Dudley, Charles discovery of the wonderful tourma­ Marble and Howard Irish. lines at Mt. Mica in 1820. At times The most complete active shop in very well-known families have been Norway today is the hobby shop of associated with it. One of the oldest C. B. Hamilton. His experimenta­ and most famous was the Hamlin tion has been objective in nature, to family, who did the most to directly find out how to produce as a hobbyist begin the gem mining and cutting. fine quality commercial work. He is Dr. A. C. Hamlin wrote “The Tour­ both an expert cabochon cutter, fac­ maline” and “The History of Mt. eted gems cutter, and development Mica”, as it was developed at Paris, engineer on styling of cutting ma­ Maine. Part of the famous collec­ chinery. He has furnished many tion is now at Harvard, including the examples of his work for jewelry famous Hamlin Necklace. makers of note, such as Henry Cul­ Probably equally important in the linan.

10 THE PINE CONE Of course the grand old man of us all is Uncle George Howe of Norway. At one time or another, his en­ couragement has helped keep all of us going ahead with our work. Uncle George is a teacher to humanity. He located the world’s most unusual Royal Purple Amethyst at Pleasant Mountain in Denmark, Maine, mined aquamarines and golden beryls in Lovell and topaz in the Cold River Valley. He was the first man to note formally that the world’s great rar­ ity, Rose Quartz crystals, existed while checking specimens from Mt.' Mica, mined by Loren B. Merrill. Mr. Merrill was curious as to the identity of small rose crystals that he thought to be quartz, but had been told couldn’t exist in that color. The writer has, for over 25 years, been interested in gems and minerals of Maine. In the beginning, when about 12 years old, he collected the gem crystals at the dumps of Mt. Clarence A. Young of Byron, a Mica and had Loren B. Merrill cut typical “old prospector”, trium­ them and a commercial setter mount phantly lets the sun glisten on them ready for sale. The years some of the grains of gold which passed and the business hobby grew, rewarded his panning efforts in and along with it, the conviction that the Swift River. the feet of many people walk un­ knowingly over treasures in our State, whether gems or commercial minerals and metals. After a few years, A. C. Perham, Nature Shop.” Even the store has my father, found traces of feldspar always catered to the person inter­ on his property. Little by little, the ested in finding out more about Maine development expanded until a modern Minerals, help has always been avail­ plant was erected in West Paris, able to camp directors, teachers or in­ chiefly with Portland capital, because dividuals. Our own lines of Natural he had found adequate feldspar re­ Gem Jewelry have been developed serves, even though we were assured and marketed, both at the store and such deposits couldn’t exist there. through desirable and interested My family was interested in the wholesale and retail places within actual mining, while my interest was and out of the State. Eventually our in finding the stuff to mine and sell­ own mines have been acquired or in­ ing the gems and unusual specimens terests in others, but primarily the to assure myself of an independent business is the retail and wholesale income. For most of my life, my trade at the store, not mining. extra time has been centered on A staff of cutters is employed and knowing all I could about the ore everything possible is done to create of beryllium and where and how to some unusual or different gem pieces anticipate its deposits. This fortu­ of local stones, either of our own or nately had its value to some extent those picked up by the vacationist, in the war and will prove of increas­ design a suitable mounting for it at ing importance to the State probably lowest possible costs and try to com­ during the next 25-year-period. plete the happy ending of a pleasant To make possible the hobby and a vacation that so often is supreme business, the “Maine Mineral Store” after a gem has been found, fashioned has been established as such since and fixed into a personal bit of 1926, before it being called “The jewelry for oneself or for a gift.

SPRING, 1948 Salt Water Hay Shaking

A “new industry” for Maine, the gathering Gf sea moss along the Maine coastline offers a great opportunity for fishermen and youth. With demand virtually unlimited and the weather all-important, the monetary return is considerable.

By Robert L. Dow

ommercial fishermen in Maine Students came and went in moss­ have been doing all right. Seiners ing, rarely staying beyond the dura­ Care netting a good return; weirmen tion of their school years. Fisher­ are filling their pockets, and lobster- men and other coastal residents, with men are finding that the pot of gold an intimate knowledge of moss beds, is still a lobster trap. For all that, tidal quirks and weather whims no one is in the same boat with the peculiar to their local areas, have be­ sea mossers when it comes to raking come the principal source of raw ma­ in the green stuff. terial production. That part of the sea moss indus­ Prior to 1944, yearly harvest of try, wherein fishermen, students, wo­ the versatile marine growth was so men, children, oldsters, and other insignificant that the total was not practitioners rake, dry and bleach included among state and federal Irish moss during the summer statistics. By 1947, more than one months is classed as a fishing ac­ million, six hundred thousand pounds tivity. More cogently, it could be of moss were being processed in listed as the frenetic vocation ,of Maine, an increase of two hundred second-guessing Maine weather. and twenty percent in two years, and Once upon a time, the fisherman— Chondrus crispus took on a more wary as he was of storms—relied on tangible meaning. his ability to carry on his work, as he felt like it, under extremely ardu­ Moss operations, beginning with ous conditions. the cropping of the weed at low tide Now, your fisherman-turned-mosser from under-water ledges through the frantically calls weather stations and black-drying and bleaching processes listens attentively to radio forecasts, on some sandy beach or closely-mown or, in frustrated despair, abides by field, would make any farmer feel as the twinging advice of his most re­ if he’d never left home. liable bunion. Ceasing to be a care­ The gear particularly adapted to free individual, unmindful of wind the work is borrowed directly from and rain, he has become a chronic the farm. The moss rake itself is a weather worrier. more back-aching and somewhat The annual leap from rational well­ heavier version of the common gar­ being into emotional chaos has ap­ den variety, while the drying beach peared within recent years. In the abounds in hand and drag rakes. early 1940’s a few hardy fishermen Creels used for transporting and and a handful of college students on weighing moss are hand-operated, vacation pioneered this new Maine wheel-less hayracks in miniature. industry. Their efforts led to one of On the beach, frequent checking to the most rapidly expanding com­ see if it is ready for turning or for mercial activities on the coast, and a storing, and windrowing and cock­ noteworthy rise in the ulcer incidence. ing up of moss at night or during a

12 THE PINE CONE shower are routine chores almost his moss no chance to dry would make identical with the coddling practices the product nearly worthless; or, at of farmers in making hay. best, substantially reduce its value Sea moss, like hay, makes only with through rotting and the subsequent the sunshine and, what with Maine escape of gum from the fibre. What weather being what it is, some pro­ he would like would be a daily early ducers define mossing—this salt water morning shower followed by bright hay shaking — as something else sunshine and a good breeze. again. Those who are preparing moss for Chemical and mechanical means of use in fountain syrups, chocolate handling moss have been tentatively milk, beer, salad dressing, pudding, or worked out, but commercial con­ others of the twenty-odd edible prod­ sumers of the gelatinous gum, carra- ucts requiring a stabilizing agent, geenin, are not convinced that these employ sea water in the bleaching methods are acceptable substitutes operation and shun fresh water in for the slower, more laborious and any form. For several days their worrisome haymaking techniques now moss receives a salt-water tub or employed. shower bath each morning and is A more highly perishable com­ then spread out to bleach. modity than hay and infinitely more Additional divergences in opinion remunerative, sea moss during the exist between the raker and the black- black-drying and bleaching stages is dryer. The raker is that character especially susceptible to rain dam­ who stands in a dory, skiff, punt, age. However, inferior quality moss peapod, or some other unseaworthy that is to be used in paint, shoe- appearing, semi - buoyant device to polish and other comparable products rake green moss, skillfully keeping is often processed beyond the black- his unanchored craft over the moss dried step by using fresh water as a beds with each sweep of his long- bleaching agent. tined rake. Except for a casual academic in­ The fresh water bleacher is terest it might seem that the raker rather exacting as to his rain wants. has no major concern for the weather Continuous wet weather that gives since his primary function in the busi-

SPRING, 1948 13 Left: The unloading wharf at Bailey Island, where the rakers bring in their green moss for sale to the processing company. Right: After the bleaching operation, the moss is carefully graded for shipment to the extraction plant. ness is to harvest the stuff and sell Discussion of the weather, with all it to the drying beach. Unfortu­ its attendant frustrations, is an nately for him, rain curtails drying obligation in the routine life of mos- operations and suspends temporarily sers. To rakers, black-dryers and the purchase of green moss by the bleachers, conversation having the processor, although the raker can weather as its sole topic is not an hold his product in lobster crates or unimaginative way of passing the other submersible containers during time, but an essential emotional con­ limited inclement weather without too version that purges them of those serious deterioration. conflicts recently induced by the cli­ All in all, the raker’s weather matic hazards of their occupational wants do not correlate too well with experiences. those of the black-dryers who have There follows shortly after one of found that green moss will dry more these many arguments, a mild form rapidly and become a better quality of unconscious throat-cutting as each product if there is a fair wind to en­ mosser goes about his premeditated sure adequate air circulation through business of praying, after his own the three-inch layer of moss spread custom, for that individual brand of out for full exposure to the sun. weather he most immediately desires. Quite often a drying breeze would The existence of that practical ad­ hamper, if not entirely interrupt, the monition—if you don’t like Maine work of the raker who cannot see the weather; wait a couple of minutes— moss beds clearly when the water is is attributed by those who appreciate choppy. the situation, to the meteorological In the third stage of processing, machinations of earnest but uncom­ bleaching white, the producer wel­ promising mossers. comes fog in reasonable quantities Fabulous stories are told of the since it hastens and facilitates color money earned by rakers during the removal. Fog holds back certain sun May - through - August season. Not rays and allows infra red to get that one can acquire over-night, suf­ through and speed up the bleach. ficient wherewithal to retire; nor, in The black-dryer takes a dim view fact, in two tides— but, on the basis of all this and wishes the fog would of actual work performed, the pro­ take off somewhere else. He wants ficient raker can enjoy an hourly sunshine and no interference from wage that can scarcely be duplicated rain, fog or clouds. elsewhere. 14 THE PINE CONE Elroy Johnson of Bailey Island, duced enough moss to give them an veteran lobster fisherman, tuna fish­ hourly rate of eight to twelve dollars. erman, and all-’round, name-your- One woman raker landed thirty-six own-variety fisherman, pioneer in the dollars worth of moss which she in­ Maine *sea moss industry and, at sisted she had raked in one tide. present, the state’s principal pro­ Not always as fortunate as rakers cessor, tells many a yarn of what who have a nearby market for their some formerly reluctant neotype in crop, some black-dryers with a higher the raking of moss has been able to labor effort have processed two hun­ earn in the course of an hour, a tide, dred and fifty dollars worth of moss a day, a week, a month, or a season. in a week to ten days. One of Johnson’s favorite tales How long this bonanza will last concerns his neighbor, “Wash” and what are the possibilities and Doughty, a life-long lobster fisherman probabilities of further developing who was persuaded by Johnson to try sea moss commercially are questions mossing a few Summers ago. that are more or less subject, within Doughty hesitantly consented, more reason, to anyone’s speculative tal­ as a favor to Johnson and a vacation ents. from pulling lobster pots than be­ It is generally acknowledged that cause he expected to be able to earn the industry owes its start in Maine a living with such dubious gear as a to the cessation of imports from rake. northwestern Europe at the outbreak Although Doughty was in his of World War II. Quite logically seventies, he and his son earned some are prone to view rather twenty-two hundred dollars between dubiously the domestic future of the them in two months of raking moss. industry. The maximum time they could work Broadening commercial use of moss in any one day was eight hours, but during and subsequent to the war because of weather, tide and daylight years, together with a continuing limitations, they averaged less than program of industrial research, en­ four hours daily for the two-month courages many consumers in the be­ period. lief that this is a permanent Maine Rakers have earned as high as one industry which will continue to grow hundred and sixty dollars in a for some time yet. Of course, there twenty-hour week; others have pro­ is always the possibility that a less

Left: A Maine sea moss processing plant layout. Right: While one lot of sea moss is black-drying in the foreground, a part of the processing crew unloads a boatload of green moss, while a truckload of finished moss is baled and ready for transportation to the extraction plant, either in the mid-West, or the mid-Atlantic States. costly artificial substitute may be dis­ Fisheries revealed that moss grows covered. in deeper water than had hitherto The demand for sea moss has in­ been supposed. creased annually for the last few This observation seemed to con­ years and several firms have had to firm the findings of several expe­ meet their minimum requirements by rienced rakers who had reported foreign importation. This practice moss beds beyond the kept-belt in has not proved entirely satisfactory water up .to thirty feet deep. How­ for them, since domestic producers ever, with little sunlight, moss at this have been able to prepare moss of a depth appears to be of poorer quality more dependable and uniform quality than that growing just below the than have even Canadian mossers. low tide mark. Thus far domestic production has Accurate estimates of the total been high in quality but low in quan­ resource have never been attempted. tity. There is a strong belief that Exhaustive reconnaissance work in should Maine producers continue to this field is needed. Exploration on maintain their margin of quality they a limited scale has been done by the have little to fear from foreign com­ Department of Sea and Shore Fish­ petition. eries, the Kraft Foods Company, What of Maine’s sea moss re­ Marine Growths, Inc., Douglas Chal- sources? There are extensive beds lis & Sons, and numerous individual intermittently from York County to rakers, but nothing approximating a the Narraguagus River at Milbridge. thorough coast-wide survey has ever In eastern W ashington County been completed. patches of moss have been reported With seasonal raking, the yield in the Lubec-Eastport region. On the and quality of moss increases for six whole, wherever there are shoal or seven years before reaching a per­ ledges there will generally be some manent productive plateau. For this moss. reason, it is unlikely that the supply The width of the moss belt varies. could become dangerously depleted if In 1947, diving operations conducted mossing operations were expanded up jointly by the University of Maine to one hundred percent harvest of the and the Department of Sea and Shore annual crop.

Outstanding events in Maine this Summer: (Complete list will be published in Summer PINE CONE) Milbridge: Centennial Celebration, July 4-5. Damariscotta: Centennial Celebration, July 11-13. Van Buren: Aroostook Potato Blossom Festival, July 21. East Boothbay: Maine Fishermen’s Fair, August 5-7. Boothbay Harbor: State of Maine Tuna Tournament, August 9-15.

16 THE PINE CONE Pine Cone Goes Smelting Smelt dipping has long been recognized in the rural sections of Maine not only as one of the surest signs of Spring, but also to the medical profession as a sympto­ matic fever. However it may be regarded, it does provide a wonderful opportunity for a midnight outing with con­ genial companions, so PINE CONE dons its rubber boots and rain jacket to look over the sport in Western Maine. At Moose Pond Brook in Bridgton we came across Warden Maynard Marsh, above, looking over the first catch of some of the local residents. Then we travel across country to Norway. (Next page).

SPRING, 1948 17 Getting Ready . . . Left: Proper outfitting is the first requirement of a Maine midnight smelting party. Heman Woodman, Norway sporting goods store proprietor, and Mrs. Wood­ man make sure Mrs. Robert Horton of Otisfield, will be properly garbed.

Below: The “gang” gath­ ers at Woodman’s just be­ fore closing time to talk over the jaunt ahead and get the latest word on where the smelts are running from the Inland Fish and Game War­ dens. Left to right are Bob Horton, Woodman, his as­ sistant manager, Harold Thompson, Norway Town Clerk Dave Clain, Warden Supervisor Wayne Lindsay of West Paris and Warden Harry Kearney of South Paris. Off to the Brook Above, left: Rollin Dinsmore of Norway, all dressed up in rubber, joins the group as it leaves the store just before midnight. Right: Arrived at Indian Pond, Wood- stock, Mrs. Dinsmore supervises the removal of the nets, pails and other gear from the trunk of the car.

* * *

Center: The party finds “half the town” is already gathered along Indian Pond Brook and dip­ ping away to their hearts’ content.

* * *

Below: Mrs. Horton and Mrs. Woodman select an easy open spot along the brook to start dipping.

SPRING, 1948 Art of Dipping Left: Bob Horton unloads a nice “dip” into the pail, while John C. Page, Jr., left, outdoor editor of the Pine Cone, holds the flashlight and brother Bryant Page, right, assists in the oper­ ations.

* * *

Below: Roll D ins mor e leans to the net handle to dip up an especially good school of the smelts. Perfect Ending . . . Left: Back at the Wood­ man home, Dave Clain, an expert with smelts and scis­ sors does the cleaning honors, while the rest of the group gets in a little close harmony around the piano. * * *

Below: After a three-hour session dipping smelts in a spring drizzle, coffee and smelts fried in bread, crumbs are something out of this world. A gracious hostess is Mrs. Woodman’s mother, right, Mrs. Charles Akers, mother also of one of Maine’s most famous nature paint­ ers, Vivian Akers. Mental Magic

Seasons and moods seem to go together. The first is never the same and you can control the second at will. That’s why life in Maine can be of unlimited variety and as beautiful as you wish it. This Sanford writer gives a timely expression of a favorite subject of Pine Tree State authors.

By Catherine E. Thibodeau

here are many illusions of This warmth radiates an apprecia­ Maine’s rugged charm, and tion for the beauty of the white world T especially is this true of the severitycreated by Jack Frost’s nimble of its Winters. And while an almost fingers: For where the brilliance of countless number have enjoyed a sum­ a summer sun had left parched fields, mer vacation, and are ready to con­ Mr. Snow has spread a blanket of vince any skeptic that it is indeed spotless magic; and where an autumn “Vacationland”, most of them would wind had stripped the trees of their shudder at the mere mention of year- leaves, thin layers of snow cover the round residence. They think then of wounds of naked limbs. snowdrifts and howling winds, and The house at the corner, that they imply that you are of admirably drooped so sadly in its need of paint rugged endurance when they ask, during brighter weather, has a look “But how do you stand the winters?”! of content in its winter setting. The My reply to that has usually been shrubbery on the front lawn has been confined to a casually tossed remark, sprinkled with snow and ice to lend but what I would like to tell them is it a touch of enchantment, and the that the real answer is locked in the walk is bordered with a high snow­ philosophy of “mind over matter”. bank, making a clear path of welcome They would laugh at this, but as a to the doorway of a home which looks native of Maine I have confirmed inviting, its lighted windows lending that it is a most practical defense to coziness and warmth to the invita­ a Maine winter. Armed with this tion. conviction I not only think that Win­ There is the warmth of lightheart­ ters are worth their sharp side, but edness, too, in capturing the child’s I consider that they spice life with a delight in his winter pleasures. The special adventure. gaiety of the snow season is mirrored Yes, there are many days when the in his ruddy face and carefree thermometers flirt with sub-zero laughter as he recklessly coasts down temperatures, and though my ker­ a slippery street, or happily builds chief is securly knotted, my mittened snowmen and tosses snowballs, and hands thrust deep in the pockets of skates on a frozen pond or skis down my warm, wool sport coat, there is no hills and through open fields. actual escape from the cold. Though Then, too, there is the warmth of the wind’s howl is muffled in the daydreaming beyond this frosty sea­ heavy chill of the air, it sends its son, to the Spring that will follow. penetrating sting through every part A Spring that is punctuated by re­ of my being. Yet, while there is lit­ freshing rains which carpet the fields tle physical combat possible, there is with lush verdure, and produce ten­ the defense of a warmth of mind. der green leaves on trees awakening

22 THE PINE CONE from their winter’s sleep. These for a picnic supper by the sound of same rains fill the brooks and rivers the surf, thrilling to the tang of salty which gurgle an appealing call to air. And it means enjoying the fishermen of all ages. And it is always-new exhilaration of plunging Spring when the fields respond to the into foamy breakers. smile of the sun and the toil of the Then comes Fall, and the glory of plow to shoot forth their annual Indian Summer. It is a techni- pageant of blossom. colored time of azure skies with pop­ Then there is the summer season corn clouds, variegated foliage, and that in itself makes the Winter worth poetry in the air. It is a time for the “hardship”. Only one who has harvests and wienie roasts, and the known the thrill of relaxing in a time when orchards are polka-dotted country field breathing deeply of with bright red apples and pale yel­ heady air compounded of the sweet­ low peaches and pears peeking from ness of grass, clover, pine, and the behind cool, green leaves. It is the purity of country air, can appreciate hunting season, when men feel their what an inspiring experience it can sporting blood responding to the chal­ be. For up there under a bright blue lenge of the forest. sky whose serenity is broken only by Ah, yes, this thinking away from clouds of dazzling gaiety, with a reality is escape, but who is to deny genial sun smiling down caressingly that a “mind over matter” applica­ on a country of green coolness, there’s tion does not make for greater com­ a peace and content that lives long in fort, or incite greater content? More, one’s memory. it answers that indeed we do not have And Summer means camping near to “stand” our winters, we can ap­ crystal-clear lakes bordered by deep preciate them instead! We can live woods of firs and pines offset by an our winters as a time for stimulated occasional white birch. thoughts and adventurous spirits, Summer, too, means the shore. It and, if all else fails, spring is never means lazing on smooth beach sand too far behind! %

North Yarmouth and Pittsfield school pupils are compiling histories of their towns in line with the current trend to en­ courage Maine school children to learn more about their own Pine Tree State.

Waldoboro has just gained a new industry in Colonialcraft, whose excellent Maine rugs are sold throughout the Nation. The firm is moving from its Portland quarters because most of its rug-makers live in the Waldoboro area. A showroom and retail salesroom will be established.

SPRING, 1948 23 % PINE CONE Outdoors Editor ulphur and molasses may have cern in some circles prior to the start been highly prized, lo, these many of actual fishing. Waters in Southern Syears, as a Spring “picker-upper''.. . and Central Maine became ice-free but personally, between the last veni­ many days earlier than most old tim­ son fry and the first mess of dande­ ers predicted. Good catches, averag­ lion greens . . . I’ll take a good stiff ing somewhat larger in size than last dose of brook fishing to get the kinks year are being reported daily from out of my system. Sebago, Thompson, China Lake and Speaking of brook fishing . . . One many other popular coastal and cen­ of the prettiest early season catches tral Maine spots that opened early. t of the year was made by L. D. Ander­ Cold nights accompanied by higli son of Brentwood Street in Portland. winds and resultant rough water Anderson took 15 speckled beauties slowed down the action during the ranging in length from eight to 14 first half of April. Since then, Trout, inches at North Yarmouth on open­ Salmon and Togue fishing has picked ing day and was back in the city dis­ up steadily with streamer flies and playing his well-earned string by 10 sewed-on smelts taking most of the a. m. honors. The Spring peak of this type On a recent evening, the last piece of fishing in these and most Maine of venison from that well-fed 130- lakes and ponds including the Range- pound doe of the Bingham ridges ley and Belgrade chains and Moose- came out of the “deep-freeze” section head usually is reached between May of our kitchen “ice box”. The three 20th and June 20th. small freezing trays sported by that Of course, there are many tried wheezing old 1937 model will perhaps and tested methods of finding out now grace a few ice cubes in the con­ just when is the best time to go fish­ ventional manner . . . or then again ing. Barometers are the thing . . . maybe a batch of home-made ice according to some. Astronomical cream will reach the right consistency calculations and charts delight others. to sweeten the ever-happy disposition The starting signs offered by of my fishing widow as the 1948 sea­ Mother Nature have always seemed son on lake and stream rolls into high to hold more appeal for me: “When gear. the apple trees are in full bloom”— For some months, predictions rela­ “When the black flies start to swarm” tive to the 1948 fishing season in —or “When the lilacs first show pur­ Maine have made the rounds in a ple.” Actually . . . the one that controversial fashion. Low water really puts distance between me and conditions brought about by the pro­ the office is when my all-forgiving tracted dry spell last Fall caused con­ wife says: “Oh! for heaven’s sake

24 THE PINE CONE . . . get out of here . . . You’re no ing the timber in this old Pine Tree good to me or to anyone else the way State has been my greatest pleasure. you are. Why don’t you go fishing During the Spring, Summer and Fall and get it over with!” of 1947 more fish rolled belly-up as There’s no question that the one my net slipped under water and more about the black flies has its points game came within the range of my too! Pound for pound as far as fish shootin’ eye than in any other year are concerned it’s definitely sig­ since I’ve been high enough to carry nificant . . . long years of experience a rod or gun! have served to illustrate how readily By this, there’s no intent to imply these little black devils carefully plan that my “take home” bag was sub­ to extract exactly one pound of flesh stantially more than in former years. from just below the hairline of each Instead, much to your reporter’s fisherman for each one-quarter pound pleasure, it actually was a question in his creel. The man who has, no when fishing of picking out the better matter how grumblingly, laid a slab fish to kill. One evening when 15 of his weary carcass upon this altar trout were taken on Twenty Mile and received no fish, is in my modest River in Sumner . . . all “keepers” opinion one of the few who can truth­ and only three killed is something fully say that the world owes him to remember. Another when 31 legal something. small-mouth bass were brought to net at South Branch Lake in Sebois * * * . . . with all but four being returned Every time someone tells me that to the waters from whence they came, the fishing in Maine isn’t what it will never be forgotten. used to be 15 or 20 years ago ... I Many Fish and Game Conservation must admit that I smile a bit, in­ projects are receiving favorable at­ wardly at least. Then . . . after care­ tention these days . . . but if I might fully rationing any possible show of choose, I’d like to see a REAL “Put emotion, I display a somewhat arti­ ’em back club” started in Maine. A ficial attitude of sympathy while at move of this sort should get real sup­ the same time trying to take the port. I would sincerely appreciate measure of the man ... as fisherman hearing from any reader who is to fisherman. genuinely interested in starting a For the past 23 years, wading the conservation organization of this streams, trolling the lakes and cruis­ sort. Taking a five and one-half pound salmon with a fly and bringing him in on light tackle calls for the skill and judgment of the true fisherman. This Sebago drama was recorded off the Songo April 15. E. E. Tucker of Mechanic Falls used a Gray Ghost, with Bob Femald of West Baldwin handling the net. Tucker appears well pleased with his catch. All sorts of theories are advanced be helpful if you can learn to think by disappointed anglers as to why like one. they were not able to make a trium­ So ... if you haven’t been having phant entrance at the home portals all the “luck” you think you should boasting a sagging creel. be entitled to, just remember that Evidence from this humble quarter maybe the fish have been getting would seem to indicate that the fisher­ more and more “intelligent” each man who is willing to go out and year . . . and maybe YOU haven’t. really work at the gentle art of In other words, perhaps YOU have angling can still produce results to learn how to outwit the fish! This fairly consistently. If you are really would certainly seem to be the indi­ bent on bringing home a nice string cated procedure, as any thorough ex­ some very serious thought should be amination of the writings of the ex­ given to your plans for going about perts and outdoor columnists from the it. Frankly, I do not hold with the time of Izaak Walton will show. theory that a fisherman has to be Certain basic fundamentals in smarter than a fish to catch one . . . fishing will not change. The common but I do grant that intelligence at angle worm or garden hackle will least as high as that of a fish is a probably always take fish . . . under definite asset to the hopeful angler. given conditions. In fact, it is per­ Most people neglect to consider haps one of the few baits that can that as the civilization of man has be served in almost any manner and advanced ... so has the surrounding without garnish. Most offerings of wildlife population had to advance live bait if used intelligently will pro­ both in intelligence and resourceful­ duce results this year and for some ness in order to maintain its very ex­ years to come. Even these cannot, istence. Ichthyologists, zoologists and however, be used to best advantage other learned specialists in wildlife without serious thought as to the im­ research investigate, experiment and pression they will make under the theorize regarding that very im­ searching view of a disillusioned fish portant factor in our universe ...... nursing a sore mouth, who still called “the balance of nature”. Still remembers seeing his first-love parade . . . while employed in this very same to oblivion behind a Rangeley spinner search for reality and truth . . . they on a 20-pound-test nylon elevator. seem oblivious to the fact that their The past two or three years have very actions and explorations afield seen hundreds of new concerns go are contributing to a profound effect into the fishing tackle business. As in the readjustment of American a result, the market has become wildlife to the conditions it must face glutted with new artificial baits, rods, in the changing world of today. It gadgets and angling equipment of has always been a common fault of every conceivable nature. A few man to underestimate the intelli­ real improvements have appeared and gence of the wild creatures around should not be discounted but, un­ him. fortunately for the hopeful manu­ Maine’s lakes and streams support facturer as well as for the bewildered nearly as many fish as they did 20 fisherman . . . much of this new stuff years ago, except where pollution is pure junk. exists. If you didn’t catch as many With few exceptions, the old line trout in that favorite pond or stream manufacturers who were in the busi­ last Summer . . . stop for a moment ness of supplying fishermen and hunt­ and look at it from a fish’s point of ers long before World War No. II view. Five times as many fishermen are still providing the best values as there were ten years ago . . . Ten combined with specialized merchan­ times as many lures and gadgets as dise that has proved its worth through there were eight years ago. Wouldn’t hard use in the field. The more you become skeptical, disillusioned, progressive of these have kept cautious and “hookwise”? abreast of the times through research It is admittedly difficult to gain the and experiments in actual tests. confidence of a fish as well as time Consequently, they are in a position consuming . . . but at least, it may now to place before the buyer a line

26 THE PINE CONE of equipment in which both imagina­ tion and fidelity have been incorpo­ rated. For the first time since pre-war stocks were exhausted the fly fisher­ man can again find that type of gear which delights his very heart . . . and in reasonable quantity . . . too. Oiled silk fly lines . . . both tapered and level are in good supply. The best streamer flies in the world are tied right here in Maine. Good as­ sortments of all standard rods and reels may be located without diffi­ culty. The discriminating fly fisher­ man need look no further than Bangor to find that the best rod known to the sport is made by Leon Thomas in Maine’s “Queen City Of The East.” This year, the “tools of the trade” are in order and at hand . . . ready for the alert fisherman to use . . . but that doesn’t 'mean that the going will be easy. In short: The disciple of Izaak Walton who employs thought, imagination and perseverance will still bring home the bacon. * * * Ip you are one of those rare per­ Dawn Smith and Hollis Crowley of sons who requires real and definite Greenville hold some of the salmon proof that Maine’s inland waters still and togue taken out of Moosehead harbor trout and salmon of a size to Lake during the fishing derby last make you gasp . . . and in quantity Summer. There are plenty of big . . . may I suggest that next Fall, ones still left in Maine! during late September or October, you ask a Warden attached to the Department of Inland Fisheries & pacity of this modern plant will be Game to conduct you to a spawning about two million trout and salmon bed at any one of a hundred of annually. Maine’s lakes and ponds. If you don’t Later in the program, an estimated break out in a cold sweat and pray 50 percent of these fish will probably for an early Spring in 1949 . . . I’ll be “farmed out” among several of eat my old felt fishing hat . . . flies the department’s rearing stations. and all . . . and without mustard! Experience has shown that when a You too . . . can bring home a hefty new hatchery plant goes into opera­ creel . . . but you’ll have to work for tion it usually takes about one year it! to determine accurately what the Ceorge J. Stobie, Inland Fish & actual rearing capacity figure will be. Game Department Commissioner says * * * that he has held a sizable number of Bill Hathaway of Columbia Falls year-old trout and salmon in reserve in Washington County writes to ad­ for stocking lakes and streams just vise that he will put $100 cash in the as soon as water conditions are more hand of the first person to catch a favorable. fresh-run salmon by fly fishing on About the time you reading this, Pleasant River anywhere above the Maine’s new and second largest game dam in Columbia Falls this year. fish hatchery at Deblois in Washing­ In 1947, at the time Pleasant River ton County will go into production was closed to all but fly fishing for for the first time. According to salmon, Bill posted this prize of one Commissioner Stobie, the hatching ca- hundred dollars. Not too much fish­

SPRING, 1948 27 ing was done on the river last year This occurred while driving from and he’s still holding that nice crisp Rangeley Village to Kennebago on century note. His letter closed with the date mentioned in the company a cordial invitation to any and all of Attorney Basil W. Flynn of fishermen to try their luck on Pleas­ Brockton, Mass., an old friend. We ant River this year. had started in over the gravel road * * * to York’s Camps about one o’clock Certainly an eye opener on the in the afternoon. About halfway to question of finding lost persons in Loon Lake there is a sharp right turn the wilderness is the book “Blood­ followed by a long gradual down­ hounds” by Leon F. Whitney, D.V.M., ward grade. Rounding the turn, we of Orange, Conn. Dr. Whitney clari­ saw the big cat sitting in the dirt fies about all of the popular miscon­ road about halfway down the hill. ceptions regarding these intelligent, Slipping the car out of gear we gentle dogs and their use. He does coasted slowly up to within an esti­ it in a manner interesting to the lay­ mated 200 feet of the Cougar be­ man as well as to police departments, fore it showed any real concern. As state officials and hound lovers. Prac­ the car came to a stop the big animal tical use of these talented trailers stood up . . . looked us over rather when persons may become lost in disdainfully and, twitching its long Maine forests is surely food for specu­ tail all the while . . . slowly walked lation. off into the brush. Interesting sidelight on this ques­ Since I have been an interested tion is provided by the fact that Fred student of American Wildlife from Reeves of Bangor, Inland Fish & childhood ... I can state with com­ Game Warden, owns one of these plete assurance that there was no pedigreed specialists. Fred, who question of identification. The thrill purchased his dog from Dr. Whitney of a moment like that defies descrip­ about 15 months ago, says that the tion. hound will be old enough to work ef­ * * * fectively this season should any emer­ gency of this nature arise. Window displays of Fishing * * * Tackle and Camping Equipment ar­ Gene Letourneau in his daily col­ ranged by sporting goods dealers umn “Sportsmen Say’’ featured by throughout the State during the last the Guy P. Gannett Newspapers, has two months seem to hold more than related on two occasions recently a the usual appeal this Spring. Hard- number of interesting facts giving to-get items not seen until recently evidence that a Cougar or Mountain and some real honest-to-goodness Lion has been seen several times here values in reliably known brands are in Maine during recent years. causing veteran anglers and out- Shortly after Gene’s first mention doorsmen to drool in their tackle of the matter, Bruce S. Wright, at the boxes. Northeast Station of the Wildlife Recent hunting and fishing stories Management Institute reported find­ about Maine well worth looking over ing traces of Eastern Puma in New are: Rrunswick. “Ridge Runner”, by Gerald Averill. To assist in completing the picture, J. B. Lippincott Company. this writer takes pleasure in report­ “Maine Squaretails on the Fly”, by ing the personal experience of identi­ A1 McClane. Feb. 1948 Field & fying beyond a question a full-grown Stream Magazine. (Told in pictures). specimen of the Eastern Puma or “Poor Man’s Salmon”, by Bartlett Cougar in Franklin County on Au­ M. Hauthaway. April 1948 Field & gust 5th in 1943. Stream Magazine. (Told in pictures).

28 THE PINE CONE Made In Maine This is the fourth in a series of pictorial presentations in which the PINE CONE calls attention to some of the many hundreds of smaller industries in the State and their thousands of skilled workers who turn out the millions of items which carry the “Made In Maine” label to all cor­ ners of the earth. By William A. Hatch PINE CONE Staff Photographer

The name “Florence Ives Gookins” on a bolt of cloth is known throughout the hand weaving field as a mark of quality and distinc­ tion. Miss Gookins, creator of the “Peggy Ives” line of fabrics, is shown below, right, at one of the looms in her small, but famous, shop in Ogunquit. Modern machines and methods are secrets of the continuing suc­ cess of the Robert Swain Dowel Mill at East Andover. Such wood products are one of the staples on the Maine industrial front. The Arrow Woods Products plant at Wilton stamps out innumer­ able flatwood items from the miles of ribbon peeled off birch bolts. Ice cream spoons, picnic sets, cocktail forks and medical tongue de­ pressors make up the major portion of the plant’s production. Janet Stevens displays some of the variety of commercial and household brushes manufactured at the C. Withington & Son Brush Company at Buckfield. Hair, fibre, bristle and plastics are shipped from all over the world to this Oxford County town and set into Maine hardwood handles to make up these brushes. Mrs. Lauriston Little has seen the Maine Trading Post at Booth- bay Harbor grow from a modest beginning to one of the leading manufacturers of custom handbags. Bags for every conceivable use are made here, from the one to carry baby’s diapers (wetpruf) to the most fashionable opera bag. A R O U N D ife CRA CK ER BARREL;

By Elizabeth A. Mason

ur feet are down off the round pursues a successful surgeon’s career, oak stove, and Spring reveries returning each Summer with his Oengage us . . . the thoughts of troutfamily to Maine. Dr. Arthur Merrill, warily lurking in pools of brooks leading New England Dairy Special­ which rush into turbulent, Swift ist and Bridgton Academy alumnus, River . . . Crocuses pushing through recently retired from his position as the ground around York Harbor cot­ head of the Department of Dairy In­ tages and city homes from Vaughan dustry at Connecticut University. Street, Portland, to Broadway, Ban­ gor . . . salmon leaping at the pool A REAL SUCCESS story is that of above Bangor and up the Narra- Raymond T. Fogler, president of W. guagus . . . horses exercising briskly T. Grant Co., and there is no more around tracks from Gorham to Blue- loyal a Maine native. Born at West hill in anticipation of a brilliant rac­ Rockport, he graduated from the Uni­ ing season . . . boats being overhauled versity of Maine, (where he now has at Boothbay . . . sailboats skimming three children) rose to the presidency blue waters near Deer Isle where so of Montgomery Ward Co. in 1938, short a while ago, ice boats veered and returned to W. T. Grant Co. in sharply in the breeze . . . the cheep­ 1942 as president. It is interesting ing of thousands of fluffy chicks on too, to note how many natives have poultry farms from Limington to risen through W. T. Grant employ­ Pittsfield . . . herring fleets converg­ ment. ing at sardine cannery wharves from Kent’s Hill Alumni Secretary, Fred Eastport to Bath . . . shrimp boats Mansfield, tells us that Stanley Wil­ unloading at New Harbor . . . mingled son of Searsmont, is Dean of Yench- scent of new pine boards and lilacs in ing University in Peiping, China. At Berwick. Danvers State Hospital in Massa­ Luckily, before we got so dreamily chusetts, Dr. Ollin Pettingill of engaged with Spring, we learned some Wayne has an important post. more interesting news about Maine The Lawrence Averills of Wor­ natives. President of Bridgton Acad­ cester, Mass., never miss summering emy’s Board of Trustees is Ernest in Maine. They are working with Stevens (formerly of South Bridg­ others to restore the lovely old 1838 ton) who recently in connection with church at Head Tide which has a his work at Ginn and Co., Boston, re­ Revere Bell . . . and rejoice too that established their interests in the Robert Tolley, president of Ward Philippines. In Portland, Oregon, Baking Co. is restoring many of the Dr. George Buck of South Harrison, lovely old Head Tide houses . . . the

32 THE PINE CONE little community, home of the late cations Commission. This Maine Edwin Arlington Robinson, poet, bids Society sent Governor Hildreth a fare to become a colonial showplace substantial sum for relief of our in Maine. Maine fire victims. Interesting news comes in nearly Rebecca Perry of Machias has every mail on our natives and former been the successful principal of a residents. Virginia Perkins Chase, Needham, Mass., school for years . . . who claims Bluehill as her birthplace, another of the teaching profession and Edgecomb as her present home, who found other fields greener. has just had a new book “Discovery” published. During the winter, Mrs. Recently we had a pleasant visit Chase teaches at University of Michi­ with the father of Jack Frost in his gan. Eastport Store. Jack, you may know, Dr. Nathan Grover, Maine native, is the clever artist who for some just retired from the U. S. Geological years sketched familiar Boston scenes Survey for the second time in five in the Boston Herald and subsequent­ years; first from being Chief Hydrau­ ly published a fine book of them. It lic Engineer, and then having been seems that another volume, “New recalled to correlate war activities England Scenes” is in the hands of from that service . . . Out at the Uni­ publishers, for appearance when versity of Mississippi, Charles Munro paper shortages are less acute. Getchell of Hallowell, is head of the Meanwhile, Jack, the proud father of Department of Speech . . . a letter a daughter, is in New York with the from Attorney Lyle E. Cook, Berke­ Hutchins Advertising Agency—seems ley, Calif., tells us that he is eagerly that he does such things as promot­ anticipating his first return visit ing entertainers like Burl Ives. since 1923 to his old Windham home Father Frost is no less proud of son, this summer . . . and in New York, Glenn, returned G.I. law student Philip Beckler of Bethel covers three making a brilliant record at the Uni­ counties as District Sanitarian with versity of Ohio. the New York State Department of A day when we discover nothing Health. new on the Maine scene is lost. We were delighted to find in the Some of our recent discoveries in­ February American Magazine under clude: Ex-Navy G.I. Robert Baker the caption of “Queen of the Lobster (and Mrs. Baker), making Cape Cod Pots”, a fine write-up on lively lob­ lighters at Damariscotta. In Palermo ster dealer, 82-year-old Mary Green on a ridge farm, the grandson of re­ Higgins, of Boothbay Harbor. volver inventor Samuel Colt and his A recent letter from Miss Sally charming wife are readying them­ Hilton, secretary of the Providence selves for the raising of Angus cat­ “State of Maine Society” tells us that tle, with memories of a recent copper their club was organized November mining career in Chile for contrast. 15, 1912, by Mrs. Nettie Pope, who In Bluehill, blacksmith - craftsman, lives in California now. George Hus­ Charles Wescott, fashions wrought sey was the first president and since iron balconies, signs, andirons, etc., 1917 he has been treasurer of the with utmost skill. A visit to him organization. The Providence Club would highlight any day. Next door meets on the third Friday evening of to his shop, his daughter weaves, each month from October to May and along with others, the lovelv linens there are about 50 members. New Rowantree Crafts create to go with “Mainiacs” in Providence take note their pottery. and contact Miss Hilton for further Clockmaker Ernest Sugden of Or- information about becoming a mem­ land at 76, after 65 years at his trade, ber. is still happily surrounded by ticking, In March the Maine Society in chiming, cuckooing clocks—and con­ Washington held a concert in memory templating the handiwork of the of Madam Lillian Nordica; and Er- years in his grandfather and banjo lon Fogg, president, reminds us that clocks . . . AKC Collies, prize win­ George E. Sterling, a Portland mem­ ning Morgans, and Registered Jer­ ber of the Society, has been named seys at the Maine’s Smiling Hill a member of the Federal Communi­ Farm, Windsorville . . . the Williams

SPRING, 1948 33 and their rapidly expanding Cape Maine; as well as Dr. Frederick Shore Stationery at Cape Elizabeth; Robie, elected Governor of Maine in a creative line of papers carrying 1882. the real Maine character of forest Maine is featured often in picture and sea in design. New sardine and and story; in national magazines and pet food canning plants from Robbin- newspapers. One who has done ston to Addison, and so it goes, with much for us with his beautiful new developments and pursuance of photography is Kosti Ruohoma of old trades as well in Maine. Rockville. Mr. Ruohoma’s delightful With the help of Mrs. Maude Clark pictures of a Maine school boy’s me- Gay, and Mrs. Clinton Stahl of anderings in a recent Life issue Waldoboro, we discover that like all created great interest. Then, not our other small towns, it has had its long ago, Mr. Ruohoma did a picture share of distinguished people . . . series for the State Department among them Miss Harriet Newell which appeared in Heute, the German Haskell, known as the “Grand Wo­ Journal . . . and the subject was Far- man of the West”, who reorganized well’s Store mentioned in ’Round the and headed Monticello Seminary in Cracker Barrel (Winter ’48).' The Alton, Illinois, in 1835; Herbert Farwells are now deluged with let­ Weaver, who for many years served ters from Germans who liked the pic­ Boston’s Practical Arts High School tures and say Bill and Dick Farwell as Headmaster; Jasper Stahl, teacher “remind them of their deceased at Hill School, Pottstown, Penn., now uncles”. Looks like the pleasant pic­ retired and home in Waldoboro writ­ tures of a Maine country store have ing an up to date history of the town; bred a wistful desire in these Ger­ Allen Benner, Harvard Alumnus, mans to move into the Farwell fam­ who all his life was a professor at ily. Mr. Ruohoma photographed Phillips Andover Academy; Charles proceedings of the Lebanon Town Lilly, Missionary to Japan, who died Meeting on March 13 at our sugges­ while carrying an important message tion for release in a national publica­ in World War I; Isaac Reed, Con­ tion. He also did the pictures in Life gressman, in whose home Jefferson last summer on the Maine Three- Davis and other famed men of the Quarter Century Club outing in Port­ time were guests, and who designed land. our present State Seal. There was We may desert temporarily our John Lovell, Amherst Graduate, post, ’Round the Cracker Barrel to whose writings on bees are well- go spring fishing, but we’ll be watch­ known, and Governor Sebastian Mar­ ing the mails for comments from our ble, who had been U. S. Marshal for readers as well as news items.

With the advent of Spring, Maine yacht and pleasure boat­ ing activities are showing more life than at any time since be­ fore the war. Nearly every issue of Maine’s weekly newspapers along the coast contains photos and stories on new construction and boat repairs, while the Portland Sunday Telegram and Monday morning Press Herald have added two full pages de­ voted to yacht and small boat news, excellently edited by Sanders R. Johnson, Press Herald staffer. Maine has probably the finest coastline in the United States for safe and scenic cruising— 2,500 miles of it.

34 THE PINE CONE Minstrelsy of Maine

Edited by Sheldon Christian

Editor of Poems About Maine: An Anthology, and The Winged Word: A Quarterly Devoted to the Poetic Arts.

P oems, to be eligible for consideration for this Department, should be about Maine or of particular interest to lovers of Maine. While at least minimum standards of craftsmanship will be required, selections will be made on the basis of reader interest, rather than critical perfection. Only previously un­ published poems should be submitted. All submissions should be sent directly to Sheldon Ch r istia n , Editor, Minstrelsy of M a i n e Department, 10 Mason Street, Brunswick, Maine; and should be accompanied by the usual stamped, self-addressed envelope for return of the material if not found available. To the Men of Andros­ The Maine Way coggin*. World War II By E. G. Robertson By George C. Wing, Jr. urs is not a State Where folks drive through, he clock on Auburn Court House, OUnheeding, hurrying T Four-dialed, keeps the time, To a destination It ticks away the minutes, Indifferently, sublime. Beyond its borders. Far-sent, men of Androscoggin The average stranger lingers Have found the ends of earth, Happily to perceive Their duty never shattered, A certain mode of living Their heritage of birth. Suited to his needs— A pleasant tempo. Though north winds blow in anger, And south winds come to cheer, Though east winds blow in tribute, He notes with eager interest The west wind knows no fear. The pleasing panorama; Sage and solid citizens, So up and down the county, The white-steepled churches Where boys no longer roam, Against tomorrow. Some keep the tryst of silence, Yet know the watch word home— Presently you’ll find him The clock yet never falters, A resident, contented. Though new becomes the old, Perhaps to Maine, alone, And time itself will keep them It is impossible to come Within its chosen fold. For one trip, only.

SPRING, 1948 35 Down A Mountain Stream Counting the Days By W. A. Small By E. G. Robertson 0 limpid fretting trickle, whither bound? estless, in retrospect I brood, Singing from the spring, a plashing Longing to see Maine’s shores child R once more— Of hidden sources, you roll over mild Clicking pebbles; now lost to view, To terminate this interlude: then found Among the brush and grass. In To glimpse again Katahdin’s peak, every shoal See Portland, Casco Bay, and York, Are colored veins to charm the eye; To listen while Maine people speak; your music floats To tempted ears with varied play of Feast on the beauty of her lakes, notes. Thrill to her hills, her stately pines, Pooling, you pause to lull a restless Absorb the special peace they make; soul Asleep on your banks, then dash im­ To hear the seagull’s raucous cry, portantly The symphony of saline surf On your hurried little way, rushing With laughing children wading high; free Through haughty, silent, forests, To feel, to touch once more and see down the breast The beauty that is Maine’s alone: Of a sleeping mountain. Gathering This is my chief expectancy! speed Each instant, you accept with youth­ ful greed The tribute-flowing streams and, Shrub thus increased, The bubbles of your laughter are a By Edna Smith Earle roar. At last you are complete. Past There were many colored bottles, grassy shore Some red, some brown, some green, You flow, giass-surfaced, placid. By Standing in a neat straight row instinct called, Behind a rusty screen. You poise then on a height of stone, appalled The color caught my fancy At your final step alone. Now As I was riding by dressed The hunch-backed antique shop With clinging spray about, you Where jovial Andrew Fry plunge invited Into the upstretched rocky arms, by Was perched behind the counter them divided Up three red squeaky stairs. To be mingled with the secret depths, This room was badly cluttered in rest. With tables and old chairs, Pewter, cut-glass, pictures, Leaf-Song Lamps, and samovars, By Dolores Cairns Many queer-shaped vessels, TXT HAT says the leaf And odd shaped silver jars. * * That comes into being, I went over to the window Suddenly springing And asked if I might buy To shape on the bough? The screened-in “priceless treasures.” “The moment for doing, I heard a gentle sigh. For growth or for singing, For flight or believing “I’m sorry that you want them. Is now, only now!” They’re not for sale, you know. From T he W inged W ord, copyright 1948 My wife has bottled shrub today— by Sheldon Christian. I put it there for show.”

36 THE PINE CONE To Sit Upon A Wall The Country School By Edwin D. Merry By Clifford Wesley Collins oday I’d love to sit upon a wall Where apple blossoms drift and T I there birches welcome climbing T fall. * * boys The place I know looks out to sea And bend to give them thrilling joys O’er fish-house roofs; By letting dangling feet attain An old grey pier juts out below; Firm footing on the ground again, And lobster pots sulk row on row— And where sea-scented salty smells All shimmering in a mid-May heat. Escort the clang of buoy bells Dwarfed, at anchor, lies the fleet— When breezes bring their chants in­ Weathered, dozing, scale - smeared shore— things, There stands the school’s inviting Where nets are piled and hornets door. sing Inside there gleams a cheery view Above the devil’s apron strings. That shows how much one room can I would not toss my tousled hair do, To loose the white drift settled there, How well prepared are country youth Nor turn my head, nor break the spell To follow beauty, goodness, truth, In the larger school of life that waits Of this enchantment ’neath the tree. Beyond yet more enchanting gates. I would go on and hold Spring’s hand, Through future years rich lives shall And romp with her across the land; show And drink together knee-to-knee, How great are some small schools From frost-rimmed pools of anemone. we know! Today I’d sit upon a wall, Where apple blossoms loose and fall— The place I know looks out to sea Where ships can float and cease to be. A man needs such an afternoon The Little Red School House With gulls, and ferns, and dead grass smoke, And call of voices up a slope. By Lillian Drake To have never dreamed upon a wall he little red schoolhouse on the T hill Is never to have lived at all. Was a mecca for many a year For children who came from far and near Northern Lights With shouts of joy, not fear. By Catherine Cates Exams and passing were unknown, Each child went fast or slow, Here trees were tall and branches met And when he knew his little book, To weave a canopy of net. Into the next he could go. The street was one she saw each The method was crude, as well as the night, room, But now her heart stilled in delight, But not entirely ill, For swinging lanterns in the sky For many learned self-reliance here Were dipping low and turning high. That helped them up life’s hill. She stood and never knew how long The old landmark was swept away She lost herself in silent song. By the onward march of time. But pleasant memories live in the The earth, the sky and she, a trine, heart She broke of bread and tasted wine. Of the one who made this rhyme.

SPRING, 1948 37 By June L. Maxfield

’v e b e e n in a digging frame of Then Dust it over with Flour and mind this Spring. So far I’ve leave it to Swell. In cold weather it acquired two very dusty hands, a few should be near the Fire. The mass is I paper cuts, but, with all, some inter­ likely to be Distended in an hour if esting old recipes—the oldest and the ferment be good. Then it may be most interesting I could find. formed into Loaves.” My first excursion wound up with Like bread, biscuits are of par­ Margaret Huntington Hooker’s “Ye ticular interest historically, for, by Gentlewoman’s Cookery” of 1846. the simplicity of their ingredients and Her bread recipe caught my eye. For the mixing and baking processes they nearly all of us it’s little more than were well adapted to the needs of interesting reading . . . and aren’t Maine’s early housewives. Even we glad we’re us in 1948! though baking powder was beginning As a preface to her recipe, Mar­ to come into its own, it still ranked garet warns us: “If you are so un­ among the “new-fangled”—worthy of fortunate as to have one of those scorn. So, if you prefer the “real Mc­ New-fangled, iron ovens, do not try Coy”: to use it. Send your Bread to the Bakers.” Sour Milk Biscuit Incidentally, the standard test for 4 c. flour 2 tbsp. butter oven temperature was to put a hand 2 tsp. soda Salt 2 scant tsp. cream 2 c. sour milk in the oven, and if it could not be held of tartar there for a count of twenty, the oven Sift together the dry ingredients and cut was hot enough. in the butter. Add the sour milk and very “Bread. Put twenty-four pounds quickly roll out and cut. Bake in a very of Flour into the wooden Bread hot oven. trough. Make a deep round hole in The “very quickly” in biscuit mak­ the middle of the Flour, and pour into ing is important. How many times it diluted Yeast; stir into enough of we’ve seen our grandmothers put to­ the surrounding meal as will make it gether a batch of biscuits, using a like paste. Cover the Mixture well handful of this and a pinch of that, to the depth of at least an eighth of taking about five minutes for the an inch, and then throw over the whole process, and come out with the Trough a Cover. , most melt-in-the-mouth biscuits we’ve “After some time Cracks will ap­ ever seen! My grandmother always pear in the covering of Flour, when told me that the easiest way to spoil these cease it is Time to make up the a batch was to spend too much time Dough. Add gradually twelve pints with them. It’s true, too. of Warm water until the whole be­ This recipe above is, like all old- comes Sufficiently moist to be formed timers, too generous for most needs. by Kneading into a compact Mass. It can be halved with no ill effects.

38 THE PINE CONE In the earlier history of our Country cake-making was a ladies’ art, something apart from the every­ day cooking chores. The gentle lady, too well-bred to soil her hands peel­ ing potatoes or preparing meat for the spit, could, nevertheless, turn a dainty hand to the mixing of a cake. That, however, was characteristic of other earlier and more densely populated sections of the Atlantic coast . . . for there were few pam­ pered housewives in Maine! For festive occasions, to be sure, there were cakes rich and highly spiced, decorated and garnished with fruits and berries. However, for the most part good, but plain and hon­ est, cooking was the order. This good Yankee economy has produced worthwhile results, among them this recipe for a plain cake. Originally called “Poor Man’s Cake”, it later became known as “Lightning Cake” . . . perhaps some good cook resented the implication and sought a title still descriptive, yet a bit more dignified! Lightning Cake 1. c. sugar 2 c. sifted flour Salt 2 tsp. baking powder Sift all together c. butter and a d d : Haydn S. Pearson, of Waban, Break one egg in a cup, fill with sweet Mass., widely known New England milk, beat together, add to mixture, stir­ author and lecturer, is a great booster ring well. Add vanilla. Bake at 350°. for Maine foods and recipes. This I have my own reasons for using photo shows him trying out one of the later title. Could anything re­ PINE CONE’s “Famous Maine Rec­ quiring a quarter of a cup of butter ipes” as edited by June Maxfield. be a “poor man’s” dish? Mr. Pearson used many Maine recipes P e r h a p s n o section of Maine cook­ in his “The Countryman’s Cookbook,” ing history offers more good recipes and speaks frequently of Maine foods than the dessert department, source in his books “Country Flavor” and of our good pies and puddings, cakes “Sea Flavor.” and sauces. And it’s easy to see that Mr. Pearson is a regular contribu­ calories were an unknown quantity tor on Maine and New England sub­ in those days! Food was loved for jects to many magazines. He writes itself alone. country flavor, sea flavor and nature A glance at the cookbook presents editorials for The New York Times more than a hint that left-overs were and the Boston Herald. Wendy, the as much of a problem to pioneer wo­ Pearson’s Sheltie, also is a great men as they are to us. Good ex­ booster for Maine foods and looks amples are the numerous bread and forward to each issue of The PINE cake puddings, and many a fruit or CONE. berry cobbler is suspected of utiliz­ ing odds and ends. Ice cream and sherbets, store-style, have made many of the old-time cold Good by itself—good, too, as a top­ desserts obsolete. However, no chap­ ping for pound cake, plain puddings, ter devoted to desserts would be com­ fruit or berry pies. See what I plete without mention of Syllabubs. meant about the calories?

SPRING, 1948 39 Syllabubs a top crust or with strips of pastry. Bake 1 pt. rich cream 1 tsp. vanilla in a hot oven 40 minutes. % c. sugar 1 glassful sherry At last we’re working out of his­ Whip cream until it is light and will tory and coming up with some things stand in rounded peaks when egg-beater is taken out. Fold in the sugar and flavor written in today’s language . . . old- with vanilla and sherry. To be sure of a timers revised to be practical and smooth mixture, the sugar, vanilla and easy-to-do under modern methods. sherry can be added before the cream is Come Spring it’s an unwritten law completely whipped, and beaten in. Chill that we must have a couple of rec­ and serve. ipes, at least, using new maple syrup In another early cookbook . . . H. or sugar. Still on the pie track, L. Barnum’s “Farmer’s Own Book” here’s one that will make the hit (1832) ... we find a recipe for “An parade of your family’s favorites. A Excellent Potato Pudding” (using up suggestion: because it’s definitely on the left-overs again!). There was, the rich side, it usually goes better apparently, no false modesty in those as the top-off of a light Sunday sup­ days. A recipe found to be good was per, or for a late-evening dessert. simply and emphatically announced as such. Want to try it? Maple Sugar Pie 1 deep pie shell 2 c. milk 3 eggs 3 tbsp. soft maple “An Excellent Potato Pudding” % tsp. nutmeg sugar 8 oz. boiled potatoes, 2 oz. butter y2 tsp. vanilla % tsp. salt mashed and beaten 2 eggs, separated Beat the eggs lightly and add the maple until smooth and 14 pint rich cream sugar. Heat milk in a double boiler, add creamy Salt the nutmeg and salt, and pour slowly on 1 tsp. white wine the eggs and sugar. Strain. Add the Juice and rind of 1 vanilla. lemon Prepare a rich deep pie shell, keeping the Add the butter, which has been creamed, edge of the dough well above the rim. Fill the wine and a pinch of salt to the whipped with the above filling and bake in a hot potatoes, then add beaten egg yolks. Stir oven (400°) until the edge of the crust juice and rind of lemon into whipped cream is lightly browned. Then reduce the heat and add. Finally, fold in beaten egg white. of the oven to moderately hot (350°) and Chill and serve. bake until a knife inserted in the filling comes out clean. Pie has often been called the Maple Fritters hit the spot with “great American dessert”, and cer­ the hearty breakfast addicts — for tainly many of us remember our others they’re preferred as a tunch mothers and grandmothers on baking or supper. Any way you serve ’em— day as they turned out pies in quan­ they’re good! tities. Mince, apple, pumpkin—these Maple Fritters were standard favorites, and perish 3 eggs, well beaten 1 tbsp. sweet cream the thought that they were “company 2 c. sweet milk y2 tsp. salt 2 tsp. baking 4 c. flour dessert”, for in its hey-day apple was powder Powdered sugar as much a part of breakfast as pan­ Maple syrup cakes and syrup. Breakfast, that is Sift the dry ingredients together and add ... it really was an early morning to the milk and cream. Then slowly add the well-beaten eggs, stirring constantly. “must” in many families! Drop by spoonfuls into hot fat and fry un­ After winter meals, the first tart til well-puffed and browned. Sprinkle with taste of rhubarb is a breath of powdered sugar and serve with a warm maple syrup sauce made as follows: Spring in itself. And blessings on Boil % c. maple syrup with ti c. water the gal who first put strawberries until it will spin a thread. Pour it slowly with it to make a real spring and into the stiffly beaten whites of 2 eggs which have been mixed with % c. cream summer treat! and 1 tsp. lemon juice, beating constantly Rhubarb Strawberry Pie with an egg-beater. 114 c. sugar 2 c. strawberries For a change, try sprinkling them 4 tbsp. flour 2 c. rhubarb with ground maple sugar, instead of % tsp. salt Butter confectioners’, and serving them with Mix together the sugar, flour and salt. this sharp lemon sauce: Cut the rhubarb into 1" pieces, mix with Mix together % c. sugar, 2 tbsp. flour the strawberries which have been washed and a pinch of salt and add iy2 c. boiling and hulled, and then combine with the water. Stir and cook until thickened. Add sugar mixture. Turn into a pie shell and 1 tbsp. butter, 1% tbsp. lemon juice and dot with butter. This may be covered with the grated rind of 14 lemon. Serve hot.

40 THE PINE CONE When Spring comes, no one wants Fish Chowder to spend long hours in the kitchen 1 lb. fish m c. water IV4," cube salt pork 2 V2 c. milk getting meals together. Any meal­ 2 onions Butter time dish that’s a time-saver, or can 3 potatoes Salt and pepper be prepared in advance, is a real Dice the salt pork and fry until crisp and favorite with the cook of the family. brown. Add the onions, sliced very thin and the sliced potatoes and fish. Add the Stews are made to order in this water and cook until tender, then add the respect . . . can be prepared hours milk and bring to the scalding point. Add or even days in advance . . . and al­ seasonings and serve, adding a dot of but­ ways improve in flavor with stand­ ter to each bowlful. ing. Corn Chowder 2" cube of salt or 1 medium can 'Beef Stew pork corn, either cream 3% lb. stew beef 3 carrots, diced 1 medium onion style or whole ker- 1 turnip, diced 5 potatoes, diced 3 potatoes nel 2 tbsp. melted fat or sliced 1 c. water 1 qt. milk Salt and pepper W ater 2 c. corn kernels, % c. flour Dumplings Fry the salt pork with the onion, 1 small onion, chopped. Dice the potatoes, add the water chopped and cook until tender, adding the corn dur­ Dredge meat (cut into 1" to 2" chunks) ing the last five minutes of cooking. Add with flour and seasoning, and brown in the the milk and heat. Season to taste and melted fat with the chopped onion. Cover add a small piece of butter. If canned corn the meat and onions with water and let is used it can be added at the same time simmer for about two hours, or until meat as the milk, as it does not require cooking. is thoroughly tender. Half an hour before serving, add the other vegetables; and fifteen minutes before serving, add dump­ lings. When done, thicken the gravy with June L. Maxfield, assistant in the flour and serve. If you prefer a clear stew, advertising department of the Union a handful of barley can be substituted for the flour. It has the same thickening Mutual Life Insurance Company of effect. Portland, contributes her eleventh in To make the dumplings, add 1 tsp. salt this series on Famous Maine Recipes, and % c. milk to a beaten egg and stir compiled from the extensive file of old the mixture into % c. sifted flour until a smooth batter is made. Drop by spoon­ Maine recipes which the company has fuls into the simmering stew for the fifteen- collected. minute cooking.

ffar srfu//io Carlton R. Mills is a well-known resident of Fryeburg, where he is a representative of H. C. Baxter & Bro., Maine food canners. Stanley I. Perham of West Paris is one of Maine’s fore­ most mineralogists; both he and his father have been mine owners and operators and Mr. Perham owns the Maine Mineral Store and other business interests at West Paris. He did important work for the Government on Maine minerals in the recent war. Robert L. Dow is an aide to Richard E. Reed, Maine Commissioner of Sea and Shore Fisheries. Catherine Thibodeau is a secretary in one of Sanford’s leading law firms. Creative writing is her hobby. Elizabeth A. Mason and John C. Page, Jr., are field managers for the Maine Publicitv Bureau.

SPRING, 1948 41 (Photo Cnediti: Front Cover: Fishing on Cupsuptic Stream, by Wil­ liam A. Hatch. Process plates by Waterville Sentinel Engravers. Back Cover: Blossoms at Long Lake, Naples. By Ralph F. Blood, Portland. Sea Moss Industry: By Robert L. Dow, Sea and Shore Fisheries Department. ft All other photos by William A. Hatch, Staff Photographer.

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42 THE PINE CONE Maine the Beautiful

By Eleanor Dutton Martin /^VM aine, you are so beautiful this day! '^Y our pine trees etched against a turquoise sky, Your strong and sturdy spruce whose shadows lie Reflected in each silent pool; the gray Wild shapes of cliff and crag above the play Of slipping sands and wide wave-whisperings; The satin smoothness of a seagull’s wings, And lacy fountain of the boiling spray! 0, miracle of loveliness, I see The lowlands with their emerald grass and sedge, With yellow buttercups to star the edge! I hear the larks’ exquisite minstrelsy! While scudding clouds write lyrics of your fame My lips are softly murmuring your name. Maine In Springtime By Florence Alberta Wales reen buds leaf in the golden sun; A fresh wind lifts from the cat-tailed shores; The creek smells swe^t when the minnows run GFor tomorrow the day is yours. “Hold your head high,” the new buds sing; Whistle a tune when the bittern soars; Hope rides high on his roving wing, For tomorrow the day is yours. The wind’s a treasure: gather its gold From the frog’s slit eye and the violet’s pores And carry them home in a clover’s fold To remember the spring when the day was yours.