Turner's Public Spirit, August 14, 1920
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
“Center. The Abbot Worsted band, which is making such a success this season, will give
another open-air concert Sunday afternoon at two o’clock. Concert from the bandstand on the
common.
“The Oscar R. Spaldings have returned from a very pleasant automobile trip to the White
mountains. A pleasant occurrence was the meeting at Bethlehem, N.H., with the J. Herbert
Fletcher party also touring the White mountain section. This meeting was not planned for but just
happened. The following day the two groups went up Mt. Washington together….
“The Alexander A. Camerons have recently moved into their newly completed home [10
Graniteville Road].
“Frederic A. Hanscom, Leon F. Hildreth and Otis W. Day were in attendance three days at the
recent Farmers’ Week at Amherst, the poultry sessions claiming their special attention. These
three, with several others in addition, were in attendance at the farm visiting day held at Billerica
Friday of last week.
“Warm days have not prevented some good games of tennis at Whitney playground this week.
The Taylor Brothers, William R. and John A., and Dr. C. A. Blaney have been active participants.
“About Town. Batters are up for the pumping house on Nabnassett road for the water supply
for the Abbot Worsted Co. at Brookside. The standpipe will be located on Edwards hill on the
southerly side of Nabnassett road, Westford Corner, to Forest road, near Nabnassett lake.
“Complaint is made of the low space under the new bridge on the Stony Brook railroad that
spans the Stony Brook town road. When the new iron bridge was put across it was lowered
nearly two feet from the old wooden bridge and contrary to the received right of the town.
Recently an auto load of cattle attempted to pass under but then they didn’t. They passed over at
Westford station in a hindrance roundabout route to the north. To pass under it with a load of hay
the width must exceed the height enough to blockade the road elsewhere against all oncoming
travel.
“Experimental Tests. Middlesex County Farm Bureau arranged for a meeting Wednesday
afternoon at the Cold Spring Farm to test and observe results of experiments of potato seed
testing and other experiments arranged by the Farm Bureau at planting time. The potatoes were
Green Mountain from Maine, Vermont, New York and potato seed raised on the farm last year.
There was no perceptible difference in the first three, but the home grown seed was visibly below
the vigorous growth and promise of the seed raised in the potato belt. The plants were
exceptionally free from parasites, like weeds and witchgrass and fungus diseases. A little
scattering of leaf curl was found for which no remedy has yet been found.
“Part of the plants were treated to corrosive sublimate at planting time. This is for
underground troubles like scab, but as we didn’t inspect doings below the surface we can only
guess that those not treated will be as free from scab as the treated and the vines equally as stocky
and free from feeble vines.
“These experimental plots are all staked off and labeled and are easily seen by the traveling
public, being located just below Cold Spring farm at the intersection of Depot street and the
Lowell road. C. B. Tillson, county agent, conducted the experiments and explained the results.
The gathering was a success in interest and attendance. About fifty farmers were present some
from out of town, including Concord. William Pollock is the present efficient manager of the
farm and was responsible for executing these experiments and the clear green thrift with which
they have come through.
“Graniteville. It was a great disappointment to the fans here that there was no ball game last
Saturday. The Abbot Worsted Co. was scheduled to play the Packard Motor Co. of Boston, but
after waiting till five p.m. and the Boston team failed to appear the crowd left the field….
“The members of the Abbot Worsted Co. band enjoyed an outing to Nantasket beach Saturday
afternoon, as the guests of the company Treasurer J. C. Abbot, with the members of the band
committee accompanying the band members, and nothing was spared in making the outing a
great success. The trip was made by automobiles and the boys ‘took in everything,’ the main
feature of the day being a special dinner at the Atlantic House. It was certainly one great day and
the band members deeply appreciate the courtesy extended.”
The Atlantic House overlooking Nantasket Beach on August 8, 1920. Courtesy Photo/Digital
Commonwealth