USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Berlin > History of the town of Berlin, Worcester County, Mass. from 1784 to 1959 > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
Our native historian, Rev. William A. Houghton, paints this pleasing picture in 1895: "The town is distinctively agricultural, and the great variety of soils within its borders renders the town well adapted to horticulture and mixed farming. The hills and uplands are rocky and have a deep black soil suitable for grazing. These are moderate elevations and suitable for cultivation on their summits. The central plain and valleys are comparatively free from stones; the soil, a sandy loam, is adapted to the growth of cereals."
The farm picture for the Town of Berlin is generally similar to that of the "State of the Yankee Farmer" for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. "At first glance, it would seem unlikely that agriculture could possibly be either important or prosperous in a highly industrialized state. The fields are all too often rough, small and stony. Labor costs are high. Basic items, such as grain, have to be shipped here from hundreds of miles away at great expense. The federal program, instead of helping the farmer, actually hinders him by subsidizing high grain prices for the benefit of the Midwest and Southern farmers-and then adds insult to injury by taxing him to support the program. Yet, despite these seemingly monumental disadvantages, agriculture in Mas- sachusetts (including Berlin) is flourishing as never before."
In the address of George F. Story, Manager of the Worcester County Extension Service and Worcester County Agent of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, before the Berlin Board of Trade on March 23, 1942, said: "Since the farmer is limited in his ability to produce in large quantities due to the shortage of labor and the inability to secure material equipment, it resolves that when the public feels the burden of the need of food supply, it will be necessary for the Government to create priorities for the material equipment for agriculture similar to that in other lines of industry."
Making agriculture its prominent occupation, the question
147
AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES
arises as to what does Berlin produce? The general crops are such as are suitable for the support of the livestock and household needs. These products are enumerated in fragmentary records of 1792. This reveals that nearly a ton and a half of good hay was produced on the acre. The annual production of rye was 300 bu., oats 400 bu., corn 1200 bu., and 250 bbls. of cider were made.
This routine of farm production continued up to 1830-40. From about 1840 to 1860 hop culture became a leading cash product. The late Henry A. Wheeler said that his father had received as much as $300 for a single load delivered in Boston. This annual crop amounted to $2,000.
Another crop which paid well between 1880 and 1900 was asparagus. Berlin was considered second only to Concord in the amount raised in the State. This brought as much as $15.00 for a crate of two dozen bunches, says Mr. Joseph Schartner. From the items of the Berlin News edited by Perry A. White (1888- 1893) we are informed that "The farmers began cutting their asparagus (May 7, 1890) and are shipping it to Boston, where it sold for 75 cents a bunch. Eighty-four boxes were shipped from the Old Colony (N.Y. N.H. & H.) Railroad Station on May 8th, and ninety-seven boxes were shipped on June the 2nd. Hobart Lasselle made two or three trips to Marlboro each week and Jacob Boyce took a load to Clinton twice a week." Arthur Hast- ings and George Bowers were in asparagus production as late as 1914 on their respective farms.
The strawberry season was another prosperous time for the Berlin farmer. The growing of this berry is an item of production with some farmers in recent years, but less profitable than of yore. The Berlin News reports in their issue of June 1890 that "G. W. Kallon picked his first box of strawberries on June 11th, which was a week later than usual. By the 25th, he had picked fourteen bushels from his field." Several farmers had a field of strawberries as late as 1935, but lately it is not profitable to compete with the Southern producer.
The products of the orchards (apples, peaches, and pears) for which the soil of Berlin is well adapted, were quite remunerative. Albert Jacobs states that his father has received $400 for a load of 100 baskets of peaches delivered to the Boston market. Large orchards of peaches were maintained by Charles E. Sladen and
148
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
Edward L. Collins on the "Stone House" farm, the Potas Brothers of Randall Road, and Benjamin Marble on Ball Hill Road. Myron S. Wheeler of Summer Road had a large variety orchard, mostly apples.
One of the largest apple orchards in Berlin (yes, in eastern Worcester County) is the Chedco Farms Inc. In 1922, Charles E. Cotting purchased of Charles G. Schirmer 104 acres on Sawyer Hill, with buildings. This included the original twenty- seven acres which Dea. Josiah Sawyer cleared for settlement in 1735. This estate has been christened Chedco Farm, Inc., using syllables of his name. To the original purchase Mr. Cotting bas increased the acreage by buying neighboring farms until the estate covers over 500 acres. It stretches from the shores of Gates Pond, westward over the slopes of Sawyer Hill to the bounds of Walnut Street; and from the southern borders of the former L. W. Brewer farm northward into "Hog Swamp." Central Street, Sawyer Hill, and Brewer Roads traverse its acres.
Mr. Cotting proceeded to clear these lands of stones and brush, and drained the same where needed, so that the wilderness blossomed into fields of hay, feed crops, and orchards. The hill- side acres were set out in thousands of apple trees until the number mounted to over five thousand. The orchards cover one hundred acres. Macintosh is the leading crop. Other varieties are Bald- wins, Delicious, Portland, Gravestein, and Greening. These produce an output of around 40,000 boxes per season. Their large storage plant employs ten or more persons during the harvest period. Another feature of improvement that is employed upon this farm is that of reforestation. In 1936 5,000 young pines and spruce trees were set out.
Since about 1905 farming has resolved itself into a system of specialization. The most general type is that of the dairy farm. A good second became hog raising. Other animals produced are sheep, poultry, and turkeys. Truck gardening and flower culture are conducted on some of the farms, and it ofttimes happens that two or three of these products are raised on the same farm.
Local Dairy Farming
Dairy farming has fluctuated since the opening of the twen- tieth century. In 1890 the Assessors reported 589 cows and 157
149
AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES
neat cattle. This number gradually declined so that the report for 1927 was 412 cows and 76 neat cattle. About this time industry began to slacken; headed for the depression of 1930, and several Berlin farms ceased to function as such. Nevertheless, there are some twenty dairy farms still in operation, ranging from six to thirty-five milk cows. From the farm census of 1941, a report on 308 cows of these herds produced 2,070,747 lbs. of milk. We dare say that owing to the advancement in the methods of milk production, these 308 cows produced a much larger yield than the 589 cows reported in 1890. Herewith is a chart of the number of cows reported by the Assessors through a period of years:
Year
1890
1902 1910 1920
1927 1937
1941 1950
1955
Cows
589
534
511
440
412
451
308
382
389
Some of the more prominent dairy farms are operated by Chester and Alice Cole of "Lotta Rocks Farm"; Everett Wheeler and Frederick Wheeler of Highland Street; George Sargent of Randall Road; John Niedzial of Boylston Road; Albert Wheeler of Derby Road; Joseph Roseberry and Hermon L. Sawyer of Linden Street; Willard H. Wheeler of Pleasant Street; Mary Risi and Danford B. Tyler of River Road; and Walter D. Stratton of Gates Pond Road.
Chedco Farm, "where Charles E. Cotting ... has created, within the past thirty-four years, one of the finest dairy and fruit farms in this Commonwealth." The chief interest of Mr. Cotting is in the raising of an improved breed of Guernsey cattle. He maintains a herd of between forty-five and fifty. These are bred for size and production. Each cow that is tested for a record has to be milked three times every day during the period. Moonbeam, one of the test cows, has a record of 11,986 lbs. of milk and 750 lbs. of butterfat, which was within three pounds of the world record when taken. Her daughter, Moonlight, has a record of 13,433 lbs. of milk and 738 lbs. of butterfat. Wisteria Ruth has a record of 17,348 lbs. of milk and 882 lbs. of butterfat.
These choice cattle are housed in a large (75 x 40 ft.) substan- tial dairy barn which is finished with polished cement floors, and the walls are sheathed and coated with the best grade of valspar.
150
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
The quarters are kept clean and sterilized, which impressed a visitor from the Island of Jamaica to remark that it "surpasses any of the (British) government dairy farms on the island."
The products of these numerous dairy farms were collected, pasteurized, bottled, and distributed by several different firms; namely, Holder's Milk, Small's Milk, Fillmore, Harriman's Milk Dairy, Whitings, Hood, and Cummings. Gradually, one by one, these collectors and dairies went out of business, and turned their business over to a central pasteurizing and bottling station in Worcester. There were two dairy plants in Berlin: Holder's Dairy on Gates Pond Road and Small's Dairy on South Street. Holder's went out of business in 1946. Myron R. Small converted the buildings of the Theodore Guertin blacksmith shop into a modern dairy plant in 1925, but discontinued the use of this equipment in 1952. Small's Milk is still distributed from the central station in Worcester. Whitings and Lee are other distributors.
The poultry business has fluctuated over a period of years. The following record will show this variation in number of fowl assessed:
Year
Number
Year
Number
1895
4780
1925
9363
1900
3602
1930
12930
1905
4200
1935
10028
1910
5680
1940
5560
83,600 doz. eggs
1915
770
1950
18024
1920
5320
1955
8005
The price of eggs also varied with the market. During the years of 1916-18, the price was as high as $1.25 per dozen and the average dealer shipped three to four crates per week. With thirty dozen per crate we see how the poultrymen could build up their bank account. But when the market price gets down to 39-42 cents per dozen, as in 1955, you can see why so many go out of the business. Between the years 1935-1942 there were around twenty farmers engaged in the poultry business. Among these John Bernardson and Richard Mungeam maintained a hatchery. By the year 1955 this number was reduced to about eight who maintain a sizable flock. Among these are Lionel J. Manseau, Walter Kivior, George Hale, George Sargent, Robert Guild, Carl
151
AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES
A. Barter, William-Everett Wheeler, Clifford Wheeler, and Dennis Murphy. Earl J. B. Schwartz had 1500 hens in 1949. The "Maple Farm Poultry" on West Street, operated by Lionel Manseau, is a large establishment equipped with modern fur- nishings and the latest mechanical devices for handling a large quantity of eggs and broilers.
Turkey raising was introduced in Berlin about 1927 by Brittan A. Jackson. Since the flock was dressed off and sold by the 1st of January, the Assessors did not have any report on these birds. Other dealers in turkey raising are George Hale and Carl Barter. Through the courtesy of a farm census in December of 1941 John L. Nutting reported a total of 2,685 turkeys. This was a report from five flocks, namely numbering 1400, 160, 175, 500 and 450 respectively. From the Assessors' report from 1950-1955 we have the following list of turkeys (by the year ) : 94, 94, 25, 38, 40, 40.
This does not give us a fair picture of the turkey production, for on the "1790 Farm" they dressed and sold 2,000 turkeys dur- ing the Thanksgiving-Christmas season of 1956. The 1790 Farm, consisting of approximately 150 acres, is located on River Road, through which the Assabet River meanders. The same is owned by Paul Arthur, and under the supervision of Joe W. Davis, where they grow and market the White Holland turkeys.
Dorset sheep are also raised on this farm. The sheep produce wool and breeding stock. Some are sold at live weight at the farm. There were twenty-three in the herd in December of 1956. A few sheep are kept on several farms. Waldo L. Wheeler of Summer Road generally had a sizable herd. The Assessors re- ported the following sheep:
Year
1870 1892
1902
1912
1922
1933
1942 1952
1955
Sheep
97
8
3
43
17
13
22
27
35
The raising of hogs for the market was another business which was introduced among the Berlin farmers in the early 1900's. A report of 4,500 pounds of pork was listed for the year 1792. The first record of swine in the Assessors' report was made in 1902 when thirty-seven were listed. The number mounted to eighty- one in 1907; then there was a gradual decrease until 1922, after which there was a gradual increase. This is accounted for by the
152
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
number of pig farms. Roy P. Marble of Linden Street was the principal grower of hogs, having been in the business since the fall of 1924. Others interested in this branch of farming were: Brittan A. Jackson of West Street, Edward Martineit of Carr Road, and Walter J. Allen of Linden Street. In 1938 eighty-five swine were assessed, and in 1944 the number was 104.
These hogs were fed principally on garbage collected in neigh- boring towns and Worcester. When a bill was passed requiring the cooking and processing of this feed, the hog farms were abandoned. So the report of swine now refers to privately-owned stock and the killing is for private use. So that when we read that twenty-two swine were reported in 1942, but the Inspector of Slaughter reported 176 dressed swine, we may understand.
Within the past half century the growing of flowers and early garden vegetables under glass has been carried on by a few of the farmers. Willis Rice introduced this system of growing early crops in greenhouses in 1880, on his place on South Street, later followed by A. D. Brewer. A neighbor, William S. Eager, to the south but opposite side of the street, also raised flowers and early vegetables in greenhouses. Arthur L. Brewer of Walnut Street conducted an early vegetable and florist business in greenhouses. The same was bought and enlarged by C. M. Field & Co. in 1925, and they are in business to date. As early as 1889 Wheeler Brothers (Samuel and Henry) were engaged in raising special crops in their greenhouses on Sawyer Hill Road. The business has been continued at the "Old Wheeler Homestead" by Clifford H. Wheeler (grandson of Samuel). The greenhouses of Samuel Wheeler on Sawyer Hill Road, were purchased by Kenneth M. Pierce in 1937, but the buildings were wrecked by the hurricane of September 21, 1938. They have not been completely restored, but Mr. Pierce intends to re-establish the business as soon as conditions permit.
Specialization in truck gardening has been conducted by Charles J. G. Hubbard of Randall Road, Foster Brothers of Saw- yer Hill Road, Waldo L. Wheeler and Myron S. Wheeler of Sum- mer Road, John L. Nutting of Derby Road, Lester R. Maynard, and A. D. Brewer of South Street. All of the above gardens have been discontinued. The more recent gardens are conducted by William L. Foster and Ernest L. Wheeler of Randall Road, Wil-
153
AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES
liam E. Wheeler and Everett Wheeler of Highland Street, Eldon C. Wheeler of Pleasant Street, Clifford H. Wheeler of Sawyer Hill Road, and Louis V. Rowe of Fosgate Road.
Berlin Mushroom Inc., conducted by Elio E. Bellucci, began operations in 1940 in the large brick building on West Street, the former power house of the Worcester Consolidated Street Rail- way Co. The windows were bricked in to make it dark, and a ventilator was installed with a dormer along the ridge of the roof.
Mushrooms are raised from spores, which are planted in beds of specially prepared soil. The principal ingredients of this soil are loom and horse manure, proportionately mixed, in the "old car barn." The interior of the building is fitted with a series of racks (frames) spaced about three feet apart and running the whole length of the room. Upon these racks are tiers of grow- ing beds just wide enough so that the tender can reach halfway across, and spaced vertically about two feet above each other.
After the gathering of the crop, the soil is completely changed; but there is a rotation of crops by sections, so that all is not changed at the same time. To remove the old soil, a truck is backed up to the opening and the refuse is passed out in baskets. To refill the beds, the process is reversed-a truckload of prepared soil is transferred to the beds by baskets. The marketable product of mushrooms are placed in small covered baskets and put in cold storage until a truckload is ready. The load is taken to the Boston market, generally at night, so that they will be ready for the early market. The annual output from forty beds is estimated at 25,000 baskets.
Several agencies participate in the interests of agriculture and home economics for the Town of Berlin. These are broken down from the Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics of the State of Massachusetts into University of Mas- sachusetts, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Worcester County Exten- sion Service with its divisions of Extension Service in Agriculture, Home Economics and 4-H Club work. At each Annual Town Meeting, under an article of the warrant, a sum is raised and appropriated "for county aid to agriculture"-and for the support of demonstrating work in agriculture, home economics, or boys' and girls' club work under the supervision of a director.
The following program is presented for Home Department of
154
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
Berlin for 1957 by Director Mrs. Daniel Plastridge of Sawyer Hill Road: Community Meals, Make Entertaining Easy, Adding Life to Your Years, Keep It & Fix It, Home Improvement Tours, Landscaping Tours, and Use Your Freezer Wisely. Boys' and Girls' Clubs have been formed with special interests in sheep, poultry, cows, vegetables, flowers, cooking, mat making, etc.
Through the courtesy of the Worcester County Agricultural Agent we have received some pointed recommendations for the improvement of rural conditions. To quote-"Some farms (in Berlin) are not being operated and others not operated to capac- ity. Recently a number of milk producers were dropped by local milk dealers. Because this milk must now be sold on the Boston markets, the gross receipts of milk on these farms is considerably less than formerly." These conditions and the required pasteuri- zation of the milk has reduced the number of dairy farms.
Another subject presented was that of forestry. To quote: "There are about 4600 acres of woodland in Berlin, mostly in ownership. Over 3000 acres of this woodland is in stands of in- ferior hardwood trees, or in mixed stands of softwoods and in- ferior hardwoods. Over 3600 acres of woodlands are in trees be- tween 20 and 40 years of age. The soils are capable of raising both softwood and hardwood trees of good quality. It is recom- mended that good forestry be put into practice." No longer is wood needed for fuel, but good building material is in ready demand.
In the year 1940 the Worcester County Extension Service in- stituted a survey of the rural life of Berlin through the work of a fifteen-member Town Rural Policy Committee to serve (1) in appraising local conditions, (2) in determining local needs and (3) in making recommendations for action. A summary of the assets and liabilities of Berlin as reported by the committee is quoted here. "Berlin has advantages as a residential and farm- ing town. While not located on trunk-line highways and railroads, Berlin adjoins the populous industrial towns of Clinton, Hudson, and Marlboro, and is not far from Worcester. Good intersecting highways connect the town with important surrounding towns and roads.
"While it is a small proportion of the total Town area, the good farming land offers opportunities for both dairymen and
155
AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES
market gardeners, for whom nearby population centers serve as ready markets. Fruit growing can utilize both the better soil and the rough hill land, and constitutes an important item in Berlin's agriculture. Numerous poultry establishments have advantages both in nearby markets and good roads. All homes in Berlin have access to electrical service."
Clinton Courant March 10, 1954-Chester E. Cole of Highland Street was elected to a three-year term as a Supervisor of the North- eastern Worcester County Soil Conservation District.
December 28, 1956-Alice Cole of Lotta Rocks Farm, Highland Street, takes no back seat in handling Holsteins for production. A reg- istered Holstein classified "Good Plus" produced 17,000 pounds of milk, 601 pounds of fat, in a 365 (twice a day) milking.
Early interest in the rural community was promoted by the organization of The Farmers' and Mechanics' Club on October 10, 1868. Their last annual cattle show was held in September of 1892. Their work was eventually absorbed by the Berlin Grange (Patrons of Husbandry, No. 134) which was organized on May 11, 1886. This organization, in conjunction with the Berlin Parent-Teachers' Association, has done much to restore the in- terest in rural community life by conducting the Annual Com- munity Fair and Old Home Day at the Berlin Memorial School and grounds. The first of these fairs was held on August 18, 1951.
Another organization which does much to promote and main- tain a spirit of rural integrity is that of the Berlin Board of Trade, which came into being in 1916. M. Reed Tyler was the first president of the society (1916-18). As the name implies, the or- ganization is all inclusive. That is, it covers a larger field than agriculture. Since, out of the 377 dwellings in Berlin, only eighty- four are classed as farm houses, it will be noted that a large per cent of the population is engaged in other trades, industries, business, or professions. So, the Board of Trade exists to en- lighten and entertain its constituency in the various lines of in- terests: social, sports, travels, and industries.
Other Industries
A by-product of the land, the forests, furnishes a convenient transition from agriculture to industry. Wood was the principal
156
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
fuel material, and down to the time of the installation of oil burners, several persons were engaged in supplying fuel-wood.
The report of the Industry of Massachusetts for 1855 accredits Berlin with 64,500 feet of lumber valued at $818, and 880 cords of firewood valued at $3,175. Also, in the year 1865 it gives the value of boards planed at one planing mill at $15.00 per 1,000, and for three sawmills-425,000 feet of Lumber at $6,375 and 75,000 shingles valued at $225; also 550 cords of fire wood and bark for market, value $2,475.
In order to handle the products of the forests, there were: sawmills, sash, blind and shingle shops, cooper shops, tanneries and basketmaking shops. Most of these industries are enumerated in Houghton's History of Berlin (pp. 90-97). But, suffice it to say, that of the fifteen or more mills and shops located along the course of the North Brook and its tributaries, there is one saw- mill still in operation (the Wheeler Mill of Pleasant Street), al- though they do not depend on water, but electrical power. The Philip Larkin sawmill was located on the west fork of the North Brook (on the south side of Snake Hill) about 1735. The Felton- Babcock Saw & Grist Mill located on the North Brook at West Street in 1756 was in operation in 1912 and later.
The sawmill and lumberyards of the late Sidney W. Wheeler are located in South Berlin on the North Brook where William Goddard built the dam and mill in 1752. In 1875 Willard M. Wheeler bought the mills and operated them. He was followed by his son, Edmund W. (1854-1938), and then his son Sidney W. Wheeler (1887-1951) took over, after returning from the opera- tion of sawmills in France during World War I. Since his decease the business is operated by Prino Bonazzoli.
In Hurd's History of Worcester County, published in 1889, Berlin is accredited with about thirty cooper shops which were busy converting the oak and chestnut of the forests into beef barrels, rum barrels, and cider barrels. "Many a two-horse barrel rig started at midnight for Boston." Besides these, many smaller containers such as churns, pails, "piggins," and "noggins" were made.
Basket-making is not listed among the industries of Berlin in Houghton's History, but in Hurd's History, "Basket-making, em- ploying three men, is listed as its largest business." There were at
157
AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.