Item
Standard
Sept 11, 1844
Talk of turnips.
Standard
Aug 21/1850
Turnip Culture
Now that the Blight has again attacked the potatoes, and that it just be evident to al that no confidence should be placed in that crop, so long as it is subject to a disease so destructive and prevalent, our farmers should turn their attention to the cultivation of turnips, for feeding and fattening cattle, and endeavour by so doing to keep up that necessary rotation of crops so much recommended by practical agriculturalists in Great Britain. they should be convinced, by this time, that so long as they adhere to their present system of tillage, they cannot expect to progress onward, or “hold their ground” with the advancing spirit of the age. They should therefore abandon, at once and for ever, that delusive self-sufficiency and confidence in their own knowledge, which has hitherto kept them poor, and learn the true genius of husbandry from the agricultural experience of England and endeavour by imitating as far as practicable the example of farmers in that country, to change their present prostrate and miserable condition, as a body, to one of prosperity and happiness.
Standard
Nov 5/1856
The parish of St. Andrews the present season has raised more turnips than in any previous year. Upwards of eight schooners have been loaded with these roots, for Boston, Eastport, Calais, St. John, and St. Stephens, and at the present time there are two vessels at the Market Wharf taking in turnips. One vessel left thereon Friday with 800 bushels, besides a large number of carrots and parsnips in barrels. We hope our agricultural friends will realize good prices.
Standard
Nov 10, 1869
Thanksgiving celebrated.
Turnips. For the last week the annual “turnip Chorus” has been kept up from early morn to dewy eye. Double team loaded with turnips have been driven to the vessels at the wharves, for shipment to S. John, Boston and New York. The quality is good but the roots are not so large as they were last year. Will endeavor to ascertain the quantity shipped this fall, which from appearances must be very large; and trust the farmers will realize remunerative prices for their labor pursued under so many disadvantages during the season just passed.
Pilot
Oct 2/1879
Turnips a staple crop. Shipped by schooner to Saint John and elsewhere.
Pilot
Oct 19, 1882
The boom of the turnip wagon is now heard on the streets.
Pilot
Nov 12/1885
H. V. Crandall still operating. Loading turnips.
Pilot
Feb 23, 1888
Some idea may be formed of the large benefit derived from the turnip crop of the parishes of St. Andrews, St. Croix and St. Patrick, from the fact that during the past winter Mr. B. F. /Estes (representing T. P. Blake, now the Boston Produce Co., consolidated, of Boston, Mass.) has bought and shipped 68 cars and one schooner load, paying in round number $12,000 in cash. This has gone into the pockets of some 20 farmers in St. Patrick, and 40 in St. Andrews and St. Croix. Mr. Estes has a good record with the farmers as a square businessman. This does not begin to represent the actual quantity raised and exported. A number of farmers who are prominent in agriculture such as John Mowatt, the veteran turnip grower of St. Croix, market their own crop-, there by making all that is to be obtained therefrom. From careful enquiry we have ascertained that there remains still some 10,000 bushels for disposal in the three parishes.
“1888”
The wintry sun at even went down
Behind the ‘Devil’s Head,’
As Keezer rang the evening bell,
To show the day was dead.
But every old inhabitant,
As he strolled home to tea,
Was conversing with his neighbour
Of the boom that was to be.
There was no doubt about it,
This was no ‘Argyll Sham,’
For companies were forming fast,
Led on by Mr. Cram.
For capitalists from Boston,
Have said, we’ll buy the town,
And millionaires from Calais
Have planked their money down.
And e’en the nabobs of St. John
Had one their level best,
they bought up all the land they could
And took options on the rest.
And the St. Stephen lumber kinds
Had also fumed and fussed,
The only trouble seemed to be,
They could not raise the dust.
The fathers of our city
Had met within their hall,
And listened to some speeches,
That had captured one and all;
What care they now for turnips,
Or how the weirs may fish,
For St. Andrews now was going to boom
And what more could they wish.
Down at the Point there’ll be a park,
Where now is bush and brake,
And all the water that we’ll drink
Will come from Chamcook Lake.
We were told in flowing language
Of how Chautauqua’d grown,
How Campobello was no good,
And Bar Harbour’s day was done.
They found they’d slept for 50 years,
But were bound to sleep no more,
And then a leading citizen
Got up upon the floor;
He said, ‘Oh kind Americans,’
Our town no more we’ll hide,
We’ll give you Chamcook Mountain
And we’ll throw in the Bay Side,
We’ll give our Point without a word,
Their promises are bold;
We are quite sure, with men like these
We never will be sold.
1898
Again the wintry sun went down
Behind the ‘Devil’s Head,”
Again old Keezer pulled the bell
To show the day was dead.
But now the old inhabitants
On their way home to tea,
Converse in mournful language
Of the boom that was to be.
The cows still roam upon our streets,
Horses and geese as well,
And all the water that we drink
Still comes from ‘Berry’s Well.’
The good old ‘Houghton’ goes as fast
As she did in years gone by,
The same old car is on the road,
No difference I descry.
In fact, I notice nothing new,
All things seem the same;
The only difference is, they talk
Of the boom that never came.
--Mabel
Pilot
Sept 20/1888
From “A Visit to SA,” by Athos (Dr. Frisbie in Newton Graphic):
Principal exports potatoes, oats and turnips. $80,000 per year to farmers.
Pilot
Sept 27, 1888
Mr. E. L. Andrews laid on the editorial table a turnip which weighed 12 pounds. Mr. Andrews understands farming so as to get the best results for his labor. He is shipping large quantities to the Boston market by every steamer.
St. Croix Courier
April 4/1889
L. M. S. Horton, manager of the St. Andrews land company has procured two young bears, one of which he named Shinimicas and the other Shulee, in honor of a member of his staff. They were captured by B. F. Estes, the “turnip man,” near Watt Junction, and presented by that gentleman to their owner. They will be kept to amuse the guest of the Algonquin during the summer.
Beacon
Nov 28, 1889
Charlotte County’s Resources
We doubt if there is another County in the whole Dominion which offers such tempting opportunities for capitalists as does Charlotte County. Where is there another County so rich in natural resources, in mineral wealth, as Charlotte? Coal deposit at Lepreaux, granite and slate quarries at SG, silver and gypsum at Frye’s island, copper on another island, salt wells at the Bayside, immense cliffs of red sandstone at St. Andrews. What more could we ask for? What more do we want? And yet we have not mentioned the St. Andrews turnip, or the St. Andrews sardine, or the Grand man herring and cod, all of which possess considerable importance. Nor have we dwelt upon the glory of its scenery, or its beautiful, capacious harbors the fame of which is almost world-wide. Surely, if there is a happy people on the face of the earth they should be the people of Charlotte. And so they would be, if the capital was at hand to develop the rich resources of the County.
***Beacon
Dec 5, 1889
About Turnips
There are some subjects which a newspaper editor in Charlotte County must approach with considerable delicacy. One of these is the temperance question, the other is that of turnips. Nevertheless, there are time when an observant, honest journalist must approach both subjects, no matter what he consequence may be. In the few remarks that we have to make today turnips and not temperance will be the theme. Everybody living in Charlotte County, especially in the neighbourhood of SA, knows the economic importance of this article of diet. When we say that $100,000 are received annually by our farmers for turnips (we base this statement upon figures given us by a prominent agriculturist in the County) a better idea of the its importance can be obtained. We hear it stated in some quarters that the St. Andrews turnip of today, is not he turnip of ten years ago, that is has deteriorated. Is this true, or is it not true? If it is true, then what is the reason for it? Is it due to any controllable cause? Can it be remedied in any way? Is the ground too rich or is it not rich enough? Are our farmers using proper fertilizers? Are they using the right kind of see? These are important questions, important from the fact that they bear upon a very important trade, the loss of which would be a great blow to our farming interest. The Agricultural Societies of the County, established for the better providing of food, for man and beast, might wish a good deal of propriety look into the matter. It is one that, without doubt, should come within their purview. How best to promote the growth of the turnip is a project which might be discussed very profitably. A little ventilation of the subject would do no harm, and might to a great deal of good. We would suggest that our agricultural societies join in offering a prize for the best essay on “The Turnip—how to promote is growth, how to preserve its quality.” Money spent in this way would be well invested.
Beacon
Feb 13/1890
Of last years crop of potatoes, shipment of which began in August, 932,095 bushels were carried past Vanceboro up to December 31 against 425,073 bushels during the same period in 1888, and 593,126 in 1887. We might remark that under this heading turnips are also included. For the calendar year of 1889, no fewer than 1,470,770 bushels of potatoes were exported. From the 1st of January, 1889, to December 31, 301,219 shingles were shipped. the number in 1888 was 251,744, and in 1887, 224,483. In starch there was also a great increase last year. the official figures show that 7,403,543 pounds were carried, while in 1888, the quantity was 5,978,409 pounds, and in 1887, 5,274,785 pounds. Of hay, 33,899,094 pounds were carried over the road to the west in 1889, against 27,481,329 in 1888; and 12,575,892 in 1887. Bark shows a steady decline in the three years. In 1887, the quantity exported amounted to 13,997 cords. the following year I dropped to 5,918 cords, and in 1889 it went still lower, only 5,684 cords being sent out. Sleeper also show a decline. the figures for 1889 were 130,314 ; for 1888, 227,605, and for 1887, 179,199. The figures we have quoted apply only to goods carried past Vanceboro. Local freight also good year.
Beacon
March 6/1890
Mr. Obadiah Conley has about perfected his fire escape, but he will not give it to the world until he has secured his patent.
200 railroad cars required to ship out last years turnip harvest.
Beacon
July 3, 1890
Dinner
Saturday, June 28/1890
Fish Chowder
Consommé a la Royale
Oysters a la crème
Boiled Salmon, Egg Sauce, Potatoes Julienne
Leg of Mutton, Caper Sauce, Beef Tongue, Tomato sauce
Ribs of Beef, Dish gravy
Spring Lamb, brown sauce
Loin of Veal, with dressing
Filet of beef, larded with mushrooms
Macaroni with cheese
Pine-apple fritters, Sauce Chablis
Mashed potatoes. Boiled potatoes
Stewed beets. String beans. Boiled onions.
Mashed turnips. Stewed tomatoes.
Lobster salad. Sardines. Lazenby’s English pickles
Snow pudding. Apple pie. Cream pie. Charlotte Russe. Brandy Jelly. Angel Cake. Sponge cake. Frosted cake. Vanilla ice-cream
Assorted nuts. Layer raisins. Figs. Dates. Oranges. Bananas. Kennedy’s thin water crackers. Cheese
Coffee
Beacon
Sept 11/1890
Complimentary Dinner
Tendered to Judge Emory Speer of Georgia by the Guests of the Algonquin
The following were the appetizing dished which Mr. Carter submitted:
Cream of chicken a la English
Consommé Prince Supreme
Baked Savannah Shad, Sauce Claret wine
Potato croquettes
Baked Devilled Crabs, Baltimore Style
Roast Young Turkey with Dressing, Cranberry sauce
Roast Tenderloin of Beef, stuffed with clams
Browned Sweet Potatoes
Lobster Croquets, Sauce Princess
Broiled Lamb Chops, with French peas
Timbales of Farina, vanilla sauce
New potatoes in cream
String beans, French peas, Mashed Turnips
Chicken on mayonnaise
Pickled Potatoes with Beets
Cabinet Pudding, Brandy Sauce
Green Annie Pie
Mince Pie
Coconut caramels
Angel cake
Dark cake
Citron cake
Orange ice cream
Grapes, pears, confectionary, layer raisins, figs, dates, edam cheese, Kennedy’s Thin Water Crackers, coffee
Beacon
Aug 6/1891
As Others See Us
Review of St. Andrews in Boston Courier by Kate Prescott Ward.
The land here is well cultivated and the vegetable gardens very attractive, even while we looked in vain for the waving plumes of the cornfields. The fact that one hundred thousand dollars worth of turnips were shipped from here to Boston last year is ample evidence that the quiet villagers are neither dead nor sleeping, though their industry be of so quiet a kind.
Beacon
March 3, 1892
44 Carloads of turnips were billed from St. Andrews last month, as against six in February, 1891.
Beacon
June 8/1893
The total number of carloads of turnips shipped this season from St. Andrews was 150. Of phosphate, 289 cars were sent out from here.
Beacon
Nov 30, 1893
The Boston turnip market shows no signs of recovery, hence the shipments of late have been small. T/his week, six cars were sent out.
Beacon
Jan 4, 1894
During December, 43 car loads of turnips were billed from St. Andrews station for Boston. The revenue received by the railway from these footed up to over $1570, which was nearly $300 in excess of the same month in 1892; and over $760 in excess of 1891. During the past week there have been sixteen cars of turnips sent out from here.
Beacon
April 12, 1894
It is estimated that the total turnip crop in this section last season will run close to 75,000 barrels. In the neighborhood of 50,000 barrels have been shipped by Messr. Hartt and Greenlaw. The principle other shippers are B. F. DeWolfe, G. D. Grimmer and Frank Mowatt. Probably 10,000 barrels still remain in the farmer’s cellars. The biggest crop was raised by Martin Greenlaw, of Bayside who pulled 1015 barrels. Alexander Russell, of Bayside, got over 500 barrels off 1 ¼ acres.
Beacon
Jan 30/1896
The turnip market has not yet revived from the shock it received by the large influx of “Canadas” into the Boston market. Mr. T. A. Hartt, of St. Andrews, who went to Boston last week to feel the pulse of the market, said he found things much worse than his correspondents had stated. The Boston figures now are about 90 cents per barrel. This is equal to 50 cents here, but as the farmers are holding out for 60 cents very few shipments are being forwarded. [the market has been suffering for a while, as I recall]
Beacon
Nov 2/1899
On Minister’s Island
Sir William Van Horne Continues his Improvements at “Covenhoven.”
“Covenhoven,” the country seat of Sir William Van Horne, is looking very beautiful in its autumnal garb of green and gold, grown and scarlet, purple and blue. But all this grandeur of color is being wasted on desert air, so far as the owner is concerned for the beautiful dwelling is deserted. Not so the island however. It is still a hive of industry, workmen erecting a huge windmill over the new stone pumping station, others putting the finishing touches to the dwellings built during the past season for the coachman and hostler, and still others out in the fields garnering the season’s crop of turnips or preparing the ground for next year’s harvest.
Change and improvement are walking hand in hand over this picturesque island. About the mammoth barn the grounds have been neatly graded, and preparations are being made for the building of a large wall. Inside the stable, the meek-eyed Lakenfeld cattle chew their cuds reflectively, and gaze with loving admiration upon two little Lakenfelds that recently arrived upon the scene. They are beautiful little animals, their correct marking indicating the purity of their breed. In the horse stable, huge Clydesdales munch their grain and whinny at the approaching stranger. The comfortable piggery—more comfortable than many human habitations-has not yet received its porcine tenants. Just at present it is being used as a store-house for the beautiful potted plants,--carnations, geraniums and such like—which have been removed from the gardens for protection against the approaching blasts of winter. The hennery is populated with a fine lot of Plymouth rock fowl, who cackle with delight the whole day long over the happy lot. The turkey house is almost ready for its tenants-to-be, but they have not yet arrived upon the scene. Neither have the fancy sheep. The big Lakenfeld bulls are on deck, however, living upon the fat of the land. In the root cellar, there are bushels upon bushels of turnips, mangel-wursels, carrots and such like roots, and there are many more yet to be garnered.
During the beautiful Indian summer days, which we have been enjoying lately, many visitors have driven over to the island to inspect he improvements. Supt. D’Almaine treats them all courteously.
Beacon
Feb 14/1901
“Fancy St. Andrews turnips, 150 lb. bag, 97 cents,” is one of the items on a Boston grocer’s ad.
Beacon
April 3/1902
Turnip market collapses with the Farmer’s Cellars Full. Details.
Beacon
Jan 1/1903
35 cents a barrel for Bayside turnips. An improvement over last year at 30.
Beacon
April 7/1910
“The fresh water fish found in this country include landlocked salmon, salmon, trout and pickerel.” “The country’s famous for its root crops, its turnips and potatoes having almost a continental reputation. There are many fine orchards scattered over it.” Its mineral resources include undeveloped areas of magnetic iron and coal and several copper mines are in process of development. In the country lying between St. Andrews and St. George there is the finest red and black granite in the world.” [The Passamaquoddy Bay area] “is well supplied with churches and schools, has connection with the outside world by the tracks of the CPR, the NB Southern, the Washington County (Maine) railway, and also by several small lines of steamers . . .”
Beacon
Sept 14/1911
Sir William Van Horne’s Views
St. Andrews Address
I am neither a politician nor a speaker but I am glad of this opportunity to say a few plain words on Reciprocity which I regard as the most important and far reaching question that has come to Canada since Confederation.
I am opposed to Reciprocity—because it would destroy our fiscal independence as regards our tariffs; because it would loosen the bonds which bind Canada to the Empire and ultimately destroy them; because the underlying idea on the par of our American neighbors is our estrangement from the Empire which would be along step towards annexation.
I am opposed to Reciprocity—because it would undermine the foundations of our trade and manufactures which have been laid with such effort and success in the last twenty-five years; because it would be a most damaging blow to the magnificent Canadian merchant marine which has been built up in these same years; because our trade per capita is threefold that of the United States and reciprocity and its natural results would surely bring a common level.
And I am opposed to Reciprocity because we don’t need it now, having made our own way to success and prosperity.
I see many other reasons against it and I do not see one single, real and unalloyed advantage in it to the country at large. There may be individuals her and there who might possibly be temporarily benefited in some way, and perhaps localities, but I doubt if there is a case where the benefits would compensate for the disadvantages sure to follow.
Here in the Maritime Provinces we hear much about hay and potatoes and apples and codfish; but for all those there are better markets than those of the United States. From my own knowledge I can say that Cuba, the West Indies generally, and Central American and other Spanish-American countries offer much better markets for those things, and these markets are wide open to us and it only requires a little attention on the part of the Government to enable us to reach them. IT is only necessary to secure the establishment of regular steamship connections. There the profits would be counted in dollars rather than in cents as in the case of the American markets. And it is only now dawning upon some people in NB that Montreal is a better market for their potatoes than can be found in the United States and that American potatoes are brought there, in the face of the duties, in quantities sufficient to govern prices.
But the individual and local point of view is small-souled one, and he would be a small man indeed who would count the cents per barrel on his turnips one way or the other in the face of a question affecting the future and well being of his country.
Looking Backward
A speaker at a recent political meeting (Sir William Van Horne) dropped the remark that St. Andrews was “dead” twenty years ago. We don’t know where he got his information but we do know that St. Andrews was a pretty lively corpse about twenty years ago.
Just about twenty years ago, a syndicate, composed almost altogether of American capitalists, was spending the very best-looking American money in trying got develop a summer resort on Canadian soil. Just think of it! they bought lands all over the town; they erected a big summer hotel, the present Post Office and other buildings; they laid out a golf links at Joe’s Point; they spent their thousand in trying to develop a park at Indian Point; they induced a newspaper man to come her from Saint John and assist them in building up the town as a summer playground; they organized excursions and advertised the town over the whole American continent; they tried to interest the townspeople in a water system from Chamcook lake; they chartered an excursion steamer for the benefit of the visitors who cam here. They were “modern Hustlers” all right!
And when they had spent all the money that they could afford to spend—when some of the original promoters had died—they, very fortunately for themselves and the own, succeeded in persuading the CPR to buy out their interest and shoulder the load they had been carrying. “All this they did as a pure business proposition—without any ulterior motive. They recognized our laws; they paid their bills promptly; they met all their obligations, and during their stay here were quite as good and honorable citizen as anybody.
The people of the town were glad to sell their property to them. They were glad to assist them in their enterprises—because back of it all they had a lingering hope that the oft-made promise of Sir Charles Tupper and other conservative leaders, that St. Andrews would become the chief winter port to Canada’s first transcontinental railway was about to be fulfilled.
This is not hearsay. We know what we are talking about, because we were here and willingly lent our aid to the exploitation of all the schemes for the benefit of the place. Association with Americans in a business way hasn’t made a Yankee out of the editors, but it has inspired in him a respect for our American neighbors and for their business enterprise and honor, which he is neither ashamed nor afraid to confess in the presence of so many rampant jingoes as are about. A good many of those who are waving the old flag in the faces of men who are just as loyal as they are were waving sucking-bottles when this newspaper first entered the lists as the champion of St. Andrews. They know nothing of the struggle, and heart-aches and disappointments of the men who strove to improve their heritage.
Twenty years ago, or thereabout, two other companies of the United States capitalists were spending their money in the development of an ice business here. It did not prove a very profitable venture for those engaged in it, but it was a source of profit to the town while it lasted.
Twenty years ago, St. Andrews had a nice little shoe factory; also a foundry. It was doing a fairly good fish business. It was supplying the Boston market almost every season with its turnips. There were more permanent residents here then now; there were more voters on the electoral list, if we remember aright. There was an active agricultural society, also a picnic club for the pleasure of the townspeople. Prices of foodstuffs, had not begun to soar, and the people were for the most part happy and contented.
Twenty years ago, the Beaver Line steamship Company expressed a preference for St. Andrews as a port.
Twenty years ago, the Conservative government of Canada refused to assist the town in building a deep water wharf for the use of this Company, and when Hon. George E. Foster, then Finance Minister of Canada, was asked at a political meeting for the reasons for this refusal, his reply was, “Kissing went by favor.” Charlotte County had returned an opposition member and the government had no favors to extend to it.
At the same time the CPR refused to assist, saying they were bound to maintain a neutral attitude toward all seaports touched by their lines.
Twenty year ago, Messrs. G. D. Grimmer and R. E. Armstrong were sent to Fredericton to ask the provincial government for aid for the same purpose. Hon William Pugsley was a member of that government. The sum of $40,000 was asked as the provincial contribution to the deep water project. The government put $40,000 in the estimates, but the representatives from the upper section of the county insisted upon a share of it, so that it was divided up with The Ledge. Subsequently, St. Stephen used a portion of the money to build a public wharf there, but St. Andrews never called for her share. The deep water wharf has never ye been built and the dram of twenty years ago is yet unrealized.
So much for St. Andrews twenty years ago.
St. Croix Courier
Oct 30/1941
Shiretown Items
NO Fatalities
Exceptionally high tides last week drove dozens of rats from their accustomed haunts beneath Doon’s wharf, and they afforded considerable entertainment for those who happened to be around he water-front at the time . the tide completely covered the wharf and some of the rats were cut off from shore. They climbed to the tops of posts where they spent an uneasy half-house with the water lapping a few inches below them. As far as could be seen there was no loss of life.
Famous Turnips in Demand
A. B. O’Neill shipped a carload of turnips to Boston this fall, the first shipment since 1933. These turnips, which were of splendid quality, were raised on the O’Neill and Redmond farms. On some farms, in spite of the use of borax with the fertilizer, the turnips showed black or woody hearts. An effort is to be made to ge the Dept. of Agriculture of the province to analyze the soil in this locality in order if possible to restore turnip raising to the profitable position it held a number of years ago. The market is waiting for unlimited quantities if the quality can be produced. Mr. O’Neill has an order for another carload which is now being loaded at the depot.