question for Maine or New England area residents (about Desert of Maine)

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I am reading a book market gardening and in it the author talks about desertification and tells about a place called the "Desert of Maine". he says it 300 acres big and has sand storms and sand dunes and it used to be a sheep farm. I have never heard of it before this. Is it true that there is such a place?

-- TomK (tjk@cac.net), June 05, 2001

Answers

Response to question for Maine or New England area residents

Yes, there is such a place, there is a Middle Eastern dance group named after it. Epona, from Maine, who likes to bellydance:)

-- Epona (crystalepona2000@yahoo.com), June 05, 2001.

Response to question for Maine or New England area residents

Hi Tom, interesting question. Unfortunately Maine is not the only place where this is happening. It is much more common than people think, in fact it is widespread. If more people knew about this trend perhaps they would be more careful with their farming practices so they don't end up surrounded by sand!

-- debra in ks (solid-dkn@msn.com), June 05, 2001.

Response to question for Maine or New England area residents

Actually, the "Desert of Maine" has become quite the tourist spot. Most folks seem to think that it's some sort of natural wonder. Few realize that what started it was bad land management. What is scary, is that the damn thing is growing bigger each year. It's constantly spreading. Think hard on what you're doing with your farms. The consequences can be astounding.

-- Julie (rjbk@together.net), June 05, 2001.

Response to question for Maine or New England area residents

Tom....In Maine we have Mount Desert Island AND the "Desert of Maine". I think you're talking about the latter. I've never been there (even though I have lived in Maine for 24 yrs.) According to geologists, 8,000 yrs. ago a glacier left behind the sand and mineral deposits today know as the desert of Maine. In 1797 a family by the name of Tuttle moved there (on a 300 acre farm), where they raised potatoes and hay for years...but with no crop rotation. There was some overgrazing, but as to whether it was caused by sheep or cattle---who knows! After severe soil erosion, the hidden desert was exposed. The spreading sand grew uncontrollable and the family left. The area was purchased by a Mr. Henry Goldrup who then preserved the farm. It's now owned by someone else who also has preserved it. From what I've heard, it's quite a tourist attraction. Maybe I'll head out there myself this summer---you've piqued my interest!!! Good luck on your search for info!

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), June 05, 2001.

Tom, I was raised in New Hampshire but all of my relatives were born and raised in the same area of Maine as the "desert of Maine". I was told by my 80 year old (at the time)great-aunt that it is just a hoax. They trucked the sand in. I do know there are signs when you visit LL BEANS in Freeport, there are signs directing you there. I don't know of any of my relatives to visit there either!

-- Emily in central Ky. (BellyAcresFarm@kyk.net), June 06, 2001.


Not only is there a desert in Maine but we also have quick sand too in places! We have all kinds of natural wonders here if people would just stop to look around

Have a great day!

-- michelle (tsjheath@nci2.net), June 06, 2001.


Michelle, I did not know that there was quick sand here in Maine. But I DO have experience with peat bogs!! I was horseback riding several years ago with a friend and thought I was riding across a small "grassy" area. Turns out it was peat which was just as bad as quick sand!! Thank goodness I had a very stable horse who did not panic and we sort of "waded" through the bog. Was kinda scary at the time!!!

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), June 06, 2001.

I live in Oklahoma and although my land is covered with various wild flowers and looks over grown, in two weeks or so , as soon as it hits triple digits, all that will be gone. When ever the hot season hits, this place looks more like a beach misplaced. I am working on getting some real soil going on here. Gee..then I will have to fight the overgrown look longer. Do I really want that? hhmm... just kidding. I do want some good earth here. I didn't know it was like that in Maine. I am trying to get money saved up to take my children to a camp in Maine. Maybe I will get to see some of that stuff while up there! Cindy

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), June 07, 2001.

Cindy, Where I live in Maine, I have 2 ft. of grade A topsoil then 18" of grade B subsoil. Below that is clay! I can't complain at all 'bout my soil. I'm sure there are other spots as good or better. Where abouts is the camp you're going to?

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), June 07, 2001.

The name of the camp is Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine. We will be there (assuming all works out) in August. We are cautiously very excited. :-)

Cindy

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), June 08, 2001.



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