The plant created fourteen jobs in the growing, picking and shipping of the mushrooms. The mushrooms are grown in large, dark, climate-controlled bins somewhat similar in size to bins in a potato warehouse.

By 1983 the plant was in financial difficulty and I.E.I. put it into receivership. The plant operators had not been successful in growing more than 2.5 pounds of product per square foot of growing space. The industry standard was about one pound per square foot higher.

The plant was taken over by a private company in 1983. The current general manager is Colin Rayner and the Company distributes their mushrooms under the brand name, “Mushroom P.E.I?’

SOYA BEANS _ As far as is known the first attempt to grow soya beans in Freetown occurred in 1984. Sydney Green

of Central Bedeque grew 60 acres of soya beans on the farm (code 34) formerly owned by 11.]. Campbell of Freetown. They were planted with a grain drill and harvested with a grain combine. The crop was considered good. It is not known at this time how the growing of Soya beans will work in the crop rotation cycle and there is some concern that some detrimental effects may result due to a possible heavy prevalence of bacteria and nematodes after the crop, that may be harmful to other crops.

FREETOWN FARMERS - 1985

l. Wendell Bernard 18. Walter and May Stavert *2. Alfred Baglole 19. Howard Cairns 3. Dean Baglole 20. William Cairns and Sons *4. Eustace Reeves 21. Walter P. Stavert 5. Lyman Smith 22. Donald Stavert 6. Waldron Heffell 23. Edwin Lewis 7. Lowell Drummond 24. Leonard Paynter 8. Sidney Drummond *25. Bobby Jardine 9. Ronald Drummond 26. Farrell Reeves *10. Melvin Stetson 27. Robert Schurman 11. Chester Stetson 28. Colbourne Clow *12. Elmer Hamilton *29. Grant MacDonald l3. Elmer Smith *30. Marvin Stavert 14. Allison Smith 31. Robert P. Burns 15. Preston Reeves 32. Donald Burns 16. Lloyd McCourt *33. Gary Toole

*17. Elmer McCourt *part time farmer

TAYIDR’S MILLS The first mill site established on the Dunk River was located in Lot 26, approximately a mile and a half East of Centreville Bedeque. This is the present day route 110 or Old Malpeque Road that crosses the mainstream. A grist mill was built there probably in 1792. A conveyance dated May, 1792, to Richard Price, and another dated May 28, 1792 to William Schurman contain this stipulation:

“And it is further covenated and agreed by and between the parties aforesaid that in consideration of the building of a mill and the great utility it would be of to the tenantry of the said Richard Price and William Schurman his Executors, Administrators or Assigns shall bring his or their Grist to the mill of said Anthony Gordon and Robert Gordon or their heirs or assigns upon the accustomed toll. In such case intended mill shall be erected and built in or before the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five and shall grind and prepare merchantable flourf’

It is fairly clear from this quotation, which was part of the printed deed used by the co-proprietors, that a mill would soon be constructed. Further evidence of the swift construction of the mill comes With the following memorandum, hand written at the end of each of the above conveyances.

“It is understood and mutually agreed upon between the within mentioned parties that in consideration of the present scarcity of cash or current coin throughout the Island of Saint John that the several rents within mentioned to be paid and received in merchantable wheat or flour in lieu thereof and during the first twelve years of the terms?’

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