Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-02-12

this.island, tract of land situated in
Boston harbor, and granted to Govern
or Winthrop, we do not credit For we
believe Mr.. Blackstone's orchard wa.
planted before the year 1893, and We
are almost certain that Governor Endi
colts fruit trees we're planted in his or
chard farm as early as 1885, for we FIND
in l64S, the old sturdy and worthy Pa.
ritan deeply engaged in the nursery bu-
siness, and he actually sold TO a William
Trask five hundred apple trees, of three
years growth, for two hundred acres o
land. Such was the value of appl,
trees and the cheapness Of land at thi,
period. that two tree would purchase at
acre of land. This orchard of Govern
or Endcotts, the first one planted prob
ably in the county Of Essex, was situa-
ted in that part of Danvers, called the
New Mills, and was part of grant OF
land Of 300 acres, by the colonial au-
thorites. The orchard was in front OF
the Mansion House, on a fine southern
slope of land, running down the river.
This orchard and garden was laid out
with considerable taste, in which was
cultivated the apple, pear, plum and
the grape, aud enclosed with PALISADES.
From the mansion-house, there was a
walk, which led down TO the river,
through this garden, TO a landing place,
near which was,a fine spring of water,
overshadowed by willows. The landing
place on the river was in a small cove or
inlet, where lay the sIallop used to con-
vey the Governor from his town resi-
dence TO his orchard farm. In front of
his mansion-housc, was placed on a post
his dial, which he brought from Eng
land, which we remembeLl9 have seen
many years ago, in our bGsl9od. But
Of all this large orchardSand garden,
where the Governor, 1t is said, lived in
a sort Of feuda style, surrounded by his
many servants and retainers, nothing re
mains TO mark the spot but the old pear
tree. This old and venerable tree still
contains considerable vigor, having our
self cut gratis from it of eight inches in
length, last spring; and it continues to
bear considerable fruit. gave an ac-
count OF this remarkable tree together
with an engraving.
The cultivation of fruit trees, if we
credit Josselyn, increased wonderfully
III New England, between the year l63S
and 1873. Josselyn published in 1915
his Two Voyages to New England, |
where he says, To use bis own language |
and orthography, tour fruit trees pros
per abnndanily, apple-trees, pear-lrecs,
qunce-trees, cherry-lrees, plum-trees,
and barbary-trees. have observed |
with admiration, tina, the kernels sown
or the succors planted, produce as lair
and good fruit, without grating, as the
tree from whence they were taken: the
country is replenlshed with fair and large
orchards. 1t was affirmed by one Mr.
Woolcot, Ga magistrate in Connecticut
Coleny,) at the Captains messe (ol
which | was) aboard the ship, came
home in, that he had made five hundred
hosgsheads OF syder, out of hls own or
chard IN one year. Syder is very plen-
iliul IN this countery, ordinarily sold for
ten shlIllngs a hogshead. At the tap
houses in Boston, have had an ale
quart splced and sweetened with sugar
Tor groat, but shall luser, a more del
lcate mixture of it. Take of Mahgo-
stamp them and put milk TO
them, and put them into a Hppocras
bag, and let it drain out Of itself, put
quantity of this with spoonful of sy-
rup of Glove Gilliiowers into every bot
lie, when you bottle your sydcr, and
our planter will have liquor that ex-
ceeds passada, the Nectar of the coun-
Try. The Ounces, cherries, Damsons,
set the Danes at work. Marmalad aud
preserved Damsons, is to be met with in
every house"
Our ancestors grated but few oftheir
apple trees, most of them being natural
Iruit, and used in the making of cider
II was the practice with farmers in ear
y times, TO select for the use of their
families the best and laresl of the fruit
growing upon their ungralted trees
Iider, until within lew years, was con
ldered one Of the staple products of
New England. The school books that
described the agricultural condition of /
'ur country forty years since, used to in /
orm US, that no farmer considered his
arm complete, without an orchard for 5
he making of cider. The Essex Agri- a
Society offered a premium for q
many years, but it was finally struck b
rom their list Of premiums in lS39.- a
n the transactions OF the society for 4
he year 1885, we find the following la b
nent from the committee on cider. not 4
me that year having entered for prem. 5
hm single drop. Hear the WHY aud c
thirsty farmers. "The committee on e. b
er beg leave TO report-that they have b
ssembled alter many weary miles of "
fayel, without finding a single glass of |
ider, awaiting them to quench their Il
archlng thirst or exhllerhie their droop- z
lg spirits. Filled with the milk of hu- Ia
IAN kindness themselves towards every "a
lember of the laborlous, meritorious =
nd honorable society of agricultural
Is, without whose efforts the general
opulalion Of the world would neither
2 able TO eat good bread nor drink