Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-11-01
Che Nous UIeanRr.
NOTES AyDrCoMMENTs.

TIE WATERBURY, Willow REIMBURSEMENT
feeling a deep interest in the partial expert
nsnts now in progress for the introduction Of
he Basket Willow into this State, we recently
paid visit to the willow plantation of Mr..
Erastus Parker. of Waterbury; and we confess
Dur qualification of witnessing not only the re-
markablo beauty Of his growing crop, but the
completeness of his triumph in demonstrating
the practicability of adding this profitable crop
to our other Vermont products.
Mr.. Parksr's plantation consists, at present,
of about fourl 40 o. tho banks of
on an average p slieet high,
and will yield ar three tons per
acre. Two acres were planted one year ago,
the willows being about five feet high, and yield
ing ton and half per acre, And the remain
ing nearly two acreiwere planted last spring, tho
willows only reaching the height Of three or
four feet, and not being generally used for any
other purpose but for cuttings for planting
with which Mr.. Parker, o. will be seen by his
advertisement in another column, proposes, alta
moderate price, to furnish all who are desirous
of going into the culture. ....
The lowest market price of the Willow is now
$l3O per ton, and the whole cost of cultivation,
gathering and preparing for market, does not
exceed $50 per ton, and, with the aid of Mr.
Colby's successfully operating peeling machine,
this can be done for much less. Indeed, We
have become satisfied that an acre of willows,
at least, after the first planting, can be produc-
ed with very nearly the expense of an acre of
corn; while the profit, after the second year, as
can be readily calculated by the above statement
of what Mr.. Parker has actually accomplished,
will be ten fold greater than any one could rea-
sonably expect from one of the ordinary pro-
duets.
The success, then, Of the experiment for cul-
cultivating the Basket Willow in Vermont must
be considered settled and cur farmers have
only to avail themselves of the example now be-
fore them to realize profits of which before they
had no conception. Much information .however,is
needed before the business can be entered on
understandingly and with = Wow of supplying
it. Mr.. Parker, at our solicitation has furnished
US with the results of his experience in an ar
ticle of considerable length, which We shall en-
deavor to lay before our readers, under our az
ricultural head an our outer form next week.
PARENTAGE OF THOMAS JEFFERSON. The cir
cumstances attending the courtship and union
FROM which sprang the illustrious American
Statesman, Thomas Jefferson, have never, We
think, except in such general terms as would
convey no definite idea of their peculiar charac-
ter, yet reached the eye of the public But
having learned them from the aged neighbors of
Mr.. Jefferson, during former sojourn iu vir-
GINA, and being well convinced of their entire
truth, VIC will venture to relate them for the
amusement Of our readers.
Mr.. Jciferson's father was poor, but indus
trious and intelligent mechanic; and. as society
was constituted in Virginia, he was, therefore,
wholly excluded from the ranks of the aristec-
racy, ana could have had no hope of forming
the family connection with them, which acei
dent at length SO curiously brought about. p.
One Of the proud and lordly Randolphs, wish
ing some repairs and alterations to be made on
the doorsteps of his mansion, and ha wing heard
of the experiences of the young carpenter ,Jeifer-
son, who resided in the same parish, seat for him
T..
to come and do the work. In this family there
were several beautiful and accomplished daugh-
tiers, who were the acknowledged bellies of that
part of the country; while one of the sisters
was 80 far behind the rest, either in plish,
ments, or The rfacolty of showing of to advan
, tagc, that she was subject to the most msrtify-
ing neglect by the young gentlemen who throng
S ed the establishment, being generally left a
9 home, while her more favored sisters were taker
of for the constant rounds of parties and pleas
ure excursions in vogue among the wealthy fam
lilies of the place. 1t was during one Of these
p instances of this neglect that young jefferson
: happened to be at work on the steps, and til,
respectful attentions he then had the opporsu
4 nifty of paying the sighted girl so strongly at
fected her by the contrast with those that sh,
o had been accustomed to resa Tom all othe,
e young gentlemon vha1 80 til,
IS hoase, that her actioy =.
G EYE Of The ambisioaS
:, kiQn of heart which .Assht I'M
Prove to advantage. And scssls on that b
y lief, he persevered, and so well pro6sed by hi
opportunities, that within few days q mu tua
y engagement was formed, a runaway match con
n cocted and carried into effect There was, to b
Is sure, terrible rumpus m ade BY the proud Ran
dolphs, when it was discovered that one of ,hei,
) family had disgraced them and herself, as the
esteemed il, by running away with, and marry
y ing poor mechanic. But finding there was n
e help for it, and learning On enquiry that th
/ young man was as smart as he was bold, they a
:, length recalled the truant daughter with he
A husband, installed them into the rank of III
family and gave them their full patrimony
$. From this match sprung, we believe, tw
# sons and several daughters, part of whom ,lik
is Thomas Jefferson, the subsequent ssatesma
a and President, strikingly inherited the intel
q lecsuai characteristics and enterprise Of the fs
70 tner and the otRsr part the quite ordinary an
eommon-place traits Of the mother.
10 WIZ. WELLS BRowN This noted man, VIII,
i'd escaped from slavery in Missouri some .went
" years ago poor, ignorant, half blood& Afr
h can slave, educated himself. travelled in Europe
'e published a beck of his observations Of srave
ne which commanded the respect Of the Britis