Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-02-02
Reported for The Journal.
Randolph Farmers Club.


A, the Randolph Farmers Club, Monda,
evening, January oath, the expediency o.
growing our own Fruit Trees, in preference
to importing them from other States, was dis
cussed. Invitation had been extended to
number of gentlemen who are engaged ii
selling New York trees to Vermont farmers
20 be present and join in the discussion, but
none rpoared.
=. VI. llcwARD said With the exception
Of few hardy varieties, not FIVE per cent Of
the trees brough, from New York will live
In the vicinity Of Rochester, New York they
are grown in den, nurseries, with almost
every kind of stm .Ius applied to the roots
The consequence is, they are all body, with
hardly any roots or tops. Observation teaches
that tree should be started whore there is
plenty Of rocm-pleuty of light, and should
head out low. It should also be started in
the same soil where it is destined to mature.
G.. +. NurTISo wished to know why the
theory in regard to animals, grains, potatoes,
etc, which change of locality and climate
often benefits, will not apply to plants and
trees New York trees are not raised right
there. To have vigorous growth, they must
get vigorous start. Then they may be
transplanted in perfect safety, allowing for
the difference in climate The " Founding
is an instance brought few trees from
Massachusetts in 1855. Nearly every one is
alive, and defy Vermont to produce more
beautiful tree, or one that grows better fruit.
More depends upon the treatment tree re-
ceives before It comes here, than on the fact
that il was grown out Of our town limits
G. s. PAINE did not attach so much impor-
lance to knowing where the tree was grown,
as to knowing what the tree is before we get
it. Bought some New York trees two years
ago; never saw better trees. They were
stocky and thrifty, and are doing well. Also
bought some from STAFFORD, Vermont, at the
same time. They were not very good lot,
and nearly all have died. Know some New
York trees, the branches Of which have
grown two, three aud four feet in two seasons.
With my observation, had as soon have for.
eign trees as any, if they are well rooted and
grown in the sun.
G. VI. HOWARD de6ed any man here to
grow a Baldwin, r. l. Greening Porter. OF
any tender variety of apples from trees brought
from New York Wondered that man.
sind would be SO imposed upon as to buy and
put out large quantities of Grab trees. Dc
not turn off your cattle and sheep to buy
trees, or get more than you can well take care
OF. The tops love light and air--the root,
the opposite. The best manure for appl,
trees is mulch, and the best place to SCI
them out is moist, ledgy soil.
JESSE CARTER said it was a well-establishec
fact that grains Of all kinds improve by chang,
of climate. Why not SO with apple trees
W. w. WALBRIDGE spoke in favor of for
eign trees from preference. Cannot see VIII,
the Dwarf is not as healthy tree as an,
standard. People have not bestowed atten
ton to the directions given when they pur
chased the dwraf tree, nor complied with thu
requirement in cutting off the top SO the root
could supply proper nourishment. They hay
set them outin bad places, and given them i'm
proper food. They have generally been set il
little holes often dugi in grass-ground, where tn
roots could not possibly penetrate tho sur
rounding soil. So with thousands of othe
foreign trees. People make small incisio
in the ground, and thrust them in. As gen
eral thing the trees have not had fair tra
The fault is not in them it is in us. W
must wake up, properly prepare the groun,
and give the trees the right food
+. W. GRANGER said the main point ha
not yet been touched. But few kinds of Ar
pie trees will prosper here, and tits importan
that we know what they are. We don't knot
about those Western trees. If a man shou
start nursery here, cut good scons, e
good roots, and give them proper cultivation
then we should knoD what trees we were get
ting. The peddlars who sold us the dwai
trees now acknowledge them to be humbug
and are claiming every excellence for the crai
They tell us the " Transcendent 4" is wort
$500 per barrel in New York City. PEI
haps so, but they last only three or fou
weeks, and ripen right in harvest-time. Has
been in various parts Of the country and III
crab is everywhere looking we'll.
HI