Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-12-27

ton. This will doubtless come 10 be ouI
special and chief aim in our fruit growing
We can hSrdly expect 10 ind much profit in
growing summer and fall apples. There is a
moderate demand for early apples in our
towns but it will be 50 readily met by the
surplus of small orchards and gardens in each
immediate vicinity that the large grower will
be exposed to much uncertainty in market
ing his crop. This and the attendant vexa-
ton must be increased by the perishable ma.
ture Of the fruit, aud by the fact that it de-
mands attention at time when cultivation
and other cares engage the farmer. Lower
Canada offers us a market for summer and
fall fruit; and Canadians are especially par
tial TO the Fameuse. Western New York
with its direct water communication with
this region is our rival in this market. We,
however, are close by the st. Lawrence, and
enjoy superior facilities for transportation by
means of the Canadian boatmen engaged in
the lumber trade with Burlington. We may
derive advantage from sending such fruit
north and probably to some extent in supply
ing our mountain towns eastward but in
the large markets south of US the season and
the paying prices will be over before we can
reach them. Our early fruit will not be ear
ly fruit 10 Boston or New York.
As great perplexities attend our raising
early winter apples, except in rare seasons.
The markets are at this season full Of the
abundant and cheap crops Of the West. If
we are forced to compete with these crops
our own fruit interest will assuredly dwindle.
Our farmers will find there is more money
in something else; and their young orchards,
now being planted with 50 high hopes of sue
cess, will be cut down. But we need not be
troubled about Western competition. The
situation of things the present season should
teach us our lesson, rather than dismay us.
Many are selling their best apples at sl.5O
per barrel, and are repining in their secret
thoughts that the crop is so abundant through
out the country. Neither is right. The
apples thus sacrificed at low Price will be
wanted at richly paying prices in spring.
Such varieties may be planted and the fruit
may be so we'll grown and so carefully han.
died that it will safely keep till then. BY
February the market is relieved Of Western
apples; or if any remain, they are not from
their perishable nature a desirable invest
ment. After that time the market may be
ours. Our proximity to the great markets
Of the seaboard and our close connection
with them by rail will at any time enable us
to send forward the stores from our fruit
cellars and fruit houses.
When this course shal! be generally adopt
ed and carried out with intelligence and ener.
gy the full harvests Of others will not be
disaster to us and the long keeping quality
of our fruit, which it acquires from growing
under our short summers and cool autumns
will be turned to the best account, and then
our winter apples will acquire just reputa-
tion for long endurance and will OF this ac-
count be sought after in many quarters, as
now they are in few, where known.
Character OF our Fruit.
Every one knows that the fruit grown on
the stony soil Of the Eastern States differs
much in appearance and quality from that
produced on the fat and peaty soils of the
West The distinctive characters of our
fruit are rich, high quality aud fine flavor
those Of the other arc large size and attract
i've appearance. A neighboring orchardist
is wont to maintain that our fruit is superior
in quality to that of Western New York and
Ohio and from my own observation think
he may be correct believe the skin Of
fruit is less affected here by fungoid blotches
than in the districts around, and as regards
its size and color We have nothing more to
desire. With the proper attention bestowed
upon the management Of our orchards, the
cultivatng and feeding of them, as we'll as
the subduing of their insect enemies, the
character aud appearance Of our fruit is in
the fullest degree satisfactory. Upon the
varieties Of apples which we may plant with
success, our winters place very little restric-
tion. So, nearly all the sorts popular in
market are freely employed, as we'll as a long
list of fancy and table apples for every month
in the year. A few sorts, as Baldwin and
Hubbardston Nonsuch, do not endure long,
where planted in cold soils or at some dis
tance from the lake; but the question,-Is
it bardy,-is not the first one asked respect
ing new fruit.
Pear Culture,
undertaken in a small way by very many
in various exposures and soils throughout
the valley, has met with so good success
that the attention of fruit men is turned in
that direction and a number Of pear or
cbards of some acres in extent have already
been put out. Here, as everywhere, great
difference is observed in the behavior of
various sorts of pears; but only few are
found unworthy of cultivation by reason of
their tenderness. The Bartlett, and a few
others, require warm soil or a situation
near the water; but great number Of vari-