The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-02-27

the seaside Tor shipping to foreign ports,
should be Withheld from market till the
glut, occasioned by western receipts, is
over. 1t may be stored in cellars fitted
for this use, or, better, in fruit houses,
constructed for The purpose. In this way
it may be kept till the spring months,
when it will bring two.fod the price that
ruled in the fall markets. This plan is
not an improbable one 1t promises
to build up for a large body of our valley
farmers most lucrative business. 1t is
mainly that | may propose this definite
aim for our fruit-growing, that present
this paper. Whatever else may say is
quite incidental.
To promote this concert Of action
among our orchardists, and to gather and
disseminate the information essential for
attaining the fullest success in this cul-
ture, Fruit Growers Society, is imper-
atively needed. Such an association is
struggling into existence in the Champlain
Valley Horticultural Society. 1. gives
me pleasure to improve this opportunity,
to suggest its claimes upon the orchard
lists Of this region. And l would bespeak
for an organization which has for its OBJ.
ject, the development of this important
interest, as well as the encouragement of
G cultivated taste in the nicer department
of gardening and Horticulture, the earnest
support of every one in this Valley, who
is engaged in these pursuits.
Put our fruit growing is not restricted
to the cultivation of late keeping kinds,
by considerations ofpecuniary advantage
Other worthy aims, and promising in
comfort, as well as return of money. sug-
gest themselves. There is quite de-
mand in our towns for summer fruit, and
at paying prices. 1t will increase with
the growth Of our manufacturing inter-
ests, and the increase of our urban popu-
lation. The demand is mainly for apples !;
but il. also relates 20 pcars,plums, and cher
ries and to the small fruits, Strawberries,
raspberries, currants, etc., the culture Of
which as special crops is in this vicinity,
much behind the times. Caution is need.
cd in planting these summer fruits, lest
the local markets should be overstocked,
for the pcrishable nature of the fruits
will not always allow Of the surplus being
sent to distant markets with safety.
But there is another aim of our fruit.
growing, which is Of the first Importance.
1t should not be lost sight of by any cul-
tivator and with those uniavorably situa.
ted for engaging largely in this business,
may wortbily occupy all their efforts in
this field. This is tho raising Of con-
slant supply Of wholesome fruits for ones
own family. In planting for this object,
besides all the small fruits, and plums
and cherries, different selection Of APP
PIES and pears is recommended from that
for market purposes. Ofthcse, varieties
may DC selected Of such excellence, as to
give fuller satisfaction than can be afford.
ed by most of those harder, and more
productive sorts, found most profitable
for market. A list of such apples may
be made out, as will circle the whole
year and pears will come but little short
Of doing this.
Our fathers made wise selection Of
their orchard sites, when they occupied our
well drained ridges and hill slopes. Usu.
ally this remain our best fruit land and
if the old trees have disappeared, even
to their stumps, 80 as to admit of
thorough preparation of the soil, or if
the owner is willing to grub out by the
roots, the few remaining trees, land this
is no very laoorious task, when two men
can cut around the roots Of ten or dozen
in day, 70 that team, hitched to the
tops, can readily pull them ovcr) these
lands may still be devoted to fruit. Be.
sides the usual preparation of the soil,
which | shall presently prescribe, q lib
eral application Of wood ashes is all they
need in most cases, to enable them to
start another orchard into good growth.
But since all our soils are dryer than
they were sixty years ago, in case of
need, much lower lands may be used than
then. They may in general require
through drainage to Gu. off all springs,
and to carry away the rainfall of spring
time, and late autumn. as well as to rem
der them warmer, and improve their con-
dition by ey exposing them to the inhu.
ence Of the atmosphere. The question of
exposure demands notice. Except for the
purpose of fastening the ripening of ear
" summer fruits, very sunny exposurer,
particularly if very dry and warm soil
is not to be preferred to northern
one, provided the latter does not possess
q cold and springy soil. The fruit grown
on the latter will show the better keeping
qualities and the trees will suffer least
from severe droughts. In this valley, in
the neighborhood of the Lake, have new.
er heard much complaint of spring frosts,
which in some fruit regions imperil the
blossoms. Whenever these may be immi.
nent, western exposure is better than
an eastern one, exposing the trees to the
warm rays Of the morning sun. 1t is
principally the mischief Of late spring
frosts, that makes an elevated situation
preferable to one on low lands, when dis.
tant from large bodies of water.
Wind freaks are growing necessity
in our Horticulture. As the face of the
country is denuded Of forests, the winds
descend in force to the surface of the
ground, clearing it of its bene6cient COW
ering in winter, accelcrating evaporation
in Summer time. The trees bend before
its force, and acquire permanent stoop.
A great portion of their fruit is stripped
of, before it acquires any value. To OBJ.
viate these disasters, a liberal planting OF
evergreens is advised, at least on the side
of the prevailing winds of summer and
autumn, there, the south and south west,)
and at little distant from the fruit trees,
SO as not to overshadow them or rob them
of their food. If the orchard is OF con.
siderable extent, belts of evergreens, at
distance Of twenty or thirty rods, are
needed aud in very exposed situations, it
has been suggested to insert frequently
an evergreen in place of a fruit tree. The
0rbor rjf,p ia varv uoafnl for thiu NM