Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-12-20
THE FRUIT INTERESTS OF THE
CHAMPLAlN VALLEY.
by G. G. Pringle, Esq, of Charlotte, secre-
tary Of the ChAmPlAin Valley HOrticultu-
raj Society.

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DEAa DocroR 1t Ia so long since made you a
promise to write 10 the FARMER erning the fut
interest Of this valley In general and Of our best
orchards In particular, that presume you long ago
ceased TO rely upon Inc 10 keep my engagement II
not that you did not suggest to fruitful theme nor
Is Il one upon which do delight TO employ my pen,
for our fruit growing Is beginning TO take rank with
cur dAiryng shsepraHng our horse-breoding etc.,
and II shall have received the benefit OF the
enterprise Skill system, and cooperation which de-
yeloped those interests II will, have confidence TO
predict, be as widely and avorably known. C.G.P.
Vermont as q Fruit Growing state.
Finding delight in an abundance and
great variety of fruit, l slways sympathiEe
with those who live in regions where its cul-
tivation is impossible or at least surrounded
by many discouragements. Composed for
the most part OF mountain ridges with mar
row, frosty, and wind-swept valleys between
them, and in its northern part an elevated
plateau, Vermont on the whole Offers but
scanty inducements to the fruit-grower yet
the farmers, even in the most unfavorable
locations are of late showing an enterprise in
endeavoring to provide themselves with at
least some sort Of fruit, which elicits our ad-
miration and receives our good wishes.
Whatever success in these efforts the hill
farmers of Vermont attain by planting the
harder English or the still more hardy Rus
sian varieties Of apples, by toP-grafting in
hardy stock, by training to low heads, by
employing in the most exposed situations only
the varieties of the Siberian species, or by
any other rational means, they will surely
add much to the enjoyment aud the welfare
of the family.
l believe that family supply of apples
for the summer aud fall months is within the
reach of nearly every landholder among oul
hills, if he is an intelligent and thorough cul
tiyator. Many will raise their own winter
apples also and some may do much to NEE
the demands of the local markets. Blu
much more than this | cannot expect iron
the majority Of Vermont towns. | shall b.
greatly mistaken if after this experiment o
fruit culture has been fully carried through
and we ascertain precisely what we can do
and learn the full force of the obstacles
which we must inevitably encounter, | shal
be at fault in my prediction, if we do no
find, except in few more or less limite'
sections Of our State, that there are othe
agricultural pursuits more remunerative thai
orchardiug. BY far the most conspicuou
exception, both as respects extent and pecu
liar adaptation to fruit raising is the vale.
from which l write.
The Climate OF the ChAmpIain Valley
Is in some respects an exceptional one 70
so high latitude. This valley, though ly
ing among the mountains Of the north, ma
be considered continuation of that Of tn
Hudson. Through it course the same sout
J winds, its prevailing winds, laden with tn
warmth of the south and the humidity of tn
sea. Its mean temper ature during the fou
growing months varies but little from thi
of the upper Hudson about Troy and Abb
, ny, and is often higher than that of Roche
ter or Geneva. Its mountain wall of h
/. Adirondacs on the west breaks the force {
the atmospheric storm waves, which dry an
. cold, roll over the continent, and on the ea
! the Green Mountains present barrier
D the northeasters from Labrador, which
: more exposed parts of New England bligl
the setting fruit.
The lake itself supplies conditions favo
able to horticulture. As l write this N
! vember morning the ground is white vii
t an early snow, and the chilliness of winter
/. in the air, leAden cloud hangs over Il
: length of the lake, and before the northwe
! wind from the st. Lawrence rolls back oV,
T the land. We shall not see much Of Il
8 sun to-day. These clouds represent Il
warmth aud moisture given of by the waite
!, Of the lake. Night and day in cold weathe
1 at this time of the year, these lake clOu'
are spread over ne to check the radiation