Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-12-06
A BRIDPoRT ORCHARD.

A few days since we made short visit at
the farm of Robert w. Hemenway, Esq, of
Bridport. We found him and his good lady
at home, surrounded by all the comforts that
go to make home happy. The parlor is not
one of those dark dismal ones, made only to
keep dead folks in, but light and airy. The
walls are hung about with pictures which
make company for the living. Mr.. Hemen-
way has recently built Il new barn that is
model of taste and convenience. The front
doors are large enough to permit double
carriage to be driven in, and right opposite
the door is a double stall, so that the horses
and carriage are all ready for start His
grain room and fodder stalls are of the most
modern improvements. He has water
tank, which has a 70 feet head in the barn,
which never freezes. 1t is painted inside
and outside, and is a model of neatuess.
To the west and north Of the house, and
covering some thirty or forty acres, is young
orchard, the most prominent and interesting
feature of the farm management, and the
one Mr. Hemenway intends shall be the spec
iality of the place, The location seems ad-
mirably adapted for the purpose. The hill
slopes to the south and east and is perfectly
protected on the north and west by higher
ground, covered with dense woods. The or
chard at this time contains some over two
thousand trees. 1t was commenced in a
smaller way few years ago since by Jonas
Hemenway, Esq, the father Of the present
proprietor. The first setting by Mr.. Rob-
crt Hemenway was some five or six years
since, from the nursery of Robert j. White,
of Shelburn Point These trees have sue
ceeded well and seem well adapted to this
location. They are now beginning to BEAR
I and prove true to name. Some Of the fin
est Russets, Greenings, Porters, Yellow
Belle Aeurs, Northern Spys, Swaars, &C., we
ever saw were on Mr.. Hemenway's young
trees. Soon after, the commencement of u
| further addition was made Of trees purchas-
ed of A. Chapman, of MIddlebury grown
in Connecticut by Stephen Hoy 4 Sons.
Two years ago last spring, some two hundred
were set from that source. In the spring Of
1871 six hundred and forty apples and over
one hundred and fifty pears were set, also a
few plums, peaches, &c. These were pur-
chased of Mr. Chapman, and proved very
satisfactory, only one Of the apple trees and
but few of the others failing to live and grow
Last spring 100 apples and over 100 pears
were set that were purchased Of Mr.. Chap
man, and all, so far as we saw were akve
and thriving, while alongside are hundreds,
set last spring from Vermont nursery, that
are nearly all dead probably Inot twenty
five will ever make good, healthy trees.
This failure is attributed by Mr.. Hemen-
way to winter killing in the nursery before
being transplanted, the effects Of which
were not visible at that time
Mr.. Hemenways experience with trees
from different localities is that his best sue
cess has been with apple trees from Connect
icut, and with pear trees from the clay nur-
series of Geneva, N. w. both of which he
has procured through Mr.. Chapman. Tx.
cept the trees purchased from Mr.. White,
his success with trees from other nurseries
has not been gratifying. The sight from
the top of the hill through the long rows Of
straight, thrifty young trees is very fine.
Each tree seems striving to excel its neigh
Dor in testifying to the good attention and
care il receives. Mr.. Hemenway has a