Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-02-28
agricultural.
Meeting of the state Board of Agri-
culture
AT MONTPELIER, FEBRUARY 81 And y.



WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
The meeting was called to order at -
O'Clock by Hon. c. II. HEATH, of the State
Board, who IN the absence Of Gov. Stewart
made few Introductory remarks.
lie said that in the course Of progress
which had been made in Agriculture, it had
become necessary to organize some depart
ment IN government, whose province it
should be u investigate and develop the
industries Of the State, inasmuch the poo
pie who produce these elements Of wealth are
the chief reliance Of the State. All the
Eastern States have organized boards anal
egous to our Board Of Agriculture, Mining
and Statistics. Among the objects sought
TO be effected bY this Board i the following
Of plans which will increase the wealth 4,
population and improvement of the people,
thereby nurturing the best interests Of the
State. The East had for years been drained
of their young men, the productive class,
bv emigration to the West. In looking
about the State, we see that we must change
our method Of Agriculture, and possibly
must have resort 10 our water power, as a
means for changing it. wise and judi
cious use OF the abundant water power with
which we are blessed, would tend TO the
building up of large cities in our State, by
which the Agriculture Of that vicinity would
be changed, from loose grazing to garden
products Upon this development we
must depend, and such was the object and
intention Of this Board. They have in con
temptation an attempt to make a thorough
photographic survey of the state, and to
recommend an appropriation from the Legis-
lature for this purpose. They expect col
lection and publication of statistics, TO place
before the world the advantages which we
possess in this respect, and once known, he
thought they would be readily improved.
By this means the business of merchandlz-
ing would be changed. We shall no longer
pay tribute to Boston and New York, but
shall have centers Of capital and business
amongst ourselves. He called upon the peo-
pie of the State to support the Board in these
objects.
Mr. Heath then INTRODUCED in the absence
Of Col. Mead, Hon. HENRY LANE Of Corn
wall, who read an excellent paper on g PEAH
CULTURE" Mr.. Lane began by saying tina
the successful culture of pears depended upor
many conditions, as the kinds and conditions
OF soil, location, difference in altitude, expos
ure OF protection, nearness of large BODY
Of water, etc. No general rules can b.
strictly followed in pear culture, though
they are sometimes useful. Our climate j
very trying to the pear tree, both il
winter and summer. He though
for their successful cultivation in Yer
mont we must exercise great care il
the selection of early bearing and hardy
varieties. Not five per cent. of the tree
sold by nurserymen ever lived ten years, an
not ten per cent lived five years, nor tw
per cent. of all planted in the last twent
years have ever reached profitable bearing
Great care must be taken in the selection {
seeds, in planting, and in their cultivation
The pear tree in its natural state is hardy
but TIE pears we raise are a long remov
from this, and bear, by grating, but littl
resemblance to the original. Trees shout
Ibe grown from seed of your own raising,
from seed raised on soil similar to that
which you intend planting. The seed be
should be deep, rich soil, and an earl
growth should be secured to prevent the il
sects or the frost from injuring them. r,
move the Seeding after one or two wear
growth to the place where it is to stand
strong, lOamy soil is best, and low, we
frosty location Is to be avoided The no
should be just large enough to admit the root
49, r. 10 -
after rain. Put no two roots in contac
Never water a tree after it is plante
Moisten by culture mulching. Keep clei
from weeds. Mr.. Lane favored the settir
out of both dwarf and standard trees. Don
get too many varieties He recommends
the Flemish Beauty and Bartlett yarietie
Standards need but little pruning whe
young. Prune in spring just before the tire
bud. Frequent pruning makes the ire
hardy.
The blight is the worst disease with whic
we have to contend. There are two kinds
blight, the insect blight and the frozen sa
blight from the latter Of these more ire
are lost than from every other cause. III
Borers do not trouble the pear tree. Tbi
out the iruIt when about one-fourth grow
One half a crop of pears is worth more tba
full crop. Gather when the fruit bepir
to fall, and before Thoroughly ripe. Wbe
harvested place in dry, cool place. NJ
Lane concluded by an appeal to the farme,
to plant fruit and ornamental trees to beaut
aud mako attractive their dwellings.
that the boys would be the more readi
induced to stay at home. In answer to i
terrogatories, Mr.. Lane said that be shou
prefer grating on to ounce stock; that