The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-01-21

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supply Of lime. These layers of soil rest
on foundation of saty rock, and if |
mistake not, the limestone common to this
shore is also, in some places, exposed to
view in the cliffs below.
We turn aside into the largest orchard
on the farm, and it is p goodly sight to
look through it, straight rows quarter
of mile long. There is uniformity of
the trees that is very remarkable. All
are in a healthy state Of growth, and are
clean and well kept At the far end the
borers have entered to some extent from
an old orchard of neighbor, but with
this exception. Mr.. Holmes has had but
little trouble from this pest, fact which
may be accounted for by the absence of
old trees on the place. The orchard is
mainly of Greetings. In the highest and
dryest part are hundred and fifty Bald
wins. They seem to do as well as any
sort but since few trees Of this variety
near his house have failed, when about
twenty years old, Mr.. Holmes has been
cautious in planting it. The orchards OF
Shelburn Point, whore the Baldwin has
fourished so profitably, are more shelter
ed from the bitter lake winds of March
than is this situation. Here are also some
fifty Spitzenbergh trees, seyenty.6ve Of
Roxbury Russet, and two hundred of
Northern Spy.
Continuing along the shore we finally
arrive at the farthest orchard, composed
entirely of Greetings These, like most
of the trees on the estate. were put out.
| think, in the spring of 1866 Though
so remote, this orchard gives evidence Of
much the same attention as that bestowed
on the trees in the vicinity of the house
Perhaps the land has been plowed less
often but annual blowing may OCCASION
ally be RENTED with safety perhaps with
advantage sometimes, with such a soil as
this.
On our return we pass through an or
chard of fifteen hundred Greetings, lying
next east of the one last mentioned. 1t
is singular fact about this orchard, that
it was terribly scourged last June by the
aphis while all the others were untouch.
ed, and no definite and certain explana-
ton Of the fact can be given. Most of
the trees were covered with insects. The
leaves dropped off entirely, or shrivelled
up and turned black Then the aphides
all seemed to perish, and aitorward the
ends of the limbs pushed out some new
leaves. which will probably prepare the
'rees to pass the winter in safety. Mr.
Holmes is naturally DESTROYS to learn
whether he may expect a recurrence of
the disaster to this orchard next year.
and we are able to assure him that it is
improbable, since no insects appear to
have survived to lay eggs for another sea-
son. Etomoogists tell us that these aph-
ides :" hatch out in spring from eggs pro.
duced hv winged parents of the fall be-
fore The spring brood is composed of
wingleSs individuals all alike, and all pro-
ducing young like themselves, without the
Of any males whatever This |
remarkable form of multiplication goes on
all summer, but in autumn a new brood
of winged males and females is produced
This mode Of reproduction accounts for
the almost incalculabe rapidity with
which they multiply"
This last orchard is also Of Greetings
and completes the thirty-seven hundred
trees which Mr.. Holmes has planted of
tina. variety. And now we have seen
hundred acres of orchard and five tbous-
and trees in one body and on one farm
in Vermont. To a man Of less energy
and physical strength than Mr. Holmes
possesses, the labor and care which such |
a property demands each year, would be
overwhelming. But nnder his direction
and with the assistance of his sons. every
want Of the trees is met in the most thor
ough manner. Indeed We see fewer evil
dences OF neglect in the whole place than
often are glaringly apparent in the two
acre orchard of some farmers With this
care continued few years longer what
an immense crop these orchards are sure
to yield. 1t is common to estimate at
five dollars the value that each tree five
years planted, adds to a farm. How fire.
quently then must this estate double in
'"'"S "hu "Hhb d ltru ltgdCN - It's pro- |
prietor preparing for his sons.
Mr. Holmes is intending soon to put
up cider mill to utilize the early wind.
falls in his orchards; and he forcsees the
necessity Of soon building fruit house
to preserve until the spring months the
choicest of his fruit
Such an enterprise as this enables us
to take very encouraging view of the
prospects of frut-culture around the wa
tiers of this lake. Mr.. Holmes success
may in smaller way be attained by very
many others, if they are thorough and ,
intelligent cutivatcrs. There arc as suit
able lands, in smaller tracts usually, and
there are as favorable situations all along
the lake still occupied, or but half occu-
pied in the more ordinary branches Of
husbandry. 1t is to be hoped that the
owners Of these lands will inform them
selves of the inducements offered by this
interest to those who engage in it wisely.
And there are such lands for sale in
deed, | am Informed that the continua.
ton of this ridge which Mr.. Holmes has
planted might be bought