Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-04-07


come satisfied that there is a section Of Cen.
trail Vermont especially adapted by soil and
climate to the culture Of the apple. The
apple was a valuable product if well cu-
tured and carefully looked after. Every far
mer should begin at once to set a young or
chard, with trees suited to the soil and cli-
mate. They should also fix up the old or
chards with scons of young trees, and by
careful care they will reap handsome
profit. OF the kinds suited to the soil and
climate, the speaker mentioned the Red
Astrachan, Porter, Fameuse, Blue Par.
main, Bell Flower, Rhode Island Green
ing, Early Harvest and others. .
Mr.. Ramsey exhibited specimens Of the
various kinds Of apples above named, and
showed as the result of his own experience
what could be done in fruit raising.
Mr.. j. f. Crane of Bridport said he was
glad to hear that so much could be done at
fruit-raising in this section Of the state.
The flavor Of Vermont fruit was better
in his opinion, than in any other
part Of the country, and the fruit on this
side of the state is better in flavor than that
raised on the other side.
g. g. Pringle said if the Hubbardston
Nonesuch and Early Harvest apples can be
raised here, he had revelation. They
l
could hardly do it in the Champaiu valley.
The aim OF fruit.growers in this section should
be to raise apples to go into market in the
spring One object OF our newly established
experiment station will be to test the hardi.
ness Of fruit. We hope to have Vermont
horticultural society before long, and to
bring fruit-raising TO be regular business.
We can raise apples which will endure our
climate on almost every hillside. Mr..
Pringle went on at length to explain the
process Of hybridization, or crossing different
varitios Of apples. In answer to a question
about the bark louise, an insect infcsting
apple orchards in this vicinity, Mr.. Pringle
said that to destroy them he should scrape
the trees and wash them with soap suds. In
June is the best time to wash the trees.
Another kind Of insect more dangerous than
the bark louise, was one called the green
louise he recommended a wash of tobacco
water, as a cure for them.
In answer to further questions Mr.. Prin-
gle said that tree did not bear except on
alternate years, because it was exhausted in
bearing and needed rest. Kinds that never
bear abundantly bear every year. 1t was
sometimes important to change the bearing
year Of trees, and this could be done by carly
removing greater part of the fruit in the
bearing year. lie would not try to accom-.
plish it by picking off the blossoms. In re-
gard to the best time for trimming trees, he
said it was after the cold of the winter hat
passed, and before the sap starts in the spring
AS to the best fertilizer for the orchard, he
advised the use of barn.yard manure, ashe
and bone dust, and it should not be piled VI
around the base Of the tree but scattered
over the ground above the roots.
The next paper was by j. f. Crane o
Bridport on "The Relation of Bees to Fruit.
, The speaker began by saying that the idei
that bees in taking the sweet from the ilowe
does harm to the fruit, was no new thing
he, however, proposed to show that the in
terests Of the bee and fruit raiser were iden
teal. lie proceeded to explain the construc
tion of the flower and to show the necessity
for some external means for fertilization, b,
carrying the life.giving pollen from on
flower to another. Bees do this, and it i
t the great object for which bees were iorme,
in the economy of nature.
The speaker proceeded to sh ow this wa
true by various examples, and said that a
5 the present time, Russl and New Zeaan
were introducing bees, to assist in extend
, ing clover culture through those countries, II
: then proceeded to show that extracting hone,
from the flower did not injure the quality ofth
7 fruit The honey is an excretion instead o
/. secretion and is exuded by plants for tn,
C purpose Of attracting insects and helpin
Foundation. One hour in the day hone,
may be plenty, the next there will be none
0 and if the honey is not taken by insects
can not be retained by the flower, as it wi
4 evaporate or be washed away by the rain.
e Some people supposed that bees injur
b such delicate fruit as peaches, pears au
1 grapes by cutting through the skins an
sucking the sweets of the fruit itself bu
$ careful experiment had demonstrated this
d be untrue, and shown that bees never mole
+ the perfect fruit. In conclusion he said be,
were the friends OF man. aud advised thei
t cultivation.
$ In answer to questions Mr.. Crane sal,
s a colony of bees is literally an individua
: Eaoh colony has characteristics of its ow
y some are high and quick tempered, other
you can do most anything with.
T. Mr.. FasSett inquired how large an ave
y age crop Of honey he got from his bees.
l. Mr., Crane From l20 to $50 poun
1t fit for market from each colony. ha'
is 100 colonies. Mr.. Crane said he rare
L liked to advise people to keep bees bat al
n person who was patient and persistent, al
N had adaptability to stings could do it su
II cessfully.
70 Mr.. Josin said that this stinging W
'e serious business to him.
(" Mr.. Crane said it was the great drawba
!, o. about bee raising, but he thought most m
u cloud get used to It, lie had
n' At the conclusion of the discussion
? cess was taken until after dinner