Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-05-23
From Mad River Valley.

Messrs. Editors:-Such lovely weather as we
are enjoying now it seems more like June than
the middle of May, and vegetation is az far ad-
vanced as it was ten days later last year. We
have had splendid weather for farmers to do Their
springs work, which is well advanced now, and
a goodly area Of crops are beirg put in, the high
price of flour inducing some to try raising wheat
who have not usually attempted It, preferring to
buy western -four. But now the programme il
changed somewhat, as butter, the great staple
product of this valley is down. dozen to even lower
than ante-beiium prices-which makes our dairy
men look rather blue-while -four is as high or
nearly so, as 1t was when butter was OF twice Its
present value. There Is no valid reason why
Vermont should not produce her own wheat and
corn, as well as sugar and potatoes.
G. o. Boyce, Of South Fayston, is getting in
about twelve acres Of the Lost Nation wheat
which yields largely, and makes fine quality Of
-four. This would be small show for the West
but is doing pretty well for this vicinity; and II
others farmers would do likewise, Vermont might
easily supply her home market with -four.
Many think the prospect for the potato crop so
dubious that they will plant but small area to
these necessary tubers, as the Colorado beetle is
on the alert, waiting impatiently for the first
potato top to get out of the ground, to begin his
devastation | saw one about the 10th Of April,
full-grown, and rs lively as II he hadn't burrowed
under the snow all winter. Very evidently, II we
are to eat any potatoes this year we shall have to
| fight for it.
Some new buildings are going up in spite OF the
"hard times" Of which every one complains.
W. McAllister has just completed new blacksmith
shop at lrasve, where he proposes to compete
with the village blacksmths. Stebbins Ashley Ii
putting on quite large addition to his house, AND
Judge Richardson is about building large barn
G. o. Boyce's new buildings are 40 far completed
that his family have occupied the house som,
weeks. Soon after they took possession Of the
new quarters, over hundred Of their friend
came together to give them house-warming
which was a very enjoyable affair.
On Friday evening. May 18th. about forty citi
zens of waitsfed and Fayston made raid oil
the premises of MIR. and Mrs. b. A. Holmes,
quiet unoifending couple residing In Waitsfelt
village. The invaders, under cover of darkness
stole quietly up to the house. in body, and giyinI
their unsuspectng victims no chance for escape
rushed into their domicile and loaded their cap
tives, not with chains or handouts, but with tin
aoare After which, the involuntary host an,
hostess found time to remember that this was tn
tenth anniversary Of their wedding, They sub
mitted to this invasion with the best OF grace an,
the company had a pleasant evening passed in SO
cial chat. music, etc. and after prayer by Rev j
Boyce the invaders left for their homes in goo
ORDER leaving behind quantity OF tin, glass an
silver-ware to remind the recipients that the III
vasion was not dream Of the night time myt
OF the brain. LIB.