Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-11-01

The largest orchard in the world is doubt
less that owned and worked very successfully
by Mr.. Robert McKinstry Of Hudson, Colum-
bia Co., n. Y. Mr. McKinstry's orchard is
procuring for him world wide reputation,
and he has many visitors. Like all fruit
growers, aud others Of kin to that profession,
he is kindly and literally disposed, and has
no secrets to reserve from others who love
fruit-growing, and to talk Of fruit. Visitors
are therefore made welcome, and his orchard
is open to inspection by all who are interest
ed in his labors. The orchard is situated on
the east bank of the Hudson river, on high
rolling table land and occupies 800 acres,
and contains more than 2i,OCO apple trees
l, 200 pears, 1000 cherries, Z, 900 peaches, 200
plums 200 crabs goo vines, G,OOO currnuts
and 200 chestnuts. The varieties grown are
Rhode Island Greoning, 1000; Bnldwins
G,O00 King of Tompkins Co., 1000; Astru-
chans, 5000 Northern Spy, 800; Wagner
800 Gravenstein, 400: Cranberry Pippins
200; Ben Davis, 200; Duchess of Olden-
burgh, 200; with Jonathans, HuhbarlSlons
Cayugas, Nandorveers, Belefowtrs. Pear
mains, Pecks Peasants, 2O-Once Pirpins,
Russets and others in less number.
The pears ure Bartlett, y. dAnjou, Shell
don, Sockel and Lawrence chiefly OF cher
ries there are % varieties. The orchard is re-
markably thrifty and the oldest trees are
about 20 years old. The soil is dry rolling
gravel with some limestone the trees are
planted 20 feet apart and do not seem 10y any
means to be crowded The ground is pluwcd
several times in the year and kept falow
excepting, when thought advisable it is seed
ed to clover. The orchard is intersectcd 10y
roads over six miles in length for the passage
of wagons, and is bounded by a continuous
row of apple trees set 10 feet apart for -
miles. The soil is certainly well adapattd for
frit GROWING for tbn 4 mr. ell "A n tlpiIty
compact, and loaded with the highest colorod
and fairest looking fruit. The apple crop of
the present year is expected to be 30, 600 bar
rels, Il large portion of which will be export
cd TO Liverpool and Glasgow. Twenty-four
men and II horses are employed hauling out
the crop or in blowing
The success of this orchard has not been
achieved, nor is it maintained, without the
closest supervision and the most industrious
work. Enemies are there, as wen rs else
where but these have no peace the war
fare against them needs to be constant Suck
ers and sprouts are removed as soon as seen
the borers are watched and followed with Wig
or. Wires are used to reach them in their
burrows, and the damaged bark is removed
with chiscls. As trees fail others are planted
in their places and the orchard is being con-
stantly renewed in this manner.
As the market for good fruit is extending
every year, aud foreign customers are seek
ing supplies here, the business of growing
fruit cannot fail 10 be profitable and perma-
nent. No other business pays better than
this for the most skillful attention and man
agement; indeed, without these, it is vain to
expect a crop that will sell in market at re-
munerative prices Good fruit sells itself and
the grower is soon sought for by purchasers.
| Those who desire to take lesson in things
| appertaining to the business and TO prove the
truth of these facts, may well study the ways
and methods of Mr.. McKinstry in his orchard.
| Cor. Country GeatLmda