Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-01-24
MONTPELIER, VT, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY a. 1883.

REPLY.-Before last winters experience
we should have said that in all cases a
young orchard should be kept in cultivation,
where IL is practicable, until the trees are
well In bearing. Now we shall have to
make some qualifications. We have trees
in grass, and also in titled land. Out Of
our fifteen hundred trees we lost about
twenty-five last winter, all on titled land.
More than half of our trees are on titled
land, and the killed trees were all In spots
where there was little or no protection from
snow. Where the snow lay even two or
three inches deep we lost no trees. Now
we must say that trees are safer from root
killing Qor it was that which did much
mischief last winter, the tops being appsr-
emily all right when spring opened, but dry
ing up afterwards because the roots were
dead). in grass ground, unless those in titled
land are where the ground is sure to have
some snow on it all winter, or unless they
are well mulched with some sort Of litter
that will prevent severe freezing. But we
may not have another such winter in life
time. We should add that many of the
trees in titled ground that were not killed
showed by their small growth during the
summer that they had lost many roots. In
Iowa, where they often have very severe
weather without snow, nearly all orcbardsts
mulch their trees heavily with straw. Dpt
in such case the trees must be carefully pro-
tected from mice.
FEEDING MILK TO COWS.
J. W. B., StarksboIo, Vt, asks: "what will
be the effect of feeding milk to milk COW
VIII 1t cause her to dry up, or increase the fowP'
REPLY.-A good many COWS will not drink
milk, at least without difficulty in teaching
them. We have had them refuse ground
feed wet up with milk. But for those who
will drink milk it is as good feed as they
can have if fed sweet, as it comes from deep
setting. We think it pays as well to feedi it
to cows as to pigs or calves, if they take it
freely.
THE AGRICULTURAL REPORT.
G. G. p, Hardwick, Vt, asks: "Where can ]
get the seventh Vermont Agricultural Report,
and what Is the cost ?"
REPLY-Of DIR. H. A. Cutting, the secre-
tary, Lunenburgh, Vt The book is free,
but if desired to be sent by mail, send fif.
teen cents with your order to pay postage.
RUSSIAN APPLES.
| President Buckham of the State Agricultural
| College Of Vermont, asks, in behalf Of a CORE
| spondent In Iowa, for Information respecting
hardy varieties Of apples, especially later Russian
| varieties"
REpLY.-Of the tested varieties of the
later importations from Russia, the Yellow
Transparent, Charlotten-Haler, Enormous,
Switzer, Prolific Sweeting and st. Peters
have proved thrifty, productive and possess
i've of valuable qualities as dessert apples fol
home use or market. They are all summer
or early fall sorts. No winter fruit of de
cided merit has yet appeared among the
Russian apples so far brought to this coun
try. But Horticultural Professor Budd Of
the Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, in
company with Mr.. Charles Glib of Abbots
ford, p. O., last summer made toui
through the fruit-producing regions Of
Russia for the purpose Of studying Russian
pomology. Notes of their discoveries from
Mr.. Glib were given by us recently, and we
have since heard from Professor Budd, who
says, in reply to request to furnish notes
for publication, al have been too busy tc
talk in the papers since my return. was
more than pleased with the fruits of interior
Russia. They have many extra fine winter
apples where the mercury goes down te
minus forty-fve degrees, without snow
Five hundred miles east of Moscow the
snowfall is irregular. The pears of thai
region are as hardy as the poplars. l have
had bad luck, so far, in getting cions il
| good order" We should advise DR.. Buck
hams Iowa correspondent to correspond
with his own agricultural college, whose
professor Of horticulture is the first Ameri
can authority on the subject of hardy fruits
suited for the northwestern states.