News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-09-03
Letter from Massachusetts.
AMHERST, Mass.
MeSsrs. Editors:

Letter from Massachusetts.
AMHERST, Mass.
!, Messrs. Editors:
On the 22d day of July | took the
train at Johnson for this place. and as
one naturally would do who had spent
the most of their life on farm, made
some notes of the agriculture of the
country through which I passed. AS
grass is the staple crop of Vermont,
| gave this the first attention. The
most notable thing was the absence
of Timothy grass on the meadows
where the grass was not cut. not
only thought this to be true of La
noble valley, but of the Connecticut
valley, down to Long Island Sound.
Is it fact that our Timothy grass is
being supplanted by an inferior grass +?
L would like to know if this thought
has occurred to any one else. In the
Connecticut valley the corn is some
what in advance of that in Lamoille
county. In this section, so far as
have heard, they have secured an av-
erage crop of hay. They claim the
same at Block Island, r. l., though
it was extremely dry when 1 was
there.
When / came to the tobacco region
of the Connecticut found there was
a large decrease of tobacco and a
corresponding increase of corn from
what l had seen in former years.
Of the apple crop it would be diff
cult to express an opinion with much
certainty. In some sections the trees
are well loaded; in others there are
but few. This is true, both of Mas
sachusetts and Connecticut, as far as
have been in these two States. But
the pear crop is an abundant one, and
consequently will have to be sold
cheap. They make the same mistake
here in pears that they do in Lamoille
county in apples too many summer
and early fall apples, while they
should have planted more wiuter fruit.
1 think my son will have 100 bushels
of pears, and 1 am doing the best
can for a home market; but it is
somewhat provoking when one can't
eat any more, with enough more right
by and just as good.
Soon sitter my arrival here I re-
ceived an invitation from Mr.. Edward
Ely to visit him and his family at their
summer residence at Lyme, Conn.
After few days stay here we took
the noon train on the n. L. N. R. r.
for Palmer, then on the B. & A. to
Springfield, thence down the Connec-
ticut river to Hartford, where we
change to the Connecticut Valley
railroad, thence sixty miles down the
river to Saybrook junction, then one
more change to the Shore line, and a
few minutes ride brings us to the
Lyme station, where Mr.. Ely's team
is awaiting our arrival, and quickly |
takes us to his residence, which is |
large three story mansion. Its exte-
rior walls are constructed of granite |
blocks and built with solidity that
it would seem might defy the tooth of
time. From its cupola the eye has a
long stretch up the Connecticut river
and down to Saybrook Point, where
9uO NaeOlo VI GuS IlNSI anu SOuHu
commingle. From the front veranda
one can see for many miles up and
down Long Island Sound, and ship
ping of almost every description, pro-
PEELED by sail and steam, are seen,
and with the aid of glass may be
brought very near, all bound in or
out of New York and other points
along the sound. Had one been in
this place in 1909 the only vessels
they would have seen would have been
the English navigators when in search
of the Hudson, or North River, whose
waters have the credit of floating the
first vessel successfully propelled by
steam.
Well, one of my objects in coming
seward was to get some sea air and
some rocking on old Neptune's cradle.
In the rocking am disappointed.
The old fellow was most placid and
put on his most pleasant smiles. He
is often on the contrary side. But in
a few days l intend to try him again
and may get all want, as have
got a little more than /
wanted from his pillows. The steam
er "Sunshine,' of 500 tons, runs
from Hartford, Conn, to Sag Har-
Dor, distance of 120 miles; the dis
lance from Lyme to Sag Harbor is 60
miles. At noon 1 went on board the
steamer, and after touching at differ
ent places, among them being New
London, reached Sag Harbor at p.
N. and made fast for the night. There
were three windows in my state room, ,
and as it was bright night 1 opened
them all, so as to have plenty of sea
air. From my pillow 1 could see
broad expanse of water, and the
scene was so novel and exciting that
did not sleep until the wanning
hours. The following morning L
went over the town some, and I
should think it had long been of age S
and expected no further growth. The = =
next day 1 returned to the starting a
point, and to Mr.. Ely's. Had time r
permitted l should have kept aboard
and gone up the Connecticut to Hart
iord, to see how it compares with the Z
Hudson. 1 finally concluded to 90
Town to the sea again and visit that
noted summer resort, Block Island.
In the morning l went on board the
rain at Lyme, and after an hours
-ide reached New London, where I
vent aboard the steamer "Block
[sland," of 756 tons, bound for the
sland. IF you wish l will give de-
allied account of the island after l
nave made survey of the place.
P. $1,000 a. M, the steamer
las blowed her last whsle, struck her
asst bell her hawser is on board and
s swinging around into the chanel,
20 good day. HARMON MORSE.
A Barton woman, who had been en-
ertaining her company for some with