The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-02-11
MONTPELIER, WEDNESDAY,, FEBRUARY

the fire.
TIMOTHY WHEELER Of Waterbury is an
original investigator of those things that
affect the flow of sap, particularly in the
sugar maple. His theories are strongly sup
ported by the evidence of many ingenious
experiments. They seem to be quite con-
elusive. The infallibiity of his Judgment,
formed from certain natural phenomena, az
to what future sugar season will be, does
not always receive the same degree of re-
spect and consideration as his theories re-
lating to sap-fow. This may be Mr.. Wheel
er's fault or it may be because he is not
understood by his critics. Mr. Wheeler
does not claim that he has acquired full and
definite knowledge of all things that affect
the maple. He thinks he has found out some
things and he is studying others. In his
judgments as to the quality of coming sugar
seasons he claims, with reason, that the
public does not understand him. When he
says a season will be "poor," or "good,"
or central medium" an explanation of
his system of grading is necessary to know
his meaning. He explains it as follows:
The center OF his scale of gradations is
central medium y this lies between
good season on the ascending scale
and a "poor" season on the descending
scale. The next grade in the ascending
scale is "better," the highest best" in
the descending scale the grades run, poor"
poorer" poorest" The last grade is
reached in seasons when the yield is pound
or so to the tree and is essentially bad in
quality. The "best season is when the
yield is from five to six pounds to the tree,
and is correspondingly good in quality. In
" better" season the yield is from three
to four pounds to the tree and good in quail
ity and this, in Mr.. Wheeler's judgment, is
the grade for the coming season. A careful
accounting of all the facts and circumstances,
Mr.. Wheeler claims, will show, notwith-
standing the imperfectons of his system,
that his representations have rarely been
at fault, and in great majority of cases.
correct.
THE annual meeting of the Grand En-
campment of Odd Fellows was held in
Montpelier, last week Tuesday, with Grand
Patriarch III. e. Randall of st. Johnsbury in
the chair. There were about fifty members
present. The morning session was taken
up in hearing the reports of the several
grand officers, which showed good condi-
ton of this branch of the order in the state.
j. b. Soper, grand reporter, reported the
proceedings of the Sovereign Grand Lodge
and instructed the Grand Encampment in
the secret work. The afternoon session was
devoted to routine business, and the follow.
ing officers were elected;
g. G. .P..................M. P. Saulln, Burlington
g. H. P............O %. II. Henderson, st. Johnsbury
G. s. H. Jones, Bradford
q. u. X Egerton, Northheld
q. Vnton Bratteboro
q. j. .W....................W w. Henry Burlington
q. r. S. G. L............L. j. Rettng, Brattleboro
q. .M....................,...C o. Foster, Montpelier
G. II. Sabin, Bellows Falls
g. o. Eli Poquette, Burlington
An evening session was held, and the work
of the encampment degrees was exempli
fed by the officers of the Grand Encamp
ment. The thirty eighth annual session o.
the Grand Lodge of Vermont was convened
in Odd Fellows hall on Wednesday, Crane
Master Henry L. Stillson in the chair
There was full attendance, including
many prominent members from throughou
the state. Thirty-seven new members wer,
admitted and received the past official de
grees. The reports of the grand officers rer
resented the order in the state to be in
healthy and growing condition, one new
subordinate lodge and two new Rebekah de
gree lodges having been organized the pas
year. The grand treasurer reported a bal
ance in the treasury of 81 ,353.04. The Gran'
Lodge adopted new constitution and by
laws, ordered new lodge to be institute,
at Mechanicsville, approved the acts of it
officers during recess and the decisions Q
its grand master, and adopted appropriat
resolutions of respect to the memory G
Schuyler Colfax, who was a prominen
member Of the order The following off
GERS were elected and installed:
G. G.. Putnam, Rutans
D. G. .M................NP i. Bowman, st. Johnsbur,
g. W...................-...W. ID. Wilson, st. Alban
G. S.................O. H. Henderson, st. Johnsbury
G. T........... ..........L l.. r. Robinson Derby Lin,
H. C......,... Bgwood, Winoosk
G. r. S. G. L......,.........w. w. Henry, Burlington