The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-07-21
THE MAN ABOUT TOWN.

companying Mr.. Hunt through the various
orchards and patches which go to make
up what we shall call the Hillside Or
chards, name which is certainly suitable
and for which we shall make no charge.
Too late to witness the crops of straw
berries and raspberries, we could only
judge of them by the figures given us, as
high as 1, 169 quarts having been picked
in one day, 500 quarts being shipped be-
fore 8 o'clock in the morning, some going
to Trenton, but most of them up the road
to Easton, Scranton and other places
where ready market is generally found
| The currant crop was an unusually ex-
celont one and disappointed those who
prophecied that it would not pay to raise
them. AT this time the blackberries are
being gathered, and the quality and guam
tity are immense, the early Wilson's :"
being considered the best. Mr.. Hunt es-
Inmates his crop of berries al about II, 900
quarts, but owing to the crowded condi-
tion of the market they have not been so
| profitable as in other seasons. 1t requires
| work to gather this immense crop, and
besides the corps of assistants, the men,
bers of his family are required to turn out
about O'Clock in the morning to assist,
| 1t is sight to witness the various fruit
trees, loaded down as they are with fruit
coming to perfection, many of the branches
breaking from the weight of fruit upon
them. Among the pear trees are to be
found Bartolette, Duchess Clapp's Fa-
vorite, Seckel and Keefer's Hybrid. The
ounce crop will not compare so favorably
with the others, as for some reason the
trees do not flourish There are about
twenty varieties of plums, and some idea
of the crop of this delicious fruit, which
is fast coming on, may be had from the
fact that on one branch alone, measuring
about two yards, we counted 176 plums.
From one cluster of trees, he thinks, If
| gathered at the present time, there would
be 100 bushels. Grape culture is another
feature which has occupied considerable
| portion of his time. At first he depended
upon supplies from the nurseries, but of
late he has raised his own plants and
knows what he is doing. Like every
other enterprise, there are some disap-
pointments. After carefully looking after
certain variety for three years, he finds
that he bias been deceived by those who
furnished him the vine. In order to Sc
cure good fruit constant attention is re-
quired, and nearly as many punches are
cut off and thrown away as are left on the
vines. Ladies are employed at present in
picking off defective grapes and tying the
good lunches in paper bags, from eight
to ten hundred bags having been used last
year. No estimate of the number which
will be required this year has been made.
The cherry crop has also been gathered
and sold, although there are few trees,
known as the Belle Magniflc," a late
cherry, which are just coming to perfec-
ton. We found few English Murel-
las, which had escaped the hands of the
pickers, and the flavor of them was de-
lightful. Amongst all the other fruits
may be found special varieties of apples,
all in good bearing condition. Apricot
trees, full of green fruit, are scattered
here and there, awaiting the time for ma
turity. About five or six years ago q
gentleman in South Jersey sent Mr.. Hunt,
with some other fruit trees, several Pa
and the result of the experiment has been
success, these trees being full of fruit
and in good condition. In appearance
they resemble somewhat peach, but as
they ripen the outside shell bursts the
same as those of other nuts The aspara-
gus beds show plainly that this delicious
plant comes to perfection, under proper
cultivation, amongst the hills of Hunter
don as we'll as in the low lands of South
Jersey. All the spare time-and we can.
| not see whore any spare time comes in
is occupied now in setting out and caring
! for celery plants, which will no doubt
| grace our tables later in the season, when
turkeys and chickens become familiar
food. In connection with the Hillside
Orchards, Mr.. Hunt has lately purchased
the farm lying upon the other side of the
road, belonging to Mr.. George Titus.
This farm is worked by Mr.. Joseph
Sweeney, and there is every indication of
thrift and industry. The corn upon this
land is far in advance of any we have yet
seen. During the past season !, 300 peach
trees have been set out in this field and
they appear thrifty and full of promise.
The other peach trees on the place are
filled with fruit and the indications are a
splendid crop. In the midst of the Or
chards the little busy bee has found a
home, and twenty -four hives of these in
dustrious creatures are storing up, for
future use, sweetness that will assist in
the removal of buck wheat cakes that come
upon the table from red-hot griddles.
The covers of two hives were removed,
showing the bees at work and the new
honey, sixty pounds of which could be
called finished. Having had some ex-
perience with bees few years ago, we
were little shy in our inspection, rather
prefering to take Mr.. Hunts word for it
than to disturb the little creatures, who,
when angered, leave sting the remem-
brance of which to us is very painful
With all the good things already men,
toned, may be found watermelons, citrons,
vegetables of every description. and ev-
erything almost which go to make up a
first.c class farm. And when Mr.. Hunt
succeeds In building new house upon
the brow of the Orchards, he can swing
in his hammock and sing:
"a little farm well titled,
A little house we'll Il He'd
And little wife well wlcd
Give me, give me-"
Perhaps one of the most pleasant scenes