Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-02-12
VERMONT ASH PLACE TO LIVE IN.

ERKElGE, Kan, Jan. 80, 1856.

To the Editor of the Free Press
saw in one of your iute issues an arti-
Gle which greatly interested me- relative
to the financial interest of the little State
of Vermont. 1t being the home of my
ancestors | may be allowed to cherish IA
native attachment to it. have passed
through the State many times and know
something of it's geography. Your arti-
Gle called the attention of the public also
of individuals To the fact of the great
injury done by the monicd men, in send
ing their surplus revenue to the West for
the purpose of getting larger interest. 1t
would not be difficult for any candid mind
to be convinced of the truth OF your state
ment but for some reason, not only is
the money exported, but the sons prefer
to 60 West, many of them to encounter
privation and hardship, billiards. and cy-
clones. Many have left fine productive
farms, where there was plenty to do, and
their help needed with the idea they
could get richer with less hard work. |
fail to see this point when we all know,
the Eastern prices are far more remuuera-
tive than the Western.
Within the last few years great atten-
ton has been paid to fruit growing, ap-
pies especially. AS far as | have noticed,
there is no region of country in all the
west that will compare with the "Cbam-
plain Valley" in Vermont for the purpose
of raising apples they excel in flavor,
also in Keeping qualities This prefer
ence in locality extends from Grand Isle
north along the border of the lake south
to Ferris5urgh. The extensive fruit deal
ers show Il preference for fruit grown
through this section, both in our home
and foreign market.
! saw not long since, an orchard Of seven
acres set with $50 trees in Niagara county,
New York State, from which the net pro
fit has been $1,000 yearly.
1t is to be regretted but no less II fact,
that many of The large orchards through
the western States with the exception Of
those near Lake Michigan, are dying ow
ing to Il lack of something Ill the climate
and soil. South from Grand Isle is the
city of burlington on one of the most de-
lightful locations to be found in any coun-
try Next is the town of Shelburn where
there are u number of fine orchards be
longing to Tracy, Rowley, Van Welt,
Mcneil and Miller also u small one on
Shelburne Point owned by Rogers. This
is to be enlarged this spring by the reset
ting of eighty acres. In noticing orchards
through different parts of the country,
those set with trees from nurseries near
the same locality have the advantage over
| those set from western nurseries. The
one owned by Thorpe and Wing in Shell
burne is thrifty but too small to supply
the demand.
Farther on the lake is a large tract of
land formerly owned by Judge Mech,
which is now being divided into medium
sized farms and sold for $50 per acre. 1t
was said of the Judge, his ambition was,
'To own all the land that joined him. :"
He had IA foothold on nearly two thou
sand acres the most OF these acres are
well adapted to orcharding and would be
worth $3.50 per acre for that purpose. The
next is Charlotte, and the first of note is
the residence OF Mr.. Hill and the beauty
OF the locality cannot DE .eXcelled. This
farm was formerly owned by one Mr.
Wolcut, from whom the writer can claim
small lineage. 1t passed from his hands
into the ownership of Thomas Chitten.
den Hill a grandson of Gov. Chttenden
and the great grandson T. &. Hill can
claim credit By thrifty good management
i'll keeping in good repair one of the first
settled homes in the State.
Next south is the residence of John
Holmes who can claim the largest orchard
i'll New England, one hundred acres bor-
| derlng on the lake, set to apple trees of
the best marketable variety is just now in
| full bearing. The trees are in Il healthy con-
dition and show they have had intelligent
care. With all other advantages which this
section of the country may have over the
West, by no means the least are the facili-
! ties to reach market by boat as all the or
chards through the Valley have ready nc
cess to the lake, where couveniences for
loading boats can be made, and there is
no more ready way of reaching foreign
markets than from New York. Aside
from the great facilities for making mon
ey in this little State, there is to be
found the most picturesque scenery, SUI
perior to any part of the globe not even
the sunny skies of Italy, OF which so much
has been read and sung.
The band in the town of CharlOttp lies
| rolling from the lake back TO the Green
Mountains which greatly adds to nature
beauty. On the third street from the lake
is a fine church and cemetery from this
point are views which are admired by all
and the eye OF the most artistic can be
satiated by natures loneliness. After
leaving this Prospect Hill" and riding
two miles west to the lake you come t
the home once owned by Charles Mcneil
who was famous for his well kept garden
of fruit and flowers, also conservatory
of the choicest plants. At this time il
ry that ran from this place to Essex OPP
poste, Il distance of three miles. Man!
dollars We're coined here until 1t wa!
placed in the background by the opening
of the railroads. Even after this place
. lost so much of its pecuniary interest, i
was not allowed to sink into oblivion
The pleasure seekers far and wide hav,
found it's natural beauties. The shor,
from McNeils to Thompson's Point il
dotted with cottages and has become
summer residence for hundreds, not onl,
from adjacent towns, but from nearl,
every city in the Union. The place callet
Cedar Beach has the preference.
few rods from this shore lays 'Bircl
. Island, containing more than fifty o
+ sixty acres AS ! tramped over it
thought never saw so many pecunar
. advantages combined in SO small place
ind ixri.l inf.
. lay in and around this little island. Tn
government might be greatly benefited
by erecting Il light house, as it afford
one of the finest harbors on the lake. !
hotel would be sure of plenty of occu
. pants during the summer months, or nun
berless cottages could be built and rente
\ to families. Aside from all other attrat
: tons on and around this island there
n quite natural curiosity to be found o
= the highest point, which is 200 feet abov
the lake, living spring Of water, pure a
crystal.
At present this island ia an idle vast,