The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-07-11
CORRESPONDENCE.



EAST WOODSTOCK, Ct, July Z, 1889.
Editor Of Banner. Sir The
BANNER for May Both was printed on only
one side, so l will take advantage of the
mistake by writing this letter on the
blank side. l haYe worked enough to
get pretty well acquainted with the sys-
TEN OF farming here. If were to desig-
nate two Of the most characteristic fea-
lures Of Connecticut farmers exper-
fence, think should say "Stones and
phosphate. Every one has or has had
an abundance of the fret, and they all
use the fertilizer freely-hardly a hill of
anything is planted without it. have
handled more of it 10 three mouths here
than in all my life before.
The value and fertility of farm here
is generally estimated by the number of
COWS it will feed, and most Of the farm
ing is tributary or secondary to the
dairy. Considerable attention is given
to market gardening and horticulture,
most of the people here making from one
to three trips to market every week with
butter, eggs and vegetables.
This town is the native place Of Henry
G. Bowen, of the Independent, and he
does much to make the beauties of this
section known to the prominent men of
the country. His home here he calls
"Roseland," and he has taken a leading
part in identifying public park, which
he calls "Roseland Park, " on the shore
of Woodstock Lake.
Among the prominent men 10 assem-
BILE here this 4th of July were President
Harrison and several members of his
cabinet, Gov. Morgan G. Buckley of
Hartford, the two senators Hawley and
Hiscock, Pres. Merrill E. Gates of Rut-
gers College, New Brunswick, N. j.,
Hon. 7. B. Reed, NJ. D., Portland, Me-,
and Will Carleton of Brooklyn, N. Y.
Several drenching showers interfered
to mar several of the most interesting
speeches. 1t was threatening rain when
the President spoke, and he humorously
remarked that he hoped we would not
hold him responsible for the failure of
the weather bureau to give US good
weather, as he did not control that de-
partment. The Secretary of the Navy
referred to what the President had said -,
and went on to say that he was willing
to shoulder the responsibility for the
rain, for he believed it came on his &C
count. Said he, "All the other depart.
ments have been represented here before,
and l understand you have had fine
weather, but as soon as my department
comes on hand behold the change"
The President looked very careworn
and bowed down either by physical de.
bility or the weight of bis responsibility
After listening to his fatherly talk to US
one gentleman remarked, II know now
why they call him Daddy Harrison-the
title seems to fit him very WE'LL"
think it was the Secretary of the In
terror who, in speaking of international
good will, told of being in Russia last
year, and there he saw a fine oak tree.
When he noticed brass label on it he
made inquiries about it, and they told
him to go up and read. He found it was
written in French and Russian. He
translated the former and found it con-
tanned the following history
The tree grew from an acron that fell
from one of Washington's oaks at Mount
Vernon. 1t was sent by brother of
Charles Sumner.
One of the speakers referred to the IA
years of our centennial celebrations
from Bunker Hill to the inauguration of
Washington-as a time of peculiar int. =
est In the history of the country. Now
they are all past and we have started out
on our second century.
Roseand Park Is quite an attractive
place, and there will be three grand con-
certs there, open to the public, free
music, and fireworks from to 10 D, m.
For years past Mr.. Bowen has invited
a number of his political friends here to
meet the distinguished guests on the
evening of July Sd, and be presented to
them preparatory to the coming celebra-
ton the 4th. These receptions have
come to be quite an attraction to those
who are favored with aninvitation. NV
sister, who has been present at these
yearly gatherings number of times,
speaks of it as always festive occasion.
This year there were 200 or 300 present,
making quite a fashionable display.
After the introductions they all passed
out to the dining room where they were
RECALLED with ice cream, tea, coffee, cake
and strawberries.
The season here is several weeks in
advance of the average of years. Straw
berries are about gone and raspberries
are ripe. Farmers are in the midst of
having. Oats here are nearly failure.
Rye looks better also barley.
Yours Truly,
G. E. BRECKENRIDGE.
Explanatory of the first sentence
above, and also in reply to several letters
Of inquiry, we remark that the issue re-
ferred to was 'short" on account of |
mistake of our paper makers 10 counting
a bundle, and we were obliged to run
several quires as half sheets-printed on
one side only. The circumstance could
not be helped, and in the case of those
who were preserving the Salisbury let
.ers," whenever it has been possible we
have picked up copies locally and sup
1lied those who have written about it,