The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-11-18

Horticulture in Vermont Schools. "
He said the purpose of teaching horti-
culture in Vermont schools was to
show boys how to care for the ordi-
nary farm orchard and garden, which,
as a rule, are neglected.
S. Hargraves OF the Vermont Agrl-
cultural Experiment station spoke on
Overhead Irrigation He demon
strated the values of the various sys-
tens and said that Vermont growers
especially those devoting their ener-
gles along the vegetable and small
fruit lines, seem very Indifferent tow
ards the matter of irrigation, which is
very sad circumstance.
Prof. A. f. Halves, Vermont State
forester spoke of The Blister Rust
Disease OF the White Pine and Cur
rant"
THE chief damage done by the dis
ease is to young pine" he said. In a
few years after infection they may be
girdled and killed Older trees also
may be killed in time. The disease
is, therefore more serious menace 10
the pine of the future than to the
present standing timber.
Dr.. ]. X. Shaw CT the Massachus-
etts Agricultural College gave an adj
dress of interest TO all on the subject
of The Future For the New England
Apple Growers" Among other inter
esting things the speaker said
The heavy production of apples in
North America is in the North Allan
tic States and the section around the
Great Lakes as far west as Lake
Michigan This section produces
nearly one.half or the crop of the
United States. The southern Appaf
lachlan States produce about one,
fifth the central Mississippi valley
another fifth and the mountain and
Pacific coast States about one-tenth
sections, the figures show that the
Pacific coast States gather the largest
and most uniform crop; then follow
the northeastern States and among
these States New England fares as
well as any part, If not little better
Fluctuations in crops from year to
year are brought about first by spring
frosts. These rarely affect the crop in
New England, where orchards are
properly located. They are very de-
structiye in the Mississippi valley and
very less so in the southern Appala-
chan States. \ second factor is cold
or cloudy weather at blooming time.
This often limits the crop in New
England, possibly more often than in
the central West. and certainly more
frequently than IN the Pacific coast
region
~ third factor is the ravages of in
sects and diseases. The coddling
moth and apple scab frequently cause
a heavy drop and serious lessening of
the crop. Dry weather may occasion
ally limit the crop. but is not a serious
factor The production per tree is
highest in New York, somewhat less
in New England: and least OF all in
the Mississippi Valley The cost OF
growing apples varies from about 81
to 81 per barrel; an average price OF
81 or better should be demanded by
the apple grower and anything below
this means inferiority II appears
then that while we may make an in
crease in the apple crop in the next
few years that New England is in as
favorable condition to endure this
increase as is any apple growing
section
An address prepared by Charles j.
Brand. chief Of the bureau of markets
and rural organizations, United States
department of agriculture, was read
by &c Gilbert of the department. Mr..
Brand being unable to attend, The
subject was Federal and State Aid.
in Improving Conditions and con-
tanned much valuable Information.
Speaking on Some Principles of
Seed Selection" w. c. Stone. assist
ant horticulturist at the Vermont Ex-
pertinent station. said:
The practical man should find
plant best adapted TO the environ
ment in which he lives to the soil he
tills, and to me market which he sup
plies, or to the purpose for which he