Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-09-21
$50 ORCHARD|STS MEET
100 from Here at Summer Meet
ing of Horticultural Society.
seventh Annual Gathering Yesterday In
south Hero-Seven Counties Rep
resentcd-Members Inspect Farms
and Listen to Speeches.

The 18th annual orchard meeting of the
State Horticultural society yesterday at
South Hero was attended by about 100
! Burlingtonians and 30 other members
and their friends, scattered among Grand
! Isle county, Chittenden, Franklin.
Lamolle. Addison Bennington and Rut-
! land. Every town in Grand Isle was
represented. Buringtonians went up on
the Rutland's morning train and in auto
| mobiles There were 200 in all on the
grounds in the course of the dav
The forenoon was spent In inspecting
several orchards, the inspection being
continued in the afternoon following din
ner. Elmer IIilIs farm at South Hero
was the first one visited. The members
observed the number OF varieties of fruits
raised. chiefly apples, the method Of
planting, and the use of plums and cher
res az filters among the former trees
and beans among the latter. The beans
alone on this farm yielded an income OF
800 an acre last season. Mr. Hill is one
of the notable orc.ardists of the state.
Wallace Robnson's farm was the next
stopping place. There particular atten.
ton was paid to tree diseases, such as
scab and canker.
w. y. Phelps farm of South Hero fol-
lowed, and then those present called at
Grand Isle, 200 acres of fruit, limestone
crusher, apple canning device and alfalfa
plots were of particular interest to the
visitors. The farm before long may have
an irrigation system.
Luncheon was served at South Hero
Inn, where, after social time, those
present adjourned to the Union Church.
There a formal program lasting about
an hour and one-haf was rendered. The
Rev. George W. Perry of South Hero,
former president of the society in the
opening speech discussed the opportunities
afforded Vermont growers. The climate.
soil and proximity to markets were all
in his favor, said Mr.. Perry. He pointed out
the beauties of Grand Isle and it's neigh
hors. which he said he hoped those
present had observed.
+. il. West of Dorset, the president
of the society, expressed his apprecia-
tion of the cordial reception which had
been given those attending. President
! West discussed fruit raising in Yer
| mont. He advised his hearers to thin
out the fruit and retain only the best
| specimens Il thing which western fruit
growers found Imperative.
Prof NJ. h. Cummings Of the State
| university, the societY's secretary.
| urged growers 20 save some of their
best fruit for exhibits at the annual
New England fruit show, to be held
November 1913. lie said he hoped the
attendance would be large. also. He
said it was interesting to note that the
first orchard meeting had been head at
! that very place.
w. \. Phelps gave little variation
| in the program in the shane of four
verses of the song "Champlain." which
! he sang to the applause of those pres
emit
James y. Taylor. secretary of the
Greater Vermont association. talked on
the special problems of marketing
which Vermont growers had to deal
with. There was need, he said. Of co.
operating and organizing for the dis
posal of Vermont products so as not
! only to obtain high prices but win the
| respect Of wholesalers and retailers
alike.
T. J.. Kinney. the first president Of
the society Contrasted the society's
condition now with what it was 20
wears ago. 1T started with 20 charter
members; now it had about 500.
| j. +. Tracy of Burlington spoke ON
the society's need Of publicity. He urged
the members to help the papers. If
| they did, the papers would reCiproCate,
and both sides would benefit.
John w Dana, county agent of chit
tenden, urged Grand Islanders to get
| together and obtain county agent Of
their own.
At the supper which was served in
| the Union Church by the Ladies' Aid So
| ciety, Secretary Cummings announced
! that the meeting had been one of the
most successful ever held by the So
| ciet.'. Some of the newcomers pres
ent, he said had expressed surprise at
| the number OF interesting things to be
seen and heard Most of the Burling
| tonians returned last night