The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-09-22
oRcHARDlsrs IN SESSION
Profitable Gathering Wednesday at
South Hero.


South Hero.
Burlington. Sept. 21.-The 9TH an
nual orchard meeting of the State
Horticultural society yesterday at
South Hero was attended by about 100
Buglingtonians and so other members
and their friends, scattered among
Grand Isle county, Chittenden, Frank
lin, Lamoille, Addison, Bennington
and Rutland. Every town in Grand
Isle was represented. There were
200 in all on the grounds in the course
OF the day.
The forenoon was spent in inspect
ing several orchards, the inspection
being continued in the forenoon fol
lowing dinner. Elmer Hills farm at
South Hero was the first one visited.
The members observed the number OF
varities OF fruits raised, chiefly apples,
the method OF planting, and the use OF
plums and cherries as filters among
the former trees and beans among the
latter, The beans alone on this farm
yielded an income of 500 an acre last
season. Mr.. Hill is one Of the notable
orchardists of the state.
Wallace Robnson's farm was the
next stopping place. There particu-
lar attention was paid to tree dis
eases, such as scab and canker
W. N. Phelps farm of South Hero
followed, and then those present call
ed at the Eastern Fruit company's
farm on Grand Isle, 200 acres of
fruit, limestone crusher, apple can
ming device and alfalfa plots were of
particular interest to the visitors.
The farm before long may have an ir-
rigation system.
Luncheon was served at South Hero
Inn, where, after a social time, those
present adjourned to the Union
church. There's formal program last.
ing about an hour and one.half ~was
rendered. The Rev. George w. Perry
of South Hero. former president OF the
society, in the opening speech discus
sed the opportunities afforded Yer
mont 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 its
neiehbors, which he said he hoped
those present had observed.
e. H. West of Dorset, the president
Of the society. expressed his apprecia-
ton 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, thing which western
fruit growers found imperative
Prof. NJ b. Cummings of the State
university, the socicty's secretary,
urged growers to save some OF their
best fruit for exhibits at the annual
New England iruit show, to be held
November l4-1S
James p. 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.
r. l.. Kinney, the first president of
the society, ccntrastei the societys
condition now with what it was 20
years ago. It started with 90 charter
members; now It had about 800.
Al the supper, which was served in
the Union church by the Ladies' Aid
society, Secretary Cummings an.
nounced that the meeting had been
enc of the most successful ever held
by the society. Some of the new
corners present. he said had expressed
surprise at the number of interesting
things to be seen and heard.