The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-11-21
Lands 'Stod" Bates as
Great Road Builder
(Continued from Pare ~

NCIS alON ~ me DeClS Ol tH0
streams which abound through
rine parts Of the state Of Yer
mont afford admirably screened
gravel. There are still some dis
trIcts in the northwest of the state
Were the roads consist of pure
clav admirable for smoothness
when scraped, but when wet OF
rough after drying capable of test
inc the character of a saint. All
good men are advised to avoid
journeys over such roads, because
The dufer at golf is a kind, sweet
gentleman to a traveller on clay
when it has fallen from grace.
"ln most of our states it is
dangerous to leave main roads. IN
Vermont, however, the roads are
50 good one may often follow
heavy grades over the highest
hills. over narrow winding passes,
without a Jolt or a lar. In fact, a
notable feature of Vermont is the
generally high character Of the
minor cross roads and hill roads.
1t is these that reveal many hid
den beauties and characteristic
mountain farms, snug, trim, and
There is more human
interest in such roads than in the
wide trunk lines between great
cities. Along them one finds fair
homesteads, and good ones, too, at
the elevation of two thousand feet
and more, for the very crests of
the loftier hills are often the finest
soil imaginable.
Still following good roads it is
possible to penetrate into the very
heart of the Green Mountains,
which are generally true to their
name to their very SUBMITS. There
L. softness and intimacy about
thln which is better than grandeur
and more comfortable than appal-
Ing They are good to live with.
understandable and kindly, rather
tran mysterious and terrifying.
Their elens are ideal homes for
common mOrtals who are not too
but who love liberty and
The sod.
"As one goes on through the
state a great wealth of beauty is
'eyealed. The main road passing
north and south through Vermont
on its western side, approaching by
way of branches from Williams
town or Troy, proceeds from Ben
oiuqton through to the Canada
inc Its more attractive portions
me in the southern half. The east
I'm trunk line entering from
and passing out into
She brooke, in Canada, is more in
.cresting in its northern half. The
ross road from Bennington to
is very pleasing in
}pplc blossom time. In places it is
somewhat narrow The diagonal
sad from Bellows Falls to Rut-
and is beautiful all through the
season of travel.
"From White River one crosses
o Rutland via Woodstock and
lids beauty all the way. The pass
lpe from Wells River through i
Montpelier to Burlington is fine. !
The Journey from st. Johnsbury
o Burlington also includes much !
hat is GOOD. eSOeciallV in the east |
.rn section. The most northern
ross road from Newport to Swan |
on is perhaps the poorest road |
nd the least interesting. 1t suf-
Us the further handicap of re-
IuIring calls at custom houses as it |
ouches Canada 1t will probably |
,e much better in a few years. The |
,2Its Of the road in Vermont are |
much the best.
"The series of four roads from I
he White River Rutland route |
INNING roughly parallel through |
lie mountain valleys northerly to I
he Observation-Disclosures route,
IRE fascinating tours, often ne
.lccted, but very important for the
over of natures quiet moods. Va
ious minor routes will be mention
i in the course of this book, but
/ ose already sketched are all nee
ssary to any general review of the
oauty spots of the state.
"A final rare delight of Vermont
ravel is the freedom from city
i~hta and noises One may choose
1no routes and never encounter
ny human inhabitation larger
han than a rural village"
Danville and its wonderful elm
recs are mentioned in a chapter
ntitled: "The' Trees of Vermont
g follows:
"The favorite companion tree for
Vermont house is the elm. 1t
rows more gracefully in America
han in England, and is the typical
rec in the well-watered northern .
ant of our country. 1t carries its
cots near the surface, and some
mes in dry weather. their outline
lay be traced by the browning Of
h. grass above them.
"Besides the usual forms of the
In, there are the dropping, or
elm, which is very rare,
nd the common feathered elm.
he latter carries down almost TO
ne ground small feathery branch
., and derives its name from the
Gathered leg of the dooryard fowl. |
is a very graceful variety and
lost pleasing In addition, there
) the vase elm, which for sym
lctry leaves little to be desired.
"Curiously, the elm when grow
ne in q forest. as at Danville L
here there is the only true elm
crest we have noticed, is one of