The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-08-25
FIELD DAY DRAWS
SEVEN HUNDRED
Farmers of County Visit
Westminster Orchard
of 10000 Trees
DEMONSTRATION OF
PACKING GIVEN
Solby Tells of Grain Pool, Which Is Ex-
periencing Keen Opposition from
Grain Interests-About I,2O0 Tons
SeId from BrattIeborO

Over 400 persons were present at the
beginning of the field day held in West
minister Wednesday under the auspices
of the Extension Farm Bureau, and the
attendance later was increased to 700.
The occasion was the annual event al
ways anticipated with much interest by
the farmers throughout the county 1t
was held at the farm of the Connecticut
Valley Orchard Co, where the visitors
were guests of Manager ]. w. Collins.
The morning was spent in an inspec-
tion of the large apple orchard which
contains 10000 trees of various vari-
cites. A tour of the orchard was made,
Mr.. Collins explaining how the trees
were planted. the fertilizer used and
how it was used and the system of prun-
ing. The first planting was made in
1914, and Mr.. Collins traced the growth
of the trees since that time, showing
their culture and how the various dis
eases incident to their growth are ham
died.
The cold storage plant was then visited
and an exhibition given showing the
proper method of packing apples in
boxes baskets and barrels A demon
complete description of the plant was
given. showing the results accomplished
by the proper use of cold storage. Great
interest was shown when Mr.. Collins ex-
planned that all last winter a tempera-
ture of 81 degrees was attained without
the use of any ice. This is done by
system of air circulation over six inches
of water, the surface of which is two
feet below the floor of the plant
picnic lunch was served at noon,
and by this time the number present
had increased to 700 About 90 automo-
biles were parked.
The afternoon program was given over
TO three speakers, whose subjects were
of timely Importance. The first speaker,
was Howard Selby, manager of the East
ern States Farmers Exchange, of
Springfield Mass who told of the feed
pool now in progress Thus far, Mr..
Selby said. 21,000 tons has been sold in
New England. about 1,200 tons having
been sold from Brattleboro. The eppo-
Sition on the part of the grain interests
is very keen. Mr.. Selby explained, and
the feed pool is now the subject of daily
discussion among those interests in the
grain market connected with the Boston
Chamber of Commerce. He also showed
how the Eastern States Farmers Ex
change can serve the farmers of New
England, and he gave definite facts
showing what already has been accom-
pliSEeu ana Whit Is DelHS uoHe now
The second speaker was Prof. T.. H.
Gould of the Massachusetts Agricultural,
college. Prof Goulds subject was ap-
pie packing and he enhanced the value
Of his lecture by giving a demonstration
of how apples should be packed prop
erly He told of the Importance of pack
ing fruit attractively and giving the same
quality from top to bottom.
The last speaker was Evan f. Rich
ardson of Mills, Mass. of the Ameri-
can Farm Bureau Federation, who told
of the work that the Farm Bureau is
accomplishing at Washington.
After the speaking the serious aspects
of the outing gave way to the more care
free part of the program and ball game
was played between the Jacksonville
Sod Busters and the Westminster
Soil Tillers," the former winning by a
score of Is to g. About 500 persons re-
manned to enjoy this part of the pro-
gram.