Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1922-09-01
FIELD DAY DRAWS 700.
Farmers of County Visit Westminster
Orchard of 10000 Trees--DemOnstra
tiOn Of Packing Given.


Over 400 persons were present at the
beginning of the field day held in West
minister Aug. 23 under the auspices
of the 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., whore the visitors
were guests of Manager j. w. Collins.
The morning was spent in an inspec-
ton Of the large apple orchard which
contains 10000 trees of various yari-
cites. 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 han
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
stration of apple grading followed and
II complete description of the plant was
given, showing the results accomplished
by the proper use of cold storage Great
planned that all last winter a tempera-
ture of 81 degrees was attained without
the use of any ice. This is done by a
system of air circulation over six inches
Of water. the surface of which is two
feet below the floor of the plant.
n picnic lunch was served at noon
and by this time the number present
had increased to 700 About 40 automo-
biles were parked.
uTtprnpnn UiN
to three. speakers, whose subjects were
OF timely Importance. An address sol
welcome was given by George Dascomb
after which Howard Selby, manager OF
the Eastern States Farmers Exchange
of Springfield, Mass, told Of the feed
pool now in progress. sThus far, Mr.
Selby said, 21,000 tons has been sold in
New England. about 200 tons having
been sold from Bratteboro. The oppo
sition on the part of the grain interest,
is very keen. Mr. Selby explained ant
the feed pool is now the subject of daiiy
discussion among those interests in the
grain market connected with the Bostor
| Chamber of Commerce. He also showed
| how the Eastern States Farmers Elk
change can serve the farmers of New
! England, and he gave definite fact,
showing what already has been accom-
| plishcd and what is being done now.
| The second speaker was Prof. G. II
Gould of the Massachusetts Agricultural
college. Prof. Gould's subject was ap
pie packing and he enhanced the valu
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 SAM
qunlity from top to bottom.
| The last speaker was Evan +. Rich
ardson of Mills. Mass, of the Ameri
, can Farm Bureau Federation, who toll,
of the work that the Farm Bureau i
accomplishing ut Washington.
After the speaking. the serious aspect
of the outing gave way to the more care
free part of the program and a ball gam,
was played between the Jacksonville
! Sod Busters and the Westminster
soil Tillers," the former winning by
score of Is to 3. About 800 persons re
manned to enjoy this part of the pro
| gram.