Page 11 - Free State Winter 2021

Flower Annie J Hemming

FortTicondaroga
Last time I mentioned buying #7 and #10 containers, well it what was called the Kings Garden. Then, of course, it was
started a flood of used containers from #1’s to #25 sizes. We for growing food for the soldiers. Part of its claim to fame
still may be short on #3’s but not much else. is it’s 100-year-old apple trees. For a fee you can pick or
pick up a quantity of apples. We didn’t see anyone doing
In September, Flo and I went to Albany NY for a submarine
that. Also, the garden grows vegetables and flowers for
reunion. As usual it was a great time seeing old shipmates
the fine restaurant in the Visitor’s Center. It has nice food,
and in fact meeting 2 new ones. You see it’s anyone that
which is not tourist trap expensive; it is worth eating there.
served on the USS Carp from 1944 to 1968. Our last known
World War 2 veteran who is 95 couldn’t make it this year. It For a time, the garden area was owned by a couple
was too far for him to travel this time. who built a hotel near the shore. Now it’s only used as a
pavilion for weddings and meetings. There is a beautiful
Flo had three 4th and 5th great grandfathers and great
walled garden very nicely landscaped. It’s well worth
uncles fight at Fort Ticonderoga and we wanted to go
going to see. The tour is nicely done and informative. Flo
there. It is truly an historic place in America history. It
asked the gardener what the name of the large green
controlled the easiest waterway travel from Montreal to
hosta was. She told us she didn’t know the name and it
New York City. Starting back in the 1900’s it was restored.
was too big and too many of them. I had to agree the
The fort, having changed hands between the French,
hosta overpowered both plants and the brick walks.
British and Americans, was the worse for wear. Often the
army leaving would do as much damage as possible to As always, I look at landscaping and popular plants when
reduce its value. The last time the British left it in ruin by I travel. I didn’t notice anything surprising, really, except
blowing up the power magazine and starting a fire that commercial, and especially government parking lots and
lasted 5 days. Later some of the stone was taken and buildings, leaned heavily on use of Rosa Rugosa. To me
used for other construction. this is one of the uglier and nastier plants around that
there is to work with.
But now its restored as true to form as possible and a
great history lesson. We stayed and toured, learned and One the way home we stopped for a night at a long-
took photos for 71/2 hours. I did spend some extra time in time friend of Flo’s. In their front yard is Montgomery

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