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HON. EDWIN WILLITS. 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 


OF THE 


SECRETARY 


OF THE 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 


OF 


MICHIGAN. 


BY, AULHORITY: 


LANSING: 
DARIUS D. THORP, STATE PRINTER AND BINDER. 
1889. 


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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 


OF THE 


MICHIGAN STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


ALLEGAN, MICHIGAN, ] 
December 31, 1888. ( 


To Hon. Cyrus G. Lucr, Governor of the State of Michigan: 


I have the honor to submit herewith, in compliance with legal requirement, 
the accompanying report of 1888, with supplementary papers. 
Respectfully yours, 
EDWY C. REID, 
Secretary of the Michigan State Horticultural Society. 


TABLE OF CONTENTS. 


™ PAGE. 
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FVODOTUS OL 0CARLISOCIGUIES 2-25-52. sone oe ne oo ne eee eee tenes eee tin ew erea pase ne Cee en ene eee 343 
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Index 


INTRODUCTORY) NOPE: GA 


Perhaps the unusually late date of publication of this volume calls for a 
word of explanation from its compiler. I have only to say that while assump- 
tion of duty in the middle of the yearly term, when affairs of the society were 
in unpromising condition, and unfamiliarity with the labor undertaken, had 
much to d@with this delay, still more is due to excess of work in private 
business. I trust that the Report’s contents will prove to be of sufficient in- 
terest and value to partly compensate for the delay. 

A new feature of the Report will be found in the transactions of the West 
Michigan Fruit Growers’ Society, embracing minutes of meetings held dur- 
ing several recent years, now presented because untoward conditions prevent- 
ed publication when they were current. They will be found to contain much 
valuable matter, especially for those engaged in fruit growing along the Mich- 
igan lake shore. 

Another portion of the work, while not entirely new, is much enlarged in 
comparison with former volumes—the portraits and sketches of men promi- 
nent in Michigan horticulture in one way or another. ‘There are scores more 
of those whose achievements or labors justify preservation of a record thereof in 
these volumes, together with a reproduction, by engraving of their features, 
that future generations of pomologists may know how the pioneers looked, 
as well as what they did. 

For the excellent plates accompanying Prof. Smith’s report on yellows, the 
society is indebted to Hon. Edwin Willits of Washington, assistant secretary 
of agriculture, who very gladly placed them at my service. 

Although the system of ‘auxiliary’? membership and ‘‘branch” societies 
has been abrogated, reports of a number of district or local societies have 
been included. Most of those represented have contributed, voluntarily, 
more or less to the support of the state society, and are willing and valuable 
aids to our work. 

I can not close this note without acknowledgement of the aid given me, by 
information and counsel, by many officials and members of the society; and 
specially helpful has been ex-Secretary Garfield, who has not permitted his 
enforced retirement (by ill health) to diminish in the least his interest in the 
society or his willingness to serve it to the fullest extent his strength will 
permit. Nor has President Lyon been a whit less cordial and prompt in aid 


whenever called upon. 
SECRETARY. 


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OP HICHRKS 


OF THE 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOGIETY FOR 1889. 


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PRESIDENT—T. T. LYON, South Haven. 
VICE-PRESIDENT—W. K. GIBSON, Jackson. 
SECRETARY—EDWY C. REID, Allegan. 
TREASURER—S. M. PEARSALL, Grand Rapids. 
LIBRARIAN—THOMAS H. FORSTER, Lansing. 


EXECUTIVE BOARD. 


W. K. GIBSON, Jackson, 1 year. W. A. BROWN, Benton Harbor, 2 years. 
H. W. DAVIS, Lapeer, 1 year. CHARLES W. GARFIELD, Grand Rapids, 
E. H. SCOTT, Ann Arbor, 2 years. 3 years. 


CHARLES A. SESSIONS, Mears, 3 years. 


STANDING COMMITTEES. 


ON FRUIT CaTALOUGE—T. T. LYON, South Haven, Chairman; GEORGE C. 
McCLATCHIE, Ludington, for Northern Lake Shore; W. A. BROWN, Benton Harbor, 
for Southern Lake Shore; EVART H. SCOTT, Ann Arbor, for Central Michigan; H. 
W. DAVIS, Lapeer, for Eastern Michigan; D. G. EDMISTON, Adrian, for Southern 
Michigan. 

ON New Fruits—T. T. LYON, Chairman; C. A. SESSIONS, Mears; GEO. C. 
McCLATCHIE, Ludington; C. ENGLE, Paw Paw. 

On FINANCE—E. H. SCOTT, C. A. SESSIONS, H. W. DAVIS. 

ON ENTOMOLOGY—ALBERT J. COOK, Chairman. 

On VEGETABLE PHYSIOLOGY—L. R. TAFT, Chairman. 

On LANDSCAPE GARDENING—JAMES SATTERLEE, Chairman. 

ON VEGETABLE GARDEN—W, W. TRACY, Chairman. 


Pr 


CONS TEE OULLON 


HICHIGAN STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


ARTICLE I—NAME, TERRITORY, AND OBJECTS. 


The name of the society shall be the Michigan State Horticultural Society; 
and its territory shall be the State of Michigan. Its objects shall be the 
development of an adequate appreciation of the peculiar adaptation of the 
soils and climate of the State to the pursuit of horticulture in all its branches ; 
and the collection and dissemination of information bearing upon the theory 
and practice of the same, as well as upon the arts and sciences directly or 
indirectly associated therewith, or calculated to elevate or improve the prac- 
tice thereof. 


ARTICLE II.—OFFICERS AND MODE OF ELECTION. 


The officers of the society shall be a president, a secretary, and a treasurer, 
together with an executive board of six members, aside from the president, 
secretary, and treasurer, who shall be ez officio members of the said board. 

Said board shall designate one of its members as vice-president. The offi- 
cers shall be elected by ballot. 


ARTICLE III.—A QUORUM. 


Four members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the 
transaction of business at any meeting of said board: Provided, That eaca of 
the members thereof shall have been notified, in the usual manner, of the 
time, place, and object of such meeting. 


ARTICLE 1V.—ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 


The annual meeting of the society, for the election of the officers specified ~ 
in Article II., shall occur on the first Wednesday of December in each year, 
and the officers then elected shall enter upon the discharge of their duties as 
such, on the first day of January next ensuing; but in case of a failure to 
elect at that time, such election may be held at a subsequent time at an 
adjourned meeting, or at a meeting of the society called for that purpose, in 
the usual manner. 


4 


4 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 
ARTICLE V.—TERMS OF OFFICE. 


The officers specified in Article II. shall hold their offices until the thirty- 
first day of December of the year for which they were elected, and thereafter 
until their successors shall have been elected, and shall have signified to 
the Secretary their acceptance: Provided, That the terms of office of the six 
members of the Executive Board shall be so arrang>d that but, two regular 
vacancies shall occur in each year. 


ARTICLE VI.—ANNUAL AND LIFE MEMBERS. 


Any person may become a member of the society for one year by paying to 
the Treasurer the sum of one dollar; and the yearly term of all annual 
memberships shall expire on the thirty-first day of December of the year for 
which they were taken, but be regarded as continuous, except as may be pro- 
vided by the by-laws. Any person may become a life-member by the pay- 
ment at any one time of the sum of ten dollars into the treasury of the 
society. 


ARTICLE VII.—AMOUNT OR LIMIT OF PROPERTY. 


The society may hold real and personal estate to an amount not exceeding 
twenty thousand dollars. 


ARTICLE VIII.—BY-LAWS. 


By-laws for the government of the society shall be framed, and when need- 
ful, amended by the Executive Board; but changes thereof may be at any 
time proposed by the society in general meeting. 


AKTICLE IX.—AMENDMENTS. 


This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the society 
by a vote, by ballot, of two-thirds of all the members present and voting: 
Provided, That notice of such proposed amendment, specifying its purport, 
shall have been given at the last previous regular meeting. 


BY-LAWS. xi 


BY LAWS OF THE MICHIGAN STATE HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 


I.—THE PRESIDENT. 


lst. The President shall be the executive officer of the society, and of the 
Exeutive Board; and it shall be his duty to see that the rules and regula- 
tions of the society, and of the Executive Board, are duly enforced and 
obeyed. 

2d. He may, in his discretion, and in the lack of needful rules during the 
recesses of the society and of the board, prescribe rules for the management 
of the interests or business of the society, such rules to continue in force till 
the next session of the Executive Board, and until by its action they shall 
have become no longer necessary. 

3d. Heshall act in conjunction with the Secretary in the preparation of 
programmes, or orders of business for the sessions of the society; and in the 
devising of plans and processes for the maintenance of its interests. 

4th. He shall have the best interests of the society at heart, and shall lead 
in forwarding any and all enterprises calculated to add to its permanency, or 
to increase its usefulness, and establish it more firmly in the public confi- 
dence. 

II.—VICE PRESIDENT. 


The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in case of the 
absence or inability of that officer; and way be called upon by the President 
to assume the duties of the chair at any meeting of the society or Executive 
Board. 


Y III.—THE SECRETARY. 


1st. The Secretary shall be the recording, coresponding, and accounting 
officer of the society, and he shall also be, jointly with the business com- 
mittee, its financial and auditing officer. 

2d. He shall incur no expenditure of a large or doubtful character, except 
with the sanction of the Executive Board, or of the business committee. 

3d. He shall submit all bills or claims against the society to the business 
committee for approval, and endorsement to that effect, before drawing his 
order upon the Treasurer for the payment of the same. 

4th. He shall attend all meetings of the society, and of the Executive 
Board, and shall keep a faithful record of their proceedings. 

5th. He shall sign all certificates of membership, and all diplomas and 
certificates of merit awarded by the society. 

6th. He shall have charge of the society’s books and papers, excepting 
only such as by the advice or direction of the Executive Board shall be placed 
in charge of the Librarian, and he shall be responsible to the board for the 
safe keeping of the property placed in his charge. 

7th. He shall be the custodian of the seal of the society, and shall have 
authority to affix the same to documents when needful. 


xii STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


and expected to choose a sub-committee for his district, of which he shall be 
chairman. 

3d. It shall be the duty of each sub-committee to collect and report, each 
year, to the general chairman, such facts respecting fruit culture in the dis- 
trict as shall promise to be of value in the revision of the catalogue. 

4th. There shall be a Standing Committee on New Fruits, to consist of a 
chairman, with as many associates as such chairman shall find it desirable to 
appoint. 

5th. Such other standing committees may from time to time, be ap- 
pointed by the Executiye Board as, in its discretion, it shall deem desirable 
or necessary. 

6th. All standing committees are expected to report at the annual meet- 
ing in December any information of value to the society or its members that 
may have come to their knowledge during the year, as well as any scientific 
theories, deductious or facts that,in their opinion, may be useful in adyan- 
cing the objects for which the society is laboring. 


IX.—LIFE MEMBERSHIP FUND. 


1st. All moneys coming into the treasury of the society in payment for 
life memberships shall constitute a perpetual fund, to be known as the life 
membership fund. 

2d. The principal of this fund shall be invested by the Treasurer under 
the advice and direction of the Executive Board. 

3d. All interest accruing upon any portion of said fund shall constitute 
and become part of the fund of the society devoted to the payment of its 
ordinary expenses. 

X.— MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 


ist. The society shall hold its first regular meeting for the year during 
the month of January or February for the inauguration of the officers chosen 
at the annual meeting held the previous December, as provided in article IV. 
of the Constitution, and also to arrange its plans of operations for the year. 

2d. Its second regular meeting shall be held in the month of June at such 
date as shall best accommodate an exhibit of the early summer fruits. 

3d Its third regular meeting shall be at its annual exhibit of antumn and 
winter fruits, in the month of September or October. 

4th. Its fourth regular meeting shall occur in connection with its annual 
election of officers, on the first Wednesday of December, as provided in 
Article IV. of the Constitution. 

5th. The times and places for the occurrence of these regular meetings 
(excepting only the ¢ime of the annual meetiug) shall be determined by the 
Executive Board. 

6th. Other meetings may be called by the Secretary, under the advice or 
direction of the members of the Executive Board, at times and places by 
them deemed expedient. 

7th. In case of the calling of a special committee for the election of offi- 
cers of the society, in consequence of any failure to elect at the annual meet- 
ing, as provided in section IV. of the Constitution, all persons entitled as 
members to vote at such annual meetting shall be considered as retaining such 
membership for such purpose until such election and until such officers so 
elected shall have been inducted into office. 


BY-LAWS. xiii 


2d. It shall have power to displace any officer of the society for neglect of 
duty or abuse of position, and to fill all vacancies by appointment, to continue 
till the next annual election. 

3d. The board shall hold four regular sessions during the year, to occur 
at the times and places for the regular meetings of the society. 

4th. Other meetings may be called by the Secretary, under the advice or 
direction of the President, or of a majority of its members, at such times 
and places as may be deemed most couvenient; but in all such cases each 
member must be notified of the time, place, and object of such meeting. 

5th. It shall be the duty of the board to carefully guard the general inter- 
ests of the society, to watch over its finances, and to provide for its necessi- 
ties as they shall arise. 

6th. All important meastres shall be submitted to this board, but they 
may by the board be re-submitted to the society with recommendations. 

7th. The board shall at the annual meeting submit through the secretary, 
in connection with the reports of officers, such farther report upon the con- 
dition, interests, and prospects of the society as it shall judge necessary or 
expedient. . 

8th. T'wo members of the Executive Board are to be elected each year, to 
hold the office for three years, but if any such member shall absent himself 
from two or more consecutive meetings of the society, and of the board, 
without reason satisfactory to the board, the said board, may, in its discre- 
tion, consider the office vacant, and proceed to fill such vacancy by appoint- 
ment, to continue to the next annual election. 


VII.—THE BUSINESS COMMITTEE. 


Ist. It shall be the duty of the Executive Board, annually, upon entering 
upon the duties of the new year, to appoint, from their own number, three 
members, who shall constitute a Business Committee for the year. 

2d. All accounts or claims against the society, when presented to the Sec- 
retary for payment, shall, before payment, receive the sanction and endorse- 
ment of the Business Committee. 

3d. Such claims shall be submitted to this committee and approved in 
duplicate; one copy to remain with the Secretary as his warrant for the pay- 
ment of the same, and the other to be transmitted by him to the President, 
along with his order upon the Treasurer, as his warrafit for countersigning 
the same. 

4th. It shall be the duty of the Business Committee, upon application of 
the Secretary, during the recess of the Executive Board, to advise with him 
as to the expediency of making any contemplated but questionable expendi- 
ture for which occasion may arise during such recess. 


VIIIL—STANDING COMMITTEES. 


Ist. There shall be a Standing Committee‘on Revision of the Catalogue, 
to be composed of one member from each of the five districts into which the 
State is, for this purpose, divided, with one member chosen from the State 
at large, who shall be the chairman of the committee. 

2d. Each member of said committee (except the chairman) is empowered 


XIV STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


8th. He shall seek, by all suitable means, to secure the fullest announce- 
ment of the meetings of the society in this state, as well as in adjacent 
States, when such shall be found desirable. 

9th. He shall, as far as practicable, cause the transactions of the society, 
together with such valuable or interesting papers as shall be read at its ses- 
sions, to be properly published, and thus placed within reach of the State. 

10th. It shall also be his duty, yearly, to prepare for publication the 
annual report of the society, together with such other matter as he shall deem 
proper—he being aided in the selection of such matter by an advisory com- 
mittee of the Executive Board. 


IV.—THE TREASURER. 


Ist. All the funds of the society shall be paid into the hands of the 
Treasurer. 

2d. He shall disburse the moneys of the society that shall come into his 
hands only upon the order of the Secretary, countersigned by the President. 

3d. He shall keep the moneys received by the society for life memberships 
as a distinct fund, and shall invest the same under the advice and direction 
of the Executive Board, applying only the interest accruing thereon to the 
purposes of the general fund. 

4th. Immediately upon assuming his office, and before entering upon its 
duties, he shall execute to the society an official bond with sufficient sure- 
ties, conditioned for the safe keeping and disbursement of the moneys of 
the society, and for the proper discharge of the further duties of his office, 
in such sum as shall be specified by the Executive Board. Such bond shall 
receive the approval of the President, and- shall be deposited with the Secre- 
tary. 

5th. He shall, at the close of each year, report to the Executive Board the 
amount of money that shall have come into his hands during the year, the 
sources from which it has been derived, and the disposition made of the 
same. 

V.—THE LIBRARIAN. 


1st. The librarian shall have the custody of the library of the society. He 
shall be appointed by the Executive Board, and may be displaced at its 
pleasure. 

2d. He shall act jointly with the Secretary in the care and arrangement of 
the same, and in the reception, custody and disposal of the volumes of trans- 
actions annually supplied to the Society by the State. 

3d. He shall kave the custody of the rooms assigned to the society at the 
State capitol, together with such books and other property as the society or 
the board shall direct to be deposited therein. 

4th. He shall report annually, at the close of the year, to the Executive 
Board the amount and condition of the property in his hands. 


VI.—THE EXECUTIVE BOARD. 


1st. The Executive Board shall enact all rules and regulations for the 
management of the affairs of the society, determine the salaries ofits offi- 
cers, and assume the control and management of its exhibitions. 


BY-LAWS. xv 
XI.—RULES FOR DISCUSSIONS, ETC. 


1st. The deliberations and discussions of the society shall be conducted in 
~ accordance with ordinary parliamentary usages. 


XII.—AUXILIARY SOCIETIES. 


1st. The society shall in all reasonable and proper ways encourage the 
formation of local horticultural or pomological societies auxiliary to this 
society in all such counties or other municipalities of this State as shall 
afford a reasonable prospect that they will be able, effectively, to maintain 
the same. 

2d. It shall be the policy of this society in supervising the organization of 
such local auxiliaries to secure an identity of constitutional provisions 
throughout, and in so doing to insure harmony among them; but at the 
same time it will not discourage the including by them of special or local 
objects in cases in which such shali be found desirable, so long as the intro- 
duction of the requisite provisions therefor into the constitution and by-laws 
of the auxiliary society shall not be deemed likely to interfere with the harmo- 
nious workings of the whole. 

3d. Any person may become a full member of an auxiliary society, for one 
year, by paying into its treasury the sum of one dollar; and a compliance 
with the provisions of clause fifth of these by-laws shall constitute him also 
a member of this society, for the same term. 

4th. The wife, and the resident, single or unmarried daughters of any full 
member, may also become members of such auxiliary society upon the pay- 
ment of fifty cents each: Provided, That in such case such entire family 
shall become entitled to a singie copy, only, of the current volume of the 
transactions of this society. 

5th. On receipt of the names of such members, with the required fees, the 
Secretary shall immediately transmit their names and postoffice addresses, 
together with half the membership fee of each, to the Secretary of this so- 
ciety, who shall record the same and pay the money into the treasury for the 
benefit of the general fund. 

6th. It shall be the duty of the Secretary, on receipt of such remittance, 
with list of members, to supply such auxiliary society with a certificate of 
membership in this society for one year, together with a copy of the current 
volume of transactions for each full member so remitted for. 

wth. The proceedings of such auxiliary societies shall, at the close of the 
year, be forwarded, in succinct form, to the Secretary of this society, to be 
by him incorporated into the annual volume of transactions, accompanied by 
a list of its members for the year. 

8th. The auxiliary societies shall, as far as practicable, be made the 
medium for the distribution of the annual volumes of the transactions of the 
society; the nuclei for its meetings, and the means of creating interest there- 
in, as well as the means of collecting such facts or other information or ma- 
terial as shall, from time to time, become needful or desirable in the con- 
ducting of its various operations. 


xvi STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
XIII. —AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS, SUSPENSIONS. 


1st. Amendments or additions to these by-laws may ba made by a majority 
vote of the Executive Board, at any meeting; but if objections shall be made 
the same shall ‘‘lie upon the table” till the next regular meeting of the 
board. 

2d. These by-laws, or any one or more of them, may be suspended for the 
time, by order of a majority of all the members of the society present and 
voting. 

3d. A proposition, in the general meeting of the society, for an amend- 
ment or addition to these by-laws shall be referred to the Executive Board 
for consideration and decision: but the society may submit therewith its 
advice or request. 

4th. All amendments of the constitution and by-laws of auxiliary societies 
shall, before they shall take effect, be submitted to the Executive Board of 
this society, by whom their approval or rejection shall be considered upon 
the principal provided in section XII., clause 2d, and the determination of 
said Executive Board shall be final and binding upon the auxiliary society. 


RECORD OF A JOINT MEETING 


OF THE 
MICHIGAN STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 
AND THE 
WESTERN MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION, 


HELD AT BENTON HARBOR, JUNE 13, 14 and 15, 1888, 


Accepting invitations from the Berrien county Horticultural Society, the 
two organizations of fruit growers above named began joint sessions in Benton 
Harbor the evening of Wednesday, June 12. In many respects this joint 
meeting was both pleasant and profitable; and while the attendance was satis- 
factory in numbers, so far as non-residents were concerned, it was not so in 
respect to the fruit growers of Berrien county, who number hundreds (perhaps 
thousands) but were represented by not more than a score. 

The sessions were held in Grange hall, and at the first one, Wednesday 
evening, President Walter Phillips of the West Michigan society presided. 

Col. L. M. Ward made a brief and practical address of welcome, in cordial 
terms, in behalf of both the horticultural society and citizens in general, 
speaking in compliment of both the visiting societies. He said there were 
still living here some of the pioneers of fruit growing, and there are many who 
took part when peach growing flourished in Berrien county and the peach 
grower did likewise ; and made facetious allusions to the expression they wore 
of supreme self-sufficiency. But the scourge of yellows came and was fol- 
lowed by organization of a pomological society whose members began search- 
ing for light—and are still so engaged. Yet some continue to proceed on 
theories rather than practice—have too much of the eagle and too little of the 
owl in the business; but these will surely come around “and be as anxious to 
learn as were others. In small fruits we must learn what to plant so as to 
avoid gluts, secure variety of product, and consequent good prices. While 
this is highly important, each one should make a specialty of what he can do 
best. We have learned that fruit growing is a most complicated business, 
and that much loss occurs by setting kinds that prove to be unprofitable. 
That we may learn of these things from your experience, we again express 
not only a glad welcome but hearty thanks. 


2 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Mr. Joseph Lannin of South Haven spoke in behalf of the West Michigan 
society, regarding it a high compliment to be invited to Benton Harbor, the 
center of horticulture in Michigan for half a century. We have met Benton 
Harbor people here and elsewhere, and have always got from them such prac- 
tical information as we hope now again to receive. While Berrien county did 
indeed lose her peaches, she is no less famous now for her small fruits. He 
had heard that were the small fruits raised about Benton Harbor all dumped 
in a line they would pave a highway from here to Chicago. He had been 
astonished, riding out from town, to find the whole country covered with 
fruit trees and plants, and rejoiced to know there was demand for the whole 
vast quantity. He was moved, in contemplation of our varied and fruitful 
soils, mild climate, and other blessings, to use the poetry of holy writ: “Our 
lines have fallen in pleasant places and Thou hast given us a goodly heritage.” 

President Lyon of the State society said one of the most important benefits 
of horticulture was its revelation of the adaptability of a country to agricul- © 
ture. Ifa land were shown to be friendly to the refinements of horticulture 
it was proved valuable for agriculture. For this reason, what we have done 
has been of more value to agriculture than the work of an agricultural society 
could possibly be. Our exhibits are made in a self-sacrificing spirit and not 
for advertising purposes, as are many agricultural exhibitions. When he 
came here fifty years ago it was not knownif fruit growing were possible; yet 
the New Yorkers tried, from their native love of fruits, and the result is that 
Michigan is proved to have horticultural possibilities equaled by no other 
state. We have come here to learn of you who were first to begin commer- 
cial fruit growing. We may impart but we know we shall receive. 

President Phillips spoke in an impassioned manner, saying he would not be 
true to the emotions of his heart if he did not speak his feelings. He felt in- 
spired by sight of the fruit, the flowers (‘‘alphabet of the angels’’), the ladies, 
and this assemblage of fruit growers, to say that we truly should feel a pride, 
as we meet, to know our work is raising the people to a higher and more Chris- 
tian civilization. He eloquently exhorted each to do his part and all to aid 
faithfully in the progress of the pomologist’s exalted calling. 


THE SEASON’S PROMISE. 


Reports of crop conditions were made by gentlemen present from points 
on the shore as far as Ottawa county, and east and southeast across the State. 
These uniformly agreed that apples and peaches were unusually full; pears, 
good but not so full as last year; plums and quinces, loaded; raspberries, 
very full; blackberries, a half crop; strawberries, short, except new fields, on 
account of last season’s drouth; grapes, abuudant, though in low places a 
little hurt by frost. 


USE OF ARSENICAL SPRAY. 


There was much discussion of spraying with arsenites, all agreeing it is 
effectual as to the codlin moth and many other sorts of insect; but dissa- 
greeing as to how it effects the curculio (whether killing the mature insect or 
only the larve), though actual experiments seem to prove that the spray does 
stop the mischief and provide good crops. 

It was the sense of the meeting that it is better to use a weak solution and 
spray oftener. 


RECORD OF A JOINT MEETING, 3 


One grower would use only soft water, as hard water, he believed, injured 
some foliage. ‘ 

E. H. Scott said he and a helper had sprayed 1,700 apple and pear trees 
the day before, and that with apparatus in proper order it is easy to spray 
that number in one day. 

Two members had found curculio in the fall feasting on ripe peaches. 

Some apples have so close a clayx that the poison can not enter. Hence 
spraying such while in bloom is of no effect, nor just after the bloom falls. 
It must be done later. Spraying the bloom is likely to prevent fertilization ; 
and it may be done with good results any time before the fruits turn down. 


NOT HARMFUL TO BEES. 


The question of damage to bees having been raised, J. G. Gould, of Paw 
Paw, said no harm would come to them from the poison, for his honey sac is 
not the bee’s stomach and the poison probably does not reach the nectar in 
the blossom. Harm might possibly come to young bees from poison in the 
pollen on which they are fed, if trees are sprayed when in bloom. 


CARBOLIC ACID IN LIME FOR CURCULIO. 


J. N. Stearns detailed his plan of driving off curculio, which he said he 
had found highly successful, although President Lyon had objected to it on 
moral grounds, as being no better than driving pigs from your own crops into 
those of your neighbor. Mr. Stearns’ method does not destroy curculio but 
drives them off most effectually. Begin in time—as soon as the bloom falls. 
Put one bushel of stone lime into a box and throw upon it one pint of crude 
carbolic acid (costs 75 cents per gallon) and then just enough water to slake 
the lime to a powder. Let it stand 48 hours, that there may be no lime 
lumps left. Mount the box of powder upon a wagon, drive along the rows, 
and throw on the powder with a shingle paddle. Do it when the leaves are 
moist with dew or rain, and put it on until the tree appears thoroughly dusted. 
Renew as often as washed off by rain, until the curculio season is past. It is 
probably the odor of the acid that is offensive to the curculio, although it is 
well known that any dust is repulsive to them and the insect tribe in general. 
Use of this almost wholly prevents ravages on cherry, peach, and plum trees, 
as has been proved by repeated experiment. 


OFFICIAL CHANGES. 


At a meeting of the executive board of the State society, Wednesday night, 
the resignation of Chas. W. Garfield, as secretary, was accepted and Edwy C. 
Reid, of Allegan, was chosen to the place. Mr. Garfield’s retirement was 
made necessary by failure of health and is deeply regretted by every pomol- 
ogist of the state. 

W. A. Brown, of Benton Harbor, was chosen member of the executive 
board, to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Reid’s promotion. 


4 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


Thursda y——Morning Session. 


Joint committees were announced by President Lyon as follows: 
Resolutions—A. C. Glidden, J. N. Stearns, L. D. Watkins. 
Fruit and Flowers—Wm. Corner, Alex. Hamilton, A. Morrill. 


W. A. Brown, of Benton Harbor, read the subjoined paper upon 
COMMERCIAL FRUIT GROWING IN WESTERN MICHIGAN. 


In a ‘‘ Catalogue of Fruit Growers and Shippers,’’ compiled by L. J. Mer- 
chant in 1872, many interesting facts regarding the early development of 
fruit growing in the St. Joseph region are preserved. In 1834a Mr. Brodiss, 
living up the St. Joseph river, near Niles, supplied the commercial town of 
St. Joseph with peaches, which were run down the river in a canoe. As the 
country around Lake Michigan became settled, comparisons of the tempera- 
ture were manifested by the survival of the semi-tropical fruits on the western 
shore, and the influence of the lake in the reduction of the temperature in 
winter, and the retarding of vegetable growth in spring, was proven by Pro- 
fessor Winchell and others; and about 1855 the fruit belt of western Michi- 
gan was clearly outlined. Previous to this time several pioneer peach growers 
had foreseen the important future of the business, and peach orchards of the 
improved varieties had been planted by B. C. Hoyt, Hon. H. C. Morton, 
George Parmelee, L. L. Johnson, Captain Curtiss Boughton, and a few 
others. During this period Chicago began to develop and St. Joe peaches 
found a ready market. Captain Boughton was the first in the trade, buying 
and packing in barrels and dry goods boxes. He shipped in his little vessel, 
selling in Chicago at a large advance. In 1850 he shipped about 1,000 three- 
peck baskets, very few of which were of improved varieties. The first barrel 
of good peaches came from an accidental seedling tree grown on the Conger 
(afterward Stern Brunson) place, now Benton Harbor. They were sold by 
the captain at auction, in Chicago, and brought $8. The captain planted 
budded trees at St. Joseph in 1849. Mr. George Parmelee planted his first 
orchard in 1848, which was subsequently enlarged until it covered 90 acres, 
when it was sold for $43,000. In 1860 a number of intelligent persons had 
been attracted to this region and large orchards of peaches and apples began 
to be planted, and the first berries for market purposes were planted the same 
year. The growth of the business soon assumed commercial proportions, 
until, in 1869, 9,314 acres of the various fruits were reported in bearing, im 
the region tributary to St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. 


‘ RISE AND PROGRESS OF PEACH GROWING, 


A report made in the St. Joseph Traveler, in 1865, gave the number of 
peach trees in bearing as 201,603. In 1869 the Hon. John Whittlesey re 
ported the number increased to 335,530. A canvass of six townships made 
by L. J. Merchant, in 1872, gave the total peach plant as 594,467 acres. 
The alarming increase of yellows subsequently reduced the number of peach 
trees rapidly, until in 1878 the beautiful peach orchards of Berrien county were 
almost entirely obliterated. The virulence of the disease and the magni- 
tude of the loss paralyzed our fruit growers, who refrained from planting 


RECORD OF A JOINT MEETING, 5 


more peach trees until the remains of the old stock was entirely destroyed. 
The theory that upon the removal of all diseased trees, peaches could again 
be successfully grown, has been verified, our young orchards having produced 
fine fruit during the past two years, and very large plantings have been made 
with full confidence in the successful culture of peaches in the future. 

The temporary decadence of peach growing has not detracted materially 
from the commercial interests of fruit growing in Berrien county. In 1872 
the shipments of small fruits had assumed large proportions, which have 
been greatly increased and diversified by the production of a great variety of 
horticultural products, until, in 1887, the aggregate value of fruit and vege- 
table products shipped from St. Joseph and Benton Harbor was estimated at 
$900,000. 

The climatic conditions in VanBuren and Allegan counties, for successful 
fruitgrowing, are not excelled in the fruit belt of western Michigan. Peach-. 
growing having commenced at South Haven at a later period than in the St. 
Joseph region, and yellows having destroyed a large part of the orchards in 
Berrien county before serious damage was inflicted at points further north, 
our northern neighbors were enabled to ward off the threatened invasion, 
and wherever the provisions of the yellows laws have been strictly enforced, 
peaches have continued to be successfully grown. 

Within the last decade Allegan has assumed the place of the banner peach- 
growing county in Michigan. A canvass made by Senator C. J. Monroe of South 
Haven, last year, shows the total acreage of fruit in the three counties of 
Berrien, VanBuren, and Allegan, as being: Apples, 38,000 acres in bearing ; 
and peaches, 12,000 acres; in commercial gardening 7,000 acres. The acre- 
age in grapes and small fruits could not be correctly estimated. Mr. Monroe 
estimated the total home cash value, including packages, at $1,901,960. Six 
townships in Allegan county produced about the same quantity of peaches as 
was grown in an equal number of townships [in Berrien county] in 1872. 


CONDITIONS FURTHER DOWN THE LAKE SHORE. 


Ottawa and Muskegon counties, not having the high, fertile table lands 
along the lake and river, have generally proved unfavorable for peach cul- 
ture, extensive orchards having been repeatedly killed by severe winters. 
Grapes and small fruits are successfully grown, however, at many places, 
Grand Haven and Muskegon now growing extensively for export. 

Oceana county, being on a promontory extending toward the central part 
of Lake Michigan, with good soil and the necessary elevation, is proving one 
of the best fruit counties in the belt. A recent summary of the fruit crop in 
1887 gives shipments of 63,015 barrels of apples, 21,275 bushels of peaches, 
and 5,884 bushels of plums. ‘The counties north of Oceana, and bordering 
on Grand Traverse bay, are growing a variety of fruits, which are celebrated 
for color, texture, and long keeping qualities. 

The highest lands in Kent and other counties in western Michigan are 
proving to be well adapted to peach growing, and while supplying the local 
demand, Grand Rapids and other inland towns are shipping large quantities 
of peaches. 


6 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
GROWTH OF THE WESTERN MARKET. 


During the past thirty years vast improvements have been made in the 
west, and the adaptability and material interests of different locations have 
been proven and developed. Railways have opened to settlement a vast agri- 
cultural country ; cities of metropolitan magnitude have been built, and com- 
merce sustained by contributions levied upon agriculture, while the surplus 
products of the soil have found a greater or less remunerative market among 
the great army of non-producing workmen engaged in other pursuits. 

When the first Michigan fruits were sent over the lake, the little village of 
Chicago numbered about 200,000. Now Chicago claims 800,000 inhabitants 
and will soon make the figure around million. Chicago, the ‘‘Garden City,” 
has absorbed its cabbage fields and swamps and now demands the choicest 
offerings of horticultural and pomological products from every country and 
clime to supply the daily demand. The instinct of the human family to 
partake of the first and best fruits, has been manifested by every country and 
people, from the good old days of Adam and Eye, down to the present gener- 
ation of prairie pioneers. Coming from regions in the east, the fruits indig- 
enous to the home of their fathers have been planted in the new home 
only to blight and die if exposed to the bleak winds and low tempera- 
ture of the open country throughout the northwest. All of the tree fruits 
planted by the early settlers throughout the timbered regions of the 
middle states flourished and produced fruit in abundance until the removal 
of the forest opened a passage for the fierce winds from the polar regions of 
the far northwest. The influence of the great lakes in the protection of 
certain areas of country is becoming more clearly defined by the curved lines 
of the deadly blizzards which, coming from the northwest, are repelled by 
lake Michigan, but returning from the southwest, invade the southern central 
part of our peninsula, thence onward over lakes Erie and Ontario, which again 
afford protection to the favored regions in northern Ohio and western New 
York. 


THE DEVELOPMENT A NATURAL ONE. 


Commercial fruit growing in western Michigan is but the natural result of 
the climatic conditions of our location and the lake influences, which have so 
far protected this ‘‘infant industry’? and must always exist independent of 
governmental subsidies or the leveling propensities of our people, which 
prompts them to cut down, drag out, and destroy the last remnants of our noble 
forests. 

LACK OF EFFICIENCY IN MARKETING. 


In connection with commercial fruit growing the questions of remunerative 
markets, transportation and distribution are worthy of more consideration 
than the limits of this paper will allow. Different systems are being adopted 
at large fruit growing centers for the distribution of perishable fruits. The 
fruits of California are placed in all of the eastern markets by a combination 
of growers, whereby their own agents procure the lowest train rates in cars 
built especially for the fruit trade. The whole country east of the Rocky 
mountains is districted, and a full supply of California fruit is constantly 
offered for sale in every eastern city where a local supply of better fruit does. 
not prevent competition. 


RECORD OF A JOINT MEETING. Hs 


Southern perishable fruits find a ready market throughout the north, before 
our fruits mature, while the inter-state and other codperative distributing 
agencies are supplying cities outside of Chicago with car loads of fruit direct 
from the growers. 

The ‘Chautauqua Grape Growers Union” grade and pool the crop and ship 
to every town where a car of grapes can be distributed, procuring extremely 
low freight rates and the cheapest commissions. Although but five per cent 
is charged for selling perishable fruits in the great eastern cities, the old 
system of consignment by growers is being almost entirely superceded in the 
celebrated fruit growing districts on the Delaware and Maryland peninsula. 
A system of fruit exchanges has been established at all of the large shipping 
points, where the fruit is sold at auction to dealers from the large cities. 
The fruit exchange is supplemented by the ‘“‘bureau of information and dis- 
tribution,” which has already made arrangements to ship train loads of 
peaches to Chicago, and car-loads to other large cities in the northwest. 


HOW SALES ARE MADE IN DELAWARE AND MARYLAND. 


In illustration of the Delaware and Maryland system, I will quote here am 
editorial from The Farm and Home of Wilmington, Delaware, published 
May 31, 1888: 

As time elapses, the prospect for a full crop of peaches increases rather 
than diminishes, and only an unparaileled ‘‘ June drop” can prevent an 
enormous yield. With this prospect before them the growers should lose no 
time in making all possible arrangements to market the crop ata profit. The 
object to be accomplished is to secure the wide and rapid distribution of the 
fruit. There are twenty millions of people within reach of the peach orch- 
ards of Delaware and Mayland, to say nothing of the much larger number 
that may be reached by canned and evaporated fruit. There is, therefore, 
no need of haying this crop waste in the orchard nor be shipped at a loss to 
the growers if all these twenty millions of people can be reached every day in 
the week. The fruit exchange is taking active measures to secure buyers 
from all markets, and will, in a large measure, be successful. The bureau of 
information and distribution, which has been so carefully and thoroughly 
planned by Mr. Polk, will come in to distribute that which is not bought on 
the Peninsula. To encourage commission merchants to come here, those 
who buy for their own houses and pay cash will be given the first choice of 
their own market, and hence can practically control shipments to that market. 
Mr. Polk has a long list of towns lying along the main arteries of travel and 
in the interior of most of the eastern states, which can be reached by direct 
shipments. Heretofore these towns have been supplied from Philadelphia 
and New York. ‘The fruit has been consigned to those cities and reshipped 
the following day by express, but by direct shipments, both time and expense 
will be.saved, and this saving will be sufficient to enable the smaller towns to 
have a constant supply at very moderate prices. By thus extending the 
market, gluts will be avoided and equable but not exorbitant prices will be 
maintained. Fruit growers should therefore no longer delay, but should at 
once become members of the bureau and stockholders in theexchange. They 
should organize for the protection of their own industry and not be content 
to remain longer at the mercy of the men engaged in other pursuits, all of 
whom have strong organizations for mutual advantage and protection. 


8 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 
OUR FAILINGS POINTED OUT. 


Thus it appears that localities hundreds and thousands of miles from the 
great commercial centers of the northwest, are successfully competing with 
the fruit growers of western Michigan. Yet we find many chronic grumblers 
who depreciate the business and cry, ‘‘more fruit will be grown than can be 
profitably sold!” With our great advantages of suitable climate, soils, and 
central location, we should be able to compete with fruits shipped from the 
Atlantic and Pacific coasts. We growthe best peaches, pears, and apples, and 
the only method whereby distant competition can be met is by growing more 
fruit and the adoption of a system of marketing and distribution whereby 
every man, woman, and child living in the vast region contiguous to us, and 
where the fine fruits of western Michigan can not be successfully grown, may 
haye a constant supply at moderate prices. The time has come when the come 
mercial interests of western Michigan demand a more direct and comprehensiy- 
system for marketing our fruits. 

The immense and increasing demand for the supply of the city of Chicago 
will continue to require the aid of the established dealers, but that the Chica- 
go commission system has proved costly, inefficient, and unreliable for the 
distribution of perishable fruits to outside markets, has been fully proved. 
But the fruits of Michigan are attracting dealers who buy directly from our 
growers to supply the many towns outside of Chicago, where our fruits are 
finding good markets. Heretofore very few inducements have been offered 
fruit buyers at our large shipping points. The individual eonsignments of 
fruits to Chicago houses has been so long in vogue, and the presistent solicit- 
ing by the numerous representatives of the commission system haying been so 
long endured and paid by our fruit growers, it is hard to leave the old beaten 
track and adopt newer and cheaper methods of marketing a large portion of 
our fruits. If the cost of soliciting consignments is paid by the commission 
houses, would it not be cheaper for them if their agents bought the fruits in 
our orchards and on our docks? Before fruits can be sold on their merits it 
will be found necessary to grade and stamp the relative quality upon each 
package, but before buyers can be attracted a system of exchanges must be 
established by combinations of growers at the largest fruit shipping points. 


A REMEDY PROPOSED. 


The Michigan fruit exchange has endeavored to inaugurate some reforms 
in the grading and marketing of fruits in the vicinity of Benton Harbor, 
but having been unfortunate in adopting some impracticable measures, has 
failed to receive the unanimous support of our fruit growers. The fruit ex- 
change still lives, however, and with the objects now in view should receive 
the support of all progressive fruit growers at this and other points of large 
production in western Michigan. 

The pioneer fruit growers have made apparent the great possibilities of 
commercial fruit growing in Michigan, in the future, and the intelligent 
efforts now being made toward better systems of cultivation and the wider 
dissemination of our fruits, must eventually attract more of the lovers of the 
most ennobling of all occupations, to the fruit garden of the northwest, and 
enable us to supply and control, during our season, the markets of the vast 
region naturally tributary to western Michigan. 

Following this paper, discussion began on 


RECORD OF A JOINT MEETING. 9 


HANDLING OF PERISHABLE FRUITS. 


Joseph Lannin, of South Haven: If there was ever a year it is this, when 
‘fruit growers should take action for mutual assistance and protection, because 
-of the great prospective amount of their product. The immense quantity of 
‘fruit grown in and imported to this country shows that we are a fruit-eating 
people, the only question being how to quickly and cheaply carry it from 
producer to consumer. The exchange system is still in its infancy, both as 
to transportation and system of sales. I have thought that each man could 
make his own market, but my mind has changed and [ now think combina- 
tion is necessary. As it is at present, the merchant, carrier, and package- 
maker all get their pay first and we take what is left, if anything. It be- 
hooves us to do all we can honestly to make our share as large as possible. 

J. N. Stearns, of Kalamazoo, indorsed these views in all respects, although 
he had made a special effort to provide his own market and had to some 
-extent succeeded. Doing so makes more work but he had had 100 per cent 
better prices by doing it. 


THE ‘SEXCHANGE”’ PLAN OF MARKETING. 


W. A. Brown, of Benton Harbor: Success of the exchange system here 
-depends on co-operation of other localities. Our exchange has but 35 mem- 
bers out of the hundreds of growers here, making by no means the unanimity 
wished for. Mr. Whitehead is our agent in Chicago, and it is a question if 
we will be able to pay him $65 per month. Wedo not ship many peaches, 
though we expect to do soere long. Berries are now fetching $3 to $3.50 per 
erate in Chicago. While these rates hold none will go beyond Chicago, but this 

will not be so, later, and we can well afford to pay one man $65 per month 
if the Chicago commission men can pay 100 men to ride over this country 
and tell us what to do. 

A. J. Knisely: We hope to arrange to have one cent per package kept out 
by the merchants and returned to the exchange and expect this to be sufli- 

-cient for all expenses, any surplus to be distributed or deficiency to be assess- 
ed. By means of the exchange our fruit receives superior care, both in trans- 
portation and sale and it seems a disgrace that we have not acted sooner and 
more effectively in this way. But we have a peculiar class of growers here. 
They scoff now at spraying, as they scoffed also at laying down blackberry 
bushes for winter, but they take up these things after others have delved 
them out and they get both theory and proof in the papers. 

C. W. Whitehead, of Benton Harbor: I was appointed a committee to see 
the officers of the C. & W. M. road, and was successful in getting a hearing 
from them and an offer to let the fruit growers run their fruit train at the 
same rate now paid by the American express company. But the growers 
have failed to act upon this opportunity. Our plan of taking care of fruit 
at the terminals is the true one. Much injury is done to fruit by express- 
men in Chicago, which may be prevented by watchfulness of an agent. A 
saving can be made on cartage—it may be got fora half cent, whereas now 
from one to two cents are paid. The commission men do not own teams but 

-contract with draymen. By making these contracts ourselves we can effect 
-& saving, and by other such cuts can gain, in the total, thousands of dollars. 
Last year I sent car lots to Minneapolis and St. Paul, 600 miles, for only 


2 


10 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


one-half cent more per package than others paid for carriage from here to 
Chicago, 60 miles, and got four hours’ quicker time than other shippers. 

W. J. Jones, of Oronoko: How does Mr. Whitehead secure better care? If 
I go over to Chicago and speak to boatmen or expressmen about the handling 
of fruit, they talk back. No individual can secure extra care for certain 
packages as against others shipped with them, though we can get benefits 
from watching the sales. We sell grapes for two cents per pound which the 
consumer pays ten cents for. Fruit is sold on its merits, but we only get 
what is left after charges are paid. No man can control packages in transit. 
If he tries to he will be told to mind his own business. 

W. A. Brown: If we combine and send a man over, he will be recognized 
by expressman, cartman and merchant. We can say: ‘Handle that fruit 
right or we shall have another man handle it.” 

A. J. Knisely: We have agreed that it is perfectly right and legitimate to 
have two stencils, one for best goods and one for inferior, but both marked X, 
meaning exchange. We get better transportation, cartage, etc., and dealers 
and carriers soon learn that X goods must be well handled or they will lose 
exchange trade. We do not put the exchange brand on poor fruit. We need 
a man oyer there to see where Mr. Jones’ lost eight cents go. Mr. Whitehead 
can do these things for all of us as well as each could do them for himself. 
Ten thousand cases will command respect when ten would have no attention. 

Mr. Whitehead: When I first asked parties for space on boat or car, it was 
refused. J said: ‘‘ You give space to the express companies?” ‘* Yes.’’ 
‘** Well, the Benton Harbor fruit exchange have the same rights as express 
companies.’’ ‘‘ You can have space, sir.”” All we have to do is to ask for 
these things. Our goods are off the boat as soon as express goods are, and in 
time for the early northwest trains. All this was long ago demonstrated by 
the Illinois growers, and the wonder is that our people are so slow to see the 
advantages. We have brains enough to run our own business, and these car- 
riers and merchants are in fact our servants or agents, and we have only to 
insist on this. We can make them drive slowly and keep the packages right 
side up. Cartage may be had for half a cent per case, and we can get a less 
charge from merchants because we send daily large shipments. We can by 
the exchange plan get our fruit sold for five cents. Much depends on size of 
shipments and regularity. 

J. C. Gould, of Paw Paw: I believe the exchange plan is practicable. I 
have been refused information as to where my fruit went; but, in one case, 
finding out, learned that my returns were just half what the fruit sold for. 

Wm. Corner, of Ganges: I cannot see how this can be made to work unless 
we get a general combination, for otherwise the commission men will head 
us off. 

A. Hamilton, of Ganges: If commission men can do better than a fruit 
exchange, why do they not do so? If organizations show best results, all 
will join. 

Walter Phillips: Yes, but we must organize to make the test. 

J. N. Stearns, of Kalamazoo: Have you tried the New Jersey plan of sales 
on track ? 

Mr. Whitehead: No, but knowledge that we have an exchange here 
brought many buyers who took large quantities of apples. 

8. G. Antisdale, of Benton Harbor: The best of our apples sold right here, 


RECORD OF A JOINT MEETING, bE 


in car lots, directly through the agitation of this fruit exchange. One day 
there were ten buyers of car lots and on other days from three to five. 

A. C. Glidden of Paw Paw: ‘The plan of the Delaware exchange (sales by 
auction on the track) does well where there is much fruit of one kind, as 
apples here or peaches in Delaware and New Jersey. ‘The sales are made 
direct and there is no chance for stealing. The fruit is inspected, branded 
No. 1, etc., and so goes on the market. Last year people came to Lawton 
and bought grapes in car lots. I think this plan will be the end of all this 
agitation. 

Mr. Antisdale: Every package might be sold here if growers would accept 
a fair price; but nearly every one thinks he can do better in Chicago, though 
very often they fail to do so. For the present state of affairs the fruit grower 
is as much to blame as the commission man, for he wants it all and more too. 


. 
COMPARATIVE HONESTY OF FRUIT GROWERS AND ‘‘ COMMISSION MEN.” 


A. Morrill, of Benton Harbor: We sent one year by the fruit exchange, but 
the whole effort was spoiled by some dishonest packers. There was no act- 
ual inspection, while all the fruit should pass before one competent inspector. 
It is a too common practice to stuff berry boxes—put poor or worthless or 
sandy fruit under that which is sound and good. The members of a fruit 
exchange should pass inspection, too, as well as the fruit. They should be 
found honest, and if one turns dishonest he should be @xpelled. I think it is 
not possible to watch all the draymen; but we can get space on the boat and 
dock and should hire our own teams—we can get them for half the present 
cost. If you are dealing with a commission merchant, make it his interest 
to do well by you, by good honest packing, ‘and don’t quarrel with him. If 
you beat him down to six or eight per cent he will get ten just the same, in 
some way. Some commission men are thieves, but the average of them—I 
say this with regret, but it isa fact—are better than the average of fruit 
growers. Parker Earle exercises the utmost thoroughness and honesty in 
the packing of his fruit and he gets two or three times what others receive. 
Ialways guarantee the even quality of my packages, having packers to re- 
handle it after it comes from the field. I have dealt with two merchants for 
eight years, and last season I got $3.50 per case for all my raspberries except 
25 cases. If all would do this there would be no need of a fruit exchange; 
yet I believe that it is necessary to handle the bulk of the crop by the ex- 
change plan. ‘lhe exchange should issue circulars to all dealers within 300 
miles, inviting them to come here and purchase. Special express rates could 
no doubt be obtained. 

Mr. Hamilton: I must protest against the applause given the statement 
that the average of fruit growers are dishonest. It is not so! Iam ashamed 
of you! 

Nevertheless, several members insisted that Mr. Morrill was right, and cases 
were cited wherein men had put bad berries and sandy ones at the bottoms 
of boxes, filling up with good fruit; or topped off poor ones of one sort with 
good ones of another. The practice of letting pickers take cases to the field 
was condemned. ‘They will cheat, and if you put your name on the cases 
you will regret it. Experienced packers should be employed or the grower 
should do the packing himself. The sins of pickers were instanced. They 
have been known to put in leaves and litter, in one case a dead frog(!) and 


12 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


even to turn some boxes up with no berries at all or only some in the bottom. 
Mr. Morrill said he had often bought peaches in Chicago and always found 
more or less deception. West Michigan fruit has the worst reputation of 
any on South Water street. This is grievous but it is true. 


FAULTS OF NURSERY STOCK. 


Mr. A. Hamilton of Ganges read the following paper on ‘“‘Reasons why 
nursery stock does not always prove true to name.” 

I am asked to give you the reasons why nursery trees do not always prove 
true to name. I might do so with a very short paper, by simply saying that 
it is because nursery trees are not always correctly named; but I desire to 
say just a little more. 

As arule, no nurseryman, honest or dishonest, intending to continue in 
the business, will sell to the grower trees that he knows are not true to 
name. Asa matter of business he could better afford to make youa present of 
ten trees correctly labeled than sell you even a single tree that would not 
prove true to name; and yet you know there are hundreds, yes, thousands 
of trees coming into bearing each year that are not what they were named, 
and the question now to be answered is, how does this occur? 

It sometimes occurs through the mistakes or carelessness of honest nursery- 
men who, by mistake, are shown and cat their original buds or grafts from 
the wrong tree, or depend upon some one else to furnish them. It fre- 
quently occurs through dishonest nurserymen selling to dealers, who may be 
ever so honest, trees that he is not sure of, and on that account does not sell 
to the growers himself. But it most frequently occurs through our giving 
our orders for varieties that are scarce, to the gentlemanly appearing and cap- 
tivating tree peddler, who always seems to have a great abundance of just 
what we need, and cannot find elsewhere. 

I could refer you to hundreds of growers in western Allegan county, who, 
each year, after the popular varieties are exhausted at the nurseries, give 
their orders and pay big prices to these fellows, expecting to get kinds that 
the nurseries cannot supply; and instead, when their trees come into bearing, 
only get experience. 

Following this, Mr. G. H. LaFleur told how easily honest nurserymen may 
make mistakes. Employés may mix the buds, when at work with 
peaches, and sometimes this does occur; label stakes may be knocked down 
and the men put them up wrong. But such are not the worst errors. Seed- 
ling buds may get among the better sorts, by misinformation from growers, 
or by other means. There are dishonest nurserymen, of course, but tree- 
growers are, as a class, as honest as other men. If your home nurseryman 
is honest and trying to do as he should, patronize him; but require him to 
make good his mistakes, so as to keep him careful. 

Wm. Corner, of Ganges: Nurserymen are often out of desired sorts. Can 
not western Michigan grow enough trees for home use? I would prefer to 
wait two years rather than buy of the tree peddler. 

H. Dale Adams, of Galesburg: Up to the time of digging, there is no pos- 
sible excuse for error, unless as to some new kind the nurseryman is unfamil- 
jar with. 

A. Hamilton, of Ganges: It is impossible to distinguish between Early and 
Late Crawford in the nursery row. I was once deceived by scions obtained 


RECORD OF A JOINT MEETING. 13 


for Amsden but proved to be something like Mixon. Again, I was given 
Rareripe for Early Crawford, and Barnard for Louise, by growers who are 
ordinarily careful. Such things will occur to any nurseyman; and while he 
is responsible, it does not follow that he is dishonest. 


THE WICKED “SUBSTITUTION ’’ CLAUSE. 


A. Morrill, of Benton Harbor: We should unite against the substitution 
clause in all contracts and orders. As an illustration of how some deal- 
ers and growers operate, he said he once bought of Lovett of New Jersey a 
quantity of blackberry plants. They were sold as Karly Harvest but proved 
to be Bronze Early, a worthless sort. He had three acres of them and sold 
some, but the whole proved a total loss. He wrote Lovett, who answered 
that he ‘‘bought them of a western party supposed to be reliable.’? Such 
transactions, said Mr. Morrill, are not legitimate. A nurseryman should 
know, especially in cases of high-priced sorts. 

President Lyon (referring to claim of H. D. Adams and Joseph Lannin 
that it is easy to detect the difference between the Crawfords): There is not 
an apple, pear, or peach which can always be detected from some other. 
Variations are made by different soils and circumstances and the season; 
even a change of soil in the same nursery will often effect decided differences 
in appearance of the same variety. 


Thursday Afternoon Session. 


The afternoon was spent, Mr. 8. G. Antisdale presiding, in revision of a 
portion of the State society’s fruit catalogue. Strawberries, raspberries and 
grapes were passed upon, Mr. Lyon saying he desired to make this review 
as thorough as possible, as probably it was the last time he would have to do 
with the work. 

Changes were made chiefly because, in the varieties dropped, they are no 
longer cultivated in the state or have proved to be quite worthless in this re- 
gion, however desirable they may be elsewhere. Some additions were made; 
but the details are needless here, as the revised list is given in this volume 
and the changes may easily be noted by comparison with the former list. 


Thursday Evening Session. 


The Thursday evening session was opened with prayer by the Rey. Dr. 
Eastman, a quartet of gentlemen following with a stirring song, ‘‘ The 
Bugle Horn.” 

Mrs. N. H. Bangs of Paw Paw read a paper on Home Adornments. 

Hon. Thomas Mars, master of the Michigan State grange, was called upon 
for remarks npon this topic, and in response made several highly sensible 
observations. 


W. A. Smith of Benton Harbor read a paper on the 
HISTORY OF SMALL FRUIT CULTURE IN BERRIEN COUNTY. 


The culture of small fruits in Berrien county bears a close and striking 
similarity to the development of the same industry in many other localities 


14 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


of our country. When some of us were boys, about everybody depended 
upon the spontaneous productions of nature for their supply of these house- 
hold luxuries. When the days grew long and the nights short, we would 
range the field and meadows over, in search of the few small scarlet straw- 
berries, found here and there among the tall grass and weeds; later, the old 
tumble-down, moss-grown, worm fence rows, were followed for miles in 
search of the small seedy black raspberry, the seeds for which the birds had 
doubtless carried there years before, and planted in those by-places for their 
own gratification and subsequent supply, and later still, the burnt districts 
among the timber belts and many old worn-out and abandoned fields, fur- 
nished us a rich harvest of good ripe blackberries and dewberries. In addi- 
tion to these, the wild red raspberry, then as now, furnished a good supply, 
in many sections of the country, while the mountains, the hills, and the 
marshes yielded, as they still do, our entire supply of that fine little fruit 
know as the huckleberry. It is a matter of some importance for some en- 
terprising fruit grower to tame this bush, and make it yield a larger, better, 
and more abundant supply of fruit than it does in a state of nature and also 
nearer home. The time required in gathering most of these wild fruits is 
much greater than that necessary for cultivating them around our respective 
homesteads. And when we take into consideration the superiority in qual- 
ity, size, and yield to those cultivated, over the wild types, except perhaps 
the huekleberry, we need not wonder that the wild types are being neglected 
and discarded. In the case of the cranberry, the same remarks hold true. 
The people of any neighborhood are somewhat like a flock of sheep—when 
the leader goes over the fence, the whole flock follow, except some poor crip- 
ples who dare not venture. 

I might take up your time in giving the names of some of our pioneer 
fruit growers, in this section of the state, some of whom have laid down the 
shoyel and the hoe, and long ere this gone to their final resting place. An 
outline of their work, and their success, has already been given to the public, 
through the effort, and so far as I know the gratuitious labors, of the pains- 
taking and lifelong horticultural student, President T. T. Lyon, in the last 
report of the State society, and who is with us to-day. 

Owing to the peculiar geographical location of Berrien county we have per- 
haps made greater progress in this line of industry than many other sections 
of this state. In the early rise and progress of fruit calture, especially the 
small and tender varieties, it was necessary to have speedy and convenient 
transportation to market. Our water-ways were then the only means of reach- 
ing markets any considerable distance from the grower. The harbors and 
shipping points of the lake supplied the only available outlets; and the fruit 
centers nestled around these localities. Small fruits in those early times sold 
high ; the demand was greater than the supply, and the value of real estate 
about these fruit centers rose correspondingly high. Many launched their 
boats, as they supposed, on the tide of great prosperity only to sink in the 
vortex of financial bankruptcy. 

I haye known strawberries, of very poor quality, to sell for $12 per bushel, 
blackberries by the case for 50 cents per quart, and whole crops of blackberries 
for $8 per bushel, net. But this was in war times when we had a high tariff 
and everybody had stamps. Since then, many ups and downs have occurred 
in this business, like all others. 

Railroads have stretched their long iron arms out into almost every part of 


RECORD OF A JOINT MEETING. 15 


the land, gathering up and distributing the products of one zone to another, 
as though everybody was next door neighbor to everybody else. This equal- 
izes production, and brings not only the necessaries, but also the luxuries from 
all lands to the door of every well-to-do household. Small fruits are no 
longer a luxury, unless it is with some of our rural population who can not 
find the time to give them care and culture. About everywhere they have be- 
come a household necessity, and not only in their season, but throughout the 
year, are found upon the sideboards of our wage laboring people as well as 
the rich; even the poor are not deprived of their use. 


SMALL FRUIT CULTURE NOT HIGHLY PROFITABLE. 


The culture of small fruit is no longer a bonanza. Like all articles of 
commerce, their value is regulated by quality, supply, and demand. The 
question is no longer how can we grow them, so much as where can we find a 
market for what we do grow. ‘This occurs, at least, when there is a general 
full crop in the various fruit growing sections. Some years the margin of 
profits was so low that we could better afford to abandon our crops than 
gather and ship them. In the early time of this industry here, our transpor- 
tation was higher than now, but we were not blessed with the give-away 
package. We made our own packages, and had them returned, thus saving a 
large expense to the shipper. But the commission men, who were taking 
their 10 per cent toll, besides the stealings incident to the business, com- 
plained of their great hardships, and by various means the entire system of 
shipping was changed. I bought my first quart-box material from Mr. Wilcox 
and made the packages at home. ‘This was the first attempt at quart-box 
manufacture in this section, as far as I know. This was some 16 or 18 years 
ago. ‘The material was cut by hand, with the help, I think, of one man. 
The amount of timber consumed by that establishment was comparatively 
limited. Now, the country round about is being stripped of its little remain- 
ing saw and box timber, to supply the numerous establishments engaged in 
making these give-away fruit packages. Sooner or later, we will have no 
timber protection for our tender fruits, and the business will eat itself out, 
like the Kilkenny cats. Our manufacturers have struck a new key; they are 
now reaching south, where timber is plenty aud cheap, cutting it and ship- 
ping it north in the flat, to be made up ready for use. When fruit is plenty 
and low, and these expenses all coming out of the business, as they necessa- 
rily must, the margin of profit to the grower runs low. ‘To find a ready sale 
at good figures, our goods must have qualities to recommend itself to the 
buyer. 

Only those who will grow good fruit, pack and ship with care, guarantee 
the quality of their goods, and use a good business management generally, 
can effect satisfactory results. 


EXTENT OF THE BUSINESS—SOME PIONEERS. 


From the most meagre beginning, in less than twenty years the culture of 
small fruits in this locality assumed a most important commercial attitude, 
the shipments reaching as high as 14,000 half bushel cases in a single day. 

Among the pioneer fruit growers in this part of the country, allow me to 
mention the names of David Brown, who, I am told, shipped the first straw- 


16 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


berries from this harbor to Chicago, in the year 1861, and a year or two 
later he shipped the first blackberries (Lawton) to the same market; and he 
is still engaged in the same business. Among others may be named Samuel 
Jackson and A. C. Fish, who have long since crossed the dark river. 


SOME OBSTACLES. 


In pursuing commercial fruit growing, the question ever occurs: What 
shall we grow? This is far more difficult for the veteran than the beginner 
to answer. Our soil does not respond to our demands as it did 20 or 25 
years ago, when we had a virgin soil and plenty of timber for winter and 
summer protection. Varieties, too, seem to run out and have to be replaced 
by others, more vigorous, more hardy, and better adapted to the wants of the 
day. Many varieties that years ago proved entirely satisfactory and were 
profitable to grow, have since been discarded, some for one reason, some for 
another. None has stood the test better than the Wilson strawberry; and 
there are yet those who consider it, for all purposes, the best berry to 
grow. But other varieties are fast taking its place, and unless the difficul- 
ties (liability to leaf rust, etc.) are overcome, it will sooner or later be en- 
tirely discarded as a commercial berry. For home use it will stay yet a good 
while. The Crescent is fast coming into general cultivation; being a good 
berry and exceedingly prolific will make it a favorite for years to come. 
There are many new varieties being introduced every year, with the most se- 
ductive names, the Sucker State for instance, Jumbo, Big Bob, and others. 
with names perhaps equally felicitous. Perhaps one in the score or so of 
these new comers may prove a valuable acquisition. 

Among raspberries the same rule holds true. The old Doolittle and Clark 
have gone; the Turner is going, or will go as soon as a substitute for it is. 
found worthy in all respects to take the place of the good old Turner. Per- 
haps the Marlboro may, but so far it has proved a slow grower. The Cuth- 
bert is today, in this country, the leading red raspberry, and well it deserves. 
the reputation it has. 

Among black caps, the Gregg, for late, has no peer. The Tyler, for early, 
gives equally good satisfaction. 

Among blackberries we are more at sea. Our best varieties are somewhat 
tender, and must have winter protection to secure a crop one year with an- 
other. This department of horticulture is being eliminated to several iron- 
clads, such as the Snyder, the Western Triumph, and Taylor’s Prolific, that. 
need no winter protection in favorable localities. The Lawton, Kittatinny, 
Wilson, and Early Harvest, especially the two latter, must be well protected 
in the winter to insure a crop. When thus protected they yield bountiful 
crops, and for home use I consider the Early Harvest the best of all black- 
berries. These are the leading varieties of these fruits, now in general culti- 
vation in this county. Many new varieties are being tested, and sooner or- 
later we may effect some good results from some of these trials. 


RECORD OF A JOINT MEETING, V7 


Friday Morning’s Session 


was under the chairmanship of the late Hon. H. C. Sherwood of Watervliet. 
First in order was a paper by Secretary Geo. H. LaFleur of the Western 
Michigan society, on 


PREACHING AND PRACTICE. 


Men have been engaged for many years in fruit growing and have talked 
and written a great amount, and it would seem that they should be well 
posted in that line of business; and yet the masses are hardly out of the 
rudiments. This is not because they have lacked the opportunity to learn, 
but in most cases it is a want of application of the knowledge they have 
gained. 

Many men seem interested in the teachings and the statements made by 
intelligent and practical fruit growers. But they forget to put into practice 
what they learn and cling to the old ways of their fathers and continue to 
travel in the old ruts. 

Most of the first orchards which were planted in Michigan contained too 
many summer and fall apples and the few winter sorts were not altogether the 
best sorts for market. A few fruit growers hit the right thing and only planted 
afew of the best winter varieties. But it took many years to bring into 
practice by the masses what they know. Even now some men have not 
learned what varieties constitute a good orchard. 

Since the organization of so many horticultural and pomological societies, 
fruit growers have given, much more serious thought to the questions con- 
nected with fruit growing. The educational effect upon the people is in the 
direction of progress. Some of the most successful fruit growers have been 
willing to give others the benefit of their knowledge, and yet the majority 
of farmers do not appreciate, or do not fully comprehend or understand, 
many of the facts so often demonstrated to them; or they do not put into 
practice what they really know. 

The man who attends public meetings and talks what he does not practice 
can have but little influence over others, as we look upon such men as mere 
theorists, and most fruit men have learned to place but little faith in theory 
until it has been practically demonstrated. While on the other hand the 
man who comes with practical ideas gathered from experience in the orchard, 
garden, or vineyard, and can give ocular demonstration of his teaching, how 
eagerly we listen and learn of him! 


THEY HEAR BUT DO NOT REMEMBER. 


All observing fruit growers have learned that climate, soil, and elevation 
have much to do with success in fruit growing. High ground, with good nat- 
ural water and air drainage, is much better adapted to the peach than low, 
level ground. After all that has been written and said upon all these points, 
it would seem that most men should be well posted upon these things; and 
yet we frequently find men planting the very kind of fruit which will be sure 
to fail, when, if they had heeded what had been told them, they could have 
made a success instead of failure by planting the right kind of fruit. These 


3 


18 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


same men have had opportunity to observe these things and been told by 
others some facts in relation to the adaptability of fruits of different kinds to 
their soil, yet they failed to profit by what they had learned. 


THE CONDITIONS WE HEAR OF AND THOSE WE SEE. 


Much has been said on different occasions in relation to the farmer’s gar- 
den, and many valuable suggestions offered. When we listen to these state- 
ments it seems an easy matter to have a good garden, with plenty of vege- 
tables and berries on the table. I have no doubt that a thousand resolves have 
been made that we would go home and commence from that day to have and 
enjoy the luxuries so graphically pictured to us. These resolves are no doubt 
made in sincerity, and we picture to ourselves something in the garden simi- 
lar to the one displayed on paper. But alas! the cares and hurry of farm life, 
with financial and perhaps political matters, crowd out these good resolves 
and we fail to put into practice the beautiful lessons taught us in relation to 
horticulture. Where we imagined arose bush or other ornamental plants 
and flowers, we find that we have too often dock, thistles and weeds. Where 
on paper we had seen the choicest of vegetables, crisp and fresh from the 
garden, we too often find a scanty supply for an excuse for such things, and 
even these are the product of the care and labor of the wifeand children, who 
stay at home and work in the garden at odd times when the men are away 
attending some farmers’ institute or pomological meeting, listening to the 
fine sayings of some other fellow whose garden is a duplicate of their own. I 
speak from experience. 

Many papers have been read, followed by discussions, in relation to the 
proper method of cultivation and pruning the apple orchard. The system 
taught is all right, but the neglected appearance of so many apple orchards 
show how ill these lessons are heeded. If we have failed to teach men the . 
practical part of fruit growing through the exercise of our mouths, or by draw- 
ing pen pictures on paper, perhaps we could impress upon them our ideas 
and induce them to practice what we preach, if we should give them ocular 
demonstration of our theories in our own orchards. 

Commission men and buyers of our fruit tell us that much fruit comes to 
them direct from the grower, put up in so slovenly a manner as to render it 
unsalable. They tell us that more money would be sent us in return for this 
same fruit if the ‘‘snide’’ part of it had been kept at home. ‘The inferior 
portion destroys, in large measure, the value of what is good. Papers have 
been read, letters have been written, appealing to fruit growers to pack their 
fruit honestly and properly. Every man who says anything upon the subject 
of packing fruit advocates honest packing. Every farmer or fruit grower will 
tell you that honest packing is the proper way to secure good prices. All 
agree that it is the true and best policy. Are all these lessons heeded and 
reduced to practice when we come to the business part of fruit growing? We 
have passed resolutions in favor of full, honest packages of every kind, and 
also in favor of good, honest packing. Instruction has been given, time after 
time, how to do these things, yet manufacturers tell us that a real, full-size, 
honest package finds little or no sale. If we must use scant packages they 
ought to be filled with good fruit, such as we would desire to buy if we were 
the consumer at the other end of the route. If we have failings on our part 


RECORD OF A JOINT MEETING. 19 


as growers let us talk up that side. It is better to state honest facts, rather 
than flatter each other with whitewashed statements. 

J. Lannin: Perhaps the men who do these things may be charitably con- 
sidered as not fully instructed; they are largely the men who do not attend 
the horticultural meetings nor read. We are apt to speak of all horticul- 
tural knowledge as of recent discovery; yet we learn from ‘Homer’s Odyssey 
that 1700 years before Christ they had black, white, and red grapes and 
thoroughly understood their propagation and culture, though probably they 
had little scientific knowledge of plant growth. But in other respects there 
has been a great advance in knowledge, and the fruit grower who does not 
avail himself of it is not wise and must often suffer for his ignorance. 3 
x W. A. Brown thought more of the intelligent fruit growers should contrib- 
ute in the way of papers to these meetings. He thought the growers should 
patronize the newspapers that devote space to these subjects. 

«=« The committee on fruit exchange reported that they had nothing to offer; 
that it was useless to advance in western Michigan until they had more gen- 
eral support at home. 


REPORT OF THE COMMITTER ON RESOLUTIONS. 


The committee on resolutions submitted the following, which was unani- 
mously adopted: 

Individual thought links itself with its fellow. Individual interest seeks a 
common good. Like employments become banded for mutual protection. 
So up and down this shore come the fruit growers of western Michigan to 
consider questions common to the welfare of all. While these unions are 
natural and necessary, a large measure of responsibility rests on a few indi- 
viduals who perform arduous duties and assume large responsibilities. To 
such persons the commendation of ‘well done’’ is the only recompense 
which a well pleased public can bestow. The good people of Benton Harbor 
have earned a wide reputation for a generous hospitality in the past, which 
is still creditably sustained. The fruit growers surrounding and contiguous 
to this harbor have large hearts and a wide hospitality. The Grange has an 
ample hall, fittingly arranged, which is surrendered to this society. The 
bugle notes of the local glee club are resonant with agreeable harmony. 
The writers and speakers have pleased the attentive listeners. ‘To all these, 
and such others as have in any manner contributed to the interest of this 
occasion, the West Michigan Fruit Growers’ Society offers its many thanks; 
and its members hereby pledge themselves to reciprocate in like measure 
whenever the opportunity shall occur. The present meeting confirms the 
conviction, already very well settled in the minds of this society, that the 
responsible duties assigned its officers are well performed; and we hereby ex- 
press our hearty thanks for their unceasing attention and frequent forbear- 
ance. Signed by the committee. 

A. C. GLIDDEN, 
J. N. STEARNS. 

E. C. Reid offered the subjoined resolution, which on motion of W. A. 
Brown was adopted without dissent: 

Resolved, That the Michigan State Horticultural Society and West Michi- 
gan Fruit Growers’ Association in joint meeting assembled, extend to ex-Sec- 
retary Garfield their sincere sympathy in his physical affliction, hoping that 


20 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


he may soon be fully restored, deeming his health and possible future labors 
of the highest importance and value to the horticultural interests of the 
state; and that we hereby express our appreciation of his services in the 
past. 

REPORT ON FRUITS AND FLOWERS. 


Nothwithstanding the meeting opened two or three days too early for June 
roses and strawberries, your committee beg to report a creditable exhibit of 
strawberries, consisting of two boxes each of the Crescent and Glendale vari- 
eties, by S. Mars of Stevensville. W.M. Smith of Stevensville contributed 
fine ripe specimens of Champion and Sucker State, also several boxes con- 
taining stools of several varieties. 

R. Brunson and others of Benton Harbor showed boxes containing plants 
of several new varieties of strawberry, which were not sufficiently matured to 
judge of their characteristics. 

W. A. Brown placed a plate of Cooper’s Market apples grown by M. Dans- 
forth of St. Joseph, which were perfect, and verified the claim for this va- 
riety as being the best long keeper. 

Wm. B. Andruss of Allegan placed upon the tables a magnificent exhibit 
of twenty-one varieties of winter apples, all of his own growing. ‘They were 
these: King, Wells, Northern Spy, Hubbardston, Rubicon, Smith’s Cider, 
Stark, Ben Davis, Cooper’s Market, Jonathan, Baldwin, Detroit Red, Eng- 
lish Streak, Ostend Greening, Danvers Sweet, Melon, Baltimore, Yellow 
Newtown Pippin, Rawle’s Janet, Yellow Belflower, Munson’s Sweet. 

Mrs. J. Burridge, of the committee on decoration, placed a beautiful 
pyramid of flowers on the tables, early in the session, which was supple- 
mented subsequently with many floral contributions, among which a most 
exquisite wreath of flowers ey Mrs. W. M. Smith of Stevensville attracted 
much attention. 


W. A. Brown, 
Wma. CorRNER, 
Committee. 


After a vote of thanks to the presidents and ‘secretaries of the two socie- 
ties, the joint meeting adjourned sine die. 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 


HELD IN GRAND RAPIDS, DEC. 3, 4, AND 5, 1888. 


PRACTICAL PAPERS ON IMPORTANT SUBJECTS, BRIEFS OF THE DISCUSSIONS— 
REPORTS, QUESTIONS, ETC. 


The eighteenth annual meeting of the Michigan State Horticultural Society 
was held in Grand Rapids, December 3, 4 and 5, 1888, there having been no 
summer or autumn meeting, the joint meeting, at Benton Harbor, in June, 
with the West Michigan Fruit Growers’ Association, answering to the former, 
while no fall meeting was held because of several adverse conditions, chief 
among these being the enforced retirement of Secretary Chas. W. Garfield, 
on account of failure in health, and the ensuing and unavoidable confusion 
of the society’s affairs. For this meeting the appended programme was pro- 
vided. 


SCHEME OF TOPICS. 


MonpDay EVENING. 


8:00 o’cLocK. ANNUAL MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT, 


PROFITABLENESS OF HoRTICULTURE, Including the culture of fruits as usually con~ 
ducted, compared with what is known as ‘‘intensive horticulture.” 

In what does the difference consist? 

What is the result of the latter, so far as its influence upon thesize, quality, and other 
characteristics of the products are concerned ? 

Appointment of committees. 


TUESDAY FORENOON, 


9:00 O’cLOCK. COMMERCIAL FRUIT CULTURE, 


How best and most profitably to meet and supply the requirements of the market. 
Educating the market—how far is it practicable consistently with the highest profit ? 
Choosing and reaching markets. 

Commission sales vs. associated marketing. 

Freight vs. express transportation. 

How can we secure the prompt and careful handling of perishable fruits ? 


22 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Our present system of crop reports—Is it adequate to the needs of fruit culture? If 
not, what further is needful? 
11:00 o’cLocK. SPRAYING WITH ARSENITES. 


Results of practical tests the past season, on the codling moth. 
How and to what extent is the curculio affected ? 
Other beneficial results. 


TUESDAY AFTERNOON. 


1:00 o’cLOcCK. PEDIGREE IN PLANTS AND FRUITS, 

In what does it consist, and to what extent and under what circumstances may its: 
beneficial influences be relied on ? 

THE SEASON OF 1888—Results and lessons. 

FORESTRY. 


Management of artificial plantations. 

Wind breaks. 

Needed legislation. 

Uses of very young timber. 

Wasteful methods of lumbermen. 

PruNuS AMERICANA—The indigenous plum of Michigan and the north generally. 

Its variability, in the wild state, indicates the practicability of its improvement under 
a course of treatment tending to that end. 

Improvement by selection: Its results, so far, in the more western states. 

Failure of Prunus Chicasa to fruit freely at the north. 

Comparative exemption of native sorts from premature loss of foliage, rotting of the 
fruit, and the attacks of curculio. 

Their extreme hardiness and productiveness, 


“ 


TUESDAY EVENING. 


8:00 o’cLocK. Lecture by Prof. W. J. Beal of Michigan Agricultural College, on 
The Horticultural Possibilities of Northern Michigan, with references to this year’s. 
results at the experiment station. 

WILD RICE (Zizania aquatica).—Its susceptibility to improvement under artificial 
treatment. : 

The overflowed lands along many of our lakes and rivers: The practicability of their 
economical and profitable improvement and cultivation under this as a crop. 


WEDNESDAY MORNING. 


9:00 o’cLocK. Reports of officers. 

Reports of committees. 

Election of officers. 

Miscellaneous business. 

The attendance was excellent, except in a local way, several other associa- 
tions being in session in the city at the same time; but, especially during the- 
second day, no fault could reasonably be found on this score. 

President Lyon called to order and read, as follows, his annual message: 


PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL MESSAGE. 


To the Michigan State Horticultural Society in annual meeting assembled: 

The present seems an appropriate time for the review of the past, espe- 
cially of the doings of the past year, and for the devising of plans for the 
future, while several events occurring since our last annual assemblage render 
this more then usually proper, if not in fact necessary. 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 23 
RELATIONS WITH THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


In January last, at the annual session of the State Agricultural Society, in 
Detroit, Mr. E. H. Scott was in attendance as adelegate from our executive 
board, for the purpose of making the requisite reports on behalf of the so- 
ciety, and effecting a renewal of the annual arrangement under which it has, 
for many years past, conducted the horticultural department of the state 
fair. 

On his arrival he was informed that the executive committe had already 
considered the matter, and adopted resolutions, in the nature of an ulti- 
matum, proposing to allow to the Horticultural Society the personal expenses 
of two, or perhaps three, persons to take charge of the horticultural exhibit, 
but making no allowance whatever for the much larger, and equally unavoid- 
able, expenses which must necessarily accrue in the bringing together and 
conducting of the exhibition. 

Further than this, it had been resolved that a superintendent, in general 
charge of the exhibit, should be appointed by the Agricultural Society, in- 

‘stead of, as heretofore, entrusting the management to the Horticultural board. 

Mr. Scott not feeling warranted in deciding the matter then and there, 
asked to be allowed to refer it to the Horticultural board, at its meeting to 
be held in February, for final determination. 

On receiving his report, as proposed, the executive board determined not 
to accept the proposition, regarding it as, if not intended to express lack of 
confidence, at least indicating a purpose to evade a further continuance of 
arrangements of this character. ‘This conclusion was arrived at with much 
regret, under the apprehension that the change in the management of this 
department must, very probably, mean the lowering of the standard of horti- 
culture in our state. 

This, to our apprehension, unfortunate action of the State Agricultural 
Society, seems to render necessary a very general change in the society’s made 
of operating, and calls for a more or less general and well considered revision 
of its plans. Committees were therefore appointed for such purpose and the 
board adjourned. 

The society should, doubtless, avoid placing itself, in any unnecessary sense, 
in antagonism to the State Agricultural Society, or in fact to any other 
society. Results have long since demonstrated the economy as well as the 
effectiveness of the combination so long in vogue, and the society’s position 
should ever be such as would render it easy to accept advances from any 
eligible source, looking to the effecting or renewing of similar arrangements. 

The high position of Michigan, pomologically, is doubtless attributable to 
the existence of such arrangements for many years past, aided by the 
thoroughly effective regulations of this society for securing creditable and 
correctly named exhibits. 


SECRETARY GARFIELD’S RESIGNATION. 


Early in the following season, this difficulty became vastly more serious, 
consequent upon the failure of Secretary Garfield’s health, and the consequent 
necessity for his resignation of the position he has so long and so effectively 
filled; and that, too, under circumstances rendering its acceptance by the 
board imperative. 


24 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


His resignation was not tendered until the state of his health had become 
such that it was necessary at once to relieve him of the cares and responsi- 
bilities of the position. This had the effect, for the time, to throw these cares 
and responsibilities upon the president. 


THE JOINT MEETING AT BENTON HARBOR. 


Prior to Mr. Garfield’s resignation, he had received proposals from the 
Berrien County Horticultural Society to hold its June meeting at Benton 
Harbor, jointly with that of the West Michigan Fruit Growers’ Association, 
whose meeting had already been appointed at that place. This invitation, 
with the accompanying correspondence and a statement of what had been 
done in the matter, was received from Secretary Garfield along with his resig- 
nation. After correspondence with members of our executive board and 
others, I wrote to the Benton Harbor Society, accepting the invitation, con- 
ditioned upon the approval of the proper authorities of the West Michigan 
Society which was to be secured by the authorities of the Berrien Society. 
I am assured that such approval was promptly requested ; and yet the request 
was only responded to at so late a date as to leave an exceedingly limited 
period within which to issue and distribute a notice of such meeting; while 
the needful arrangements for conducting the joint and several sessions were 
unavoidably left to be adjusted at the time of meeting. In fact, the assent 
of President Phillips was received at so late a date that proposals for a sepa- 
rate meeting, at a different point, had been agreed upon by the members of 
our board, and, but for the opportune receipt of such assent, the notices for 
the proposed separate meeting were to have been given to the press by the 
next mail. 

The arrangements between the two societies were readily and satisfactorily 
effected ; and yet, to those who attended the sessions, it hardly need be stated 
that the circumstances were but ill calculated to encourage the frequent repe- 
titions of similar combined meetings. 


OFFICIAL CHANGES. 


At a session of our executive board held during the continuance of the Ben- 
ton Harbor meeting, the resignation of Secretary Garfield was accepted, and 
Edwy C. Reid of Allegan was appointed to fill the vacancy. Mr. Reid, in 
consequence, resigned his position as member of the executive board, and the 


vacancy thus created was filled by the appointment of W. A. Brown of 
Benton Harbor. 


AS TO THE FUTURE. 


During the earlier years the charm of novelty, coupled with a natural and 
commendable enthusiasm, seryed to maintain a strong and permanent inter- 
est in our meetings; but during the later and maturer years, the charm of 
novelty seems to have worn off, and the maintenance of the old-time interest 
and enthusiasm seems to be becoming increasingly difficult, the apparent 
facts being that the overlying ideas and principles which at the first attracted 
earnest attention and discussion have been ‘‘worked out,’’ and we are in con- 
tact with the much broader underlying stratum, which, while equally indis- 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 25 


pensable to horticulture, as a science, and even as an industrial pursuit, fail 
in some degree to interest those who work mainly at the surface. 

Among these underlying subjects, we may specify pomology, both domes- 
tic and commercial, forestry, floriculture, vegetable culture, landscape garden- 
ing, and in a leading sense botany, with several others, in a greater or less 
degree kindred to or inter-associated with them. 

With the purpose to bring together those who may feel interested in any 
-one or more of these subjects, by means of an arrangement through which each 
may be able to attend the discussions of the subject or subjects most in accord 
with his tastes, while at the same time economy of expense may be secured, 
as far as possible, by associating the whole, it was proposed at last winter’s 
board meeting to segregate the society into sections, assigning to each a 
group of kindred subjects, with power to hold distinct sessions during the 
year, while the whole shall be assembled annually, for the election of its gen- 
eral officers, and for general business and discussions. The idea has, so far, 
only been outlined; but the subject is broad and important, and may well 
demand the careful and earnest consideration of the society. 


STATISTICS AND EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 


The horticultural reputation of the state would, beyond question, be greatly 
advanced by a more complete report and digest of its pomological products, 
and of the values of its investments of this and kindred kinds. To be fully 

effective and satisfactory, it seems important that the statistics annually col- 

lected by our state authorities should separately specify: ‘The quantity of 
each class of fruits actually marketed; the estimated quantity of the same 
not marketed but consumed at home; the amount of land devoted to each 
-class of fruits; the amount of land occupied by vegetable gardens, commer- 
cial or domestic; the value of such lands aside from the improvements; the 
value of the same in their improved condition; the age of each separate plan- 
tation of fruit trees. 

This subject has been heretofore presented for your consideration, and 

‘the matter was last year referred to a standing committee on legislation, 
which committee may properly be called on to report during this meeting. 

Since my last annual address, what has been designated as the ‘‘Hatch law” 
has been given effect, and the authorities of our Agricultural College have 
been constituted the managers of a state experiment station, under its pro- 
visions. It may reasonably be anticipated that with the special and recog- 
nized horticultural standing of this state, horticulture, and especially pomol- 

-ogy, will be made a prominent feature of its system of experimentation. 

There is, however, a very serious, if not in fact insurmountable, obstacle 
in the way of successful pomological experimentation at the college, namely, 
the location of the institution in the low and frosty valley of the Cedar river, 
where only the more hardy fruits can be successfully grown. We are not 
informed as to the plans of the responsible managers, with reference to this 
difficulty, but it would seem requisite, in consideration of the very important 
commercial fruit interests on the lake shore, as well as in other regions thus 
practically shut out from the benefits of experimentation at the college, that 
a plan be devised, by a system of outside experimentation or otherwise, to 

-confer upon so important an interest a reasonable share of such benefits. 
In consideration of the last mentioned items, I may be allowed to suggest 


26 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


that this subject be referred to a special committee, or otherwise that both 
this and the last preceding subject be referred to the committee on legisla- 
tion. 

IS NOVELTY NEEDED? 


It may be well to devise measures for infusing something of novelty into 
ovr summer and early fall meetings, as a means of attracting wider attention. 
It is now the custom of many of our most efficient local sociéties tc call such 
of their meetings as occur during the fruiting season at points where fruit 
plantations may be visited, holding their sessions in the open air, accom- 
panied by dining arrangements in the nature of a picnic, over which the ladies 
are expected to preside, thus affording an occasion, not to say a necessity, for 
their attendance; while at the same time portions at least of the programme: 
are so arranged as to call for their active participation. 

It has ever been our feeling that the interest and attendance of ladies at our 
meetings is eminently desirable. Women constitute an inseparable element 
in human society, and no organization for general improvement can reason- 
ably hope for a full measure of success except by their co-operation. 


DISREGARD OF THE PRINCIPLES OF FORESTRY. 


The more northern portions of our state, in both peninsulas, are being 
penetrated by railroads, and are as rapidly filling up with a permanent agri- 
cultural population. With this process arises an urgent need that these 
hewers-out of new farms become, at the earliest practicable moment, imbued: 
with a proper knowledge of the actual bearings of forests upon meteorology 
and other climatic matters, together with a knowledge of such facts or prin- 
ciples as shall. enable them to discreetly and wisely locate the positions of 
field and forest, as well as to determine their profitable proportions in the 
light of the ultimate needs of both the farm and the farmer. 

While mastering these highly essential particulars, the yet incipient farmer 
will equally need to master the ideas and practices out of which are to grow 
the farm, garden, and orchard; and in consideration of the eminent impor- 
tance of intelligent action in several directions, and moreover in view of the 
yet imperfectly understood influences of an untried and severer climate upon 
the success of varieties, we venture again to invite attention to this as yet 
uncultivated area in the broad domain of Michigan horticulture. 

Upou motion of Mr. W. N. Cook, the message was accepted and referred to 
a committee for report upon its several suggestions. 

The committee comprised Messrs. C. J. Monroe, W. N. Cook, and J. A. 
Pearce. 


INTENSIVE HORTICULTURE. 


Beginning consideration of the topic, ‘Intensive Horticulture,’’ Prof. L. 
R. Taft, successor of Prof. L. H. Bailey in the chair of horticulture at Michi- 
gan Agricultural College, read the subj ined paper: 

We may liken horticulture to a broad field, at one side of which the various 
flowers, fruits, an] vegetables are growing in almost their wild condition, with 
slight care or training. As we pass along we notice that more attention has. 
been given to the selection of soil and varieties, to training, pruning, culti- 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 27 


vating, and these evidences of care increase until, at the further side, we find 
that every method known to benefit or render the development of the crops 
more perfect has been employed. On the one hand we find the varying degree 
of care given by the mass of horticulturists, and on the other the highest 
types of what are known as intensive methods. 


IN WHAT IT CONSISTS. 


The difference between horticulture as commonly conducted, and ‘‘inten- 
sive horticulture,” is measured by the amount and character of attention paid 
in each case. It is a small area well tilled, compared with a larger tract over 
which the same amount of care has been spread. 

The character of the crop, the cost of land and labor, and the nature of the 
market, will be important factors in determining the extent to which these- 
methods can be employed with profit. Among the conditions which should in 
all cases be sought after, and without which the best success can hardly be: 
expected with any crop, are a suitable climate, a soil well drained and of such 
a physical and chemical composition as it requires for its best development. 
Moreover, the proper preparation of the soil, the supplying of plant food in suf- 
ficient quantities, and cultivation given at the right time, and of a nature 
adapted to the crop, will meet with its reward and success can not be hoped 
for with any crop if these essentials are neglected. 


NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE, 


Owing to the outside circumstances which bear upon our operations, the 
time will never come when any general rulecan be adopted for use under 
all conditions. In the very beginning we are confronted by,a diversity of 
Opinion as to the comparative virtues of spring and fall, deep and shallow,. 
and flat or lap, plowing. The character of the soil, the nature of the climate 
and of the crop, have so much to do in determining these points, that a method 
which is adapted to one section will prove utterly unfitted toanother. Subsoil- 
ing, too, has its advocates and its opponents, equally firm in their belief. All 
agree that on shallow soils, underlaid with compact strata, which are designed 
for deep rooted crops, subsoiling will generally prove beneficial and profitable. 
It is claimed by its advocates that it opens new feeding areas to the roots of 
the plants; that it breaks up the soil, admitting the air and favoring disin- 
tegration and the formation of plant food, and that it increases the water- 
holding, or reservoir, capacity of the soil. 


RESULTS OF SUBSOILING. 


In plats subsoiled to the depth of fifteen inches, contrasted with adjacent 
unsubsoiled plats, Prof. Sanborn (Missouri State Board of Agriculture report, 


1885, p. 375) obtained the following results: 
Water Yield of Corn. 


Per cent. Bushels. 
Sei ossyonil Weve bas Cote FS esa ct as Ata a aR OF RI ol 0) Re 10,1 70 
Wnsubsolled ml S8ske- sae ele lL aaa oI a se ae 8.33 49.3 
SUEOSOTLCU eral SO4 atts ese «rene y tetra eee ern a 2 Sora ee 11.16 ‘S| 
Wins bso1ledhetGS4s ane ee ee Se Sh ee 916 62.8 
‘Sail oe ay eye [at Nope bay eS ae Sia os Wetce I OS A es 2 a a eR 14,2 93.5 


WOTISHDSOLL CO eI SSO Me kame a CS Ne maar ee ee eee 10.4 97.8 


28 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


In order to understand these results it must be explained that the summer 
of 1883 was a dry one, and the two per cent of water conserved by subsoiling 
was of great advantage to the crop. On the other hand, the seasons of 
1884 and 1885 were unusually wet, and subsoiling, by increasing the water- 
holding power of the soil, proved injurious to the crop. The subsoiled land, 
to a depth of fifteen inches, contained 100,000 pounds of water in 1884, and 
190,000 pounds per acre in 1885, more than the unsubsoiled. 

Experiments with wheat and potatoes gave similar results. The effect was 
especially noticeable in the case of the potatoes, the yield being, in 1885, as 
108 to 335, against the practice. The season was so wet as to cause the pota- 
toes on the subsoiled portion to rot badly. 

These results are corroborated by experiments carried on in all parts of the 
country. 

Thus the nature of the season has much to do in determining the results, 
and for ordinary crops it has been found that, as the result of experiments . 
conducted for a series of years, subsoiling made no appreciable gain in the 
crops, and hence was unprofitable. Prof. Shelton of Kansas reported, as the 
average of a four-years trial, 55 bushels of corn from the subsoiled to 55.25 
bushels from the unsubsoiled. 

Whatever method of plowing is found best, and whether subsoiling is prac- 
ticed or not, the thorough pulverization of the soil, in fitting it for the crop, 
will not only lessen the labor of cultivation, but will render the catch of seed 
more even, thus saving in seed and in the labor of the consequent thinning, 
and will also often increase the yield obtained. 


CLEAN CULTIVATION, 


No one can improve the advice given years ago, to kill weeds before they 
are up, and this‘advice should be followed whether intensive or extensive 
methods are used. Cultivate early and often, and never allow weeds to form 
seeds and drop them on the land. The value of tillage is derived not alone 
from preventing the growth of weeds, but in a more marked degree it is use- 
ful in admitting the air and retaining the water which dissolve and convey 
food to the plants. 

The method employed, whether with horse or the wheel, hand, or scufile 
hoes, is, of course, determined by the character of the crop and the yalue of 
Jand and labor. In the growing of vegetables a majority of market garden- 
ers use Close culture for their early vegetables, while those for fall and winter 
marketing are planted at such distances as will permit their being worked 
with the horse. In some localities, where land and manure are cheap and 
labor high, such crops as even radishes, parsley, and lettuce are worked with 
the two horse walking cultivator. 

The same holds truein the raising of strawberries, but the method employed 
is modified by the character of the market. With an educated public, will- 
ing to pay an extra price for increase in the size and quality of the fruit, 
and especially if there be competition, close cultivation, in hills, under the 
most favorable circumstances, will not fail to be more profitable than the 
matted row or the ‘‘no row at all” methods. 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 29 
DEEP OR SHALLOW CULTIVATION. 


The question of deep or shallow cultivation will perhaps never be set- 
tled to suit all minds, but all experiments thus far conducted indicate that 
stirring the soil tends to admit the air and to deprive the stirred portion of 
moisture. But on the other hand the soil, being loosened, capillary action is 
checked and the surface soil, acting as a mulch, retains the water in the sub- 
jacent layers, for the use of the plants. In wet seasons, and especially in 
the spring, deep tillage removes the surplus water from the surface soil. In 
dry seasons and in the summer it destroys the surface roots, thus depriving 
the plants of their water supply and exposing an unnecessarily large amount 
of the soil to the drying influences of the air. From these results a rule has. 
been derived which, like all others, has its exceptions: cultivate deep in the 
spring, and in wet seasons when there is no danger from breaking the roots, 
but by all means use surface tillage in dry seasons. 

Proper cultivation promotes a healthy growth and increases the size of the 
plants, thus giving them strength to mature fruits larger both in size and 
number. 

Harm is often done by late cultivation; as, when the plants have made 
their growth for the year and have commenced to mature their fruit or ripen 
their buds, the stirring of the soil will often cause a new growth of the plant, 
which will lessen the amount of fruit in the one case and produce a new 
growth, liable to to winterkill, in the other. 


FERTILIZATION AND FERTILIZERS. 


No one can expect to obtain good crops unless he provides food for them. 
The source of the supply makes little difference if it is furnished in proper 
kind and quantity. Experiments in stock feeding have demonstrated that 
animals can be molded at will in both form and structure, and, except that 
they are more exposed to climatic influences, our plants can with equal cer- 
tainty be subjected to our will. 

With a knowledge of the wants of plants and of the sources of plant food, 
we can bring the feeding of plants down to a rational system. 

A few years ago much was said of the advantages of soil analysis, but it is 
now considered of importance as a general indication of the soi! constituents. 

Stable manure is the main dependence of the horticulturists of the country, 
and as such it should be husbanded and applied to the extent that the increase 
in return will warrant. 

While the time has not yet come for the general use of commercial fertil- 
izers by the ordinary farmer, the fruit grower and gardener will even now 
find their rational use a profitable investment. 

The commercial fertilizers are in a soluble form and furnish food to the 
young plants, in the spring, thus giving them a vigorous start before they 
can obtain a full supply of food from the soil. For forcing early vegetables, 
nitrogenous fertilizers will prove a paying investment. 

The fruit grower desires a fertilizer which will produce a strong, healthy 
plant and an abundance of fruit. Stable manure, especially if it be unde- 
composed, when applied in large quantities is likely to cause a rank growth 
of the plant at the expense of the fruit. On the other hand, such mineral 
fertilizers as ashes and ground bones tend to correct this and improve both 


30 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


the size and quality. Few persons are aware of the beneficial effects of 
potash on the quality of the fruit. By the application of potash at the rate 
of 80 pounds per acre, with other special fertilizers, the amount of sugar in 
grapes has been increased more than fifty per cent and the same holds true 
with nearly all fruits. 

While wood ashes are valuable as a source of potash, the best results with 
fruits have been secured by the use of potash salts in the form of muriate. 
The value of this salt to the fruit grower can hardly be overrated. Itisa 
specific against fungous diseases, and in addition furnishes potash, which is 
lacking in most soils, to the plants. 

Potash has its place in the structure of the plant, and is necessary for the 
formation of chlorophyl. the green coloring matter of the leaves, without 
which no growth can take place. The yellow color of the leaves of plants 
growing in poor or exhausted soil is generally owing to the absence of potash; 
and if it be applied, the green color will be resumed. ‘The ultimate effect of 
fertilizers is to increase the size, quantity, and quality of product. While all 
may not appreciate the latter, everyone will value the increase in quantity, 
and in case of active competition or glut the increase in size will lead to the 
sale of the large, perfect fruit at a fancy price, while small and inferior pack- 
ages of the same variety will be a total loss. 

Potatoes, when highly fertilized with stable manure, are coarse and watery, 
while the same yield of the very best quality can be secured by the use of the 
‘sulphate of potash and ground bone. 

In an experiment with sugar beets, Dr. Goessmann found the per cent of 
sugar, when stable manure was used, to be 7.8, and when sulphate of potash 
was used as a fertilizer the same variety showed 12.78 per cent, a result almost 
exactly obtained from the grape by the use of muriate. 

Not only do plants that are properly nourished produce more and better 
fruit, but they are less injured by insects and diseases. Trees supplied with 
an abundance of food, and which are making a good growth, are less liable to 
the attacks of borers than those that are suffering for want of it, and if 
attacked will outgrow the injury, while the weak ones generally succumb. 

Plants of all kinds, that are neglected and in a feeble condition, may be 
seriously injured by any one of their pests, while the healthy plants in the 
same neighborhood will not be appreciably injured. 

The mildew and rot of the grape,and all fungous diseases,are often prevented 
or their ravages greatly lessened, if the plants are properly fed. The advice 
giyen years ago, to provide food enough for both plant and parasite, still holds 
good, and if followed will greatly lessen the injury from insects and fungi. 
The successful horticulturists, however, will not neglect the use of insecticides 
and fungicides. 

We have thus briefly mentioned some of the steps that must be taken if 
success would be secured. The extent to which intensive methods can be 
used will depend on circumstances; but if brain directs brawn in carrying out 
the work, we can feel assured that the proper methods will be employed, and 
that the result will be a pecuniary success. 


WHAT FOLLOWED. 


Ensuing discussion of Prof. Taft’s paper took a wide range. 
Thomas Wilde of Herrington, Ottawa county: I have seen plant feeding 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 31 


overdone—have seen quality of the product injured by it, where a moderate 
supply would have produced desired results in both quality and quantity; but 
perhaps the wrong kind of food was given. Possibly the right sort of food 
would relieve apples of the fungus known as scab. Todo the same I have 
used a solution of corrosive sublimate, sprayed on, and it has been efficacious 
to some extent. I used one part of sublimate to 10,000 parts of water and 
found that a little too strong. It was applied in spring, just after the blos- 
soming. ‘The same solution also kills the codlin moth and curculio and seems 
to prevent rot of plums. I have tried commercial fertilizer for onions, with 
fair success, raising them upon ground that would not otherwise have raised 
them. The kind used was garden city phosphate and one ton was used on 
four acres of the onions—worked into the soil before planting. The soil was 
upland and I got forty cents per bushel for the onions when swamp onions 
brought but fifteen cents. I used the same fertilizer on strawberries, on a 
small scale, but it seemed to produce an excess of foliage. 

A. G. Gulley of South Haven: My experience is against subsoiling for onions. 
As to intensive horticulture, there are but few places where it can be profitably 
practiced. In most localities land is cheaper than labor and it is therefore 
best to use more of it. Where land is high, practice of intensive horticulture 
‘becomes desirable. 

Prof. Taft: I have tried nearly all the phosphates and have grown wary 
of them; but it is always safe to use ashes or the potash which they supply 
—the sulphate of potash for vegetables, the muriate for fruit. 

Thos. Wilde (replying to a question): I give onions shallow or deep culti- 
vation according to season. ‘This year I used the Perry scarifier and deeper 
cultivation than usual I had a later crop but a better yield in consequence. 

President Lyon: I would ask Prof. Taft what fertilizers he would use in 
intensive horticulture on light soils. 

Prof. Taft: Soluble fertilizers would be largely lost because they would go 
down. Ground bone is excellent in such cases and its influence is felt at 
once. The salts of potask would be largely lost. Such soils would require, 
for fruit, 500 pounds of muriate of potash per acre, while ordinarily 150 to 
200 pounds would be sufficient. 

C. F. Wheeler of Hubbardston: I once planted forty grape-vines on light 
soil unfertilized. I piled ashes from the house about them and in the course 
of years these became very thick. They now bear good crops, though none 
at all at first; but while the bunches are of fair size they do not equal the 
fruit on systematically pruned vines. 

W. H. Parmelee of Hilliards, Allegan county: ‘The past few summers I[ 
have engaged in onion culture, using barnyard manure, and I can not afford 
to spread it thinly. Where my cultivation was most intensive the results 
were the best. My onions were on a dry piece of muck. I used some ashes 
and they told decidedly, though they were spread lighly on the surface, be- 
fore the seed came up; but on that part of the field I got carrots at the rate 
of 1,738 bushels per acre. My Red Wethersfield onions yielded 600 bushels 
per acre, Southport White about the same, Danvers somewhat less. 

J. A. Pearce of Grand Rapids: I have noticed a marked difference, from 
the use of ashes, in the size, quality, and color of fruit. One of my acquaint- 
ances, having applied ashes heavily to his peach orchard, the soil being a 
-good clay loam, this year gave it a good dressing of muck, and he had the 
finest peaches that entered the Grand Rapids market this season. Beyond 


32 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


doubt, intensive methods are best where they can be carried out. We should 
all give more and better cultivation to our lands. 

Pres. Lyon cited a grower whose dwarf Duchess pears flowered freely and 
set but little fruit—a common experience with that sort. He cut them back 
severely (equivalant to disbudding), manured heavily, and worked it in; and 
although tne trees stood four feet apart, they bore more fruit than would 
have completely covered the ground. The market gardeners near New York 
city manure excessively and spade the earth four feet deep; and say that on 
ground worth $1,000 per acre they must do it to make anything. Intensive 
horticulture has been highly successful on strawberries. (Replying to a 
question by Mr. W. N. Cook): The Duchess pear needs heavy or strong soil, 
and this is so as to nearly all others, though there are some which do well on 
the lighter lands. But even these you should manure heavily, adding clay 
if possible. 

SOME COMMITTEES. 


President Lyon announced the following committees: 
Fruits and Flowers—Messrs. L. R. Taft, A. G. Gulley, Thomas Wilde. 
Resolutions—Messrs. W. J. Beal, J. F. Taylor, 8S. R. Fuller. 


Tuesday Morning Session. 


The second session of fhe series began with an increased attendance and 
continued with growing interest, being opened by the following paper by 
W. A. Brown of Benton Harbor, on 


COMMERCIAL FRUIT CULTURE. 


The work done by the pioneer members of the Michigan State Horticul- 
tural Society in the interests of practical fruit growing have resulted in great 
commercial interests which now require the co-operation of fruit growers for 
the purpose of economical distribution, transportation, and marketing. Socie- 
ties have discussed all questions connected with location, methods, diseases, 
and varieties of fruits. The student who desires information regarding fruit 
growing upon the Michigan peninsula can find full knowledge regarding all 
subjects relating to this great interest in the numerous yolumes of the reports 
of this society. 

But commercial fruit growing, in those parts of our state most exempt 
from the rigorous climate of this latitude, has developed more rapidly and: 
assumed greater proportions than dreamed of by the most sanguine fruit 
grower of twenty years ago. While horticultural societies have accomplished 
much for our fruit growing interests, they are not organized for business; but. 
since the large production of fruits demand new methods of marketing, and 
a more comprehensive system of distribution, the consideration of these sub-- 
jects is of paramount importance. 


THE OLD SYSTEM OF SALES UNSATISFACTORY. 


The old system of selling to grocers, by growers for a local market, or indi- 
vidual consignments to commission houses at distant markets, proved gener- 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 33 


ally satisfactory so long as the local demand equaled the supply. Since the 
early era of commercial fruit growing, when the St. Joseph region afforded 
an inadequate supply to the growing city of Chicago, the fruit growing area 
has been vastly extended. California, the gulf states, and many inland points, 
are now sending a large part of their surplus fruits to Chicago. Commencing 
with high rates on perishable fruits, transportation companies haye reduced 
rates and bettered facilities from distant points, until cost of water transpor- 
tation from the east shore of lake Michigan nearly equal thousands of miles 
of rail carriage. It is evident that great fruit growing centers do not consider 
the fact that their fruits must be sold in Chicago in direct competition with 
large quantities of fruit which are received daily from all parts of the world 
which can reach Chicago. ‘The inevitable sequence of such large and ‘‘unex- 
pected’? accumulations of perishable fruits, is a glut in the market and 
unremunerative prices. 

A few such lessons are not without effect. Only the best is shipped, large 
. quantities go to waste, new points of distribution are sought, and many re- 
sign the business in favor of other localities or other growers who are intel- 
ligent in their modes of growing and marketing fruits. 

In view of the inevitable competition and occasional gluts in the markets, 
vhe advisability of planting fruits for future markets may be questioned. I 
would say, continue to plant those varieties which have been found best 
adapted to our climate, soil and markets, but only in such localities as have 
been proved to be favorable to fruit production. 


WHAT FRUITS TO PLANT. 


Of the different fruits the apple is of greatest importance. It has proved 
prolific and certain in a large part of the Michigan peninsula, while it has 
signally failed over a vast extent of country in the northwestern and middle 
states. Notwithstanding the present backward season and immature crop, 
the past twenty years have proved the peach adapted to the high lanas near 
the lake, northward to and including Oceana county. Plant and replant the 
peach. Pears have also proved a paying crop. Plums are of first importance 
in the northern lake shore country, while choice varieties of the cherry are 
better adapted to the southern counties, which is also true of the grape. 
Various conditions have obtained during the past few years which will cause 
the extensive planting of small fruits for distant markets to be of doubtful 
utility. The extreme south brings the first strawberries to all of our mar- 
kets, which are followed by large shipments from further north which ‘lap 
on’’ to Berrien county berries, thus extending the season until raspberries are 
in the market. The small towns are being supplied with home grown berries, 
and many places which formerly bought Berrien county berries are now ship- 
ping a surplus to Chicago. 


LACK OF APPRECIATION OF GOOD FRUITS. 


We can not educate the large markets. Size, beauty, and long-keeping 
qualities will continue to be preferred in the markets when fruits are received 
from distant points and change hands several times before reaching the con- 
sumer. Comparatively few in the large cities are educated to discriminate 
in purchasing by the names of fruits. New, showy varieties sometimes com- 


i) 


34 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


mand large prices, however, anda few will suit their tastes, in preference 
to appearance, in fruit. The grower for a local market comes in contact with 
his customers who soon learn to discriminate in their selections of fruit. 
Many of them are amateur growers, who study with interest the cultivation 
of fruit, and observe the introduction and development of new and choice 
varieties in the fields of the professional grower. 


FINDING MARKETS AND REACHING THEM. 


The question of ‘‘choosing and reaching markets’ is of vital import 
to large fruit growing communities. The consideration of these subjects 
includes transportation and methods of marketing, and has resulted in com- 
bination of fruit growers in the Pacific and Atlantic states and at various 
points in the south. Combinations of fruit growers made many years ago in 
southern Illinois, whereby fruit shipments to Chicago are made by the 
“Granger” fruit trains, have proved satisfactory to shippers and to the Illi- 
nois Central railway company. Cars are furnished by the railway company, 
at an agreed price per car, and sufficient cars are placed at principal ship- 
ping points to make upa daily fruit train. The growers employ their own 
agents to load cars and make bills of lading ; also agents in Chicago to unload 
cars and collect freight bills from consigners, a pro rata charge being made 
to shippers for cost of cars and other expenses. The Illinois Central railway 
has given fair rates and every possible facility to the fruit interests of the 
south. With the extension of its system, shipping facilities have been given 
to fruit organizations in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisana. Among these 
the ‘‘Inter-state Shipping Association”’ has gone aside from the main track 
by sending carloads of fruit to points outside of Chicago. 

The magnitude of the fruit business, and the long distance from markets, 
compelled an early organization of the fruit growers of California. Various 
modes of co-operation were proposed and tried, which finally culminated in 
the formation of the ‘California Fruit Growers’ Union,’’ which has proved 
the most successful of any fruit organization extant. The union gives the 
sole control of the business to their agents, who are getting reduced rates 
from the great trans-continental railway lines for full trains of fruit. Sales 
are made at auction, immediately on arrival at terminal points, of which 
Chicago has received much the largest share; but during the past season 
shipments have been successfully made to the large eastern cities. 

The arrival of California fruit in good condition is only possible through 
their system of gathering before maturity, shipping in refrigerator cars, and 
their nice mode of packing only the best grades of fruit. 

Chautauqua county, N. Y., celebrated for the large quantity of grapes 
grown, appears to be successful in obtaining cheap freights and distant mar- 
kets through the ‘‘ Chautauqua Grape Growers Union.’ 

The Delaware Fruit Exchange has been in successful operation two years. 
The distinctive character of the organization consists in selling fruit from 
growers’ wagons at auction. ‘The fruit is sold at large shipping points, and 
being graded attracts numerous buyers from the eastern cities. The exchange 
has recently been supplemented by the Baltimore Fruit Exchange, and the 
‘Bureau of Transportation and J)istribution’”’ These agencies have been 
efficient in aiding in the disposal of the large crop of peaches grown in Dela- 
ware and Maryland, the past season, no olut having occurred in the eastern 
markets, and much better prices being received by growers than anticipated. 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 35 
WHAT WE HAVE AND WHAT WE LACK IN MICHIGAN. 


The commercial systems for the marketing of Michigan fruits are too well 
known to require a review before an audience of Michigan fruit growers. But 
it may be well to compare our methods with other fruit localities which seek 
acommon market. Lake transportation is supposed to give western Michigan 
a great advantage in the Chicago market. So far as the transportation of 
small fruits from the lake ports nearest to Chicago is concerned, this will 
always be true; but not one-half of the tree fruits shipped from Michigan to 
Chicago are consumed in that city. They are reshipped in little lots and in 
car lots over the many roads which diverge from Chicago to small places and 
large towns, where they are consumed. 

The modern world moves on wheels. Large mercantile transactions are by 
the car-load. Minneapolis and St. Paul consume and distribute more fruit 
than Chicago did twenty years ago. A hundred small towns in the west will 
each buy a car-load of good Michigan peaches if they can get them in good 
condition and at a fair price, and twenty thousand prairie farmers, who never 
expect to grow apples, will buy annually from one to ten barrels each, and rail- 
ways will carry fruit home to their best customers at cheap rates. 

I can not at this writing outline new and better methods for the transpor- 
tation and sale of Michigan fruits. Lake transportation and the intervention 
of the commission system will always be necessary in the large lake cities; 
but fruits consumed at points beyond Chicago should not pay tribute to that 
city, nor be subject to the delay and rough handling incident to transfer from 
boats to cars. Some lessons may be learned in co-operation from the results 
obtained by other organizations herein alluded to, and these subjects more 
carefully considered at conventions of fruit growers in the future, when prac- 
tical suggestions may be made and preliminary action taken having in view 
the reconstruction of the Michigan Fruit Exchange upon a broad and per- 
manent basis. 


TESTIMONY OF THE SHIPPERS. 


An animated and interesting discussion ensued upon the reading of this 
paper. Prof. Beal asked if there were any growers present who had shipped 
fruit beyond Chicago to cities or small towns. 

D. W. Hinman of Fennville: I have sent peaches to Minneapolis, with 
good results. 

J. F. Taylor of Douglas: I know of no one sufficiently acquainted with 
results to intelligently express an opinion. It is difficult for one sending 
large quantities to adhere either to Chicago or beyond. The shipper by lake 
may often be harmed by boats being too late for trains west, thus causing a 
whole day’s delay. In such cases the fruit might better have been left in 
Chicago and sold there. Transfer in Chicago createsa charge which the 
shipper can ill afford when margins are close, and express charges on small 
lots consume profits. Buyers in the small towns are fastidious, ‘‘returns’’ are 
uncertain, and there is considerable loss of packages, so the end of such ship- 
ments is likely to be unsatisfactory. When a grower can send to a few reli- 
able, prompt, interior dealers it is an advantage, but otherwise it is better 
to send to Chicago and receive payment in reasonable time. I have sent to 
Indianapolis and a few other such places, but the results were unsatisfactory, 
owing to loss of packages and payment. Again, it is useless to send the 


36 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


smaller sizes of peaches to local and distant markets, for only the best will 
sell readily therein or return profitable prices. Our difficulty with shipment 
of car lots west from Milwaukee has been bad connection of boats with trains. 
This season we kept a man there to serve our interests and the result was bet- 
ter than ever before. We are encouraged by it to think that in the future we 
will be able to supply the northwest direct. Packages are deceptive, new 
forms not always proving popular. The great volume of the peach crop the 
past two years has made the return to the producer as low as he can bear 
with any profit; yet, to the consumer, prices were as high as ever. Unless 
this can be remedied, decrease of production will follow, owners of the less 
reliable lands occupying them with other crops. 

A. G. Gulley: I sent my raspberries to Chicago, but found afterward that 
I could have obtaiued better prices inland. Growers about South Haven say 
they have better returns from berries sent beyond Chicago, or to the smaller 
towns in other directions, though not in car lots. This year a new feature of 
trade was the coming of buyers from the south and east who took peaches off 
in wagon loads for retail, taking them even 75 to 100 miles away. 

C. J. Monroe of South Haven: ‘This began three years ago. Some of 
these purchasers buy to peddle, others come with orders in advance. I sold 
one-third of my peach crop to such men, and a neighbor sold them $400 
worth in two days. It is one of the most satisfactory features of the business 
at present, and if it increases will greatly relieve the central markets. My 
brother and myself each has a peach orchard; each has to hire all the labor 
required, and we can therefore compare results very closely. My brother 
scatters his crops, but I send to Chicago. He gets better prices on the whole, 
but his profits were cut by gluts in some of those smaller towns, so that in 
the end, for two seasons, there is scarcely any difference between us. If my 
brother had counted in his time spent in correspondence, he would be below 
me in net returns. Yet, if a man can give shipments his personal attention, 
I think he can do better by scattering them. The most successful grower I 
know of, in this respect, is J. N. Stearns of Kalamazoo, whose orchards are 
near South Haven. He secures his markets carefully, in advance, and so gets 
highly satisfactory returns. But for the great mass of growers, Chicago and 
the commission system are indispensable. If we could assess ourselves and 
keep a man in Chicago to look after our interests, we could gain much. It 
would also be a great advantage if large shipping points would send to Chi- 
cago bulletins of shipments, so that the dealers could know in advance what 
was coming. 


A COMMISSION MERCHANTS’ VIEWS. 


G. W. Barnett (of Barnett Bros., Chicago): No doubt many present are 
familiar with my views on the points made by Mr. Brown’s paper, through my 
letters to the Allegan Gazette, so I must be to that extent repetitious. Mr. 
Brown has spoken in generalities. ‘The California union has not been alto- 
gether successful, and changes of its plan are to be made soon; the Maryland 
exchange does not operate to the west, and the results of the work of the 
others is not publicly known. But as there have been new ones formed late- 
ly, it would seem that those first established have not been altogether satis- 
factory. There are not twenty places west of Chicago where car-loads of fruit 
can be successfully handled. Fifteen years ago the receivers of green fruits 
were largely dependent on one man, but not liking that dependence my firm 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 37 


established for ourselves direct business relations with the dealers west of us, 
and in those towns such shippers as Mr. Taylor may often be in competition 
with us, to the injury of both in respect to prices. I would like to hear, 
sometime, at a meeting like this, an expression of opinion on the topic, 
“What should we expect from the commission merchant?’ Mr. Barnett 
expressed himself as gratified with the reception accorded him here, contrast- 
ing it with one he received at a meeting of southern fruit and vegetable grow- 
ers, which had much of that warmth which springs from misinformation, and 
continued: No honest man in the commission business will advise a shipper 
to send his products to Chicago, or to his firm, if he has reason to believe that 
the shipper can do better elsewhere; and no man fit to continue in the busi- 
ness will do it. Find if you can do well with part of your crop elsewhere than 
in Chicago, and if you can send ten baskets there per day, do so, and to that 
extent relieve the central market. Mr. Barnett spoke at some length about 
the bad condition in which fruit is often received, and told how he once 
offered, to an association of growers, to pay the expenses of a man in Chicago, 
if he would honestly report to him the state in which their fruit reached the 
market. He spoke further, favorably to each grower “‘working up” a market 
for himself, and said he would like to have in Chicago such an agent as Mr. 
Taylor referred to, who would not only look after the shippers’ interests, but 
would be able to tell how much fruit was coming. He did not believe it 
would ever be practicable to supply the northwest without the aid of Chicago 
and the commission men. 

W. N. Cook of Grand Rapids: In the apple business it is very unsafe to 
depend on names, as Chicago insists on ‘‘ Wine’”’ for Twenty-Ounce and 
“«Steele’s Red ” for Red Canada. One advantage would come from planting 
fewer varieties, and supplying better sorts will educate the market, or, rather, 
complete their acquaintance and use. 

J. A. Pearce: Cold storage could be used to advantage to keep back part 
of the crop and thereby relieve the market of glut. The commission men 
have no facilities for storing large quantities, so if each grower would keep 
back his share it would be a great relief. 


IMPROVING THE PUBLIC TASTE FOR FRUIT. 


President Lyon: It must be known to most of those present that I most 
thoroughly believe in the possibility of educating the market. I well recall 
the time when both pieplant and the tomato were not used; but the public 
were educated to a liking for both. So, too, as to the Concord grape, though 
never esteemed by connoisseurs as of high quality; and so, too, as to the Dela- 
ware grape, for, despite its small berries and bunches, the people learned its 
value. In the same way the Rhode Island Greening apple’s quality has won 
a high place for it, notwithstanding its uninviting color. There are other 
apples of equally superior quality, but they have not been pushed in the 
market to public attention. Commission men, of course, ask for the sorts 
their customers demand. The Schaffer raspberry has fought its way to pref- 
erence very much against its appearance. If we send fruit to market in such 
condition as it should be, if it has merit it will win its way. 

C. W. Garfield: I am not so optimistic as Mr. Lyon; but we can all ‘note 
the disadvantage we labor under in the fruit market. We see the stores and 
stands crowded with southern fruit, more and more each year, for consump- 


38 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


tion has increased rapidly. Butthe Ben Davis or Baldwin apple is all we have 
to offer against the banana, the orange, or the lemon—no Red Canada, no 
American Beauty, scarcely a Jonathan, though any of these would soon com- 
mand a ready and an increasing sale. This forces southern fruit where our 
own and better should be used. In planting trees we should look beyond 
what orchards do now, to what they will do when better sorts become more 
known. 

W. N. Cook: Fruit growers are largely at fault in supplying such apples, 
yet we seldom see on Chicago fruit stands anything but Ben Davis. The 
public has no chance to get better. 

Evart H. Scott of Ann Arbor: It may be impossible to educate the Chicago 
market—it looks that way; but the eastern markets are well educated in the 
quality of fruit. My Ben Davis apples are not wanted till all others are gone. 
I send my poorest varieties of fruit to Chicago—much as Clairgeau pears. 
The Bartlett pear sells better there than the Sheldon. 

A. G. Gulley: It is easier to educate small towns than Chicago, where three- 
fourths of all the peaches sell as Crawford, when in fact only one-tenth are 
such. 


A NON-EDUCATOR. 


E. Graham of Grand Rapids: It is easy to talk about educating the market, 
but to do so costs money and time. ‘The standard fruits are demanded; and 
as the dollar is what is wanted by all growers, I am going to get it and as soon 
as possible. Color has much to do with sale of apples, both here and in Eng- 
land, nothing selling better than the Baldwin, in the latter market, at this 
time of year. The King brings the highest price there, but who can afford 
to grow it in Michigan? I can raise two barrels of Baldwin to one of King. 
Education of local markets is possible, however, and I would not advise 
cutting down of the better sorts, for the public may become educated. 


BUT THE WORLD DOES MOVE. 


Thomas Wilde remarked, ‘‘Education is proceeding,’’ and told of a trip he 
made last fall with some buyers who preferred Belflower, Spy, Red Canada, 
and other sorts, to Ben Davis, saying of the latter, when he had to take some 
in order to get the others, ‘‘Well, take them in, they’ll do for cooking.’’ 
The Red Canada,he further remarked,is small when unpruned or uncultivated, 
but where otherwise treated is of good size and is sought for eagerly. Besides, 
the Spy and Red Canada hang on well to the trees in winds that shake the 
Baldwins all off. 

Plates of Shiawassee,incomparable in color, and Grimes’ Golden, were here 
brought forward in contrast with Baldwin and’ Ben Davis. 

C. J. Monroe urged the need of greater care in handling, and the desira- 
bility of having fruit growers’ agents in Chicago to see to unloading; and 
asked Mr. Barnett if most of the drayage in Chicago is not done by contract. 

Mr. Barnett: So far as I know it is only so done by those managing the 
‘‘ granger system,” alluded to by Mr. Brown. No harm comes from tossing 
or throwing the packages if they are properly caught. The harm comes 
from dropping them, and the dropper is held responsible. To fruit shipped 
on boats there is not a single jar from the time it is put aboard till it reaches 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 39 


the merchant’s door. This is a pretty strong assertion, but it is strictly true. 
It is put upon the docks as carefully as eggs. 

C. J. Monroe: Yet no fruit grower goes to Chicago in the season but sees 
fruit handled in a way to make him nervous. I have seen it piled upon 
express wagons in great loads, the packages in all sorts of improper positions, 
on the sides, the ends, upside down, and very roughly handled. The em- 
ployés of boats are careful. One or two tossings will do no harm, but three 
or four are damaging, as examination will show. 

E. H. Scott: Ihave known great injury to result to berry boxes from pil- 
ing them in a slanting position. . 

J. F. Taylor: That is just the trouble. They should all be piled level. I 
have seen fruit stacked bottom upward as often as any other way. Such treat- 
ment is specially fatal to berries. But very little rough handling gives them 
a bad appearance. Hauling and stacking do more harm than handling. 

Mr. H. H. Hayes of Talmadge, Ottawa county, was asked what package 
he uses for his Niagara grapes, and answered that it is the Climax, a kind 
having a board bottom and close veneer top secured by six fastenings. They 
cost three and a half cents each. 

Pres’t Lyon: Such are used for peaches, at South Haven, to some extent, 

Mr. Cook asked Mr. Barnett what packages he recommended for peaches. 

Mr. Barnett: For really choice fruit, the fifth basket; for medium (and 
there were but few such this year), the bushel basket is best; and for poor 
fruit, the bushel by all means, it is so much more easily dumped ! 

R. M. Kellogg of Ionia: I put up my fruit in such a way as to tempt the 
consumer by its appearance. But this is for ready use. It takes 24 hours to 
reach a great city [Mr. Barnett: Say Milwaukee !] and 48 hours to get to the 
northwest, and condition at time of packing must be calculated accordingly. 
There should be three grades of ripeness—for home use, for the immediate 
market, and for the distant market. The same must be considered in con- 
nection with apples; and the despised Rome Beauty, Ben Davis and Baldwin 
will turn up next February when the better sorts are gone. 


SPRAYING WITH ARSENITES. 


Taking up the subject of spraying with arsenites, the secretary read the 
following, from Mr. N. J. Strong, of Fairfield: 

I have one orchard of 130 trees, set about sixteen years ago, and it has 
borne several years, but the apples have been nearly worthless until this 
year, when I packed fifty-six barrels of first-class fruit and seven of seconds, 
besides a wagon load of windfalls. And this is how it happened: About five 
days after the blossoms had fallen I mixed six to seven ounces of London 
purple with fifty-three gallons of water, and with a good force-pump and 
spraying nozzle went Over the trees once, and could go only one side of the 
row on account of a very high wind; but I threw spray over the trees as much 
as possible. If in three weeks I had gone over the orchard again, I have no 
doubt a still larger per cent of fruit would have been first-class. 

My old orchard of 159 trees, set nearly fifty years ago. was not sprayed, and 
eighty per cent of its fruit was wormy. All of my neighbors with whom I 
have talked say they culled out over half in packing. ‘hey did not spray. 

The same day I sprayed my plum trees and a few peaches, but the mixture 
was too strong for the latter, as it injured the foliage, but not so with the 


40 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


apples and plums. As to its effect on the curculio, 1 am of the opinion it 
does no good unless applied very often, and then the insect will get in his 
work between times. It is barely possible a few eggs deposited about the 
time of spraying may be destroyed, but I think it not safe to depend upon 
this treatment altogether if one wants a good crop of plums, for there is no 
place for poison to lodge, as in the calyx of the apple. 

I raised a good crop of plums, but jarred the trees once and some days 
twice. have no doubt that spraying pear trees will result beneficially. 


OTHER EXPERIENCE, 


Eugene Davis: I used one-third of a pound of Paris green to one barrel of 
water, and this injured the foliage sometimes when not stirred actively. I 
carried the barrel in a wagon and the work was not as well done as it might 
have been, but the result was good, much better than I believed apples ever 
could be again. They were nearly free of the codlin moth’s work except 
some on under limbs. A few trees unsprayed yielded as many wormy apples 
as usual. The expense was for one day’s work and four pounds of Paris 
green. Four or five barrels of apples paid for this, while the gain from 
spraying was thirty or forty barrels. I would not on any account abandon 
the practice. I applied the poison three or four days after the bloom fell, 
and a shower occurred soon after. 

W. H. Parmelee: I have practiced spraying with good success for three 
years. I first used a small hand-pump and a pound of London purple to a 
barrel of water. ‘The second year I reduced the poison and it was still effect- 
ive. This year I used a pound to 120 gallons, and shall add thirty gallons 
more next season. I apply when the trees are dry from the dew and when 
no rain is impending. My trees are twenty-five years old and large, prob- 
ably requiring two pailfuls to each tree. I drove through ‘‘quartering”’ and 
so sprayed each tree from four directions. ‘Two men can easily go over five 
acres in a day. 

Prof. Taft: Ihave put on asecond hose, at the opposite side of the pump, and 
turned it back into the barrel, so making every stroke of the pump serve to 
keep the mixture stirred I have found the Field and Gould pumps to be of 
equal merit. One pound of Paris green in 200 gallons of water proved suffi- 
cient this year. The best time for application is one week after the bloom 
falls. Be careful to have the barrel wholly closed, to exclude dirt which eas- 
ily clogs the pump or nozzle. In California gas-pipe is attached to the pumps 
so as to get above the trees. Spraying is efficient against the curculio, if ap- 
plied once a week for three orfour weeks. White arsenic is pure, and for 
spraying only one-fourth as much is necessary as of Paris green or London 
purple, and its cost is buta fraction of that ofthe other substances. Lye 
should be used with it, to make a solution. There is no danger from the 
spray to the operator. 

EK. H. Scott: With a power pump, two men can go over 1,700 trees per 
day. I put on rubber gloves and coat, for safety and dryness. 

Prof. Taft: The curculio are killed, by spray, either the mature insect 
when cutting the fruit to deposit the egg, or the larva when hatched, the 
poison having settled into its hiding place in the wound. 

Thos. Wilde: I have used white arsenic for spraying, and regard it, in so- 
lution, as safer than the other forms in suspension. When the solution 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 4] 


reaches the ground it goes in and nothing is left behind. My soiution has 
10,000 pounds of water to one of arsenic, when ready forthe trees; and a 
pint of it might be drank by a human being and no harm ensue. To make 
my solution I take five gallons of water, one pound of concentrated lye, and a 
quarter pound of white arsenic, having the water warm so as to dissolve the 
lye more quickly, and I take one gallon of this to one barrel of water to use 
for spraying. 


Tuesday Afternoon Session. 


The session of Tuesday afternoon began with the reading, by the secretary, 
of the following letter from Mr. B. Hathaway, who had been invited to fur- 
nish a paper on 


PEDIGREE IN PLANTS AND FRUITS. 


LITTLE PRAIRE RONDE, December 3, 1888. 


I have had no opportunity to give due study to the subject you proposed to 
me to write a paper upon, and it is but little I could offer or suggest upon so 
recondite a theme, at the best. 

That pedigree will do for us in the line of fruits and plants what it has 
done and is doing in the animal kingdom, seems reasonable and in accord- 
ance with all analogies. But we must first have the improved family, before 
pedigree can become beneficially operative ; and the first problem, as it seems 
to me, for Michigan horticulturists to solve, especially as it relates to the 
apple, is the producing of a new race. 

This is not accomplished through pedigree, but must be sought through 
hybridizing, crossing and selection. That we have the elements of a new race, 
or new family, of the apple, one that will more fully meet the requirements 
of the climatic condition of our state than anything we now have, I have no 
doubt. 

We want an apple that shall be in tree as hardy as the Duchess of Olden- 
burg, or any of the Russian varieties; that in fruit shall possess all the flavor 
of the Northern Spy, the keeping quality of a well grown Baldwin or Red 
Canada, as these apples are when grown in the central or northern part of 
the state. 

That a judicious cross of one or more of our most valuable varieties, upon 
the best of the Russian sorts, will result in a new family out of which, by 
painstaking selection and the help of pedigree in further propagation, we 
shall finally obtain the apple we want, I have the utmost confidence. 

Like every other good thing, however, it is not to be gotten in any easy 
manner or by hasty method. If the desired apple is produced and tested 
and ready to disseminate in 20 years, it will be well worth the long-time labor 
and painstaking in its production. 

Then there are the crab hybrids, so called, of Minnesota, many of them 
genuine crab hybrids, no doubt, out of which, by crossing upon such of our 
common sorts as the Spy, Baldwin, Red Canada, Eubbardston, etc., will be 
produced a new family with great and distinctive merits of its own. 

Out of this, when the family character is once established, by careful 


42 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


selection, and observance of pedigree in the selection of seed for further 
experiment, we may reasonably hope for an apple that, for our state, will 
fill all the requirements of hardiness, productiveness and quality. 

The pressing need of horticulture in Michigan, though not as pressing as 
in the states further west, is for new, hardy, valuable indigenous varieties of 
fruit, of the apple especially, as this is the great staple. 

While the labor of producing and testing the new and needed fruits would 
-seem to belong to a well equipped and organized experimental station, the 
work can be and should be supplemented, if not inaugurated, by the enter- 
prising horticulturists of Michigan. 

B. HATHAWAY. 


MR. HATHAWAY’S STRAWBERRIES. 


Prest. Lyon: The fact is that Mr. Hathaway, who is living almost entire- 
ly beyond the influence of Lake Michigan, has himself given much study to 
this question of originating hardy and improved varieties, and especially as to 
the strawberry. He took a certain strain of the native stock (the Virginia 
Scarlet) and persistently worked at it, securing one thousand or more seed- 
lings, and from these selected his Pistillate Scarlet. He has many seedlings 
from this, all of them bearing a strong family resemblance, and they are as 
vigorous and fruitful plants as lever saw. Such a course with other fruits 
is what he recommends. Peter M. Gideon of Minnesota did the same with 
the crab apple and got many seedlings desirable for that region, all bearing 
the distinctive crab appearance. The efforts of Prof. Budd of the lowa 
Agricultural College with Russian pears and apples are upon the same line in 
some degree. All these experiments, in their results, go to show the practica- 
bility of generating families of fruits as well as of animals. 


CARELESS USE OF TERMS. 


Prof. Beal: Such experiments, if carelessly conducted, will be disappoint- 
ing, but if pursued with care and intelligence in selection and crossing, the 
result is sure to be good. There is much carelessness in use of scientific 
terms among breeders, both of animals and plants. In science a term means 
one thing, exactly that and nothing else. Hybrids are crosses between species, 
and the term ‘‘families” should be ‘‘races,’’ for families of plants cannot 
be hybridized. Work of this kind is very fascinating. The hybrids may be 
fertile and may not. If they are we may use, in further crossing, the pollen 
of either parent, or may take it from some other good gpecimen of the same 
kind, and by continuous work in this way finally get that which will come 
‘true to seed.”? Mr. Beal rehearsed the history of the Drummond phlox, 
which was originally a Texas wild flower, cross-fertilization and selection hay- 
ing produced the variation of color and size. The same process may undoubt- 
edly be carried out with the apple and a race established with such fixed 
character as to come true from seed. 


AS TO PISTILLATE HYBRIDS. 


Mr. Lyon was asked if it was true, as said by some, that recourse constantly 
to pistillate sorts, in hybridizing, tends to establish a pistillate hybrid. He 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 43 


replied that the whole rose family (which is the great fruit family) has a marked 
tendency to production of sterile flowers, and this is specially true of the 
strawberry. The pistillate strawberries bear large leaves and fruit, all the 
strength of the plant going into these instead of to the production of stamens 
and pollen. Yet we try to avoid this, because the final results are not likely 
to be as good as with perfect-flowered sorts. 

Thos. Wilde: I have one of Mr. Gideon’s hybrids which he sent me witha 
request that I would cross it with some of our best winter apples, and I will 
do so as soon as it blooms. I find it best to make crosses within the same 
strain, as taking something else tends to reversion into worthlessness. 


EXPERIMENTS IN CROSSING CORN, TOMATOES, BEANS AND CARROTS. 


Will W. Tracy: I want to give some experiences which bear upon the sub- 
ject, and will endeavor to be as brief as possible. First, in corn: In 1881, by 
starting it in pots we secured silk on three or four plants of Cuzco corn. This 
is a very late maturing species from Brazil which grows much taller than 
ours, with much more brittle leaves which are split into threads by our winds. 
The ear is short, nearly as thick as long, and the grain is much larger and 
proportionately broader, being in size and shape much like the common 
chestnut and perfectly smooth on the outside. The grain is made almost 
entirely of starch which is very white and flour like. The tassels had all 
been cut from the Cuzco as fast as they appeared, and the only pollen I had 
to use was some of Black Mexican. I used this freely and frequently, and as 
a result obtained two quite good ears, many of the grains being black and 
wrinkled like sweet corn, others being white but wrinkled, still others being 
white and smooth like the variety. In 1882 the white wrinkled grains were 
planted where there was little chance of mixture. The tassels were carefully 
removed as they appeared,and in due season the silk was fertilized with Early 
Minnesota pollen. The result was quite a lot of ears, some showing all sweet 
grains, some nearly all of the Cuczo type; but I think none of them black, 
although some of them showed considerable red. The best ear was selected 
and the sweet grains planted in 1883 and the silk again fertilized with Early 
Minnesota. This season there was considerable black corn, there being much 
more color than in 1882. The best two ears were selected and planted and 
left to fertilize themselves. There was much less color shown this season than 
any year previous. In 1885 the best were planted and no color appeared. In 
1887 the best ears were planted and no color showed. In 1888 the best two 
were planted, and this season a good many grains were as black as the 
Mexican and some ears are as much marked with red or black as is the ordi- 
nary red blazed. I could not find that there was any red or black within a 
mile. Where did this color come from if it was not “in the blood?’’ 

Again, in tomatoes: The Optimus, a red tomato, resulted from crossing a 
purple and a red variety, and as it first came to us would have five per cent of 
plants producing purple fruit. We selected the best plant and, preserving it 
through the winter, propagated the next spring about 100 plants from cut- 
tings of these plants. Two always bore purple fruit. One of these cutting 
plants was kept through the second winter and again plants propagated by 
cuttings, and these had one plant which bore purple fruit. Where did this 
tendency, so clearly shown, come from, if not ‘‘ in the blood?’’ 

In 1886 we had a stock of Carentan carrot which contained some very fine 


dt STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


sorts, although the bulk of the stock was poor and there were some sorts 
which were plainly crossed with some brighter colored sort. We selected 
three of the best sorts and set them out in 1887. There were no other carrots 
seeded within two miles. The seed was sown in 1887 and the product varied 
greatly, many of the sorts being light colored and the whole looking like the 
stock from which the selection was made much more than like the selection 
from which they were grown. Was not this a case of bad blood? 

In 1884 we selected a plant of black wax beans, planted the seed in pots 
early in 1885, and then transplanted into the open ground, so that they came 
into bloom earlier than any other plants in town. The plants all gave fine 
wax pods, and the seed was saved and planted in 1886, and produced quite a 
number of green-podded plants. Was not this due to blood? 

I might give such instances by the score, and they occur so frequently in 
my experience that I am as thoroughly convinced that fixity of type, result- 
ing from a long ancestry of uniform character, is just as possible in plants as 
in animals, but that it is only by careful attention to the same principles of 
breeding that are observed in animals that we can hope to reach the best 
result. 

Prof. Beal reminded that the progeny of crossing will partake chiefly of the 
character of the more vigorous and thoroughbred parent. 

Thos. Wilde related the result of sowing seed of a strain of green lettuce. 
Three-fourths of the product were yellow, and from this he concludes that 
at some time there was a yellow strain used in its production. 

Prof. Beal and Mr. Tracy agreed that what are called “sports’’ are only 
the re-appearance of a strain which was present in the original breeding. 


FOR COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 


Mr. E. H. Scott made some remarks concerning appointment of a new Com- 
missioner of Agriculture by President-elect Harrison, and read a letter from 
Senator Thos. W. Palmer, who had been mentioned in connection with that 
office, saying he would not accept it if offered. Mr. Scott moved that this 
society request the president-elect to nominate, in due time as he shall see fit, 
Mr. J. 8. Woodard of Lockport, N. Y., for Commissioner of Agriculture, our 
president-elect to so memorialize Mr. Harrison. Messrs. Beal, Garfield, and 
others spoke in favor of the motion and it was carried unanimously. 


THE M’INTOSH APPLE. 


The secretary read a letter from Mr. S. D. Willard of Geneva, N. Y., ex- 
pressing regret for his necessary absence, his regard for all the members, and 
closing thus, with respect to a desirable sort of apple: ‘‘Tell your men who 
want a choice early winter apple to try McIntosh Red. I know nothing equal 
to it for productiveness and quality here. It had its origin in Canada and is 
a trifle like Fameuse. We sold our fruit of it for $2.50 per barrel.”’ 


SOME SUGGESTIONS FROM ADRIAN. 


Mr. D. G, Edmiston of Adrian sent the following letter concerning several 
of the topics of the programme: 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 45 


ADRIAN, Mich., Dec. 3, 1888. 


The crop of small fruits in this vicinity was a light one, but quality was 
good and prices ruled high—just about double those of the year before. The 
cause of the light crop was the severe drought of the previous season. Those 
who had kept their berry fields in a good state of cultivation during the dry 
weather of last year had a fair crop with high prices, while those who had 
neglected cultivation had no fruit as their reward. 

A good average crop of the standard varieties of grape wasrealized by those 
who had kept their vineyards in a good state of cultivation. The weather of 
the summer did not seem to be such as to cause the spread of mildew and rot, 
hence but little damage was done to either fruit or vine. 

The crop of pears was a fair average and the quality was better than usual. 

The apples were perhaps two-thirds of afull crop. The quality of the fruit 
was good where the orchards had been sprayed with the arsenites; while the 
fruit not treated so was very wormy and inferior. 

We may learn from the season’s experience that cultivation should not be 
neglected during dry weather, and that spraying fruit trees with the arsenites, 
for the destruction of the codlin moth, is a success. The only serious diffi- 
culty in the way seems to be in getting the practice made universal, so as to 
prevent our neighbors from raising moths to destroy our fruit late in the 
season or the next year. The following remedy is suggested: Let the fruit 
growers of each neighborhood arrange with one or more individuals who 
shall get the necessary outfit and spray all the fruit trees in the neighborhood, 
for a reasonable compensation, just as the man who owns a threshing machine 
now goes from farm to farm and threshes the grain. It is believed that 
few persons would refuse to pay a reasonable price for having this work done, 
while not one in ten will get the necessary outfit and spray his trees at the 
proper time. i 

Of the effects of the arsenites on the curculio I am not so sure, experiments 
not all proving successful, as has been the case with the codlin moth. 

Yours, respectfully, 
D. G. EpMisTon. 


SPRAYING PLUMS FOR CURCULIO. 


A questioner wishing to know how the arsenites operate in destruction of 
curculio, on plums, Prest. Lyon said he thought some of the poison lodged 
in the wound and killed the larve. 

Thomas Wilde said spray of corrosive sublimate, such as he had already 
described, will do the same and also arrest or prevent mildew; but which it 
kills, the larve or the mature insect, or both, is yet a question. 


SOME FORESTRY TALK. 


Opening, with a short address, consideration of the topic, ‘‘ Forestry,’’ C. 
W. Garfield said he was more discouraged at the outlook as to forests than he 
was a few years ago. He had thought the forests might be preserved by 
promulgation of certain well known facts; but it is clear that only the money 
which comes from the cutting of lumber is now thought of, no care being 
taken as to the future. He related an anecdote, a conversation Prof. Beal 
and himself had with a man in northern Michigan who was about to cut the 


46 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


pine from 40 acres he had bought for $200, and by that means make a profit 
of $500; but he had no care or even thought of what should become of the 
land afterward. There are so many such that it seems useless and hopeless 
to do anything. Only one thing remains for us to do, and that is to continue 
to discuss the effects of cutting. No farmer in southern Michigan can afford 
to be without a woods tract, and this as a matter of practical sense, not of 
sentiment. Mr. Garfield said he had planted recently 1,200 little trees and 
has cultivated them. The black locust grew most rapidly, the hardy catalapa 
next (half as high as the preceding), and the others less, on down to the ever- 
greens. He means to extend the plat, and solely for protection and benefit 
to his farm. Ten years ago he planted 1,000 such trees just west of his house. 
The Austrian pines are now 25 feet high, although at first only a few inches. 
All others have done as well for their kind and now make a perfect windbreak 
for his house, which before was bleak. He cited the case of a western man 
who had made profit from growing the black locust; and answered a question 
by saying there is no trouble from the borer to a large plantation of these 
trees, no more than there is from the cabbage worm to a large field of cab- 
bages. Several cases were cited, and severe criticism spoken, of the men 
possessed of a fever for cutting trees, one of these being that of a man who 
wantonly cut a beautiful windbreak of elms and soon lost 500 bushels of 
apples, blown off, as a consequence. 


HINTS ON PLANTING TREES. 


Prof. W. J. Beal: This mania for timber is much like the boys’ disposi- 
tion for stealing apples, a matter of heredity, something inherent to the Anglo- 
Saxon race, which has spent its whole course in subduing wooded countries. 
There is no help for northern Michigan until all the timber is cut off and 
burned off and the lumbermen gone elsewhere. 

Continuing on the management of artificial plantations, Mr. Beal said: 
“‘Some trees will not grow in the shade, and if planted by themselves the 
tops will be very thin, allowing the light to reach the soil, which encourages 
the growth of grass and weeds. ‘These will check the growth of trees. Trees 
of this sort are black walnut, white ash and the European larch. Some trees 
will endure a medium amount of shade, as our oaks and the sugar maple; 
some will grow very well in the shade, as the beach and most pines, spruces, 
and cedars. With larches, ashes and walnuts should be planted two to one 
of some shade-loving trees, mixed in checkerboard style. Plant trees about 
four feet apart and cultivate, the longer the better for the trees. Trim 
occasionally, so. that the tops of adjacent trees barely touch each other. While 
young, see that no bad crotches are allowed to form. A young maple, oak, 
or elm is much like an apple tree, it will grow very slowly in the grass, 
especially if the soil be a poor one For windbreaks, white pine holds out 
long and well. Scotch pine grows fast but becomes straggling; and butter- 
nut grows fast at first but slowly later.”” Mr. Beal also noted the many uses 
to which very young timber is put in the mechanical arts, showing that a 
profitable demand for it is likely to be made upon its grower. 

G. S$. Linderman called attention to the rapid growth of the honey locust. 

ii. Graham could see but little hope for advancement of forestry in this 
generation, for no one will now do much except for the present dollar, but 
eventually its precepts and practice must become well established. 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 47 


Prest. Lyon: The hardy catalpa is wholly so at South Haven; but while 
Prof. Bailey says it has been winter-killed at the Agricultural College, I 
have seen it in Minnesota doing well. 

Prof. Beal: Many things go to determine the question of hardiness of this 
tree, and one of them is whether the seed was from the north or south. Some 
catalpas in Lansing are perfectly hardy, and I have seen such in Ann Arbor. 

So, too, I have seen ripe persimmons in a garden in Bath, this State. The 
condition of hardiness is a variable one. 


PROPOSED CHANGES IN LAWS. 


Mr. Garfield said he had become converted to one of Mr. Lyon’s views upon 
this question, that of exemption from taxes of plantations kept for forest 
purposes. When this matter touches the pockets it will advance quickly. 
He quoted the recommendations of the state forestry commission: that the 
law be repealed which provides for collection of forestry statistics by the 
supervisors, because the cost thereof is large and the return unsatisfactory— 
the commission to secure such statistics by other means; that a law be passed 
prohibiting the setting of fires for clearing land, from April 1 to November 1, 
each year, except by written permission of the supervisor and notice to own- 
ers or occupants of adjoining lands—boards of supervisors having power to 
suspend the law by majority vote; that cheap lands, in one or more locations, 
be acquired by the state and set apart as a preserve. 

On motion, these recommendations were endorsed by the society, together 
with a plan of exemption of forest tracts from taxation. 

Mr. Linderman thought much of the northern region of the lower penin- 
sula might well be exempted, or held as a park as the Adirondacks are now 
in New York. 

C. J. Monroe: It would be best not to include this in our recommendations, 
judging by what has been said of forestry, in the state legislature, many of 
that body looking upon the whole subject as purely sentimental. 

Prof. Beal: It was not included in the commission’s recommendations 
because of its many complicating conditions. 


OUR NATIVE PLUMS. 


The secretary read the following paper by Prof. J. L. Budd, of the Iowa 
Agricultural College, on the above subject: 


Mr. President and Members : 


Your secretary requests me to give some notes on our native plums, as 
found west of Lake Michigan, and their possible improvement by selection 
and crossing. That it is a subject worthy of careful consideration, even in 
Michigan, can not be doubted. While we have no native species of the apple, 
pear or cherry that promises to give us valuable varieties for cultivation in 
the near future, I think we can say that we have the best indigenous plums 
of the temperate zones. 

Nearly every neighborhood has its varieties, having a deserved local reputa- 
tion, and a few varieties, to which the attention of our horticultural societies 
have been directed for years, are grown quite extensively in the nurseries and 
have been planted in commercial orchards over large areas of the prairie 


48 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


states. Among these the De Soto, Wolf, and Wyant stand well at the head 
of the Prunus Americana family. That they are better for any use or are 
better because of perfect fruit, than a dozen others in the state, I am not 
prepared to say, but they are better known to growers and they have taken 
well in the western markets when put up in as neat packages as the plums 
from the south and the Pacific coast. It has been said truthfully of these 
varieties that they have been fruited in certain localities for a quarter of a 
century without: the total loss of a single crop, and my experience has been 
that they have borne full crops each year during the past six years when fail- 
ure at the west has been the rule with the orchard fruits on account of ex- 
tremes of winter cold and summer heat. While it is true that our best native 
plums of the Americana and Chickasaw races are more or less punctured by 
the ‘‘Little Turk,”’ the larve are developed in only a small per cent of the 
specimens, and the crescent mark on hundreds of the perfect specimens are 
scarcely distinguishable when they are ready for picking. It has been said 
that such varieties as the De Soto, Wolf, Wyant, Hawkeye, Maquoketa, and 
Pottawatomie are so loaded with water during the early stages of growth 
that the conditions are not favorable for the larve. Be this as it may, we are 
able to gather full crops of perfect fruit from some of our native sorts, which 
we neyer could do, without treatment, from the Lombard or European sorts 
we were able to grow prior to our recent test winters. 

As to the size and quality of some of the best of these native sorts Mr. T. 
T. Lyon can testify as grown the driest season ever known in the west. In 
quality they can hardly be compared to the European plums, as they differ 
wholly in texture and flavor. 

I was assured by an expert judge of fruits on South Water street, Chicago, 
that he preferred well-grown and ripened De Soto plums to the best speci- 
mens of the plums and prunes of the Pacific coast, for the reason that they 
had a sprightliness and positiveness of flavor which was lacking in the firmer 
fleshed European and Asiatic plums. That many buyers share this opinion is 
evidenced by the fact that the pretty Wild Goose varieties from the south are 
taken in small packages far more rapidly than the’ larger, firmer fleshed and 
sweeter sorts of EKuropean origin. Even for culinary use the fruit dealers of 
Chicago will assure the inquirer that our native plums are gaining ground. 
They are also gaining favor with the growers for market on account of their 
perfection of foliage, hardy fruit buds, and relative exemption from rot and 
injury from curculio. 

The Miner, Blackman, and other Chickasaw varieties first tried on the 
prairies, blossomed profusely without getting a crop of fruit. This was caused 
apparently by the premature ripening of the pollen before the stigmas were 
ready to receive it, as when mingled with Americana sorts they fruited fairly 
well, and microscopic observation showed the Chickasaw pollen perfect. 
Later, we have found varieties that appear in leaf, bud, and wood to be pure 
Chickasaw, that bear annual crops, but not as fruitful as our best Ameri- 
canas. Of those the Maquoketa, Forest Rose, and Pottawatomie, for the 
present, head the list. These are later in season than the Wild Goose and 
will prove more valuable for home use or market north of the forty-first 
parallel. 

Thus far in our history our cultivated varieties haye come from indigenous 
variations found in the thickets of the west or south, or from their seedlings. 
But in the near future we may hope to secure improved sorts by methods 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 49 


of crossing and hybridizing. Our college experiments indicate that the 
southern varieties of the Chickasaw cross readily with the Americana, and 
the pollen of the best European sorts takes equally well. 

Our seedlings from DeSoto pits fertilized by pollen of the Wild Goose, 
show varied combinations of the two species, and seedlings of DeSoto fertil- 
ized by pollen of a large European variety sent by mail from Oregon 
show in leaf, bud, and wood, they are true hybrids. The seedlings of 
the latter cross were purposely left without protection in seed bed, where 
on rich soil they had made a growth of three feet, and they came 
through the severe winter sound to the terminal bud. This seems to 
indicate that the pre-potent mother stocks will transmit hardiness to the 
seedlings without regard to the pollen used. If this proves true we can use 
the pollen of the best plums and prunes of the Pacific coast, as we have had 
better success in using pollen of the plum and cherry which had been sev- 
eral days in the mail sacks, than with that freshly gathered. 

If by crossing we could increase the size and firmness of flesh of our best 
native sorts, and yet retain a part of the positiveness of flavor of the latter, 
we could without regret bid good bye to the European sorts which have proven 
really at home in but few localities of our great domain. 

J. L. Bupp, 
Iowa Agricultural Collége. 

Mr. Lyon did not quite like Mr. Budd’s conclusion regarding the Potta- 
watomie, for his tree of this variety yields him nothing. 

Prof. Beal: The trouble is, the pollen is poor. 

Mr. Lyon: The Chickasaws, while loaded south, wholly fail here, except 
that I saw a few fruits upon them last season. 

W. J. Cook: What is the cause of plums shedding their leaves? 

Prof. Beal: Septoria or ‘‘shot-hole fungus” which bores the leaf, and 
finally causes it todrop. It is not likely to continue, as some change will 
take place which will eradicate it. 

Mr. Lyon: It has been with us thirty years, so it is to be hoped the change 
will come pretty soon. 


Tuesday Evening Session. 


This session was chiefly occupied with a lecture by Prof. W. J. Beal, of the 
Michigan Agricultural College, the full text of which is here presented under 
the title of 


THE HORTICULTURAL POSSIBILITIES OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN. 


As you doubtless all know, each state and territory in the United States 
which had in operation an agricultural college, began receiving from the 
national government $15,01 0 per year, on February last. 

In our State, part of this money is used in paying one-third of the salaries 
of six professors of the college, viz: those of chemistry, zodlogy, botany, 
agriculture, veterinary, and horticulture. The president of the college is the 
director, but draws no salary for his services in this capacity. After taking 
out $1,000 for experiments in dairying, and $2,000 for experiments on the 
northern sands of Michigan, the remainder is placed somewhere nearly even 

7 


50 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


in the hands of the six departments above named. The expenditure of the 
$2,000 per year in the north, with the advice of the director of the station, 
was to be made by Dr. Kedzie and myself. 


LOCALITY OF THE JACK-PINE LANDS. 


So far as we have gone the stations of the north haye dealt only with jack- 
pine lands, and only with these for one short summer. Besides, no experi- 
ments in fruits have yet been attempted. So you will see that at this time I 
must content myself in giving mere opinions in regard to the horticultural 
possibilities of the north, aside from hints picked up from some early set- 
tlers, from reading, and from observations made on frequent visits covering 
a large extent of territory. 

These jack-pine plains are in irregular spots in Iosco, Osceola, Crawford, 
Kalkaska, Newaygo, and other counties. At Grayling, in Crawford county, 
the Michigan Central railroad company gave us a deed of eighty acres of new 
land near the village. We have also rented eight acres more of older land. 
Dr. Kedzie is testing by the acre at this place numerous grasses and forage 
plants, using to some extent as fertilizers, plaster, marl and salt. The soil 
is pure sand containing but little vegetable matter, and most of that is not 
in avery finely pulverized condition. Occasionally there is some gravel. Such 
a soil is ‘‘leechy,’’ and crops soon suffer after rain ceases. Much of the land 
is quite subject to spring frosts. The seasons are very short, the winters 
severe, though in must instances a continued layer of snow from late autumn 
till spring helps preserve the small trees and shrubbery from harm. 


NATURE AND EXTENT OF EXPERIMENTS. 


I shall now glean many items from my forthcoming report of the experi- 
ment station, now in the hands of the State printer. 

In my part of the experimenting on the northern sands of Michigan I started 
with the attempt to answer two questions: 

1. To find one or more grasses or other forage plants that shall be better 
adapted to the soil and climate than any heretofore in general use in such 
places. . 

2. To test many kinds of forest trees to learn which are best fitted to plant 
for timber on the sandy plains. 

An effort to answer either one of these two leading questions very natur- 
ally suggests several other questions, such as the proper modes of seeding, 
planting, and cultivation, whether one kind only of either grass or tree should 
be allowed to occupy the ground at the same time, whether several grasses or 
other forage plants shall be sown together, and whether several kinds of trees 
shall be set together. 

Again, for grass or tree, will it be most profitable in the end to thoroughly 
prepare the ground before planting, to make a slight and cheap preparation, 
or simply sow and plant in open places, without cutting any tree or shrub or 
plowing or harrowing the land? 

The grass plats are each one rod square, and occupy about two acres of 
the ‘‘old’’ land which was rented. Most of the species of forage plants which 
I desired to try have not been tested to any extent in thiscountry. Many of 
them have not found their way into cultivation, at least only sparingly in 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 51 


isolated places. Seeds of these are not in the markets of the world, and can 
-only be secured by going after them or through the efforts of botanists in re- 
mote countries. 

The finer seeds were generally sown broadcast and raked in; the larger ones 
were sown or planted in rows or in “hills” and have been hoed. There were 
about one hundred species thus planted or sown, including one Niagara grape- 
vine, which was an unsolicited gift. The vine was planted as the grasses, in 
this sand, without the use of any fertilizer. It lived and put forth two or 
three canes, the longest of which was about 18 inches. We shall probably, at 
this rate, not be able to show many fine clusters at the next annual meeting 
of the society. 

The last examination of the plats was made on June 16, too early to make 
it worth while to notice in this place the degree of success of each plant. By 
autumn of 1888, and spring following, I shall have ready seeds of many other 
species from various sources. 

The trees: planted were about 6,600 in number and belonged to seventy-six 
species and varieties. They ranged from four inches to two feet in hight, 
most of them being about one foot high. A few poplars and willows were in 
the form of cuttings. Thirty-five species from Iowa Agricultural Coijlege were’ 
represented by a few trees each, and were raised from stock which had been 
imported from central Russia. They were planted in close rows on the ‘‘old”’ 
land which was rented. 

The other trees were bought of W. W. Johnson of Snowflake, Antrim county, 
and shipped direct to Grayling. One acre of newly broken and well prepared 
land was planted to representatives of each of the kinds obtained of Mr. John- 
son. These were planted in rows four feet apart each way and were well 
mixed, so that evergreens and other shade-loving trees alternated with those 
which would not thrive inmuch shade. ‘These trees last noticed, I intend to 
keep cultivating for some yearsto come. Near them wasa piece of unbroken 
new ground containing a few scattering jack-pines (Pinws Banksiana) and 
some scrub oaks, perhaps ten feet high and under. There was also a consider- 
able quantity of three kinds of low blueberries, one bearberry, trailing arbutus, 
wintergreen, eagle fern, sweet fern, some dwarf service berry, choke cherry, 
and a few grasses and other perennials. ‘Two acres of this land were passed 
over once with aspring-toothed harrow, which seemed to tear up the soil con- 
siderably, though most of the wild shrubs and other perennials were still left 
in the ground ready to grow. On this land were planted an assortment 
of the trees obtained of Mr. Johnson. Another lot of the same kinds was 
planted on a piece where there had been no cultivation. 

The list of trees above referred to appears below: 


Acer dasycarpum Ehrhart. Silver Maple, ,; Gymnocladus Canadensis Lam. Ky. Coffee- 


Acer plantanoides. Norway Maple. tree. 
Acer Pseudo-platanus. Sycamore Maple. | Juniperus Virginiana L. Red Cedar. 


Acer rubrum L. Red Maple. | Larix Europea L. Eupropean Larch. 
Acer saccharinum Wang. Sugar Maple. | Morus. Russian Mulberry. 

Betula lutea Michx Yellow Birch. | Negundo aceroides Moench. Box Elder. 
Betula papyracea Ait. Paper Birch. | Picea alba Link, White Spruce. 

Catalpa speciosa Warder. Hardy Catalpa. | Picea excelsa, Norway Spruce. 

Celtis occidentalis L. Hackberry. | Pinus resinosa Ait. -Red Pine. 

Fagus ferruginea Ait. Beech. | Pinus Strobus L. White Pine. 

Fraxinus Americana L. White Ash. | Pinus sylvestris L. Scotch Pine. 
Fraxinus Sambucifolia Lam. Black Ash. | Populus argentea L. Silver Poplar. 
Fraxinus viridis Michx. Green Ash. | Populus argentea Vas. Large Silver Poplar. 


Gleditschia triacanthos L. Honey Locust.’ Populus balsamifera L. Balsam Poplar. 


52 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Populus balsamifera, Vas Candicans Gray. , Thuya occidentalis L. Arbor Vite. 
Balm of Gilead. | Tilia Americana L. Basswood. 


Prunus serotina Ehrh. Black Cherry. Ulmus Americana L. American Elm. 
Robinia Pseudocacia L. Common Locust. | Ulmus campestris Sm, 

Salix alba L. White Willow. Ulmus montana Sm. 

Salix alba var. vitellina. Yellow Willow. | Ulmus racemosa Thomas. Rock Elm. 
Salix purpurea. Purple Willow. Ulmus fulva Michx. Red Elm. 


Salix. Wisconsin Weeping Willow. 


Michigan is yet a well timbered State, but the time is fast approaching, 
and will be seen by many now living, when our people will be making all sorts 
of inquiries as to what to plant and how to manage a tract of young trees for 
producing timber. It is a question whether considerable portions of our 
cheapest pine plains and ‘‘stump lands” had not better be replanted to for- 
est trees. 

We do not know for certain what is the best course to pursue, nor can any 
one at present tell us. We should continue experimenting till we know more 
nearly than any one does at present. Much has been done in Europe, but 
the people are so different, the laws are so unlike our own, and the country 
so much older and thickly settled, that we are left, to a great extent, to work 
out the growing of new forests to our own resources. 

Detailing the various places in the north, where experiments have been 
undertaken, Prof. Beal continued: 


FLORA OF THE SANDY PINE PLAINS. 


The flora of the sandy pine plains are very peculiar, and well worthy of 
more than a passing notice, as from these we may gather many hints as to 
what may be expected when the land is cultivated. Such land is often gently 
rolling and with the scattered low trees presents an attractive appearance. It 
looks as though it would make a nice farm. The ease with which it can be 
cleared has induced many a man to purchase and begin to establish a home. 

Owing to the poor soil and improper management, after a few years many 
have abandoned their homesteads in discouragement. 

We saw several of these deserted homesteads where much effort had been 
spent in placing things in neat order. There was a comfortable house, a log 
barn, hog pen, board fence, with a nice gate in front of the house. There 
were some fruit trees, shade trees, ornamental shrubbery and the remains of 
the flower garden. All was left to return to a state of nature. It was sad to 
view these lonely homesteads. 

Many now believe in the words of the late State geologist, C. Rominger, 
‘‘that the productiveness is so soon exhausted and its moisture so soon lost, 
that it can never be used for agriculture on a large scale with any prospect 
of success.” 

Whether the latter statement be true or not, it is not now my purpose to 
attempt to decide. 

At the risk of being tedious, I will venture to call your attention to a list 
of 70 plants, all of which are almost certain to be found in considerable: 
quantity on any extended area of jack-pine plains: 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 


Helianthemum Canadense Michx. Frost 
Weed. 
Viola pedata L. Violet. 
Viola canina var. sylvestris Regel. Violet. 
Polygala polygama Walt. Pink Polygala. 
Ceanothus Americanus L, New Jersey 
Tea, 
*Prunus pumila L. Sand Cherry. 
*Prunus Pennsylvanica L. Wild Red or 
Pin Cherry. 

*Prunus Virginiana L. Choke Cherry. 
Rubus Canadensis L. Dewberry. 

Rubus hispidus L. Dewberry. 

Fragaria Virginiana var. 
Gray. Strawberry. 

Potentilla Canadensis L. Five-finger Cin- 
que foil. 

Potentilla tridentata Ait. 
Cinque-foil. 

*Amelanchier Canadensis var. oblongifolia 

Torr. and Gray. Dwarf Juue Berry. 

QGfenethera biennis L. Evening Primrose. 

Aralia hispida Michx. Bristly Sarsaprilla. 

Diervilla trifida Moench. Bush Honey- 
suckle. 

Houstonia purpurea var. longifolia Gray. 
Houstonia. 

Liatris cylindrica Michx. Blazing Star. 
*Solidago nemoralis Ait. Golden Rods. 
Solidago arguta. Golden Rod. 
* Aster levis L. Aster. 
*Hrigeron Canadensis L Horse Weed. 
Erigeron strigosus Muhl. Daisy Fleabane. 
Antennaria plantaginifolia Hook. Plan- 
tain-leaved Everlasting. 

Gnaphalium decurrens Ives. Everlasting. 

Rudbeckia hirta L. Cone-flower. 

Helianthus divaricatus L. Wild Sun- 
flower. 

Helianthus occidentalis Riddell. 

Cnicus pumilus Torr. Low Thistle. 

Krigia amplexicanis Nutt. Dwarf Dan- 
delion. 

Hieracium venosum L. Rattlesnake Weed. 

Campanula rotundifolia L. Bluebell, 

Gaylussacia resinosa Torr. and Gray. 
Black Huckleberry. 

*Vaccinium Pennsylvanicum Lam. Dwarf 

Blueberry. 


Three-toothed 


Tllinoiensis 


53 


* Vaccinium Canadense Kalm. Low Blue- 
berry. 
*Vaccinium vacillans Solander. Low Blue- 
berry. 
*Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi Spreng. Bear- 
berry. 
*Hpigea repens L. Trailing Arbutus. 
*Gaultheria procumbens L. Wintergreen. 
Apocynum androsemifolium L Dogbane, 
Lythospermum hirtum Lehm. Hairy Puc- 
coon. . 
Convolvulus spithameeus L. Low Bind- 
weed. 
Melampyrum Americanum Michx. Cow- 
Wheat. 
Monarda fistulosa L. Wild Bergamot. 
*Rumex Acetosella L. Sheep Sorrel. 
Coney umbellata Nutt. Bastard Toad- 
ax. 
*Comptonia asplenifolia Ait. 
Quercus alba L, White Oak. 
*Quercus coccinea Wang. Scarlet Oak. 
*Quercus tinctoria Bartram, Black Oak. 
*Salix humulis Marshall. Low Willow. 
*Populus tremuloides Michx. Aspen. 


Sweet Fern, 


Populus‘ grandidentata Michx, Large- 
toothed Aspen. 
*Pinus Banksiana Lambert. Scrub or 


Jack-pine. 

Pinus resinosa Ait. Red or Norway Pine. 

Pinus Strobus L. White Pine. 

Maianthemum bifolium DC. 

*Carex Pennsylvanica Lam. Pennsylvan- 
ian Sedge. 

Panicum depauperatum L. Panic-grass. 

Panicum dichotomum L. Panic-grass. 

*Andropogon provincialis Lam. Finger 
or Beard-grass. 


*Andropogon scoparius Michx. Beard- 
grass. 

*Oryzopsis Canadensis Torr. Mountain 
Rice. 


Agrostis scabra Willd. Hair-grass. 


*Danthonia spicata Beauv. Wild Oat- 
grass. 
Keleria cristata Pers. Kcoeleria. 


Festuca ovina L. Sheep’s Fescue. 
*Pteris aquilina L. Eagle Fern. 
Lycopodium complanatum L. Club-moss, 


The above list consists of representatives of twenty-seven families, of fifty- 
four genera, and of seventy-two species. 

Were we to include all the plants ever found on such plains and all found 
in the neighborhood of the plains we might find, perhaps, nine hundred 
species, or twelve times as many as are above enumerated. 

The above list is as nearly typical as I am able at present to make it and is 
the result of repeated studies over a large extent of territory. 

The families of plants best represented on the plains are the Rosacee by 
nine species, Composita by fifteen species, Vaccintacew by seven species and 


Graminee by nine species. 
é 


The following large and prominent families of the state are not represent- 


ed in the list above given: 
Sfragacee, umbellifere, orchidacee. 


Ranunculacee, crucifere, caryovhyllacew, saxi- 


54 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Most remarkable of all is the absence of any leguminose, though the fami- 
ly contains 6,500 species and is the second in size only to the composite. 

The number of biennials given in this list is remarkably small, and there: 
are no annuals in it. In this list is a thistle and two species of erigeron 
which seed freely and the wind aids in sowing the seeds. The evening prim- 
rose seeds abundantly and often on these plains grows in a globular form, a 
foot to two and one-half feet in diameter. When ripe it loosens its hold on 
the soil and becomes a ‘‘tumbleweed,” rolling for considerable distances be- 
fore the wind and scattering its seeds on the way. 

In like manner, I might lengthen this paper by showing the special adap- 
tation of each of these plants in the above list to survive the severe tests 
applied to it on these sandy plains. 

Of this list of seventy species, sixty-eight are perennials and four are 
biennials. 

The perennials are mostly persistent plants well adapted by long deep roots 
and rootstocks to live in poor soil, which is subject to severe drouths. Most 
of them are admirably adapted to surviving, after a severe fire has burned 
over the ground and killed the tops of the plants. ; 


A CONTRAST OF THE TWO SIDES OF THE PENINSULA. 


On the west side next to Lake Michigan, the country studied was at Frank- 
fort and vicinity in Benzie county and east of there. 

Besides Harrisville on the east shore, some time has been given to studying 
the flora at the mouth of the Au Sable river, about fifteen miles south of Har- 
Tisville. 

The prevailing winds on both sides of the lake are from the west and south- 
west. In each case the country slopes gently toward the lake to which it is. 
adjacent. It has been long known that the climate of the west shore where 
the wind sweeps across Lake Michigan was milder in winter, and throughout 
the year less variable than it is on the east side of the state. This is not only 
evident by a test of thermometers on the two shores, but tender fruits and 
some other plants thrive better on the west shore than on the east. So far as 
observed, the plants of the state which are only found in the vicinity of the © 
great lakes are most abundant in individuals on the west shore. 

The prevalent west winds produce the shifting sand dunes which are some- 
times 200 feet high and favorable for the shore-plants. ‘The lake is gradu- 
ally washing down and carrying away the land on the west shore. On the 
east side of the state the shore is generally lower and there are no sand dunes 
worthy of the name. At the mouth of the Au Sable river above and below, 
along the lake for many miles, there are low ridges of sand five to ten feet 
or more above the lake. The sand is washed ashore by the lake. These 
ridges are two to eight rods wide and separated by a lagoon about as wide as 
the ridge. The ridges in some places look as though some company had 
graded a track for a new railroad. These ridges parallel with the lake shore 
south of Oscoda up to thirty in number can easily be counted. The last 
ridge now forming is already much wider than any of the others, and is partial - 
ly composed of immense quantities of timber which has floated down the. 
streams in connection with the lumber traffic. This timber is composed of, 
rough logs, stumps, limbs, and refuse from saw mills. If one knew when the 
lumbering began along the Au Sable river, he could readily estimate the rate: 
at which the last terrace is forming. 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING, 55 


To all appearances the southern peninsula of Michigan at this latitude ig 
moving eastward. The west shore is scarcely wasting away as fast as the 
east shore is gaining by sands thrown out of Lake Huron. 

To return to the flora of the two opposite shores, I give the following list 
of northern plants which were found on the east side of the state and not on 
the west side: 

Swamp gooseberry, sheep laurel, swamp laurel, dragonhead, white spruce, 
sparganium, four sedges, two moonworts. 

The following southern plants were found on the west side and not on the 
east side: 

Silver maple, black raspberry, common elder, sassafras, red elm, rock elm, 
maidenhair fern. ; 

So far as the lists are extended they help sustain the prevailing notion that 
the west side of the state has the milder climate. True, we have not studied 
plants throughout the year nor have all localities been searched. Possibly 
this, if complete, would be much modified. We might be able to see why silver 
maple, sassafras, black raspberry, red elem, and rock elm thrive on the west 
shore and not the east, but I am unable to see why the northern plants found 
on the east shore should not also be found on the west shore. 

To some extent, the climate of the two shores of the southern peninsula 
of Michigan may be contrasted in the same manner as the climate of Oregon 
contrasts with that of Massachusetts. The difference on the two sides of the 
state are much less than they are on the two sides of the much larger continent 
bordered on the sides by broad oceans. 


ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE WEST SIDE. 


Many observations and numerous notes were made, among them the fol- 
lowing: 

The resources are many: a healthful climate, good water, plenty of timber, 
much excellent land and first-rate markets. The roads on the upland are usu- 
ally good. For farming purposes, the land occupied by deciduous-leaved trees. 
or hard wood is usually preferred. 

Passing as we did through the centers of the counties of Alcona, Oscoda, 
Crawford, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse and Benzie, we could not help thinking 
that, with some exceptions, the west part of the state was better than the east 
side, especially when we consider the raising of orchard fruits. In the vicinity 
of Kingsley we saw many thrifty bearing apple orchards. Good land well 
covered with hard wood can be bought from four to ten dollars per acre, 
depending on the soil, timber, and location. 

Some of the land in eastern Kalkaska county has recently been stripped of 
all the timber, which was mainly pine. Much of this can be had for adoliar 
per acre and some of it goes back to the State for taxes. 

In watching the rapid flow of the Au Sable and the Manistee passing by the 
plains which were thirsting for water, it often occurred to me, ‘‘why not turn 
the waters on the fields and make them fertile, instead of using them to float logs 
to the lakes?’’ A thing so easily done, I believe one day will be done, and 
' done with great proiit, not likely by those owning small farms, but by those 
owning land by townships and sections. If we could control the water on 
these plains so they should not lack for it, we could grow good crops, and 
with good crops the soil would rapidly improve in fertility. 


56 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


PROF. BAILEY’S OBSERVATIONS. 


The following with reference to the above subjects was contributed by 

Prof. L. H. Bailey, jr., and was clipped from two artieles which he wrote for 

the Free Press: 

' While it is true that the characteristic plants of the plains are such as will not 
awaken the interest of the casual observer, there are some remarkable exceptions to 
this statement. Some of the plants are worthy of a conspicuous place in the flower 
garden. The life root, or senecio of the plains, is very common in places, decking the 
dull surface with masses of golden yellow. The yellow puccoon, two sorts, is also con- 
spicuous and attractive. Much of the barren land, especially on the eastern side of the 
state, produces great numbers of the large wake robin or trillium, a plant ordinarily 
found in low and rich woods. The bird’s-foot violet, the handsomest of the native 
species, gives the ground a bluish cast in some places, its great flowers appearing to de- 
light in the aridity of the plains. Upon the plains of Oscoda county beautiful wild 
roses are abundant, the bushes sometimes attaining a hight of four or five feet and bear- 
ing a profusion of large and bright flowers. A species of the New Jersey Tea often 
whitens the slopes with its compact clusters. The occurrence of these plants cannot 
fail to inspire the hope that other plants of economic value can be made to grow profit- 
ably upon the plains. For the most part, however, these plants are such as delight in 
the poorest sands. The experimenter should seek rather to discover plants which natu- 
rally thrive upon loose sand than to attempt to cultivate here the ordinary plants of the 
farm and garden, 

The surface of the plains is diverse. It is mostly made up of a broad system of ter- 
races which rise from the Au Sable, Manistee, Muskegon, and other rivers. Adjoin- 
ing the river is an alluvial soil, variable in width, but usually confined to a few rods. | 
From this rises a terrace of fifteen or thirty feet, leading to a level stretch of plain. 
Above this is another terrace, often higher than the first, and above this still one or 
two others. The width of the intermediate stretches varies from a few rods toa mile 
or more, until the hight of land is reached beyond the valley. The valley of Au Sable 
varies from three to five miles in width. The high lands to the rear of the last terrace 
are often one or two hundred feet above the river bed. They are mostly undulating in 
character, although in many places there are long stretches of perfectly level country. 
Some of these stretches which have been recently burned and over which the low her- 
bage has again gained a foothold, have the appearance of great pastures. One of these 
openings, fully two miles long, was passed through. 

Throughout all the plains region there are occasional strips of hard land. The char- 
acter of the plains soil itself is somewhat variable, some streaks of sand being much 
more fertile than others. Much of the pine land appears to be no better than the 
plains. It appears that a considerable part of the plains land is made such by the 
action of fires, which prevent the trees from attaining a great size, for upon most of the 
plains one finds young Norways starting up and it is rare that there are not unmistakable 
evidences of fire having swept the country at one time or another. Before the plains 
can be reclaimed to the farmer for purpose of forestry and grazing, there must be 
devised some means of lessening fires. Under the present slovenly and careless system 
of timbering there is little reason for hope in this direction. 

Westward from the Manistee the country assumes a different character. Better 
land, more hardwood, and occasional and prosperous farms give an attractive appear- 
ance to the country. Theregion is good farming land, the soil being sandy but abound- 
ing in vegetable matter. The forests are exceedingly dense and green and under- 
growth is luxuriant. The prevailing timber is hard maple, beech, elm, and hemlock, 
just the admixture which indicates early and rich land. The swamps are filled with 
cedar and spruce, some of the former attaining great size. 

The wild crabapple has not been found. It is usually observed that the culture of 
the common varieties of apple do not extend much beyond the range of the wild crab; 
but there is every reason to belieive that many of the very hardy varieties may be safely 
planted here. ‘Che few trees now growing in the region appear to represent such 
varieties largely, the Ben Davis being prominent. Yellow Transparent, Oldenburgh, 
Whitney, Seek-no-further, and the improved crabs are to be recommended for this 
region. The wild blackberry is everywhere abundant between the two lakes, growing 
alike upon the plains and timbered lands. The wild red raspberry is frequent through- 
out. The presence of these species is indication enough that the country possesses pos- 
sibilities in small fruit growing. It is commonly observed, however, that the cultivated 
raspberry and blackberry are injured by cold while the wild bushes in the immediate 
vicinity pass the winter in safety. The reasons for this are chiefly two. In the first 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 57 


place the natural protectors of the plants, the forests and wild bushes, are destroyed. 
The wind sweeps over the country with fury, driving the snow before it, and exposing 
plants to great vicissitudes of weather. If upper Michigan is to become a prosperous 
farming country natural wind breaks must be preserved. 

The second reason for the more frequent injury to the cultivated plants is the fact 
that cultivation, unless properly pursued, causes a vigorous and somewhat softer growth 
which is unable to endure great extremes of climate. Wherever the soil is strong 
enough, currants and gooseberries will thrive. Two or three very small plantings of 
currants have been seen, and they are uniformly vigorous. In fact, the wild red cur- 
rant is common ir swamps, and other wild species occur. The wild gooseberry is also 
often seen. The wild plum is found at Mio and other places in Oscoda county, and a 
critical search would undoubtedly reveal it in other places. Both the red and yellow 
_ varieties occur near Mio. At Coming’s opening, on the Au Sable, a few wild plums had 
been transplanted. The common wild plum is exceedingly variable, and it is now be- 
ing introduced into cultivation very largely. Many improved varieties are largely cul- 
tivated. All these will undoubtedly prove hardy and valuable here in this northern 
country. The sand or dwarf cherry grows abundantly upon the poorest plains. Its fruit 
is variable, but usually as large as asmall grape. In flavor it is good to excellent. The 
plant is a low and straggling bush, seldom growing over five or six feet high. It is a 
profuse and reliable bearer. It requires no scientific training to predict that this plant 
has a wonderful future before it. If the few inhabitants of the plains had evena 
moiety of energy and a whit of observation, this wild cherry would be found growing 
in every garden. At present, even the garden is usually missing. If the inhabitants want 
anything in the line of fruit they will have the old varieties of more favorable latitudes 
-or they will have none. In this happy state of affairs their lot will be to have none. 
The sand cherry, it is admitted, is not a Governor Wood nor a black heart, but itis good 
and wholesome, and is capable of great improvement. It thrives in the poorest and 
driest sand, and is not injured by any extreme of climate. Its possibilities for the 
plains are great. Another promising plant of the plains is the wild dwarf service-berry 
-or June-berry. The fruit closely resembles a huckleberry, and the plant is often sold 
for such by ignorant and unprincipled nurserymen. The bush is comely and attract- 
ive, growing from four to eight feet high. Of late years it has been introduced into 
-cultivation. As soon as its merits are better known, its culture will become common 
in all cold climates. ‘lhree species of huckleberry closely following each other in per- 
iods of ripening, are everywhere exceedingly abundant on the plains. As soon as 
markets become more acessible there is no doubt that these berries will become a 
profitable crop on the barrens. It will be only necessary to inclose the land and to 
remove other vegetation in order to grow them with profit. On the whole, the horti- 
cultural outlook is more encouraging for our barren plains than for the rich prairies of 
many parts of the northwest; an outlook, however, which depends upon the hope that 
the country will never be denuded of all its forests.” 


ADVANTAGES OF NORTHWEST MICHIGAN FOR FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWING. 


Northern Michigan presents to me new advantages every time it is visited. 
The neat, new school-houses deserve especial notice, as they are an index of 
the character of the people. The fruit trees and the farming are retarded a 
week or more in spring when situated near either one of the great lakes. 
This has more advantages in case of fruits than at first sight might appear. 
On June 13, 1888, at Harrisville on the margin of the lake, trees of Kentish 
cherry were just in flower; the same was true of the common sorts of apple, 
Missouri currant, and dwarf phlox. The flowers of the common lilac were 
still in the bud. 

In brief, we were surprised to find so many advantages for people of limited 
‘means to start homes. We are unable to see why so many should leave Michi- 
gan for the prairies of Dakota, and believe most of them would not thus leave 
were they familiar with the better portions of our State. But we should not 
‘be in great haste to see this State thickly settled, for our sons and grandsons 
-and their wives will soon want the cheap lands and will convert them into 
-pleasant farms. 


8 


8 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


The principal native fruits of the jack pine plains that interest the horticul- 
turist are the sand cherry, choke cherry, dewberry, and service berry, all yet 
to be improved before they be found worth anything. A leading objection to 
the service berry is the mild taste and the bright color which attracts two 
birds for every berry. The strawberry has already been improved. There 
are three species of blueberry, very low shrubs, usually less than a foot high. 

How does the above list strike the thrifty grower of the luxurious peach on 
the west shore and on the favored hills of Washtenaw, Hillsdale, and Ionia? 
No grapes, no plums, no apples (not even a crab), no raspberries, no straw- 
berries of any account, as there is hardly strength enough in the soil for the 

lants. 
Z There is precious little good sauce in the list. The crops are light and 
profits clear down to 40 degrees below zero. 

For good crops of most fruits we must have a soil composed of something 
besides sand. Fertilizers must be liberally added. Fortunately these sandy, 
barren plains are not very extensive. Northern Michigan has much good 
land and considerable that is excellent. This is usually sandy, some of it 
gravel, some clay,and some mixed. It is well watered. Much of the timber 
is sugar maple, American elm, hemlock, a little pine, and three sorts of birch. 
This land can be bought for two to ten dollars and upward peracre. At Har- 
risviJle, on the Huron shore, in Alcona county, apples of several varieties 
apparently thrive very well. Here we find Kentish cherries, wild plums, fine 
red raspberries, and black caps are cultivated. Here is the home of currants, 
gooseberries, blueberries, and strawberries. The earliest hardy grapes may 
well be expected to be worth raising. 

In most places of the north, as before stated, nature does the mulching in 
good season with the best of material—*‘ the beautiful snow.”’ 

For raising many kinds of vegetables, northern Michigan takes no second 
place to any part of the country. Here can be grown radishes, crisp and 
tender, lettuce of the best quality, onions (fair and strong enough), flat tur- 
nips and rutabagas in perfection. Their potatoes already have a renowned 
reputation. . 

At Grayling I saw a wagon-box full of squashes, including Hubbards, mar- 
row, and turban. They were well grown. Dr. Palmer, in the village of 
Grayling, raised a nice crop of squashes, which were so good that most of 
them were stolen. Cabbages do first-rate. 

In the north the markets are excellent and will be so as long as lumbering 
holds out. 

On good land, on the west shore, in Grand Traverse and Benzie counties, 
we saw large orchards of clean, healthy trees of apples and cherries, which 
told the horticulturist at the first glance some of the possibilities of north- 
western Michigan. 

You haye all heard of the west shore of Michigan, from Berrien county to 
Mackinaw. Every one here must have heard of, and very likely he has seen 
and tasted, the plums, cherries, pears, apples, and peaches grown at Traverse 
City by Judge Ramsdell, or at old Mission by Parmelee and others. These 
are the glory of the north. 

Our hunt for the northern extremity of the fruit-belt in Michigan reminds 
me of a statement of Bill Nye. He is one of those fellows without any hair 
on his head, which he calls his ‘* polished dome of thought.” As he puts it, 
his forehead extends clear over and buttons with his shirt-collar behind. So 


EIGH'TEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 59 


with our Michigan fruit-belt—it extends clear over from the front, or southern 
counties, to the Straits of Mackinac, and buttons upon Mackinac Island. 


THE SAND CHERRY. 


W. N. Cook asked about a “plum” which grew about three feet high and 
which he used to see near Newaygo, loaded with fruit. . 

C. F. Wheeler: In 1867 I drove across the counties of Kent and Newaygo 
and saw the fruit which Mr. Cook refers to. It is not a plum at all, but 
prunus primula or sand cherry. The fruit is by no means unpleasant when 
fully ripe, and was used by the lumbermen and early settlers as a welcome 
substitute for other and unobtainable fruit for sauce. 


CAN ANY GOOD COME OF WILD RICE ? 


Mr. C. F. Wheeler introduced discussion of wild rice and its susceptibility 
to improvement under cultivation, saying the plant is a very luxuriant grass 
which springs up late, along the margins of rivers and lakes, and is plentiful 
in nearly all Michigan waters. He did not deem it likely to become very 
useful, although paper has been made from its fiber and the Indians are 
known to have long used as food its very palatable grain. 

W. J. Beal: It is botanically a near relative of the well known rice found 
in our markets, which is so very extensively used for food, especially by 
people living in warm countries. Our wild rice is widely diffused in the 
cooler parts of North America, Siberia and Japan. It is an annual, starting 
every year fresh from the seed dropped the previous autumn. ‘The stems are 
small at first, and of rather slow growth, but under favorable circumstances. 
acquire a height of ten or twelve feet. The stems, when there is room enough, 
put forth numerous branches which flower successively. The top of each 
branch bears a panicle, one to two feet long, which has fertile flowers at the 
top and sterile or staminate flowers below. Each fertile flower bears one 
seed or grain, which is slender and five-eighths of an inch long. The color 
is dark, though it cooks as well as the common white rice and is rather more 
nutritious. Wild rice grows on rich marshes and along streams and the shal- 
_ low margins of ponds. Birds are very fond of the grain. The stems and 
leaves make excellent food for cattle. Botanically, wild rice is a.very interest- 
ing plant. The long leaves have the mid-vein nearer one side than the other; 
the stems are hollow, like the internodes of wheat straw, only every inch or 
two there is a slender partition which helps to give it strength. The flowers 
are beautiful subjects for examination under the microscope. The most 
serious objection to its cultivation that I know of is now to be mentioned. 
As was said previously, the stems branch near the base, and the tops of these 
branches flower later than the main stem. Furthermore, the grain on any 
One stem ripens very unevenly, and drops promptly when it is ripe, thus 
making it difficult to harvest. Much of the crop is likely to be wasted unless 
extraordinary care is taken to harvest the grain every day for a month or 
more Very likely, if care were taken in selecting and breeding for many 
years, races of wild rice could be obtained which would branch less, ripen 
more evenly and hold the grain with greater tenacity. 

In connection with his talk upon this subject Mr. Beal remarked that he 
once read a highly interesting work in which a writer considered whether the- 


460 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


race, had it originated on this hemisphere, would be as far advanced today as 
it is. He concluded that it would be, for these continents are as richly sup- 
plied as the others with fruits, grain, metals, and every other form of matter 
that enters into our daily life in civilization. 

Prest. Lyon: The Green Bay Indians, in Wisconsin, use wild rice as food, 
and at the harvest time all start in together, it being against their rules or 
laws for any one to gain an advantage by an earlier start. This perhaps 
indicates that in that locality at least it does not ripen so irregularly. 

Prof. Beal: Green bay is so far north that perhaps only the central stalk 
ripens. 

oa Lyon: I agree that the quality of wild rice is superior to that of 
southern rice, and that its color is undesirable; yet I believe its improvement 
and cultivation are practicable. 


ANNUAL REPORTS. 
TREASURER’S REPORT. 


Ladies and Gentlemen of the State Horticultural Society : 
I have the honor to present you my annual report. 


Receipts. 
aaebentronsury Doc, 4, 188% 2.0 eid ser. 5a ee $983 44 
ipovelvemurom branch societies 2 6.222): 9 eee eee Bee 39 24 
PRN lNOm VOTShI ps. 26s ee te a oe ah as Else Dale 17 00 
snterest on bonds, “mortpapes; etc 22... -22eks ees Sees eee 120 85 
Ate St eS Mire te 4. Stee DE ae eet he ee ba $1,160 54 
Disbursements. 
Palo 20 CaeCKs, -agerepatineg 2. 0.0.22 50025 Saab ee $818 51 
ieayinig a Walancolntreasary Of: £4 2)\< Vale ee ee 342 03 


PROT be Rates EAN Sts Pei ogy Gee ee en $1,160 54 


We have 203 life members, the fund therefrom amounting to $2,030, 
invested as follows: 
Seymour mortgage $1,000, Lytell mortgage $300, Jacob Swell mortgage 
$300, W. N. Cook mortgage $350, U. S. bonds $150, total $2,100. 
All of which is respectfully submitted. 
S. M. PEARSALL, Treasurer. 
Grand Rapids, December 3, 1888. 


SECRETARY’S REPORT. 


To the Members of the Michigan State Horticultural Society : 

In presenting a report I labor under the disadvantage of taking office in 
the middle of a year and with comparatively slight former acquaintance with 
the affairs of the society. I therefore can scarcely be expected to present 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 61 


much of either history or recommendation, especially as this is the only meet- 
ing held since my incumbency began. 
The total receipts of the year have been as follows: 


imerminrlOCAl SOCIOLIGSS= fos yk as ae te ncn $ 39 25 
Sean: MEMbSrAI Pra ss = sto Hee Met Se ee ate LS 17 00 
=) nterest.on: bonds, mortgages, ete=- 2. 225-225 502 of 120 85 

Eeslamcertrony lAaghnVOans= =< a0 sae ho sae scien soe Sas 6s 983 44 

NOUR TECeNpbS oo oe eee ss ae cee eae ene ee ee tcc $1,160 54 
Disbursements. 

Baponsesrarspresidenh s° OMice. 7.2 a2. eset et a ee ee $ 4 00 

BEctarELY Saalany sats et i ee tle Re ee le ee 500 00 

Hemenses Of treasurers OMCe 5220. Lb ajp eds bos ec eee 63 

Aran eRAIany Obs es. 5 Nery et wad ak Ne oe 76 65. 

Mrneuses Ot EXECULIVE DOATd 4. 22 Nt Me Se ae ie a on eS 

Mercivenisroystate taiye se Sac e toe ee kee ls 2 od bin ea Naess 19 35 

Printing, statiOnery, ete-__- 2-2-2. 22-2 eee a A ML A a ate 24 25 

Eacideut tovolume, Of 198 (2 207. ee ean nat Syke oh ee 6 09 

Expense of exchanges... --_.---.--. a oh a eh i SIG a YY cas BLL 13 80 

freien neers Cee oS ek PORE Leos, SER AL oman eae 1 35 

“STEELE RUS 01 01) SEE ee aN RD CY PY MURA i eng A 15 61 

M@rausterred: to lifefund.... 2-2 ..2.. 222 ERA oe ASE RB NT BOSE er 10 00 

etter’ file: 4... ieee Nap epee heer NY Mh emo ee aa pee ES a Rae: 

DUNES peat Baga Ge aia Sd al ae) ODA gly PEE pees le dR RE $818 51 


It may thus be seen that the balance on hand is $342.03. 
The life membership fund amounts to $2,030, representing 203 life mem- 
bers. 
Epwy C. Rerp, Secretary. 


ANNUAL STATEMENT OF LIBRARIAN. 


To the Executive Board and Members of the State Horticultural Society: 


GENTLEMEN—I have the honor to submit herewith my annual report as 
librarian of the State Horticultural Society for the year ending December 1, 
1888. The following tabulated exhibit shows the number of our reports 
which have been received and distributed during the past year: 


| 


Years. 1872) 1873) 1874) 1875) 1876) 1877/1878) 1879) 1880) 1881 1882 1883 | 1884 | 1885 |1886) 1887 


| | | 
| 


No. of books in library 


Meewissyg we esl 26} 1| 2! 67} 36} | 1) 477| 72| 78] 782/ 1,949] 2,703] 1,759] 987|_..... 
No. of books received dur- | | | 

Thaved a ete Se es eee saat ete teil eanel estan faccatel etal etal lee etal leat ee |------|------ .---| 6,000 

Po teilecce a see e cle wocee 26 1 2 67| 36 o| 1| 477| 72/ 773] 782! 1,949) 2,703| 1,759) 987) 6,000 


Rage oe ee nO ae 22 De saiaeea eae Peewee |e rye A hae, 8} 10] 12] 28) 4,910 
No. on hand Dee. 1, 1888_..| 25} 1) 2] 67| 36] Oo | 68] 766) 275] 1,941 2,698) 1,747| 964) 1,090” 


62 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


The following books have been received through exchanges during the 


year: 
HORTICULTURAL REPORTS. 


New Jersey State Horticultural Society, 1887. 

Illinois State Horticultural Society, 1887. 

Western New York Horticultural Society, 1887. 

Missouri State Horticultural Society, 1887. 

Minnesota State Horticultural Society, 1887. 

Maine State Horticultur 1 Society, 1887. 

Transactions of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 1887. 
Iowa State Horticultural Society, 1887. 

California State Horticnltural Society, 1887. 

Ohio State Horticultural Society, 1887. 


AGRICULTURAL REPORTS. 


Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture, 1887. 
Connecticut State Board of Agriculture, 1887. 
Maine State Board of Agriculture, 1887. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


Kansas State Crop Reports, 1888. 
Very respectfully, 
T. H. Forster, Librarian. 


Wednesday Morning Session. 


Opening the last session of the December meeting, President Lyon reported, 
from the committee on revisic n of the catalogue of fruits, that he had made 
progress with the work, thovgh only one of the other members had made 
any report to him, nor had he anything to submit as to new fruits, but would 
shortly furnish both to the secretary. 

The following report of the committee on the president’s message was read 
by Mr. C. J. Monroe and adopted: 


Mr. President and Members of the State Horticultwral Society: 


Your committee appointed to consider the various suggestions and recom- 
mendations of the president’s address, respectfully report as follows: 

1. That the portion of the address relating to the segregation of the society 
into divisions, for the purpose of considering topics most in accord with the 
tastes of the several divisions; also the portion relating to outdoor meetings, 
be referred to the executive board. 

2, That the portion referring to the importance of gathering more full and 
complete fruit statistics be referred to the committee on legislation. 

3. That the suggestions relative to experiments in horticulture and pomol- 
ogy on the west shore, with the tenderer sorts of fruits and vegetables, under 
the auspices of the state experiment station, be referred to a special committee 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 63 


‘to confer with the managers of said station, and see what arrangements can 
‘be made to have systematic experiments conducted in one or more localities 
where said fruits and vegetables have been most successfully raised. 
4. As to that portion relating to forestry, in view of the fact that we have 
a commission specially charged with that subject, which will probably look 
after the needed legislation, we recommend that the society continue in the 
future, as in the past, to make it one of the topics for discussion, that we may 
-do what we can to educate people upon this important matter. 
All of which is respectfully submitted. 
C. J. MONROE. 
J. A. PEARCE. 
W. N. Cook. 


W. N. Cook moved, and it was carried, that the committees recommended 
in the above report be appointed by the chair. 


FAVORABLE TO FARMERS’ INSTITUTES. 


C. W. Garfield said the West Michigan Farmers’ Club has taken the in- 
itiative as to certain legislation in aid of farmers’ institutes, of the details 
of which Secretary Fuller of that body, now present, would give information. 

Mr. Fuller read a resolution of the farmers’ club, asking the legislature to 
appropriate $5,000 for the year 1889 and $8,000 per year for each year follow- 
ing, for the expenses of annuai series of farmers’ institutes. 

EK. H. Scott spoke in favor of endorsement of the action of the farmers’ 
club, saying Michigan is far behind in this respect. Wisconsin gives state 
aid and last year held a series of 84 institutes, and this year one of over 170. 
New York does the same, providing for 37 institutes this winter. Upon Mr. 
‘Scott’s motion, the society gave its endorsement of the scheme. 


THE ANNUAL ELECTION. 


C. J. Monroe moved that two tellers be appointed and the society proceed 
to elect officers by ballot. pe 

The motion prevailed and the chair appointed Messrs. W. N. Cook and C. 
J. Monroe. The several ballotinys resulted in choice of the following named 
persons: 

President—T. T. Lyon, of South Haven. 

Secretary—Edwy C. Reid, of Allegan. 

Treasurer—S. M. Pearsall, of Grand Rapids. 

Members of Executive Board—For two years, W. A. Brown, of Benton 
Harbor; for three years, Chas. W. Garfield, of Grand Rapids, and C. A. Ses- 
sions, of Mears. 

Prest. Lyon announced committees as follows, under provision of the report 
of the committee on the president’s message: 

Hxperimentation—C. J. Monroe, K. H. Scott, S. L. Fuller. 

Legislation—W. K. Gibson, C. W. Garfield, J. F. Taylor. 


QUESTIONS ABOUT GRAPES. 
Three questions submitted, and their answers, were as follows: 


What can you say of the Vergennes grape, as to quality and time of ripen- 
‘Ing? 


64 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Prest. Lyon: It is excellent as to hardiness and bearing; its quality is fair ; 
berries and bunches, not large; ripens earlier than the Concord. 

2. What are the keeping qualities of the Ulster grape? 

Prest. Lyon: It is rather early for me to express an opinion, as I have not 
yet fruited it. 

3. What is the best long-keeping grape for market in central Michigan? 

E. Graham: Niagara and Prentiss, and they are about alike. 

E. H. Scott: With me Niagara keeps well and Salem is a good keeper. 

A. W. Slayton: I have kept the Isabella till town meeting. 

Prest. Lyon: But neither the Isabella nor the Catawaba can be depended 
upon to ripen in central Michigan. Prentiss is delicate and not hardy. 
Agawam is the best keeper of all the Rogers hybrids, while its quality is fair 
and it is a good bearer. 

J. A. Pearce: I have best success with Rogers No. 15 and Salem, as to- 
keeping. I like the Agawam because it clings well to its stem after ripening 
and is highly desirable as a keeper. 

C. W. Garfield told how, in plowing, he had buried bunches of several 
sorts of grape last fall and found afterward that the Delawares had kept per- 
fectly. 

Priest. Lyon: Had it been in wet soil or a wet season the result would have 
been different. Burial of grapes can not be depended upon as a means of 
keeping them unless moisture be wholly excluded. 


REPORT ON EXHIBITS, 


Prof. Taft read the subjoined report of the committee on exhibits: 

Your committee found for its consideration, upon the table, a collection of 
apples contributed by E. Chase Phillips, of Grand Rapids. For the most 
part they were of good size, highly colored, and well selected. They forma 
well chosen collection of winter apples for market purposes, and with the 
exception of two varieties they comprise a list that can hardy be excelled 
for home and dessert use. ‘The whole comprises fourteen varieties. 

A. Slayton, of Grand Rapids, exhibits seven plates of apples of common. 
varieties, most of which are of merit. 

The four varieties from E. Graham, of Grand Rapids, were well selected 


specimens. 

S. M. Pearsall, of Grand Rapids, presented plates of Talman Sweet and 
Spy. 

E. W. Barber, of Jackson, sent specimens of the Oakland, with the accom- 
panying letter. 


They are of good quality and are handsome dessert apples, of medium 
size. Mr. Barber reports a yield of four barrels from a top-grafted tree. 
They are excellent keepers, lasting well into summer. 

Dr. Beal of the Agricultural College exhibited plates of wild rice (zizania 
aquatica). Although the grains are small it is probable that they could be 
enlarged by careful selection and cultivation. In quality the wild rice ex- 
ceeds the commercial article. 

H. C. Smith, of Grand Rapids, furnished for exhibition and decoration, 
twenty-four plants of chrysanthemum, two of begonia rex, two of cordyline 
indivisa, two or fern, and two of cyperus. They were well grown plants. 
and seryed to brighten up the room, adding much to its appearance. 

LB are: 
A. G. GULLEY.. 


- 


EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 65 
MR. BARBER’S LETTER. 


JAcKSON, Micu., December 3, 1888. 
Mr. C. W. Garfield: 


DEAR Str—I send you by express today, a small basket of”apples which 
have received the name of Oakland in this county. The upper course is 
from Amos Root, the lower from a couple of trees I had grafted afew years 
ago. ‘Their history, as told here, is that several years since an itinerant 
grafter came from Oakland county with a lot of scions, among which were a 
quantity of Seeknofurthers. When these grafts came to bear, the fruit 
proved to be such as I send you. Fora time the apples were jocosely called 
‘*Oakland County Seeknofurthers,’’ but this has been shortened to *‘ Oak- 
land.’? The trees are prolific bearers, and the apples are good keepers. One 
year, I remember, in barrels in the cellar, without extra care, they kept in 
good condition for eating until into May. In 1880 I had the entire top of a 
tree, perhaps a dozen years old, grafted with Oakland, and in 1886 gathered 
therefrom three and one-half barrels, and certainly more than half a barrel 
fell off before gathering. For persons who like a mild apple, not sour 
enough to set the children’s teeth on edge, nor really sweet, we think it one 
of the best eating apples grown. I take pleasure in sending them. I think 
they ought to be better known than they are. Good apples, especially in our 
long winters, are food, drink, and medicine. 

Yours very truly, 
E. W. BARBER. 


RESOLUTIONS. 


The above report, and the one following, from the committee on resolu- 
tions, were adopted without dissent : 

We favor a hearty vote of thanks to the members of the Grand River Val- 
ley Horticultural society for their invitation and cordial attention. 

Our thanks are also due the officers of several railways for concession of 
rates; and to Mr. Johnson, proprietor of the Eagle hotel, for low rates and 
excellent care, we are also under great obligations. 

We are very grateful for attention and full reports by the press of Grand 
Rapids. 

Some of us can not help looking back to the early days of this society and 
recalling the condition of horticulture in our state eighteen or twenty years 
ago. ‘To those early members the people of our state owe much for their 
earnest work. 

We see marked progress in nomenclature, rejection of worthless varieties, 
and the successful combating of injurious insects. In these and in other 
respects this society has won a most excellent reputation. It may be impol- 
itic to call names, but we think the facts will warrant us in naming two 
persons whose efforts have been most prominent in these reforms. ‘To Hon. 
T. T. Lyon, so long and well known for his faithful and valuable work, espe- 
cially as president of this society, and to Hon. C. W. Garfield, so long our 
secretary, we and the horticulturists of the State, and many outside of her 
limits, owe a debt of gratitude which we can never repay. 

W. J. BEAL. 
Jo) BY TAYLOR: 


66 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


The finance committee reported approval of the reports of the secretary 
and the treasurer. 

President Lyon made brief remarks complimentary to Grand Rapids and 
the intelligent horticulturists of her borders. 


MORE ABOUT INTENSIVE HORTICULTURE, 


The secretary read the following letter from M. Crawford, of Cuyahoga 
Falls, Ohio, received too late for reading in its proper order : 


By ‘‘intensive horticulture” is meant such a complete supplying of the 
wants of the growing crop that it may do its best from first to last. In that 
case we shall have a maximum yield and, usually, the largest profit. Any 
failure on our part will diminish the profits accordingly. For want of drain- 
age, surplus water may prevent a natural extension of the roots; for want 
of thorough preparation of the soil, the roots are being constantly turned 
aside from their course, and much of the fertility is unavailable; for want 
of frequent stirring of the surface, a crust forms and shuts out the air from 
the roots, and weeds are permitted to grow and appropriate part of the food 
designed for the crops; for want of supplying plant food out of which our 
crops must be made, a large part of our labor is lost, and if the land be very 
poor we may lose it all; for want of timely attention, insects may prey upon 
our crops and remove the last chance of profit. So we see that we must be 
intensely in earnest during the entire growing season. Only letting go on 
our part will tell against us at the time of final reckoning. The use of the 
land, cost of seed or plants, fertilizers, preparation of the soil, planting, 
cultivation, and harvesting amounts to quite a sum, and an ordinary crop 
may, and often does, barely pay expenses. Whatever we gain in excess of 
this is our profit. This should be our incentive to effort. It is the part of 
wisdom for us to study how we can increase the profits. It will hardly be 
accomplished by any ordinary effort. Anybody can do things inan ordinary 
way, and things thus done yield but ordinary results. Increasing the amount 
of fertilizers to the point of producing a maximum crop usually increases the 
profits; cultivating so frequently that weeds never get a start is more profit- 
able than killing them after they have started; and sometimes the profit 
comes from careful sorting and packing. In any event our profits may be 
regarded as the reward of whatever efforts we put forth above the average. 

M. CRAWFORD. 

Whereupon the society adjourned, after authorizing the president and 

secretary to fix the time and place of the February meeting. 


DZIE, M. Ay MDs 


» 
4 


KE 


C. 


ROBERT 


TRANSACTIONS 


West Mehioan Frat towers: Sieety 


FOR THE YEARS 1886, 1887 AND 1888. 


——$—$ $$$ 


SHORETARYS, NOTE. OF INTRODUCTION. 


Epwy C. Rep, Secretary of the Michigan State Horticultural Society: 


I herewith submit for publication in the forthcoming volume of Reports of 
the Michigan State Horticultural Society for 1888, a part of the proceedings 
of the West Michigan Fruit Growers’ Society, including papers read at the 
meetings. Beginning is made with the sessions at South Haven, June 23- 
25, 1886. I have included the meetings at Grand Haven and Douglas, and 
the fourth annual meeting at Paw Paw, December 7-9, 1887. The June 
meeting for 1888 was held jointly with the State Horticultural Society, at 
Benton Harbor, June 13-15, a report of which appears with the latter’s trans- 
actions. 

The annual membership fee is one dollar. The constitution and by-laws 
-of the society provide for four regular meetings annually, but a greater or 
less number may be ordered by’vote of the members. The society’s territory, 
as the name indicates, includes the western half of the State of Michigan. 

G. H. LAFLEvR, 
Secretary West Michigan Fruit Growers’ Society. 


OFFICERS OF THE WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY FOR THE 
YEAR 1889, 


President—W alter Phillips, Grand Haven. 
Secretary—G. H. LaFleur, Allegan. 
Treasurer—W. A. Smith, Benton Harbor. 


EXECUTIVE BOARD. 
Joseph Lannin, South Haven. Wm. Corner, Saugatuck. 
A. C. Glidden, Paw Paw. W. B. Andruss, Allegan. 
R. Morrill, Benton Harbor. 
VICE PRESIDENTS. 
R. A. Morrill, Benton Harbor. Geo. S. Chubb, Lisbon. 


OQ. Beebe, South Haven. Benton Gebhardt, Mears. 
Harrison Hutchins, Ganges. 


70 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS” 
SOCIETY, ADOPTED MAY 28, 1884. 


ARTICLE I, 
This society shall be known as the West Michigan Fruit Growers’ Society. 


ARTICLE II. 


The officers of this society shall consist of a president, five vice presidents, a secre- 
tary, a treasurer, and an executive board of seven, two of whom shall be the president 
and the secretary; all the above officers to be elected by ballot at the annual meet- 
ing, and to perform their duties until their successors are elected and qualified. 


ARTICLE III. 


The object of this society shall be to promote the best methods of cultivating and. 
marketing fruit. 


ARTICLE IV. 
This society shall be limited to twenty thousand dollars’ worth of property. 


ARTICLE V. 


Every person who shall subscribe to these articles and pay to the treasurer the 
annual fee of fifty cents,* shall be entitled to membership. 
. 


ARTICLE VI. 

The district embraced in this organization shall be the counties of the lower peninsula 
of the state of Michigan lying west of the principal meridian. The counties divided 
by said line not to be included. 

ARTICLE VII, 


All disbursements of money shall be made on orders made by vote of the society and 
signed by the president and countersigned by the secretary. 


ARTICLE VIII. 


The treasurer: >all give such security as the by-laws of this society may require. 


ARTICLE IX. 


The annual meeting of this society shall be on the third week of December, at such 
hour and place as shall be named by the executive board. 


ARTICLE X, 


By-laws may be made or amended by a two-thirds vote of members present and 
voting at any regular meeting of the society, provided notice, in writing, shall have 
been given at the last previous regular meeting. 


ARTICLE XI, 


These articles may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the memberre present and 
voting, at any regular meeting of the society, provided notice, in writi.sg, shall have 
been given at the last previous regular meeting. ; 


Amended, December, 1888, to one dollar. 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, 71 


BY-LAWS. 


OFFICERS’ DUTIES. 


1. In addition to the duties elsewhere expressed in these by-laws, the officers of this 
society shall perform the several duties indicated by their titles, the executive board 
being the main operating force of the society. Also, the president and secretary shall 
arrange for the presentation of papers and shall submit an order of business at each 
regular meeting of the society. 

MEETINGS. 


2. In addition to the annual meeting, three other regular meetings shall be held, in 
spring, summer, and autumn, as may be determined by vote of the society, or in de- 
fault thereof, by call of the executive board, of which meeting due notice shall be 
given, at which meeting ten members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of 
business. 

EXECUTIVE BOARD, 


3. The executive board shall enact all rules and regulations (not otherwise provided 
for ) necessary for conducting the business of the society, and shall have the manage- 
ment of the exhibitions of the society. It shall have power to fill all vacancies, by 
. appointment, to continue until the next annual meeting for the election of officers. 
The board shall hold four regular meetings, each year, for the transaction of business. 
It may hold other meetings when called together by the president and secretary, at 
which meeting four members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. The chair- 
man of the board shall submit to the society, at its annual session, such facts, and 
make such recommendations, as they may deem for the interest of the society. 


4, All reports and papers presented before the society, at any regular meeting, shall 
be open for discussion by all the members. 


5. The executive board may arrange with kindred societies for holding fairs on such 
‘terms as they can make. 
SECURITY. 


6. The treasurer, with two sureties satisfactory to the executive board, shall be 
bound to the fulfillment of his trust in the sum of $1,000. 


FINANCE COMMITTEE. 


7. The executive hoard, at its first regular meetimg in each year, shall appoint, from 
their own number, three members who shall constitute a finance committee for that 
year. All claims against the society. for money, shall be submitted to this committee 
and receive its approval before payment. The chairman shall sign all accounts 
audited by the committee, before the secretary may draw an order upon the treasurer 
for the same. 

THE TREASURER. 


“8. All moneys belonging to the society shall be paid into the hands of the treasurer. 
He shall disburse the money belonging to the society, that may come into his hands, 
only upon the order of the secretary, countersigned by the president. Heshall, at the 
close of each year, made a detailed statement to the executive board of all money re- 
ceived and paid out during the current year, and settle with the finance committee 
and receive their endorsement of his account. 


* NEW FRUITS AND METHODS." 


9. There shall be appointed, annually, by the president, a committee of seven, who, 
upon warrant of experiment or testimony, shall recommend to the society such new 
fruits, and also such new methods of culture and defense, as they deem profitable. 


THE SPRING MEETING, 


HELD IN HOLLAND CITY, MARCH 3, 4 AND 5, 1886. 


Soon after the annual meeting in Allegan, in December, 1885, Mr. A. J. 
Knisely tendered to the executive board his resignation as secretary, which 
was accepted. G. H. LaFleur, of Allegan, was then appointed secretary to 
_ fill the vacancy for the rest of the year. 

His first official work was to prepare for the March meeting of the society, 
which was held at Holland City, from the 3d to the 6th of that month, on 
invitation from the local horticultural and agricultural societies. 

At this meeting, after an address of welcome by Dr. O. E. Yates, of Hol- 

land, and response by A. 8. Kedzie, of Grand Haven, a paper on “How to 
Protect the Vineyard against the Cut-worms’’ was read by Mr. C. A. Dut- 
ton, and followed by a general discussion. There were arguments for and 
against growing turnips among the vines, affording the worms other food 
than the buds; salt sown broadcast, some declared, had been efficacious, while 
others had found it of no effect; and President Phillips told of the destruct- _ 
ive qualities upon the cut-worm of crops of buckwheat turned under when in 
bloom, a remedy now generally accepted as a specific. 

Following this was a paper by the Hon. H. H. Holt, of Muskegon, upon 


“CAN SANDY SOILS BE MADE PROFITABLE ?” 


The question proposed as the subject of this article will perhaps suggest 
several inquiries, among which may be these: What has this question 
to do with horticulture? and why should the writer of the article presume to 
teach practical fruit growers? Candor compels me to say that no answer can 
be given to the last of these inquiries. In reply to and in explanation of the 
query as to the relation of the successful cultivation of sandy soils to fruit 
growing, I will say this: That while it is admitted that no portion of our 
country is better adapted than western Michigan to the cultivation of all 
kinds of fruit and vegetables grown at the north, still experience has shown 
that we can not depend upon one kind of fruit alone, or in fact upon various 
kinds of fruit. We have learned, as was the case last year with strawberries, 
that the crop may be so abundant and the weather be such in the various 
portions of what is known as the strawberry belt, that the entire crop of the 
country may be thrown upon the market at once, thus causing almost a total 
loss of profit. Sometimes a late frost or a hard winter may ruin a particular 
crop while others escape. The proper course, it would seem, for fruit grow- 
ers to pursue, is to devote a portion of their energies to the cultivation of 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 73 


vegetables. Not only this, but most fruit growers own land sufficient to allow 
them to raise more or less of the cereals used by their families and upon their 
farms. If this course were followed, fruit growers would not be so depend- 
ent upon the results of any particular crop. If this is true, and I think it 
can not be successfully contradicted, the fruit grower as well as the farmer 
is directly interested in the question under discussion. Thisis notall, because 
while it must be admitted that most fruits may be successfully cultivated 
upon lighter*soils than are required for the various cereals, it is also true that 
fruits are greatly benefited by good soils, provided other surroundings are 
favorable. Pe 

The various works devoted to the description of the soils covering the sur- 
face of the earth divide them into three classes according to the amount of 
alumina or clay contained in each, to wit: the sandy soil, of which sand and 
silica are largely in excess, with a small per cent of clay; the clay soil, which 
contains a large amount of alumina or clay, and the loam, which contains a 
medium amount of clay. It is therefore true that all sandy soils contain 
more or less alumina and that all clay soils contain more or less sand and 
silica. There is another fact which may be mencioned, that is none the less 
remarkable, which is that the analysis of plants and general vegetation, show 
that none of them contain any alumina, and but very little silica, and that 
this silica is rather accidental than as forming a necessary ingredient of the 
plant. This would rather lead to the belief that nature furnished both the 

-sand and the clay, not directly for the formation of vegetation, but rather 
for the purpose of regulating the heat and moisture of the ground, while other 
agencies are carrying forward their growth. 

When we recall the fact that such an immense proportion of the bulk of 
the earth is composed of sand, silica and alumina in their various forms, and 
that their office is only to keep trees and plants in position and convey mois- 
ture to their roots, the thought seems almost incredible. Whether this be 
true or not, experience has demonstrated the fact that a soil in which clay is 
largely deficient is not regarded as being a good one for any kind of vegeta- 
tation, and that a very stiff clay is almost, if not quite, as poor as a barren 
sand. It is also a fact that both soilsare affected about alike by the extreme 
heat of summer, while the clay soil has the further disadvantage that it is not 
so readily susceptible to the rays of the sun in the spring. 

Undoubtedly the soil to be preferred, particularly for the fruit and vege- 
table raising, is that in which there isa medium amount of clay, but not 
enough so that the soil would be termed a clay soil. But we can not all 
select such a soil as we might desire, were it in our power to make the 
choice. ‘Those of us, then, who have farms the soil of which does not con- 
tain the requisite proportions of alumina and silica to regulate the moisture 
of dry weather in summer, must seek to remedy the defect. Not only this, 
but a further analysis shows that the soil of our sandy farms is also wanting 
in a proper supply of lime, soda, potash, magnesia and certain other ingre- 
dients of a first-class soil, which nature would have furnished had the requisite 
amount of clay been present to retain whatever amounts of these substances 
came from the vegetation that grew thereon. 

The latter deficiency is not so great, however, as is generally supposed, as 
-shown by some experiments made some years since by Prof. Kedzie, of the 
Agricultural College, consisting of analyses of specimens of soil from about 
‘thirty different localities, including some of the poorest as well as the 


10 


74 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


best soils of the state. Among these were specimens from the sand 
plains near Baldwin and from those near Kalkaska, all of which contained 
magnesia, 4ime, soda and potash in sufficient quantities for a successful culti- 
vation of the soil, were it not for the great deficiency of moisture, or rather 
the lack of ability in the soil to retain moisture. Dr. Kedzie also experi- 
mented with these specimens of soils for the purpose of ascertaining their 
capacity for retaining moisture. He did this by first removing all sticks, 
stones, and other foreign substances from the soil and drying it as thoroughly 
as possible. He then filled a funnel-shaped vessel, having an opening at the 
bottom large enough to allow water to escape without the loss of any of the 
soil; and after weighing it carefully he poured water upon the soil until it 
would retain no more. It was then again weighed, and the difference in the 
weight of each specimen thus tested necessarily showed its ability to retain 
moisture. This demonstrated the fact that soils containing the most vege- 
table matter retain the most moisture, while those containing the largest 
amount of sand and silica retain the least. 

Experience has also shown us that no tree or plant can retain life any 
length of time without obtaining moisture in some manner, while many 
plants will grow luxuriantly when placed in bottles of water which is changed 
occasionally, without any nutriment more than they obtain from the air and 
water about them. A man can live a long time without food, provided he 
is supplied with water, as shown in the case of Dr. Tanner; and there .is 
really a greater similarity between human life and vegetable life then is gen- 
erally supposed. Both require light; both require pure air, and are poisoned 
by noxious gases; and both require water in some form to retain life any 
considerable length of time. 

If all that has been thus far advanced is true, and I think it will not be 
disputed, the new query comes up: Can we, asa prerequisite to the suc- 
cessful cultivation of sandy soils, treat them in such manner that they shall 
retain moisture sufficient to allow the vegetation that we plant upon these 
lands to come up to our expectations ? Irrigation of course is out of the 
question, and we must rely upon fertilizers and a proper mode of cultivation. 
In selecting fertilizers we must bear in mind that it is not plant food proper 
that wemost need. It is plant drink, if this expression 1s allowable. We 
should select fertilizers which will assist nature in retaining moisture in the 
ground. Barn-yard manure, when applied alone to sandy soils, does not 
meet our expectations, for the reason that at the time when it is the most 
needed much of it is lying on the land in a dry state or is being drifted about 
by the wind, possessing no more real value than so much pine sawdust. 
Manure without moisture is as worthless as tea without water in which to 
steep it. 

The substances, as we have seen, which are more or less deficient in sandy 
soils are lime, soda, potash, and magnesia; and these may be supplied in the 
form of ashes, salt, lime, and plaster, and these, too, are the substances which 
experience has shown are the most beneficial to the soil, in the matter of 
fitting it for the retention of moisture. We would not by any means discard 
barn-yard manure, but would advise that it never be used alone, and when 
used always applied in connection with more or less lime, ashes, and salt, so 
’ that its strength shall not be wasted. 

' he other improvement that we think might be made in the cultivation 
of,sandy soils is in the amount of labor bestowed upon the land. Many sup- 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 75 


pose that if the soil is hoed or cultivated, so as to keep down the weeds, that 
all is accomplished that a sandy soil requires. This is a great mistake. Hx- 
perience has shown that if the surface of a sandy soil is changed very often, 
gay every week, while vegetation is growing, the result shows that the labor 
is not lost, both in the crop and the soil itself. There are many minerals in 
every soil which remain in their normal or natural state unless exposed to 
the air, and when they become oxidized, act as fertilizers and are valuable. 
The frequent hoeing and cultivating of the soil produce these changes, with 
the beneficial result, as suggested, which is shown in the case of what is 
commonly known as summer-fallowing. 

The nurseryman understands that budding can only be done when the 
bark of the tree will peel, and finds that many times he can work in the 
morning, but when the sun is hot in the middle of the day the bark becomes 
set and he can work no longer. He then staris his horse and cultivator be- 
tween the rows of trees, and before he has passed many times he can again 
commence work, as the bark is found to be all right. He pursues this course 
as often as the bark becomes set. A tree can only. grow when its bark will 
peel. Consequently, it may grow in the forenoon and remain dormant in 
the afternoon, which fact is undoubtedly true in regard to plants and vegeta- 
bles. 

I will say, then, in conclusion, that the cultivation of sandy soils can be 
made profitable if sufficient attention is paid to the manure that is used and 
the amount of labor that is bestowed upon the land. 


FURTHER ON THE SAME SUBJECT, 


The Rev. Chas. Scott, President of Hope College, gave this additional 
testimony to the great agricultural possibilities of sandy soils : 

We may toil and sweat upon these Michigan sands, but labor and care and 
skill will bring forth from them far more than a harvest of thorns and briers. 

When I was a boy, in the east, Judge Buell was editing the well known 
Albany Cultivator. He was an earnest advocate of turning down green crops 
upon light soils, in order to produce fertility. He took a barren, sandy tract, 
back of Albany, and said he could thus turn it into a fruitful garden. If I 
rmember rightly, he thoroughly succeeded in his experiment. Near my 
home were the ‘‘ Armenia plains’’ of Duchess county. Barn-yard manure 
had been used upon these sandy fields for years, but you could have bought 
them for from $5 to $10 per acre, and I think in some cases could have had 
them as a gift. The occupants adopted Judge Buell’s idea—began to ‘‘turn 

” rye and buckwheat and clover as the basis of their home-made fertilizers; 
and what was the result? You must pay for that same land, today, at least 
$100 per acre. I may add that at about the same time, along the Hudson, 
began the general use of gypsum or plaster in order to stimulate the growth 
of the crops thus needed by the farmer. 

When I went to a college in New Jersey, the lands along the ocean in 
Monmouth county were not highly valued. I think those Jersey farmers 

well knew the utility of the barn-yard and practiced their knowledge as best 
they could ; but the thirsty soil set at naught their skill and lost reputation 
and sale. Then came the era of marl or green sand and its liberal and almist 
universal use by all the cultivators of common sense, and lo! the waste be- 
came as a pleasant vineyard. Marvelous was the work of this Jersey marl. 


76 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


May not our richer sands of Michigan command over $100 per ecre as well as 
those of Monmouth? 

You have heard of the city of Vineland. Where is it? In the very center 
of the South Jersey barrens—yes, barrens, such as we know not in our sand 
region. Whatisit? A sort of paradise of fruit and flowers and happy 
homes made since my ride over a dreary highway of sand barrens which were 
only three times worse than from here to Grand Hayen. What happened ? 
The ‘‘green sand’”’ and green manure have been ‘‘life.from the dead,”’ and 
have robed that land in beauty and richness. 

About that time I was wont to visit the central portions of Long Island 
and had relatives near the Hempstead plains. These were a ‘‘common” of 
scarcely any market value, and squatters were allowed to inclose and culti- 
vate land for their own use if they only had means and patience to exchange 
toil for hope. A cousin was one of those squatters. His son lives there to- 
day on a finely cultivated farm, and close by, upon that once rejected com- 
mon, is Garden City. But wnat was here the transforming power? Fish— 
simply fish. ‘Tons upon tons of finny fertilizers were carted to the fields, 
and soon other tons of city refuse were supplemented and aided the com- 
pensating crops. You may go to Long Island and buy plenty of that old 
** good for nothing sand’’ at $300 per acre. 

Before the war I was living in the sea island cotton region of South Caro- 
lina, the region along the coast from Edisto island to Savannah. Common 
upland cotton was 8 tv 12 cents per pound, but thi: fine variety bore treble 
value in the market. The soil was light, and poor enough, and without 
manure eight or ten bushels of corn per acre would be a full crop. The 
coast is interlocked with salt flats and lagoons, and this salty mud, mixed 
perhaps with pine needles and crushed cotton seed, would be placed in the 
bottom of the trenches and fed the plant which made cotton king. Surely 
there is something to put a crown more potent on our realms of sand. 

Fifty years ago the Coxsakie flats region in Greene county, N. Y., was a 
celebrated producer of hay. The rich clay bottom was deemed a gold mine 
and the adjoining sand farms were but a term of reproach. But this thing 
could not last. Some thirty years ago manufactured manures began to be 
used, and soon it was found that what seemed to be wasted on the flats was a 
valuable boon upon those reprobate sands—the one decreased and the other 
increased until the latter gained a double value over their old hay rivals. 

Yes, it may not take fifty years for these Holland sands to laugh to scorn 
the now boastful meadows of Graafschap or Friesland. 

This is enough to indicate my belief and reasons for it. This sand in 
Michigan has a good deal in it; no doubt about that. The problem is to 
bring its virtues out. I trust you will be able to find some way of doing this 
with eminent success. Surely there is a way, just as in the places I have 
named, a mode of fertilization; but in the first place not by barn-yard 
manure. ‘This follows after some foundation is laid in the soil; and I con- 
clude by declaring myself a firm believer in the capabilities of this west 
Michigan which a gazetteer of 1820 pronounced ‘‘unfit for settlement or 
cultivation,’ 

A. 8. Kedzie read a paper on ‘‘ Marketing Fruits,’ reviewing the com- 
mission system, and on the whole condemning it; contending that canneries 
afford only local relief, and advocating establishment of some such system 
as that qf the California fruit union. 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWER®S’ SOCIETY. 77 


Byron Markham, of Saugatuck, with inclination to caution if not pessi- 
mism in the fruit business, read a paper on 


GREAT MISTAKES MADE BY BEGINNERS IN FRUIT GROWING. 


I have chosen this theme because I am satisfied that fruit growing in west- 
ern Michigan is still in its infancy, and with a desire, so far as may be, to 
save the inexperienced beginner from the disappointment which so many 
have suffered who have gone into the business without experience. When 
the time shall come that fruit growing shall be seen in its true light—when 
the producer shall study the wants of the consumer instead of his own 
convenience, and send so good an article to market as to create a desire for 
it—then will all our resources be in demand and fruit growing will be one of 
the legitimate and successful business enterprises of this land. But there is 
probably no business in which men engage that is so little understood, and 
. by which so much disappointment is caused; no calling which is more de- 
ceptive, and none which, if properly managed, is more conducive to happi- 
ness as well as prosperity. 

It ill becomes me to try to tell how these last may be accomplished. I can 
at least point out the sources of my disappointment. I think the assertion 
will not be questioned, that no one man is competent to do all, or even 
many, things well. Still the idea is very prevalent that fruit growing is 
‘just as easy as falling off a log;” that all the fruit grower has to do is to 
stick a few trees and plants into the ground, rush to the factory, get his 
packages, pick, pack, and ship his fruit to market and then seek some 
profitable investment’ for his money returns. So very many, utterly 
ignorant of the business, without the least love for it, or in any wise 
adapted to it, engage in it, and by their very multiplicity doing the 
business great harm in the production of an excessive quantity of inferior 
fruit, which is usually badly gathered, worse packed, and sent to market 
to take the place of good fruit. And for this state of things the fruit grow- 
ers themselves are largely to blame. Every locality is anxious that its par- 
ticular spot should have the reputation of being a veritable garden of Kden, 
and to this end letters written to friends abroad, articles read at local gather- 
ings of fruit growers, as well as communications to the local papers, are filled 
with statements of the enormous yields and splendid profits of the fruit 
grower. Many men with level heads upon their shoulders are drawn into 
saying extravagant things when called upon to speak or write upon the sub- 
ject, especially if to be read or said away from home. This is often done 
inadvertently. As an instance, a reverend gentleman whom I am proud to 
call my friend, and who under no circumstances could be induced to deceive 
or in any way mislead, knowingly, once wrote an article upon the possibili- 
ties of the lake shore in fruit culture. I happened to read it for the first 
time when he was present. One statement in the article gave me the impres- 
sion that $30 worth of peaches from one tree was no uncommon thing. It 
didn’t read so to him. Yet, after his explanation that such a thing had fre- 
quently occurred, it didn’t change the reading to me, and if I was misled it 
could hardly be called egotism if I were to think others might be also. Add 
to this the fact that a number of men have accumulated wealth in the busi- 
ness rapidly, and is it any wonder that the idea should prevail that orchards 
would prove profitable just in proportion to their size, or that the inexpe- 


78 STATEJHORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


rienced should bend every energy to get as extensive orchards as possible? 
To this end every cent is put into land and trees to plant it with. In not a 
few instances, to my knowledge, men have made only a small payment on 
their lands and used the balance of their means to buy nursery stock, and 
trusted to the large returns sure to follow to meet expenses and pay for their 
lands. Result—a life-and-death struggle to meet payments and expenses. 
Why? Simply because it takes years before a fruit farm becomes self-sus- 
taining, even in the hands of one skilled in the business. There are excep- 
tions, of course, but this is the rule. What chance, then, has the novice if 
his means is all used up to begin with ? He can not support his family, pay 
his help, buy his tools, feed his teams, and meet all other expenses 
necessary for the cultivation of his orchards, vineyards, and _ berry 
fields. ‘This without means he can’t do, and something must be 
neglected. The small fruits will be first to yield returns, and so 
they absord his time and attention to the neglect of his orchard. Posi- 
tively, orchards must not be neglected; and by the time he is enabled, by 
working night and day, by depriving himself and family of many needed 
comforts, and by exercising the strictest economy, to give his orchards the 
needed care, they have become so much injured that he might about as well 
begin at the begining; but if health and strength are left him and he con- 
tinues economical, energetic and persevering, he will still succeed. In any 
event, the risk attending fruit raising on a large scale, without practical as 
well as theoretical knowledge of it, is altogether too great. 

Now, as I said to begin with, I am a firm believer in the healthfulness, 
pleasantness and profitableness of the fruit business in western Michigan. 
But it is a business, which, like any other, to be profitable, must be learned, 
and learned practically. No amount of theory or book knowledge will take 
the place of personal experience, though they may be, and often are, great 
helps. 

In view of the facts above stated, I will venture to make a few suggestions 
for the benefit of the inexperienced who contemplate entering into the busi- 
ness of fruit raising. I set above all other requirements a love of and taste 
for it, and he should bend all his energies to it until he has fully mastered it; 
and if I mistake not he will find the subject large enough to engage all his 
time, energy and brains. No branch of agriculture requires more brains than 
this. As but comparatively few men can employ laborers profitably, he should 
not undertake more than he and his family can accomplish; and this should 
be adhered to for at least the first five years. He should not undertake any 
other branch of business unless absolutely necessary to obtain means for the 
support of his family or the care of his orchards. It will, of course, be 
necessary for him to raise such farm products as are to be consumed on the 
farm. But ordinary farming and fruit growing do not go well together. If 
general farming is carried on at the same time, the fruit will be quite likely 
to be neglected, for the corn must be cultivated and the wheat must be har- 
vested at the time when the berries should be picked and otherwise attended to. 


ARE COLD WAVES MORE FREQUENT AND SEVERE THAN FORMERLY? 
IF SO, WHY? 


was the title of a paper by Joseph Lannin of South Haven, who spoke thus: 
These two questions, combined as they are in our scheme of topics, assume 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, 79 


in advance that cold waves are more frequent and severe than formerly, and 
under this assumption I am asked to tell why they are so. At first sight 
these innocent little questions appear easy of solution, but I confess the more 
I thought them over and inquired into all they comprehend, so far as I] am 
able to grasp them, the more difficult it is for me to arrive at conclusions 
that may appear satisfactory to you. If the questions have reference solely 
to atmospheric changes in Michigan, or even in the United States, our 
inquiry will be more limited than if we refer to other countries. In history 
we find reference to the severity of winters in almost every age, and in both 
Europe and Asia. The writer of the article ‘‘ Black Sea,’’ for the American 
edition of the Encyclopedia, informs us that that large body of salt water was 
almost entirely frozen over in the year 401, and again in. 762. Such results, 
however, could not be brought about by a cold wave passing over, but rather 
by a long period of excessive cold weather. In former times the Rhine, 
between France and Germany, and the Rhone, in the south of France, were 
frequently frozen over and the ice was so thick that the people crossed for 
weeks at a time on carts and sledges. The Danube has often been frozen 
over from its head-waters to its mouth. While an event of this character is 
of rare occurrence in modern times, in the reign of Kdward III. of England 
the river Thames was frozen over, and again in the reignof JamesI. We 
are unable to determine the intensity of the cold at the times referred to, as 
no record remains further than that of the freezing over of rivers, the depth 
to which the frost penetrated the ground, the destruction of fruit trees and 
the freezing to death of persons and cattle. A philosophical historian writ- 
ing on this subject says: ‘‘Some ingenious writers have suspected that 
Kurope was much colder formerly than it is at present, and the mest ancient 
descriptions of the climate of Germany tend exceedingly to confirm their 
theory. The general complaints of intense frost and eternal winter are per- 
haps little to be regarded, since we have no method of reducing to the accu- 
rate standard of the thermometer the feelings or the expressions of an orator 
born in the happier regions of Greece or Asia. But I shall select two 
remarkable circumstances of a less equivocal nature. 

“1, The great rivers which covered the Roman provinces, the Rhine and 
the Danube, were frequently frozen over and capable of supporting the most 
numerous weights. The barbarians, who often chose that severe season for 
‘their inroads, transported without apprehension or danger their enormous 
armies, their cavalry and their heavy wagons, over a solid bridge of ice. 
Modern ages have not presented an instance of a like phenomenon. 

<2. In the time of Julius Cesar the reindeer, as well as the elk and the wild 
bull, was a native of the Hercynian forest, which then overshadowed a great 
part of Germany and Poland; while at present the reindeer can not subsist, 
much less multiply, in any country to the south of the Baltic. 

‘The modern improvements sufficiently explain the causes of the diminu- 
tion of the cold. These immense woods have been gradually cleared, which 
intercepted from the earth the rays of the sun. The morasses have been 
drained, and in proportion as the soil has been cultivated the air has become 
more temperate.”’ [See Gibbon’s ‘‘Decline and Fall.”’ Vol. I, pp. 252, 253, 
-254, Milman’s edition.] The winter of 1635 is memorable in history because 
-of its severity. In the Thirty Years’ war an imperial army of 5,000 men 
crossed the Rhine on the ice opposite the city of Heidelberg, and in the win- 
ter of 1794 and 795 the rivers of France and Holland were frozen over to con- 


89 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. . 


siderable depth, enabling the French to invade Holland and destroy the ships: 
frozen in on the Zuyder Zee. The winter of 1812 was another of unusual 
severity in Europe, and to its severity in a great measure may be attributed 
Napoleon’s terrible disaster in Russia. From these instances of severe win- 
ters in Europe, in former times, we conclude that cold in that quarter of our 
globe is not on the increase. We should bear in mind, however, that certain 
natural causes combine to render the climate of Europe more temperate than 
the climate in the same latitudes on this side of the Atlantic. 

We are assembled here today in the same latitude with the south of France 
and the north of Spain, where the severe effects of winter are but seldom 
felt. On this side of the Atlantic the winters are not of uniform temperature. 
We read of fruit trees being totally destroyed and the trees of forests being 
split open by the intense cold in the eastern states. I regret that we have 
no knowledge of the exact intensity of the cold waves referred to in 
history. If we had we could ghen compare and determine the result. My 
opinion is that cold waves are not more frequent than formerly; but for cer- 
tain reasons, and through certain causes, we feel them more than we did on 
former occasions. As you all know, cold waves are generated at the far north 
and deflected by the Rocky mountains in a southeastward direction. While 
passing over the broad prairies of the northwest the cold wave meets with no- 
obstacle, and finally it expends it force at the Gulf of Mexico. Oftentimes 
the cold wave turns eastward after reaching Wisconsin, when, if persisting in 
its course, it passes over Lake Michigan, which robs it of its intensity and 
moderates its fury. I know of no case when fruit trees were injured in west- 
ern Michigan, by a cold wave blowing from the west. The injury was caused 
in nearly all cases when the wind was from the south, east, or southeast. 
The severest of the cold waves from the west, since Jan 1-3, 1863, inclusive, 
have by careful observation only reached from 10 to 12 degrees below zero, 
on the western shore of this state, from Grand Traverse to Stevensville; while 
inland, and in other states the mercury moved down to 30 and in many in- 
tances to 40 and 45 degrees below. On the 9th of February, 1875, at 6:30 a. 
M., under a gentle east wind, the thermometer ranged from 14 to 22 degrees 
below, according to location, on this side of the lake, while at Chicago and 
Milwaukee the mercury did not register quite solow. I need hardly call your 
attention to the unusual length and severity of our winter of one year ago, 
when peach buds, except in orchards on high, dry ground, were all killed. 
This fact proves, to some extent, that cold waves move close to the ground, 
or that the higher side of the wave is not so cold as the lower. 

During the early part of this present winter a cold wave of more than 
ordinary magnitude rolied down from the north, enveloping the northwest- 
ern, middle and southern states in its cold mantle. This wave was scarcely 
felt here in Michigan, while it entailed much suffering to man and beast in 
the west and southwest; and so severe was it in the south aud southeastern 
states that one man was frozen to death in Galveston and two in Mobile. Fish 
were frozen in the river and the oranges were frozen on the trees in Florida. 

Having drawn your attention to the most notable cold waves recorded in 
history, as well as to those within our own recollection and experience; and 
having advanced the opinion that cold waves are not more frequent and 
severe than formerly, I will give reasons for my opinions, and hope these 
reasons will be fully discussed by members of this society, and if the premises. 
upon which I base my opinion are unsound [| shall stand corrected. I need 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWER®S’ SOCIETY. 81 


only to refer you to a few years ago when the farmer or the fruit grower 
planted his peach trees in the most convenient place, without any regard to 
fitness or location. What was the result ? Why, he knew no such thing as 
a failure in a crop because of cold. Ah! exclaims some one, this proves that 
the cold is more severe now, because we cannot raise peaches under like con- 
ditions. Waitamoment. It is admitted by all geologists and climatolo- 
gists that large bodies of timber have wonderful influence in modifying the 
nature and character of the atmosphere in their immediate locality. The 
greater the natural growth of vegetation in any given country, the greater 
will be the humidity and the rainfall; while on the other hand, barren wastes 
of sand are scarcely ever enlivened by a thunder shower. It is admitted, too, 
that a hot wind of eighty degrees, blowing through a belt of timber 50 miles 
in extent, will lose 15 degrees of its heat and 25 degrees of its force; and on 
the other hand, a cold wave of of 20 degrees below zero, of like force, pass- 
ing through the same belt of timber, will lose five degrees of cold and a like 
quantity of force. When we say the wave, whether hot or cold, loses its heat or 
its cold, what do we really mean? Why, we mean this: The timber of the belt 
absorbs so much of the heat or of the cold. 

From the first settlements in this state until 1862, but little attention was 
paid to weather records. The severity of that winter, causing as it did such 
wholesale destruction of fruit trees, drew the attention of fruit men more 
particularly to the effect of cold upon their trees. I wish also to draw your 
attention to the fact that prior to 1862 the vast pine forests of our state 
stood in all their sublime grandeur, like sentinels guarding us from the frosts 
of the northwest, north, and northeast, absorbing the cold and thus render- 
ing the wave harmless. Those mighty forests have fallen under the greed of 
the lumber monopolist, and the safeguards of our tenderer varieties of fruit 
are removed forever. 

Now, as I view the matter, the cold waves are not more frequent nor severe 
in themselves, but the forests of our country having been destroyed, and 
nothing standing in their paths to modify their terrible fury, we are left ex- 
posed to their chilling breath and blighting infiuence. But while we lose by 
the destruction of our forests we gain in proportion by the enhanced tem- 
perature of Lake Michigan. The cutting away and removal of the vast 
body of timber grown in this state, permits the solar rays to reach the 
ground. Its surface is thus rendered several degrees warmer. Streams 
shrink and morasses dry, consequently much less water is poured into the 
lake during the summer months. But the quantity poured into the lake is 
many degrees higher in temperature. The heating rays of the sun are only 
in part absorbed by a thin coat of the surface of the ground, and since there 
is no mobility in the particles of earth, the beat can be communicated down- 
ward only by conduction; and as you all know, the solar influence does not 
penetrate many feet into the ground, and what does soon passes off by radia- 
tion. In fact, six hours in a still night, with the mercury at 28, only 4 
degrees of frost, will give a coating of ice although the thermometer regis- 
tered 85 the preceding day. On the other hand, the sun’s rays falling on 
water are not, as in the case of land, arrested at the surface, but penetrate 
to the depth of from 500 to 600 feet in clear water. The amount of heat 
communicated by the sun to equal-surfaces of land and water is alike, but 
that imparted to the water is diffused through a larger body and is less cooled 
during the night by radiation. ‘This being the case, Lake Michigan stores 


11 


82 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


away a large amount of heat during the summer months, which interposes 
between orchards and the westerly cold waves. In other words, Lake Michi- 
gan may justly be compared to a vast caldron of warm water, diffusing its 
beneficent influence during the rigors of the winter months; and to all who 
reside on this side of its border, whether Jew or gentile, Greek or barbarian, 
citizen or alien, it dispenses alike its genial influence. 


THE JUNE MEETING AT SOUTH HAVEN. 


Wednesday Evening Session. 


No reflection is made upon the quality of the former meetings of thissociety 
when it is said that the June assembly of 1886 was the most successful in 
points of attendance and enjoyment of any the society has held. The attend- 
ance of pomologists from beyond the locality of the meeting was surprisingly 
large. One of the pleasantest features of the occasion was the ungrudging 
hospitality of the people of the village and adjacent country, who left no 
guest unprovided for and spared no effort to make everyone comfortable. 
Their cheerful homes afforded warm welcomes and their kind attentiveness the 
most hospitable of entertainment. The town’s reputation as a community 
of intelligent and fraternal people in no way suffered but was in every respect 
strengthened and increased. 

Wednesday evening found a goodly company of people in the opera house 
to witness and take part in the opening meeting. President Phillips called 
to order and the Rev. Bullock offered appropriate prayer, when the Honorable 
C. J. Monroe made the following address of welcome. It is subjoined in full 
because on such occasions Mr. Monroe always departs from the usual formal 
style and presents thoroughly practical thoughts about pertinent and practi- 
cal questions. He said: 


MR. MONROE’S ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 


Mr. President and Members of the West Michigan Fruit Growers’ Society : 
As president of the South Haven and Casco Pomological Society, and at the 
request of the president of the village, it is my pleasant duty to welcome you 
here. While I may lack the words and the grace to do this as appropriately 
as I could wish, I have the satisfaction of feeling, and of assuring you, that 
back of my words stand a community which will give you such cordial greeting 
- and such generous hospitality as to assure you of our appreciation of your 
coming among us. Remembering that you are the representatives of the 
fruit belt of western Michigan, and knowing something of the knowledge and 
the skill which your great and growing interest requires in order to make 
proper selection of desirable sorts of fruits and suitabie soils, in the care and 
cultivation, and in the packing and marketing, also the vigilance and the per- 
®*severance needed to save our trees and fruits from the myriads of insects and 
the numerous diseases—many reasons are suggested why we should welcome 
you to this locality. I will mention three, and designate them as selfish, 
business and social reasons. First, as to the selfish reason. This vicinity, 
in common with those you represent, possesses natural climatic influences 


84 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


and soils adapted to the raising of all sorts of fruits known to this latitude. 
It is favored by near markets, with excellent facilities for reaching them. 
These fortunate surroundings make us ambitious to so educate ourselves that 
we may derive the greatest benefit from them. I believe our pomological 
societies and gatherings like these are among the best to give us such educa- 
tion. In welcoming the members from St. Joseph and Benton Harbor we 
appreciate that they come from the oldest fruit growing section of western 
Michigan, a region which has given wide fame to the state as a producer of 
choice and tender fruits—a locality which has prospered wonderfully and 
brought to its citizens a large amount of wealth for the time and money spent 
and the acres cultivated. We are aware that they have had reverses and fail- 
ures, but many more successes, and hence we want to draw upon their knowl- 
edge and their experience that we may reverse their failures into successes. 
In welcoming the members from the eastern portion of our county, from 
Ganges, Fennville, Allegan, Douglas, Saugatuck, Holland, Grand Haven, 
Muskegon and other points, we are aware that they are younger in the busi- 
ness than St. Joseph or Benton Harbor, but with their youth comes more 
hope and enthusiasm, of which we shall try to absorb freely. 

We welcome you in a business sense, feeling that your society specially rep- 
resents the fruit interests of western Michigan; that from north to south we 
need the same knowledge and skill to properly select the soil suitable for the 
fruit, the best methods of preparation, obtaining the most desirable varieties, 
subsequent care and cultivation, picking, packing, and marketing; the most 
effective means to guard our trees and fruits from insects and disease—how 
best to fight the one and control the other. The recent drouth has empha- 
sized the importance of some cheap method of irrigation. It won’t do to 
pass this question asa ‘‘dry” one. It must receive earnest consideration, 
and any practical solution will apply to the whole territory covered by your 
society. These and other questions are of such paramount importance that 
they not only require the best thought and the most diligent investigation 
which we can bring to them, but we need the associated effort and the com- 
bined influence and experience of all interested. I think I speak advisedly 
in saying that there are few if any classes of business or employment more in 
need of close, associated work, or of a more intimate acquaintance with past 
experiences. ‘To know the right thing to do and to be in a position as a com- 
munity to act promptly, is of the utmost consequence in fruit growing. A 
few days’ neglect of diseased trees may destroy the work of years, or a few 
days’ delay in attending to the insects may ruin the season’s crop. Besides, 
we do not reap in the fall the spring’s sowing, but have to wait from two or 
three years to a life-time. Hence experiments are costly, usually in propor- 
tion to the time required to test their correctness or get returns for the out- 
lay. We have a direct interest in the largest number raising good fruit, and 
honest packing concerns all. To market promptly, at the best points, at the 
right time, and in quantities needed, is important over most products because 
of the perishable nature of our delicious fruits. The short time between 
maturity and decay makes it urgent to place ready our products for consump-« 
tion or for canning and preserving. ‘The need of concert of action in market- 
ing will be more apparent with increased production. California and Florida 
have proven the futility of independent shipping with large crops. With 
limited supply, individuals may get better prices by ‘‘ going it alone,” 
although it too often comes out of some less fortunate neighbor. The largest. 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, 85 


net returns to the community is what we want, and it can only come through 
united action. This has been repeatedly demonstrated in large manufactur- 
ing towns or districts. California and Florida are doing some pioneer work 
in marketing their fruit which will be profitable for us to study. 

We welcome you for social reasons. The separation into classes and the 
tendency to create ‘‘caste’’ among our people is a growing evil fostered by 
isolation. Frequent social intercourse breeds friendship and excites interest 
in the welfare of others. Discussing the ways and means of our business, the 
successes and failures, stirs a fraternal feeling of good-will which nothing else 
can. Note the man who absents himself from companionship with others— 
selfishness results. The pleasant greeting, the hearty hand-shake, and the 
kind inquiry after health and family and business, brings out better thoughts, 
stimulates to more helpful deeds, sends each on his way with nobler aspira- 
tions. 

In conclusion, I repeat that we selfishly welcome you here because of your 
long and varied experience and the helpful advice we expect from it. We 
welcome you in a business sense, as we have need of all the knowledge and 
skill we can obtain in order to glean the best results from the complex and 
many-sided callings of the pomologist. We know that any calling is pro- 
moted not only by close attention and diligent perseverance, but by an 
enthusiastic love for it and a hopeful determination to succeed. I know of 
no way in which enthusiasm is so easily kindled and hope revived as by fre- 
quently meeting those having common aims, similar interests, and mutual 
difficulties. It is like bringing the lighted brands of the logging-fallow to- 
gether—each burns with a brighter glow. 

We welcome you socially, knowing that continued plodding and absence 
from social gatherings tends to sordid motives and selfish actions—that fre- 
quently getting together, especially of those in like employments, renews old 
friendship and adds that whichisnew. It increases our desire for the welfare 
of others and impresses the fact that individual welfare is the community’s 
welfare. 

For these and many other suggestive reasons, I sincerely give you a cordial 
welcome to the hospitalities of our homes and village. 


PRESIDENT PHILLIPS’ REPLY. 


To this President Phillips made a most earnest and thankful reply. Such 
cheerful words of welcome make us feel that such meetings do indeed prove 
of much value to pomologists and are of great social benefit as well. He had 
often heard of South Haven as a center of pomology, and today he had 
found that it was so, as the spreading and bountifully laden orchards attest. 
He had heard, too, that South Haven people never do things by halves, and 
of this also he had been convinced by the interest already shown, the open- 
handed welcome everywhere extended. If in any way the meeting shall not 
be successful no blame can attach to the people of South Haven. Hs knew 
of no calling which so develops men to the highest degree of civilization as 
does cultivation of fruits and flowers. Take these from us and we have only 
4 desert remaining, but with them we advance to man’s highest estate. 


86 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


THE SEASON’S OVERPLUS. 


Discussion followed upon the prospective surplus of fruit for the season, 
the chief remedies proposed for the anticipated low prices being honest pack- 
ing, shipment of good fruit only, and better distribution of it, together with 
thinning, even to destruction then of half the existing green fruit. Mr. J. 
N. Stearns of Kalamazoo, pertinently remarked “that he never saw 
an overplus of first-quality of fruit. He is now selling 100 quarts per day of 
strawberries at 12 cents net and 300 quarts at 8 cents, but could sell 800 quarts 
of the better grade. People will buy more of good fruit than poor. The 
thinning of apples, pears, and peaches is the way to get good fruit, and 
when we make that and that only there will be no cry of overproduction.” 


Thursday Morning Session. 


President Phillips having appointed the usual committees, Mr. E. W. 
Branch of Grand Haven read a paper on ‘‘The Life of a Fruit Grower.” 

Mr. Branch is the Artemas Ward of the society; and whenever he arose to 
speak, people began to laugh but had to stop suddenly, sometimes, to think, 
only to resume laughter again. His paper at this time, in its opening, prom- 
ised to concern everything but fruit growing; but after various comicalities 
he got around to say: “If I were to live my life over again I would be a 
fruit grower, for the man who has planted a tree or vine, or whose wife has. 
nursed a flower or plant, can esteem himself a prince or a potentate and mon- 
arch of all he surveys. He can enjoy the sweetest of flowers and 
the finest of fruits. What better is a king upon his throne? I 
hope the time will soon come when every lover of fruit culture may 
sit under his own vine or fruit tree, happy and contented, surrounded 
by the beauties of nature and the luxuries of fine fruits. JI rejoice 
that the life of a fruit grower was granted to me. ‘T'o do the work, however 
perplexing and fatiguing, has been a pleasure—and more, a perpetual joy— 
and yet more, an intoxicating delight. Great men, honored and noted, have 
passed over the river of'Time. I imagine them, congenial spirits, camped on 
the other shore. So you may behold Washington, Lincoln, and Grant. But 
such are not the only great men who haye gone hence and merit our rever- 
ence and respect. I may here fittingly mention James Vick, the lover of 
flowers, and imagine him passing in the paths of Paradise with that veteran 
fruit giower, Charles Downing. Long may their names be revered and their 
good deeds be recounted from generation to generation.’’ 

A. 8. Dyckman of South Haven, A. C. Glidden of Paw Paw, and Joseph 
Lannin of South Haven, each spoke of the pleasures and delights of fruit cul- 
ture and its wholesome influence on both mind and body. 

D. b. Williams said he had, in thinning peaches, taken in* one season from 
one tree 12,000 youn” fruits, and that tree always bore a fine crop. 

From the afternoon’s programme was borrowed Mr. A. 8. Dyckman’s. 
paper on 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 87 


PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF FRUIT GROWING IN MICHIGAN. 


A complete history of all this would fill a large volume. But what I 
apprehend you desire is a brief reswmé of the subject from an economic 
standpoint. 

In the ‘‘fifties’’ the peach business in Michigan was just taking root, main- 
ly at St. Joseph. In the ‘‘sixties’? the large prices realized, sometimes as 
high as $7 per basket, gave a wonderful impetus to the business, and there 
was a large area planted, mainly at St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, Grand 
Haven and Spring Lake. The next decade (the seventies) brought a no less 
remarkable set-back to peach culture. Yellows and the severe winters of 
1873 and ’75 reduced the peach orchards to asmall fraction of what they had 

been. Our great rival in peach production (southern Illinois) was equally 
or perhaps worse injured than Michigan by the same causes. 

But for the supply from Delaware and Maryland which began western 
shipment in 1875, Chicago and the great northwest would have been for the 
next several years almost destitute of peaches. Since this period of calamity 
peach planting ani culture have been pursued more prudently and wisely, 
the most favorable situations and methods being well considered, so that now 
we may say the business is on a more safe basis. The chances of failure 
have been greatly reduced and the probabilities of a regular supply greatly 
increased. 

THE STATUS IN 1870 TO 1886. 


Some time during the first half of the seventies an inventory of the number 
of peach trees in orchard, in the then principal peach regions, was taken. 
The region around St. J oseph and Benton Harbor had about 900,000 trees, 
and about Grand Haven and Spring Lake about 300,000 trees, and perhaps 
Allegan and Van Buren counties had 100,000, and the balance of the state 
100,000 peach trees. This would make an aggregate for twelve or thirteen 
years ago, of 1,400,000 trees. At that time southern Illinois, besides sections 
of other states, was shipping immense quantities of peaches to Chicago and 
other western cities. There was a lively demand for peaches in the fresh 
state, subject only to those losses which unfavorable weather in the peach 
harvest will always bring. ‘There was very little canning and drying of peaches 
in the west at that time. 

Now, with the population of the upper Mississippi valley largely increased, 
how do you suppose the area in peaches in Michigan will compare with that 
period? Without the statistics necessary to determine definitely, I venture 
the assertion that there are not in Michigan, in good growing condition, more 
than 1,000,000 peach trees, Perhaps this meeting can give estimates by which 
we may be able to approximate the actual number. If my estimate be cor- 
rect we have not yet reached the number we had before the hard winters 
of 1873 and 1875. Then the upper Mississippi valley (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 
Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas, lowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and 
Dakota), did not contain more than 15,000,000 inhabitants. Now the same 
territory probably contains about 20,000,000 inhabitants. These million 
trees, old and young, probably do not yield, in a good year, more than an aver- 
age of one basket to the tree. This is only one basket to every twenty inhab- 
itants. 


88 STATE}HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
PROBABILITIES OF THE FUTURE. 


Suppose, in the next decade, this production should be multiplied by ten, 
making a supply of 10,000,000 baskets, or 2,500,000 bushels, and the increase 
of inhabitants in the upper Mississippi valley to be 5,000,000, making the 
population 25,000,000, Michigan would still produce only one bushel of peaches 
to every ten inhabitants of the region which is its natural peach market. 
Making allowance for all sources of supply, I do not think this could be re- 
garded as over-production. 

In the light of these figures and the difficulties and disasters we shall have 
to contend with there seems little reason to doubt that the skilled culturist, 
haying a favorable situation, will be able to make the culture of the peach 
profitable in Michigan for long years to come. 

In the selection of land for a peach orchard there are two very important 
things to be considered, namely: Elevation and proximity to Lake Michigan, 
on the most sheltered portions of the east shore. 

The peach grower of the future must have the eyes of Argus and the merci- 
less execution of Robespierre. He must be persistent as the hero of Appo- 
mattox and honest as the Great Emancipator. He will thus become the ben- 
efactor of small boys and girls who discover in peaches an indescribable relish. 
He will enjoy good health and graduate into the floral and pomological depart- 
ment of Paradise. 


AGREEMENT AND DISSENT TO THIS. 


A. ©. Merritt, of Casco, said his experience had been similar to that of Mr. 
Dyckman, he had enjoyed much in the growing of fruit. The business calls 
out all of a man’s best thought and was continually educating the mind. 
There is something stimulating and inspiring in watching the trees, the 
leaves, blossoms, and fruit, constantly lifting men up to a higher plane of 
life. The men and women engaged in growing fruit and flowers are as a class 
of the most social and intelligent, as their calling brings them frequently 
together. 

Harrison Hutchins, of Ganges, said that his neighborhood included Doug- 
las, Fennville, and Saugatuck, and init were not less than 250,000 peach trees. 

Mr. J. F. Barron, of Fennville, said that from 35,000 bearing trees in that 
vicinity 234,000 baskets were shipped four years ago, since when there has 
not been a full crop. 

Mr. Hamilton thought Mr. Dyckman had placed the estimate nearly right 
at one basket per tree, counting trees of all ages, bearing and otherwise. 

J. G. Ramsdell thought the estimate too low. If it is not, we must be more 
careful in our investments. 

G. W. Griffin said there were in Casco township five or six hundred acres 
of trees three years old or more, containing 70,000 trees ; and there are 35,000 
unbearing trees. 

Mr. Hutchins would quit the business if he thought the product only one 
basket per tree. 

Mr. Dyckman reminded that the estimate included all trees, young and old, 
in thrifty condition. He expects to see a ten-fold increase in the product in 
ten years. In 1873 and ’74 when it was estimated there were 900,000 trees, 
the shipments were but 600,000 baskets. Many were young trees. 

James Gardiner, of Ganges, believed Mr. Dyckman’s estimate correct. 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 89 


G. W. Richards, of the same place, thought it right for Crawfords, Mixons, 
and Richmonds, but too low for others. Our climate does not favor much 
setting of the varieties named, though what we have may by better fertiliza- 
tion be made to yield more. 

President Phillips, in answer to inquiry, said peach growing was unsuccessful 
about Grand Haven and pomologists are turning attention to grapes; but he 
thought Mr. Dyckman’s estimate high enough. 

Mr. Dyckman said his estimate of one million trees was divisible into 
250,000 in Casco and South Haven; 500,000 in and about Fennville, Ganges, 
and Saugatuck, with 250,000 for the rest of the state. There are less now 
than in 1874. 


CULTIVATION OF NUT-BEARING AND OTHER DECIDUOUS TREES, 


was a subject introduced by W. A. Smith of Benton Harbor, in the following 
aper: 

r In every well timbered country there are three distinct and well defined 
periods or epochs. The first period furnishes the conditions for a wild or say- 
age state of mankind, and during its continuance, nature provides in great 
measure for the simple wants of her children. When the supply in one 
locality becomes exhausted they need only migrate to other and more favor- 
able locations, like the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. Bye and 
bye the pioneer comes along. The country is wild, the land is clothed in its 
primeval forests, the sound of the woodman’s ax has not been heard to echo 
among these stately trees. The timber which has been growing and decaying 
upon the virgin soil for hundreds, thousands—yea, perhaps millions—of years 
is in the way of human progress and must, at least in part, be removed. ‘The 
land must be tilled in order that man may rely upon his own energy and 
resources for the necessaries of life. 

In a new country, before railroads are constructed, and not being favored 
with water transportation, timber is of little or no value save for fuel and the 
tude cabins of the first settlers. Hence, in days not long past, the logging 
bee was a common frolic. The timber was burned upon the ground where it 
grew, and the ashes added additional fertility to the soil already enriched by 
the decomposition of vegetable matter for unknown ages. 

The second epoch is the period of commercial activity in the lumber regions. 
Saw-milJs are erected at all convenient points, and there is logging in the 
winter, running logs in the spring, and a general activity in the lumber busi- 
ness the balance of the year. In our own peninsular state this system is en- 
tirely and systematically in vogue even now. 

Those of us who came to Michigan not more than a quarter of a century 
ago remember well the majestic and magnificent stretches of forest over much 
of herrich domain. In 1836, fifty years ago, Michigan entered upon her 
career ag a state. Then she was one of the best, if not the best, timbered 
state in the Union. Her timber, even to the present time, has been a source 
of munificent wealth to her citizens. The laborer had his wages, the capital- 
ist his large percentage of the money invested. ‘The ax has been applied to 
her forests with a ruthless and savage hand. ‘“Today is the day of our need,” 
says the lumberman. ‘‘ Let tomorrow take care of itself; and how swiftly 
and how thoroughly has he accomplished his work! Fifty years, a mere point 
in the cycle of time—only a day, as it were, in the age of a state—and yet we 


12 


90 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


are brought face to face with one of the most important problems of agricul- 
ture and prosperous statehood, viz: How can we best protect and preserve 
our remaining timber? Already our climatic changes have been mainly for 
the worse, summers hotter, winters colder, drouths and floods more frequent 
and destructive. Today the remaining pine timber of the state is mainly in 
the hands of capitalists, who will, in the next twelve or fifteen years, use up 
about all the valuable pine, at least in the southern peninsula. In 1900, sixty- 
five years of statehood, will be stripped from Michigan almost entirely her 
great pine forests, and about another quarter of a century thereafter her hard- 
wood timber will likewise be used up. This estimate is upon the present 
basis of consumption, which is likely to continue. 

As a people, we shrink from and abhor too much government, hence we 
will be slow to adopt (if indeed we ever do) the European system of forestry.. 
There the government owns large tracts of timber lands and have reduced 
forestry to a fixed and well defined science. In some of those countries even 
private timber claims are placed under governmental control, and thus instead 
of waste, depletion and destruction of timber for immediate gain, their for- 
ests are made to yield them a perpetual revenue, which is yearly becoming 
more valuable. Instead of using up the principal, the interest is accumulat- 
ing new principal. , 

In this country, without a radical change in our national and state laws, in 
our system of growth and culture, little can be hoped for in the future. 
Sooner or later our national and state governments, will, by force of circum- 
stances, be compelled to adopt a radical system of forestry. For the present, 
our timber preserves and culture will be mainly in the hands of individual 
owners of the soil. Singly we can do but little, collectively we can do much. 
Landed proprietors will soon learn that growing timber can be made as profit- 
able as growing grain and fruit; and when they once plainly see the everlast- 
ing dollar the problem will be solved. 

As a people we invest millions sometimes in rotten life insurance compa- 
nies for the benefit of our families when we are laid away. This shows a dis- 
position on our part to leave that portion of mankind in better circumstances 
for our going. If we would pursue a like policy in timber culture we might 
not only leave our families in better circumstances but make the world more 
prosperous and happy, and the earth more beautiful and homelike. 

But men must sow today and reap tomorrow, and the idea of deferred profits 
for one, two, three, or more generations is a stumbling block to too many. 
On this point we do not act like wise, rational beings. He who lives for the 
present alone, without regard to the welfare of the future, is at enmity to 
the best interests of mankind. But we overlook the fact that timber culture 
can be made a sure and safe inyestment in a much shorter period of time 
than is usually reckoned upon. Many varieties of forest timber grow rapidly 
and in one or two decades are available for various purposes. While grow- 
ing they make windbreaks, shelter crops and stock, equalize moisture, and 
beautify the earth. For the best interests of agriculture and every interest 
dependent upon that, about one-fourth of the land should remain perma- 
nently in timber. 

Every man or woman who owns a country homestead should see to it that 
a part of said homestead be well stocked with valuable timber. Among the 
trees should be a liberal supply of nut-bearing trees. The walnut will grow on. 
any soil that will produce good corn and even on soil that will not grow good. 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, 91 


corn, for its native habitat is rocky, hilly, and mountainous land. Yet it will 
readily adapt itself to any soil and locality suitable for farming purposes, and 
prove fruitful. This and the black chestnut are the delight of the small 
boy in the fall of the year. ‘Then why not grow them? ‘They soon come 
into bearing and will continue to bear bountiful crops of wholesome and de- 
licious nuts for many generations of boys in the dim future. These trees, 
too, are ornamental and useful for many other purposes. The black walnut 
is today the most valuable timber tree in this latitude. I would now rather 
have a thrifty, growing, young black walnut orchard than an apple orchard 
of equal extent and of the most approved varieties. Within the last thirty 
years I have seen large, stately black walnut trees felled and split into com- 
mon rails for fencing purposes, which if they were standing today and sound 
would be worth more per tree than an acre of the best improved land upon 
which they grew. The black walnut in its native state is not only a good 
tree, but always indicates a good soil. This fact should be remembered in 
growing this tree. 

In timber culture due regard should be had for the different varieties of 
timber and their adaptability to particular kinds of soil, also the various 
periods of maturity of the various species. This knowledge will enable us 
to grow different varieties upon the same tract of land to the best advantage. 
For 200 years France has had her forestry laws for the protection and culture 
of timber. In Germany the forestry and timber culture laws date still fur- 
ther back, under which a system of forestry schools has been established, 
which for thoroughness and system in every detail connected with the growth 
of timber are superior to that of any other country. 

In many of the European countries much of the timber land is owned and 
under the direct control of the governments. The forests are divided and 
subdivided, as cities into wards and precincts. The police force, not being 
influenced by ballots from trees, are expected to do impartial justice to all. 
When the age of greatest usefulness of the various timbers has arrived, it is 
removed and room is made for a newcrop. In this way they have succeeded 
in growing not only three times as much timber per acre as the unaided for- 
est produces, but timber of superior quality. They thus make their forests 
pay a revenue besides beautifying and adorning the country. We can hardly 
imagine anything in nature more lovely and inviting than a clean, well kept 
forest. The various periods of maturity or greatest usefulness is found to 
be as follows, in their latitude and under good management: Larch and 
birch, 50 to 60 years; locust and maritime pine, 60 to 70 years; Scotch pine 
50 to 90 years, beech 80 to 140 years, ash 90 to 100, chestnut 90 to 120, 
spruce 90 to 140, fir 100 to 140, elm 100 to 140, oak 100 to 200. Our black 
walnut will probably require nearly the same time as chestnut. 

For roadside planting the rock maple is perhaps one of the most desirable 
trees we have—easy to propagate, a free grower, and cleanly in all seasons. 
To give the best satisfaction it should be transplanted into nursery grounds a 
year or two before being permanently transplanted. This tree when old 
enough will furnish refreshing shade in summer, a delicious sweet in spring, 
and a valuable wood for manufacturing purposes. 

I can not help noting here the great service rendered the cause of timber 
culture in this and other states by that indefatigable worker, C. W. Garfield, 
in the last report of the State Horticultural Society. The collations, report, 
Opinions, experiments, therein set forth and given to the world, although in 


92 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


fragmentary form, by Mr. Garfield, should entitle him to the gratitude of 
every well-wisher of the human race. 

Let us see to it that we do something, individually and collectively, to 
rehabilitate our beautiful state, in part, with timber-belts, windbreaks, and 
shade trees for many beasts and birds. 

If we set but one tree individually, somebody will rise up and call us 
blessed. 


VARIOUS OPINIONS. 


A. C. Glidden was disinclined to play the pessimist about the future, as it 
was quite likely-to care well for itself with respect to a timber supply as well 
as other things. If we who are here owned the pine land we would cut the 
timber and realize upon it; and all our talk here against the cutting of the 
forests will make no difference. The arts will no doubt find for us some substi- 
tute for wood. Perhaps it will be aluminum from the clay which lies about 
usso plentifully. Stranger and more wonderful discoveries have been made 
than this would be, and we would almost prophesy that this substitution of 
aluminum for wood andiron would yet occur. He hopes to see more shade in 
highways and door-yards, but not to see one-fourth of each farm kept in or 
turned into forest. He did not think the cutting of the forests had had so 
much influence upon the climate as many believe it has. Mere cultivation of 
the prairies had increased the rain-fall and the best thinkers, he believed, 
now teach that denudation of forests has not decreased the amount of rain. 

W. A. Brown of Benton Harbor said Mr. Glidden might be right in this, 
for the planting of crops had increased the rain west of the Missouri river. It 
is true that with the forests we had a more equable climate and grew safely the 
tenderer fruits, but the cutting of the trees was necessary. We may need to 
replace them for sake of timber supply, for he doubted if any mineral substitute 
would ever be found for good hickory or black walnut. We shall live more 
pleasantly if we have more trees and our children will bless us if we plant 
them, especially those trees that bear nuts. The chestnut is very successful 
in Berrien county. He believes we should plant more trees and that the 
government should do something to replace those cut from great forests. 

A. C. Merritt of Casco said that if asked with what objects of childhood his 
tenderest emotions were associated, he would say they were the delightful old 
chestnut trees. Since his growth to manhood he has planted and grown chest- 
nut trees successfully. They may not be adapted to every soil—they will not 
flourish on hard clay—but he urged young men to plant nut-bearing trees. 
Chestnuts will come to bearing as early as apples or pears. Filled with such 
zeal he once put outa lot of young hickories which more experienced men 
soon told him were butternuts. He knows more about chestnuts, however, * 
and would always plant only fruit from those trees which grow three nuts in 
a bur. He does not wish to see the forestsswept away. Michigan is glorious 
in her woodlands and it is our duty and that of the state to preserve that 
glory. The future may be all right, but let us hand ‘down to our children 
some of these good things we have enjoyed. 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 93 


Thursday Afternoon Session. 


In point of attendance the meeting of Thursday afternoon was the largest 
of all, and had the most varied programme. It was opened by six members of 
the village cornet band with an excellent selection rendered in thoroughly 
artistic style. Gov. Alger and wife had arrived in the morning and, as the 
guests of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hannahs, had enjoyed a drive about the village 
and to some of the surrounding fruit farms and been entertained at dinner. 
They appeared quietly in the hall, and soon President Phillips called to order 
and very briefly announced the Governor for a short address. Mr. Alger made 
an exceedingly good impression and spoke with a great degree of freedom 
and good sense. 

A. S. Dyckman moved a vote of thanks to Gov. Alger. It was given unani- 
mously and an adjournment taken, during which Mr. and Mrs. Alger shook 
hands and conversed with all who presented themselves. 


MUTUAL RELATIONS OF FRUIT GROWERS AND NURSERYMEN 


was next considered, Mr. J. N. Stearns, of Kalamazoo, introducing it with 
the appended paper: 

I suppose the reason why I am selected to open this subject is that I in sort 
represent both sides, being a nurseryman and fruit grower. 1 do not feel 
competent to handle the topic from a literary point of view, but as I consider 
it one of the most important topics in the programme and one | would like to 
hear discussed, I have consented to open the discussion with a short paper. 
I am sorry to say there is not in all cases the true mutuality between the 
nurseryman and the planter that there should be, as their interests are one. 
Neither can exist and prosper without the existence and prosperity of the 
other. 

WHY THE LACK OF MUTUALITY ? 


So we are first led to examine and try to discover the cause of this lack of 
mutuality. In many cases I find there is in the fruit grower a lurking sus- 
picion of the nurseryman—that is that he is a schemer seeking how he may 
trap him in the purchase of something he does not want. From a quite 
extended acquaintance with nurserymen I am led to believe that as a class 
they will stand high up as compared with any other class of men we can 
mention, for I take the position that a tree or fruit grower whose soul is in his 
work can not well be a very bad man. Iwill admit I have heard some very 
eloquent sermons, and some that strongly appealed to the finer senses of man, 
but I never yet heard one preached from the pulpit that was so elevating to 
me and that seemed to bring me go near to the God of nature, as the healthy 
growth of the young plant and tree, or the development of the ripening fruit. 
There is in these something truly grand, that creates within me a desire to 
glorify the author. Then where does this trouble originate? I can solve it 
only by placing it on the trickster tree dealer. In many cases he hardly 
knows a rose bush from a raspberry plant, and takes the position that the 
average planter is equally ignorant. The fruit grower is quite apt to associate 
this individual with the nurseryman, and quite naturally, for many times he 
will have catalogues and even certificates of reliable nurserymen. 


94 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
A SAMPLE SWINDLER. 


I have in mind one of these fellows claiming to represent the well-known 
firm of Elwanger & Barry, with all the equipments. He took a quite large 
order of the superintendent of the Kalamazoo Asylum and of many others in 
our town, at, of couse, about three prices. At least, the bill furnished the 
asylum at $40 I would have been glad to fill for $12. One of his customers 
said to me that none of his fruit came true to name. I said I would venture 
the price of the bill none of it ever came from Rochester, and [ asked him to 
write Elwanger & Barry, asking if they had such an agent. The reply was, 
they knew no such man. I afterward learned the stock was packed in Ohio. 
So it is easy to see that the planter who has none of these inside facts becomes 
prejudiced against the nurseryman when his fruit is sometimes entirely differ- 
ent than ordered. 


BUT THERE ARE HONEST NURSERYMEN. 


But I am fully convinced, as far as the practical nurseryman is concerned, 
in general he desires to know just what the fruit grower is going to want, and 
to grow that and nothing else. . 

This calls to mind a litile experience I had a few years ago, which I think 
gives an illustration of the point under consideration. I had a block of peach 
seedlings to bud. I was desirous to bud such varieties as would be wanted by 
peach growers. This was before I had quite as much experience as now. I 
wrote several parties whom I knew had considerable experience, asking them 
to give me a list of what they would plant in planting 1,000 trees. From 
most of them I received a prompt reply, giving a list of what they would 
plant. From afew I received no reply. The most of you, I apprehend, will 
ask why. Of course I am not fully prepared to say, but I will give you my 
conclusions and my reasons for aiming at these conclusions. I knew my men. 
They said to themselves: ‘‘ Now he isa nurseryman and he wants to make 
something out of my experience, and I am not going to give him a chance.” 

Now I hope the discussion of this subject will help to do away with any 
such feeling, for I know it will be far better that both parties be free to give 
each other all the information they can, and become better acquainted with 
each other, and in all cases for the planter to buy directly of the nurseryman 
and not of the tree dealer. The fruit grower need not look for perfection in 
the nurseryman, or presume that he never makes a mistake ; for, I speak from 
experience, there is no business that requires such vigilance in keeping every- 
thing straight as the nursery business. But I believe if you deal directly with 
the grower he will try as hard to give you just what you call for, and nothing 
else, as any class of men in trade, and [ say this, though being at the present 
time more a fruit grower than a nurseryman. 


THE TREE PEDDLER A NUISANCE. 


H. Dale Adams said the keynote of the proper relationship of fruit growers 
and nurserymen, desired by both, was in Mr. Stearns’ latter words—do away 
with the tree dealer, the traveler with samples and pictures. He told how 
a friend was swindled by one of these gentry, and how he vowed he would 
not be “‘taken in” again; but he was, and even for the third time. We can 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS SOCIETY. 95 


‘haye no sympathy with such men. Deal directly with the nurserymen and 
there will be no trouble. 

A. ©. Glidden believed the trouble to be as much with the public as the 
peddlers. Inexperienced growers demand shapely trees, refusing the genuine 
‘Greenings because they do not know that a Greening tree can not be grown 
straight. They demand what can not be honestly furnished, and so Spies or 
Red Canadas are sent instead of the crooked trees of the order. It is safe to 
say that the nurseryman who attend these meetings will not cheat. 


FRUIT AS AN ARTICLE OF FOOD, 


by Mrs. G. H. LaFleur of Allegan, was a paper here introduced out of order 
because of the large number of ladies present. Mrs. LaFleur said: I did 
not wish to write this paper. ‘There were too many “lions in the way.”’ 
Busy housekeepers will understand their nature and sympathize with me. But 
your secretary lives in our neighborhood and would listen to no excuses. He 
was very persistent and a little dictatorial. He not only insisted on my writing, 
but chose the subject, which is so very material, so entirely “of the earth, . 
earthy,’’ there is no room for flight of fancy or play of the imagination—only 
a plain, matter-of-fact affair about something to eat. This would seem gross 
were we Oscar Wildes, but as we rcquire a more substantial diet than sun- 
flowers, and are so material, for our physical well-being we must give the 
‘subject of what we shall eat, and the best method of preparing it, some 
attention. 

I am aware I run some risks of telling you many things which you already 
know, yet could I feel assured that if these experiences of mine could 
impart to any the satisfaction I received in learning, I should feel amply re- 
paid. I have ever delighted in being a learner—have never aspired to be a 
teacher—yet by a mutual interchange of thought we help to smooth the path- 
way of life, and that is why we are here. 

When we observe how prominent a place fruit occupies in the great ‘‘econ- 
-omy of nature,’’ and how much attention is given to its cultivation and im- 
provement, we believe that a wise providence designed that we should use it 
in every way conducive to our happiness and well-being. These delicious 
fruits not only delight the eye and gratify the taste, but are a physical neces- 
sity in a hygienic point of view. Fruits should form a conspicucus part in 

-our daily food. We should have them twice a day on our tables, and | would 
not object to the third time. When fruit occupies a more prominent place 
in our diet, and meats, stimulating condiments, rich pastries, and sweetmeats 
less, we shall have better health, happier thoughts and better lives; for who 
can partake of these God-given bounties, prepared by his own munificent 
hand, and not have his soul rise in thankfulness to Him who causes the earth 
to yield her increase that we shall not lack? 

Apples stand at the head as the most useful of all fruits. They are excel- 
lent in many ways and all ways. They are lovely, fresh on our dinner tables 
for dessert. We can them, pickle, jelly, make into vinegar, and make apple 
butter. We all know how delightful is a well made apple pie—it is the queen 
of pies. Good, sweet ones are excellent baked; tart ones are delicate and 

-delicious halved, the core removed, the cavity filled with white sugar, and 
baked. Stewed ones are much improved by being spread on tins, sprinkled 
-with sugar and baked. Apples, as well as all fruits, as far as practicable, 


96 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


should be cooked in their own juices. The ways are almost legion in which 
we can utilize this excellent fruit. 

We ought to have peaches, we ought to have all we want if we can get 
them. Weare not so cure of them as of the apple. They are delightful. 
Everyone is fond of peaches, or ought to be. If one were to say he is not 
fond of this lovely fruit we should be afraid of him, we would naturally con- 
clude he was destitute of a cultivated taste. This delicate food is so perish- 
able that we resort to various ways of preserving, such as canning, spicing, 
pickling, jellying, etc. In each they are delicious if carefully and properly 
done. Many persons, I think, make a great mistake in canning peaches. 
They sacrifice too much for looks. Canned peaches are often lovely to 
the eye but utterly flat and insipid to the taste. I believe in a due 
regard for looks, and admit that food which is pleasing to the eye, is 
often more gratifying to the taste, but this should not be carried too far. 
Peaches are often put up in a too unripe state—too hard—that they may 
come through the .process retaining their form in an unbroken condition. 
This is a great mistake. To have this lovely fruit perfect we should allow it 
to remain on the tree until fully ripe, until by taking it in your hand it yields 
readily to the pressure. They should then be prepared, placed in a steamer, 
and steamed until the juices are thoroughly cooked, which may be known 
by their settling down in the dish. They should then be slipped out care- 
fully into a bright pan and allowed to become perfectly cold. ‘Then add three 
fourths pound of white sugar. Put over the fire and bring to a boiling point, 
or allow them just to boil up, then remove and can immediately. If care- 
fully done the fruit will not be broken, you will have all the delicious aroma 
of a peach ripened and colored on the tree, and the syrup will be beautifully 
clear, almost white. By this process the natural flavor of.the fruit is retained 
to a much greater degree than by any other method I have ever tried. It is 
also economical, as the long boiling of sugar with acid fruit converts cane 
into grape sugar, and we lose one-fifth of its sweetening qualities. 

Pears should be grown in abundance. They are very delicious when they 
are right—I mean the best varieties. Flemish Beauty and Bartlett are nice 
for canning. ‘Too much can not be said in favor of canned pears. Some 
fruit is greatly injured by cooking but this lovely fruit bears cooking very 
well. Baked in a light puff paste, with no flavoring but their own, canned 
pears make a delicate and delicious pie. Cooked in spiced syrup, made of 
best vinegar one pint and three pounds good sugar, they make an appetizing 
pickle for the tea-table. They can be dried as readily as apples, and this is 
a good way of saving a surplus. 

The quince has always been esteemed a very choice fruit. This is because 
it can only be grown in certain localities, and also on account of its high and 
peculiar flavor and rich and lovely looks. Quinces canned by the process 
named for peaches would require longer cooking, and a little water to the 
sugar to make sufficient syrup. Quinces make one of the loveliest jellies, as 
we all know. 

Plums and cherries are always prized as delicious, and are nice in any and 
every way. 

In the warm June days comes the strawberry, that prince of berries, with 
its delicious coolness, to refresh us. I would particularly recommend the 
process named for canning peaches, only more sugar should be added---one 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, 97 


half pound to one pound makes them about right. This process I think emi- 
nently desirable for all kinds of small fruits. 

The currants with their nutritious and medicinal qualities are just what 
we need during the heated term. The red currant is unequalled for jelly—it 
seems designed for that. The black currant makes a very delicious canned 
fruit. Few persons, I think, are aware how entirely delightful they are in 
this way, or they would be more extensively grown and used. They lose in 
cooking the musky aroma so disagreeable to many. Wash them well in 
tepid water before cooking, during which process the natural aroma under- 
goes an entire change, and when done they are simply perfect. 

Gooseberries are excellent, canned with plenty of white sugar. When 
done a beautiful, clear jelly is formed among the berries, which is quite as 
delightful to the eye as the taste. 

Blackberries, raspberries, whortleberries, cranberries—indeed all of the 
edible berry family—are greatly relished and are very healthful. 

Last but not least I mention the fruit of the vine. Superior to all of the 
small fruits is the grape in healthful qualities and nutrition. I have read 
that one might subsist on grapes alone—that they contain all of the qualities 
necessary to sustain human life. Be that as it may, we all know that they 
will allay hunger and thirst. Weonly wish we could preserve them in a fresh 
state at least half of the year, that we might have all we wish to eat. Yet we 
are thankful we can save this useful fruit by cooking, that we may have it the 
entire year. For canning grapes have two dishes—slip them out of the skins, 
drop the pulp containing the seeds into one dish and the skins into the other. 
After this is done put the pulp into a preserving pan and boil until the seeds 
are set free. They will then drop to the bottom of the pan. Pour the pulp 
from the seeds, add to the skins and boil until tender, adding one-half pound 
of sugar just before removing from fire—then can. Grapes put up inthis way 
are unsurpassed for sauce. This also makes one of the most delicious pies 
imaginable. 

A good supply of fruit jellies is greatly appreciated.. They are essential in 
sickness and we enjoy them in health. The juices of fruits for jelly-making 
should be reduced nearly to proper consistency by boiling twenty or thirty 
minutes, removing the scum; then add the sugar, boil a few minutes more, 
and itis done. Three-fourths pound of sugar to one pint of juice is enough 
for most fruits, excepting the red currant, which requires one pound. By 
this process you do not lose sugar by skimming it away, the jelly will be 
clearer, lighter colored, and finer flavored. 

I would recommend the putting up of fruit syrups. A few bottles of black- 
berry, raspberry, strawberry, or other fruit syrups are very useful and add 
greatly to the comfort of a family. The juice of any good fruit boiled down, 
‘with sufficient sugar to make it rich enough to keep, is useful in many ways. 
It is nice for flavoring sauces and creams. A tablespoonful in a glass of cold 
water makes a delightful beverage when the mercury is at 90. They are also 
useful in preparing relishes for invalids. 

Let us not only prune, cultivate, and care for these delicious and healthful 
fruits, that our tables may be bountifully supplied, but let us have the lovely 
flowers, with their incense-laden cups, to perfume and adorn them, that our 
thoughts may be raised from these material things upward to the great source 
of all beauty and goodness, that we may grow into better types of man and 
womanhood. We who dwell in the country have many things wherewith to 


13 


98 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


console ourselves for the lack of some which denizens of cities possess. We 
have our luscious fruits, fresh picked and perfect, from tree and vine. In 
addition to our cultivated flowers we have the sweet wild-wood blossoms by 
brookside and meadow, and the song of the happy birds—the sweet, wild birds 
in their happy freedom. It is delightful to have near one’s home a grove to 
call the birds. ‘Then, in the gray of the morning, one can have the exquisite 
bird-music, the heayenly melody from a hundred tiny throats, blending 
together and swelling upward in a sweet song of praise to the Great Creator. 


NEW FRUITS. 


Mr. T.. T. Lyon, the honored president of the Michigan State Horticultural 
Society, presented this subject, saying : 

Since it seems appropriate to the season, we may be pardoned if we confine 
our remarks mainly to small fruits. If we were to name but one strawberry 
of recent introduction which for large size, medium quality, superior pro- 
ductiveness, and health and vigor of plant, after two seasons’ fruiting, prom- 
ises to take the head of the list for market purposes, we would unhesitatingly 
name the Jewell. For similar reasons we would specify the Parry for the 
same position in the list for family or home use, since it is quite as large or 
even larger, even more beautiful in color, and of superior quality nearly equal- 
ing Prince of Berries in this particular. The plant also is quite satisfactory. 

Cornelia, originating with Mr. Crawford of Ohio, seems equally likely to 
occupy a leading position as late market variety. 

The chief fault of the Jewell lies in the fact that it is pistillate, and there- 
fore requires that a perfect-flowering variety be planted near as a fertilizer; 
and the same is true of the Cornelia. The Parry is bi-sexual. 

If we were to name four varieties giving a succession from the earliest of 
any value to nearly the latest, we should specify Alpha, Maggie, Bright Ida, 
and Arnold’s Pride. It is a very unusual fact that these were all originated 
by that notable experimenter, the late Chas. Arnold of Ontario, from a simple 
batch of seed as a second reproduction from a cross of the Wilson upon a 
foreign variety—the Dr. Aicaise. These are all large size, of mild, pleasant 
flavor, and exceedingly productive. Their worst fault, even for market pur- 
poses, is a slight lack of rich, high color, by some of them. They ripen in 
the order named, the Alpha coming in within a single day of the very earliest 
strawberries we have tested. 

Atlantic, Daniel Boone, Indiana, Woodruff’s No. 1, Piper, Phelps (Old 
Ironclad), Early Canada, New Dominion, Mrs. Garfield, Vick, and perhaps 
others, may be named as just coming short of the mark as successful and 
leading popular varieties, but which, under favoring or exceptional circum- 
stances, may be found capable of giving highly satisfactory results. 

Jersey Queen and Connecticut Queen are by no means queenly, either as 
to productiveness or quality. May King needs a longer trial to determine 
whether it is really a king or only a pretender. It is promising. 

Ideal seems from its name to assume to be a perfect variety; but we regret 
to say that, with us, it is merely of fine size and form but lacking decidedly 
in quality. The plant is fairly vigorous and apparently hardy, but rather 
lacks productiveness—in fact, quite beneath our standard for the ideal straw- 
berry. 

Hathaway’s Nos. 3, 5 and 9, not yet offered for sale, are doing very well 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 99 


indeed this season. Mr. Hathaway of our state has now been so long engaged 
in the work of producing new varieties in a single line of succession from a 
pistillate, also of his own origination, that his seedlings have come to assume 
the characteristics of a race, fully as much so as in the race of Shorthorn 
cattle, or in other families or races of animals—a fact of the truth of which 
any person may assure himself by visiting and examining the hundreds of 
seedlings in the plantations of the originator. 

Mary Fletcher and Grand Duke, received from Ontario, and Sucker State, 
an Illinois seedling, have suffered severely during the past winter, while other 
varieties in the same or adjacent rows were uninjured, indicating a decided 
lack of hardiness. The last named is, however, somewhat popular at home 
as a market variety. 

Garrettson, Henderson, Emerald, Pautucket, Howell and Hart are on trial 
and afford in this season’s crop of fruit a good degree of promise. The 
Henderson was disseminated a year since by Peter Henderson of New York, 
and is praised in some quarters for its very high quality, together with large 
size. 

An unnamed seedling, received from a prominent grower of Ontario for 
trial, gives, in this season’s fruiting, decided indications of value as an ama- 
teur and even as a market variety. The plant is vigorous and exceedingly 
productive. The fruit, in size and form, is much like Bidwell but rather 
darker in color. Gipsy and Cheney are very much alike—not vigorous, highly 
productive under favorable circumstances, and quite acceptable varieties for 
home use. 

Vineland, of New Jersey origin, and Lacon, an Illinois seedling, seem 
to have been locally popular, but we suspect that they can never become gen- 
erally so. 

No. 6 and No. 93, received for trial from Mr. Crawford of Ohio, are very 
promising seedlings, not yet offered for sale. They are quite similar, in gen- 
eral character, to the Cornelia, a seedling of Mr. Crawford’s already spoken 
of. 

Fruit and plants received from Mr. Collins of New Richmond, Allegan 
county, Michigan, last fall, show valuable qualities as a market variety. The 
original plant was found growing wild in the forest. 

Ontario is very highly praised by the grower, Mr. Johnston of Shortsville, 
N. Y., as the largest, most productive, and vigorous of strawberries. We 
have not yet fruited it. The plant is certainly very vigorous. 

Park Beauty is neither more nor less than the well-known Crescent. 

Jumbo, recently sent forth with a flourish of trumpets, is beyond question 
the old, well-known Cumberland. 


RED RASPBERRIES, 


Rancocas, Prosser, and Marlboro have not yet had time to acquire a reputa- 
tion outside of their original homes. The latter certainly is very vigorous, 
and comes with a reputation for great hardiness and productiveness. It has 
come through the past winter, here, in good condition. 

Crimson Beauty showed exceedingly well on spring-set plants, the first sea- 
son, but the next season’s fruit proved more or less imperfect, apparently 
attributable to imperfect fertilization of the blossoms. 

Surprise and Queen, kinds of, to me, unknown origin, are hardy, very pro- 


100 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


ductive, with fruit of fine size and fair quality, though the latter lacks bright- 
ness of color. They seem to me to deserve more attention than they have 
received. 

Early Reliance and Early Prolific, although hardly new sorts, are valuable 
varieties for house use. ‘They have inherited the hardiness of their parent, 
the Philadelphia, as well as its dark color, which is objectionable in the 
market. 

Welsh, Niagara, and Talcott, are comparatively recent introductions, which 
present few if any specially valuable characteristics. 

Hansell was disseminated several years since as the earliest red raspberry ; 
but it proves to have but slight advantage in this particular, while it is rather 
small, not quite productive enough, and of but moderate quality. The plant 
is sufficiently hardy at the lake shore but is not very vigorous. 

Superb is of the same season as Hansell, doubtless a seedling of the Phila- 
delphia, with the same dark color. It can only be commended as a variety 
for home use, as, although the berries are very large (often seven-eighths of 
an inch in diameter), they are so closely put together that they crumble a 
good deal in picking, which, together with their dark color, unfits them for 
the market. 

Michigan Early seems to be almost unknown in Michigan, although said to 
have originated here. It comes to us from New Jersey. So far it seems to 
be of very little vaiue. 

If we were to name a single variety, strictly for home use, it would still be 
the Herstine. Although not hardy enough to stand the winter with certainty, 
even at the lake shore, and not quite as productive as might be desirable, its 
large size, very bright color, and rich, sprightly flavor, commend it strongly 
to those wishing fruit for itself rather than for the money it will command in 
the market. 

INTERMEDIATE VARIETIES. 


It is quite customary to speak of these as hybrids, but the correctness of 
the assumption is very doubtful, and all these being accidental originations 
there are no means of determining the fact. 

Shaffer is one of the most valuable of these. It is the strongest grower of 
either class, very productive and hardy, usnally producing a late crop from 
the tips of the young canes of spring-set plants. Its fruit is very large, dark 
purple, with a whitish pubescence, which is objected to at feast in markets 
where it is not well known. A superior fruit for canning. 

New Rochelle is much like the above in color and quality, out otherwise 
differing little from an ordinary black-cap. 

Caroline is an alleged hybrid between the finest of the European class of 
suckering raspberries—Brincke’s Orange—and the black-caps. It roots some- 
what reluctantly from both the roots and the tips of the shoots. Unlike all 
other yellow ‘‘caps,’’ it retains its bright, clear yellow even when overripe. 


TIP-ROOTING OR ‘‘CAP”’ VARIETIES. 


These have now come to be quite numerous. Of the more recent ones 
Souhegan and Tyler (which are practically identical) with Ohio and Hop- 
kins are the most valuable. ; 

Hilborn, which is quite new, is very nearly as large as Gregg, clear, glossy 


‘WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, 101 


black, and in flavor the richest and juciest black we know, excepting, possibly, 
the old Miami. It stood the past two severe winters, with me, perfectly, and 
seems likely to prove highly valuable. It is yet very rare. 

Centennial, Canada, Kellogg, Chapman, Indiana, Springfield, Nemaha, are 
quite recent introductions, having yet to establish a reputation. 

Beebe’s Golden is exceedingly productive but is a mere reproduction of 
the ordinary yellow cap, with the objection, common to them all, of turning 
to a dirty looking brown when over ripe. 


BLACKBERRIKS. 


The most popular so-called hardy blackberries, Snyder, Taylor, Stone, and 
others, failed of a crop last season, from injury by the previous winter’s cold, 
while those who relied upon the confessedly tender Lawton and Wilson, by 
protecting the plants at a very slight expense, reaped a heavy and highly 
remunerative crop. From this and other experience we have become thorough- 
ly convinced that a strictly hardy blackerry is yet unoriginated, if not in fact 
unattainable, and that the sooner we abandon such expectation the better for 
all concerned. 

From our limited experience we regard Wallace Wilson, Jr., Barnard, 
Ancient Briton, Western Triumph, Agawam, and perhaps Knox, as promising 
and likely to prove valuable, somewhat in the order named. 

Dehring, Freed, Bumton, Early Cluster, Bonanza, Stayman, Wachusett, 
and Missouri Mammoth, are either yet too new or too imperfectly tested to 
warrant a definite opinion respecting them. 

Karly Harvest, Texas Karly, and Crystal White, are all excessively tender 
here—the last exceedingly beautiful, when we get the fruit, which is but 
seldom. 


CURRANTS. 


Fay’s is very vigorous and the fruit very large and good in flavor, but with 
us it has not yet justified its claims to its title—prolific. 

Lee’s is no more prolific, so far, than Black Naples, to which it is very 
similar though less hardy. 


' 
GOOSEBERRIKES. 


Industry, recently disseminated by Elwanger & Barry, although a EHuro- 
pean variety, has thus far withstood mildew quite as well as our natives. 

Champion, an alleged native of Oregon, withstood the previous very trying 
winter here and made a fair growth last year; but we regret to say it is now 
dead. 

A recent seedling by Jas. Dougall of Windsor, Ontario, is now in the hands 
of Albertston & Hobbs of Indiana but not yet offered for sale. A trial plant, 
received from them last year, is doing well but has not yet fruited. 


~ 


QUINCES. 


Champion is rather late and does not properly mature its fruit within our 
season. 
Rea is a somewhat more vigorous plant than the common apple or orange 


a 


102 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


quince, but the two are very much alike in fruit. So far it has with us proved 
to be no larger. 

Hong Kong was shown at the New Orleans exposition, of enormous size, as 
grown at the south. The plant is moderately hardy and vigorous here, but. 
we think has not yet fruited in our state. 


A VOTE OF THANKS 


was given Mr. Lyon for his excellent paper, and Mr. W. A. Brown of Benton 
Harbor said he was glad to see this vote of thanks, as it showed that President 
Lyon’s great efforts are appreciated at home. New fruits is a subject not 
many can be well posted upon, as what sorts are best can not be really known 
until after trial upon different soils and under various modes of cultivation. 
His section had stood by the Wilson strawberry, but must bid it good-bye 
because of blight of the foliage. But what shall take its place? Inthe South 
they have had the same difficulty—these evils usually travel north—and they 
have generally substituted the Crescent. He doubted if we could do any 
better, and thought it would be generally adopted next year. Some have 
done well with the Sharpless, getting $2 to $3 per case, but not all can grow 
it. The Jewell seems to be a coming berry, but it will be three or four years 
before we can test it well. Mr. Brown further said he set three acres of the 
Marlboro raspberry, a year ago last spring. The plants look well, being large 
and vigorous; and the fruit, though poor in taste, promises to become a 
favorite market sort. The Turner holds its own against all comers. The 
Cuthbert runs out in a few years. He hoped the Wilson Jr., blackberry 
would prove to be distinct from the old Wilson, and thinks it will be so. 
Trouble occurs there this season by imperfect fertilization of some blackber- 
ries, due to a double blossom. Mr. Brown was asked as to the conditions of 
success with the Sharpless strawberry. He said the growing of this berry is 
one of the fine arts. He made a failure of it, having put the plants on low 
ground where the blossoms were ruined by frost. The Sharpless must have 
good soil and location, with mulch and culture, and be kept in hills. 

Rufus Brunson, of Benton Harbor, said that in growing the Sharpless one 
must first look to his plants, getting them from strong, heavy soil and from 
plants that had proved to be most prolific bearers. They do best on new soil, 
sandy loam, in hills three feet by eighteen inches apart. Keep runners back 
until late in August, then allow a few to set in each hill, four to six inches 
apart. Cultivate until ripe and then put on a marsh hay mulch. He had 
got this season the prices named by Mr. Brown and had shipped fruit that in 
size looked more Jike peaches than strawberries. 

Mr. Linderman said he would not give up the Wilson for all the blight 
that had so far appeared, which he thought due to the last and unpropitious 
season. He will stand by the Wilson and Crescent until something better 
appears. 

Localities were called upon for designation of the sort of strawberry chiefly 
cultivated in each. This gave two points for the Manchester, three for Wil« 
son, three for Crescent, and two for Wilson and Crescent together. 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 103 


Thursday Evening Session. 


The proceedings of Thursday evening began with a grand anthem, ‘‘ Make 
a joyful noise unto the Lord,’’ sung by eight voices, accompanied by about as 
many brass pieces from the cornet band. -It was a unique combination which 
gave fine effect to the impressive words and music. 


FRUIT STATISTICS OF THREE COUNTIES. 


Senator Monroe brought before the meeting statistics of peach growing in 
the counties of Allegan, Van Buren and Berrien, which he had procured from 
the secretary of state. Although not of recent date they were the latest 
obtainable at that time. They show that every township in Allegan county 
had bearing trees and a crop in 1883; one town in Van Buren had neither 
and four others had trees and no fruit; and only five in Berrien had both and 
the crop was very slight. As matter for future reference we subjoin the 
tables in full: 


COUNTY OF ALLEGAN. 


Bearing | 
Townships. | ee trees, | Bushels. 
| 1884. 1884. 1883. 
Allegan | 420 27,564 8,471 
Casco | 943 56,100 14,866 
Cheshire... ...- 49 3,935 2,165 
lyde 253 17,745 9,240 
Dee nee eS Le Lhe ye) ene ee eae ede See eee 44 1,677 769 
HPA ONG Seen. ase a Seu eee on ce sics Sooo ncab Une ea ee 79 7,568 | 727 
(TVET |S (2 Se oe ee eae BUDE Riceas cama nema ee PS 2 She 1,660 102,57: 46,917 
Cronge laine 2505-2 52s. oes SL EUE Sonen yee aeaion ce ese oneeweeae Heaacaescwses 47 1,455 348 
Heath -_.- grec nnn enn nen nen nnn cnc eee nee eee nee ee cece eee eee 316 8,758 2,067 
HTOR KINGS kes HSce eed as soba ota oe eee ee eae ce Jrstee ese tse. 14 5,605 1,704 
PDC OLO Ne ees os Dae tye meee 2 ea Seer Capen eat eee nee ek ae A To 455 24,502 3,811 
Ce eee een a eeea de ene oteessta eames saad secs ee nes snes ok LEE 39 1,341 188 
MeN N TOM eae sae sto So oe Soe le ea re rates Senet aus a, 47 2,687 | 110 
IMA i oe rr Sey pe shee a an sce cer ee eee s eee eresianc ste i bee. 741 38,425 | 19,761 
WVisurdinse spe ee oekaki eS ee ee ee Nes ee ote aes ll 989 311 
Monterey ------ RAS ee ne eee a se mo See ape eet ral pel en ey 505 27,288 9,603 
RO TROD Omer ete a ale en NES Se ee en ee eee a eR ots NER To 20 1,226 366 
(CRIN EG Se 5 A ee eT ee ce yee ae ee ae ae 33 1,600 &00 
iti Cals lain see nes, conceal. se De Re oe ae Cee oe megs scaceeo. ot 104 | 5,093 2,039 
UGE eS oS Ee Dee ee ee Shere cess See ee he Se a oes eae 53 3,767 1,311 
I UUESUD EG Keen oe cee i Ue) PL 2 ne Seat Ca eemeeey eae Sees sees scoot nd 2,108 | 184,812 43,330 
BEC T IG Ges fete oe eh SS ae ee a ee Oe { 82 | 4,702 1,230 
WUE RST oh te eR ORR eke SUI. Se See ee 152 | 4,342 2,304 
Va SLE [SS A Ee eee oo ee ee ee re 4 931 411 
k 
SR Gy ea ans re Nr See eS. a Sas ve Se ee sae eS odedaenks 8,367 | 484,091 172,849 


104 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


COUNTY OF VAN BUREN, 


Bearing 
. Acres, Bushels 
Townships. trees, s 
1884, 1884, 1883. 
PAUSE Reem 2 =o oe eS a en ee ee ee ees tanh ee) See BON AM ee ah, 29 1,087 126 
PATER CE ere ee ng oe cae oot oka cots Sone be nces naan eset aa eteebered 616 1,991 828 
Arlingtons 2 elses 5.>4.~- 245 8S Ee ER eye ee eee ae 241 3,140 2,333 
OO ee a a oe ete dasa oc ae ee caawone eee eee ee se eee 53 3,905 1,072 
Bisominwd ales ye. oe so oi obs on os ha aoe settee poeta eee nee ane 10 50 
OG UTED see no ee Se Sa Se Ee A ee eee eee 46 1,942 930 
146 pb eel Pees ee 
5 BAT | 5 eee 
28 1,890 118 
1 2.) 2S 
10 90 20 
2 |. eee 
9 575 12 
157 14,350 175 
E 69 1,002 
LEZ” ee BO EY ERE EET Ts Seen Aree 2 Os Srey: ay art eae 149 9,950: |<... 
1S CUTAT TIS) 6 E27) « penne PCIE Begd SOE SS RA Ne Rs RE ee ee ee Be a eh ee 605 85,077 7,895 
MTD Cel Weep eRe tee epee Sat PES ae SES es Ta Set tax eee ee ae 5 3 
OCA see ee ot he ee oan eee ace Rotwamneeienin eaehes eke tmeedenbeoeee 2,181 126,793 18,555 
COUNTY OF BERRIEN. 
| Bearing 
A Acres. Bushels 
Townships. trees, 7 
1884. 1884, 883. 
SSH TIO siete tee ot eee eee ee ee Rs ee ee 9 400 200 
LSU) T yO eh eo ae SE re 5a See an ee ee YE She eee eas 13 100)> |. 22ese 
Benen eee, soe 52 Fe es Ths ee Be a ee a ee eee 
ESR rs ASM a ee he ee ne Seek a ee ee sane e beeen ee Eee ee eee 
IST} Cy VT ees Ale g Uap gS Tae iS Se Se eee ee ee ee a Bs PARE Es 3 200. || Sense ee 
Chickaming 
OCS ESS ph pee Re rs Vian BEES ae Pepa Be Ue Ea ee 
Ve EES ee at eS ee Ee ese ee ene ey eae ane PEE a poe 
1 VE oe Pe a TS ne eee lo ee Ee SR ee Bee eee eee 
ETC OLE sicser ee 3 eer eae ee rae nse un oe Bocce es eee coe ae 
New Buffalo 
Wilesvss eo. oo 
Oronoko..-..-- 
Pipestone. ‘ ae ne ee ie 
Late aya lee CONS i AS ES oe he ee ean ees eke eae oe AG eS | 
3 fora be (PRC ASE LSS se tee eit fDi Vasey tele. DP dae ae ey eee bX TEE pee ye 
St. Joseph 34 I 
PRETO OR Genes toe, Se tas ae OE eee oe oe oo a ee 20 1,029 | 20 
DIAMEDR HE) ag LE) i eS Eres ie De ae ee ered see ore Leen): t. * | 35 600 205 
NUNES fd Boy OR REE PE Se hE ony: Be en ie eee fer ee PIS eR | bee ten neon eeleeeee | See 
ee te — |e 
Rie re ey rk Oren Seem et eg!” > “ne PA ae | —- B03 26,419 | 598 


Mr. Monroe declared it a matter of necessity that we get reliable data of 
the number of trees and amount of fruit grown or shipped each year, and 
stated that the department desired the society to aid in every possible way in 
the perfection of such statistics. To secure this end he moved for the appoint- 
ment of a committee of six members, one for each important shipping point 
upon the lake shore. This was agreed to and later the president announced 
this committee as follows: C.J. Monroe, South Haven; H. A. Brown, Ben- 
ton Harbor; E. C. Reid, Allegan; Harrison Hutchins, Fennville; A. Visscher, 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, 105 


Holland; C. Russell, Grand Haven; H. H. Holt, Muskegon; J. G. Ramsdell, 
Grand Traverse. 
J.G@. Ramsdell, of South Haven, read the following paper upon 


“HOW SHALL WE FEED THE ROOTS OF OUR FRUIT TREES AND PLANTS ?” 


The chief object aimed at in this paper is not to attempt to interest the 
fruit growers of western Michigan in that hidden mystery of ‘‘how plants 
grow,” or to solve the question of the chemical changes of Nature’s great 
laboratory, but only to give my experience as to the results of several years 
of successful as well as unsuccessful fruit raising. I think you will all agree 
with me that the raising of poor or inferior fruit and forcing it on the mar- 
ket is the greatest drawback that has ever cursed the business, and should be 
classed with other abominations, such as oleomargarine, shoddy, and adulter- 
ated food. 

Nearly all fruit trees and bushes whose roots are protected from excessive 
freezing in winter and the extreme heat in summer, and stand in a well- 
drained soil, will be a success, if properly cultivated and not robbed by straw 
crops, until they have borne two or three heavy crops of fruit.. After this 
time it becomes almost impossible to cultivate the orchard or fruit garden so 
as to obtain the best results without resorting to some system of feeding the 
roots. ‘To be able to do this properly, and without injury to the trees or 
bushes, depends very much upon the distances apart each kind of fruit has 
been planted. Of course there will be different opinions among fruit grow- 
ers in this matter, but after long experience and observation I am satisfied 
with the following distances: Apples, 40 feet each way; peaches, 16x16; 
standard pears, cherries and plums, 20x20; grapes, 16x24; blackberries, rasp- 
berries, currants and gooseberries, 5x8. Strawberries I cannot advise about, 
as I only raise enough for family use. 

These distances may seem too far to some, but they are not so necessary on 
account of the crowding of the tops of the trees or plants, as for the purpose 
of giving room to cultivate the ground in the right manner and not to inter- 
fere with the feeding roots. All fruit trees except standard pears and apples 
depend much more on the surface roots than those that go deeper into the 
soil; therefore the question arises, how shall we cultivate the ground thoroughly 
and continuously for years without injury to the roots, and at the same time 
put the ground in a condition to obtain the best results? Of course this im- 
plies not only the thorough tillage of the soil through the season, but the 
application, from time to time, of some fertilizing material. Perhapsit would 
be safe in this connection to state that we, the fruit growers of western 
Michigan, are only novices in this matter of applying special manures or fer- 
tilizers to trees and plants. How often do we see the fruit grower drawing 
out green manure from the barn-yard and piling it around his trees and 
plants? It may do some good in a few instances, but often results in actual 
harm. It certainly is a great waste of material that ought to be applied in a 
more economical way. 

From general observation among fruit orchards and gardens, I am more 
than satisfied, that, in order to grow first-class fruit for market, we need not 
only fertilizers and thorough cultivation, but a system that will not involve 
too much labor and expense but give the fruit grower the best possible returns 
for the labor expended. Perhaps one of the first questions to be determined 


14 


106 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


is, what is thorough cultivation—such as will prepare the ground in the best 
condition for root-feeding? 

We fruit growers have all been warned a thousand times not to cultivate 
our trees or plants late in the fall. Now, without wishing to invite discussion 
on this subject, whether it be injurious generally or exceptionally, I am firm 
in the belief that we may cultivate or plow our fruit orchards from the time 
the leaves begin to fall until the ground freezes, without incurring any risk 
of being injured or winter killed. The fruit grower who begins his cultiva- 
tion in his fruit orchard in the spring, after the fruit has set, and keeps his 
ground clean until the last of August, should then cease cultivating until 
about the last days of October, when he should prepare his ground for winter 
and spring. 

The chief object of this late cultivation is not entirely for winter protec- 
tion, but to avoid the necessity of plowing and cultivating trees and small 
fruits so early in the spring, while in blossom or before the full leaf. But 
more than this, if our grounds are left from the last of August until the next 
May without any cultivation, it not only necessitates a great amount of labor 
to subdue the grass and packed soil, but can not be done without more or 
less injury to the roots. This brings us to the question of late fall ridging. 

For several years I have practiced this system of late fall ridging with all 
small fruits with very satisfactory results. With a one-horse plow I turn the 
furrows toward the bushes, being careful to plow as shallow as possible the 
first one or two furrows, then go gradually deeper to the center of the space 
between the rows. ‘The last two furrows should be done with two horses, as 
deeply as possible. ‘Then, with one horse, turn two furrows to the center 
again, and in these furrows I would put the manure or fertilizers for feeding 
the roots for next year’s crop of fruit. My rule is, as nearly as possible, to 
have these furrows which contain the manure or commercial fertilizer three- 
fourths the distance from the row to the dead-furrow. In the spring, when 
the ground needs to be cultivated, this fertilizer can be worked to and from 
the centre and being thoroughly mixed with the soil it becomes available plant 
food. This method of cultivation and enrichment of the soil is in direct 
opposition to the practice of applying fertilizers to the surface, either in the 
fall or spring. I am satisfied from experience that surface manuring in the 
ordinary way, as applied to all small fruits, except strawberries, is wrong 
both in theory and practice. Whatever the material may be, either compost 
manure or commercial fertilizer, the common practice of placing it on the 
surface near the bush or tree is unnatural, causing the small, fibrous roots to 
grow back toward the base of the tree, or receive no benefit from the fertilizer. 
Trees and plants feed and derive their sustenance mostly from the roots which 
are furtherest from them, as they are constantly reaching out in search of food. 
If the ridging is properly done in the fall, the tree or bush will be suf- 
ficiently protected and mulched without the aid of manure, and if the middle 
part of the space between rows is worked deeply in the fall, every two or 
three years, the increase in the crops of fruit will prove the benefits of such 
cultivation. 

It may be asked: ‘‘ How are you going to do this deep plowing in the dead- 
furrows and not injure the roots by breaking them off? The answer is that 
this plowing would only be done once in three or four years, according to the 
conditions of the soil, and being done late in the fall, after growth has ceased 
and the tree is at rest, no harm will ensue. This could not be done in safety 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 107 


when the tree is in active growth, nor could large roots near the base of the 
tree be broken at any time without impairing the vitality of it. Root prun- 
ing is beneficial to trees and bushes to a certain degree, the same as top prun- 
ing, but it can not be done indiscriminately. We prune the roots of trees 
and plants for their good when we transplant them; why not prune for the 
same reason those that are already well established in a permanent situation? 

In conclusion, one more word on the advantages of the ridging of our fruit 
orchards late in the fall. It is not only a protection to the roots in winter, 
being a perfect mulch, but serves to drain the water away from the trees and 
bushes, and prevents their heaving out by severe freezing. ‘These ridges are 
rendered light and friable by the action of the frost, and are dry and in good 
condition to work much earlier in the spring than lands that have been left 
with a flat surface. 

It has been wisely said that ‘‘The three most important things to bedone 
to insure a perfect fruit crop are severe pruning, severe thinning, and thorough 
cultivation.’’ I will only say that one more thing, of equal importance, should 
be added and not forgotten, and that is root feeding. 


A SPIRITED DISCUSSION OF FALL PLOWING. 


C. H. Wigglesworth: We make a practice of plowing up to our trees and 
ridging, usually in the fall, and have good success. Fall rains will puddle 
about a tree and unless the water is run off, the freezing will kill the tree. 
We have lost but few trees since we began to practice fall ridging. In Sep- 
tember is the best time to do this work, so that the ground may settle before 
winter sets in. I would not wish to do it so late as after the leaves fall. The 
ridges fill with fibrous roots, and the deeper we plow the deeper these roots 


go. 

Frank Linderman: I would not wish to plow after the leaves fall. I ridge 
up my trees in the spring, and for manure plow under green rye. [ have 
tried some of the commercial phosphates and liked the effect, but think green 
rye and barn-yard manure suflicient. 

A. 8. Dyckman: I have never practiced late fall plowing and would dis- 
like to do it unless there was danger from water about the trees. I would 
not be apprehensive of danger, on moist soil, from August or September plow- 
ing. ‘The sowing of some crop in August or September, for green manure, 
is the best method of fertilizing and is important as a means of holding light 
soils against the severe winds. This is best, but a limited quantity of barn- 
yard manure each year is beneficial. 

Joseph Lannin: As I understood Mr. Ramsdell, he said you could not in- 
jure trees by late fall plowing, as it will keep the water off. He is going back 
on the old idea that September plowing will start the growth of young, ten- 
der shoots that will likely to be lost by frost. In young trees we would certainly 
start growth by September plowing, especially in a warm fall, but perhaps 
trees may well be plowed in October when it is too late to start growth. 

A. C. Merritt: I do not believe one thousand dollars could hire another 
grower here to plow his peach orchard as Mr. Wigglesworth intimates. We 
all know better. [Applause.] All the fall plowing is done in August, so 
that we have a full growth of manure crop or of weeds to hold the leaves and 
snow. Iam astonished. I don’t know what is meant by this new departure! — 
[Loud applause. ] 


108 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


A. 8. Dyckman: I never plow in fall or late summer, but do cultivate 
peaches in September. If on these you stop early in August your trees will 
be heavily strained to carry their load of fruit with no cultivation. 

Mr. Wigglesworth: I must get out of this somehow. It seems from what 
is said that that if you plow in August you are safe, but if you do it on the 
first of September it is ruin! Now the disc harrow that some use in the later 
cultivation, stirs the ground deeper than we plow. Late varieties should be 
cultivated up within ten or fifteen days of ripening. 


Friday Morning Session. 


THE QUESTION BOX—THINNING PEACHES AND APPLES—METHODS WITH THE 
CURCULIO. 


Friday morning the work began with the contents of the question box, and 
a very lively time was had of it. 

1. The proper time to thin peaches and to what extent. 

Clark Sheffer: From now on, and pretty thoroughly, leaving them six 
inches apart. Where there are three, take out the middle one. When a tree 
is overloaded, thin as soon as you can—early enough to relieve the tree. 
Sometimes is necessary to go over a tree twice. Do the work when the 
fruit is the size of hickory nuts or smaller. Time varies by varieties. 

R. R. Cockburn: I find the preferred time varies. Some do the work 
when the fruit is very small, some when the pit forms, but there is general 
agreement that six inches apart is the right distance. 

Samuel Sheffer: If peaches are thinned before the pit forms it is very 
much better. for the pits take much substance. 

Mr. Dyckman: When I was investigating the peach business some years 
ago at St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, one man said, as tothinning: “I take 
a club and knock off all I can see and then pick off two thirds of those left.” 
I have always practiced thorough thinning since then and it is now the gen- 
eral custom. As to time, the earlier the better. Several years ago the rose 
chafer was troublesome and then I did no thinning till through with him. 
Now something, perhaps a parasite, has made way with most of these pests 
and I thin earlier. Of those sorts that set very full, the trees have to throw 
off and they sometimes throw too many. Thin early and get the full season’s 
growth is the best way. 

J. G. Ramsdell: We can save much of the labor of thinning by proper 
pruning. Some, like Stanley’s Late, will need thinning any way; but with 
most kinds if we cut out little limbs and leave others, the latter will need 
very little thinning. Leave little limbs all along large ones; but trees, as a 
rule, have too many little limbs. Do this work in March, whether the tree 
will blossom or not. 

2. What is the most practicable way to thin the apple? 

A. C. Merritt: Saw out the excess of limbs so as to give the others the 
room they need; then thin after it can be seen which are to be fine specimens, 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 109 


picking off the poorest. In this way you may get large and extra fine fruit, 
but otherwise the amount of good fruit will be small. 

A. S. Dyckman: I once started out to thin an apple tree. I timed myself 
for one hour and found it would take me three days to thin one tree. I gave 
it up as a profitless job. 

Mr. Merritt: If I could prune that tree three seasons I could then thin it 
in half an hour. It is early enough to begin thinning apples now. 

H. Dale Adams: The difficulty lies in the expense of picking over large 
orchards. Something, perhaps trimming, must be substituted. 

Mr. Monroe asked Henry Chatfield to tell how he gets such fine apples as 
he has every fall, and he said: I always keep pigs in my orchard and they 
eat the fallen fruit. Last year I thinned some by pruning and hand picking, 
but not enough. I would thin Spies and some choice kinds by hand. I 
fertilize my apple orchard and get a crop each year. 

Clark Sheffer: Last year I thinned the fruit on one of arow of Suow apples 
and had very fine fruit. I had heard that by thinning we can get a crop of 
apples each year; but that tree this year has no fruit and the others hang full. 
I once knew a man who thinned apples by taking a long club and knocking 
off fruit and twigs. 

Mr. Merritt: That doubtless is a very effective way of thinning, but I would 
turn my back upon an orchard and never see it again before I would attack 
it with a club. 

S. Sheffer: But I knew a man who did that very thing and got good fruit. 

3. Can any other course be successfully followed for destruction of curculio 
than jarring the trees, and if so, what? 

A. 8S. Dyckman: Until a few days ago I believed there was no other rem- 
edy than jarring. Ithought the talk about carbolic acid to be nonsense. 
But I went then to the orchards of J. N. Stearns, near this town, and I 
must own to complete relief from my skepticism. On his peaches I could 
not find asingle curculio mark, and only a few on one kind of plums; but 
the Lombards were wholly free and were loaded full of fruit. 

H. G. Buck: I have tried to raise plums but always found the curculio too 
thick for all the jarring. Last year I sprayed my trees with London purple 
and got a full crop. 

James Gardiner: This season I sprayed my plum trees with Paris green 
three times, in the evening, and have promise of an abundant crop of plums. 
I used a teaspoonful in a pail of water but this same solution hurt my peach 
trees. 


CUT-WORMS ON GRAPES—RUST—CHOICE OF GRAPES—PACKAGES. 


4, The cut-worm and the grape. 

President Phillips: I have on a former occasion spoken of my experience in 
destroying the cut-worm, or preventing its ravages among the grape vines, 
and various reasons for freedom from damage were advanced, besides my own ; 
but I know what the fact is, and whatever theory may be advanced is imma- 
terial. If in June or July you sow your vineyard to buckwheat and plow it 
under when in full bloom, I will guarantee that not a bud will be hurt the 
next season. I learned of this through the remarks of a French delegate to 
one of our national pomological meetings. He said there was some principle 
in the buckwheat flower fatal to the life of all larvae. This will protect 
equally well both old and young vineyards. 


110 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


5. Is salt a cure for rust in blackberries and raspberries, or only a preven-. 
tive? and when should it be applied? 

One had cured rust and killed the bushes too. Mr. Farnum of Benton 
Harbor had. the same experience. Mr. Seaver pulled up the sprouts that first 
showed rust, and that ended it. Clark Shefferdid the same. J. G. Ramsdell 
last year took 16 out of 500 Kittatinny plants and burned them. ‘This year 28 
new rusty spots appeared, with prospects of still more. 

6. Will peach trees do well in places where others have died of yellows? 

It was said that upon Geo. W. Griffin’s farm resetting had been success- 
fully practiced, muck having been mixed into the pit for the new tree. 
Joseph Lannin had succeeded in the same way. 

7. Is the Ives an early black grape? 

All but Mr. Cockburn of Muskegon said it was, with season the same as 
Worden; but he would have it with the Hartford, just before the Concord. 

8. What style and size of package? 

A voice: Full pecks for peaches and full quarts for berries. Mr. Seaver: 
But no one is using either at present. Mr. Cockburn: It costs $1 per bushel 
to send in fifth baskets, while 33 cents may be saved by use of the bushel 
basket. So he advocated its use in part. Mr. Barron: The bushel basket 
actually costs the grower nothing, as it is worth more in the west than 1 aoe 
and fruit sent in it always sells first. 

9. Which are the best early red, white and black grapes? 

Mr. Palmer: Brighton, Lady and Worden. Mr. Adams: Brighton for red, 
Worden for black. Mr. Phillips: Brighton, Niagara, Worden. Mr. Cock- 
burn, Brighton, Niagara and Concord. 

The following resolution was introduced and adopted: 

Resolved, That we, the fruit growers of western Michigan, are in favor of using a full 
barrel and bushel, a full peck and quart measure when sending fruit to market. 

Following this were the reports of committees on fruit exhibit and resolu- 
tions; Grand Haven was chosen as the next place of meeting ; President Phil- 
lips spoke his thanks to the members for their courtesy and aid, and the 
meeting adjourned. 


THIRD ANNUAL MEETING, AT GRAND HAVEN. 


The third annual meeting was held at Grand Haven, Dec. 14-16, 1886. 
Many prominent fruit growers and delegates were present from the counties of 
Berrien, Van Buren, Allegan, Ottawa, Kent, and Muskegon. Grand Haven 
is the home of President Phillips and several members of the society. On this 
account the citizens of the city manifested much interest in the success of the 
meeting. This was evident from the hospitable manner in which the dele- 
gates were received and provided for during their stay. 

The first session was held Tuesday evening, in the Congregational church. 
Messrs. George Hancock & Son, proprietors of an extensive greenhouse of that 
city, had presented the committee of arrangements two exceedingly fine bou- 
quets and a handsome collection of flowering plants and vines, which were 
artistically arranged and placed in front of the president’s stand. The con- 
vention opened with prayer by Dr. Knapp, followed by a song of welcome by 
the choir. The singing was grand, seldom equaled by others than profes- 
sionals. Following this the Hon.G. W. McBride gave the address of welcome, 
and the Hon. H. H. Holt made fitting response. After another song by 
the choir, President Phillips delivered his annual address. 


To the Members of the West Michigan Fruit Growers’ Society: 


It is now two years and six months since representative fruit growers in 
their several localities in the western part of this state assembled in the court 
house in this city, and organized themselves into a society for the purpose of 
developing fruit culture to the highest standard attainable; also to attain to 
better and more profitable methods of picking, packing, and marketing fruits ; 
and last, but not least, for educating the public mind to a higher appreciation 
of the beauties of nature represented by fruits and flowers. And in looking 
back over the short time since the organization of this society, and noting 
the success that has followed its efforts, we trust that every member at this 
time in its history will be greatly encouraged to renew their efforts to help 
this organization to attain to the most complete methods of advancing the 
interests for which it was organized. 

During the past year three meetings of this society have been held, with 
abundant success. ‘The annual meeting one year ago was held at Allegan, 
attendance fair, interest good. Some interesting and valuable papers were 
read at this meeting. ‘lhe meeting at Holland, in March, was a good one. 
Large numbers of prominent fruit growers were in attendance, and the inter- 
est in the meeting was good at the opening and increased to the very close. 
The summer meeting at South Haven was a great success, and was probably 
one of the best meetings of the kind ever held in the state. The leading 
fruit growers of western Michigan were out in large numbers, and discussed 


112 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


the different topics before the meeting with much interest. Goy. Alger was 
present and made an able address, after which the convention adjourned and 
gave a hearty reception to Gov. and Mrs. Alger. This meeting closed with 
deep interest, and will long be remembered by those present. 

And now, nearly at the close of the present year, we meet in council at this, 
our annual meeting, to sum up the results of our year’s work and also to dis- 
cuss topics calculated to educate us to a higher standard of fruit culture. 

As regards the quantity of fruit raised within the territory of this Society 
during the past year, we have no reason tocomplain. Small fruits have yielded 
abundandantly. The crop of apples, peaches, pears, and grapes, has been 
very great. Thousands of barrels of apples and millions of baskets of the 
smaller fruits have been shipped to Chicago, Milwaukee, and to many of the 
leading cities of the great northwest, thereby strengthening the position al- 
ready assumed by western Michigan, viz: The producing and marketing 
emporium of native fruits in northern America. As regards the prices received, 
they have been only fair—not so good a return for labor and capital invested 
as in some former years; not as much as, in my opinion, would be received 
under a more complete distribution of fruits over the territory looking to us 
for their supplies. When we look upon fruit growing from a commercial 
standpoint, I do consider, in order to make it a success, that one of the most 
important problems that we must solve in the near future is, how to distribute 
our fruit products more perfectly—how to reach more markets. This involves 
the questions of handling and marketing, as well as a complete system of dis- 
tribution. In this year of great abundance of fruit, especially in western 
Michigan, there has not been so mnch grown but that, if it had been properly 
distributed in the markets of the great west, prices would have been realized 
that would give the producer fair profits. But our system of distribution is 
so defective that it leaves one-half of the families in the states lying west of 
us, where fruit is not grown to any gret extent, without any fruit atall. When 
the time arrives that apples, pears, peaches, grapes, and all the small fruits, 
find their way into every farm house and laborer’s cottage all over the great 
west, and to each miner’s cabin among the mountains, to all the new homes 
being built on the wide plains, then, and not till then, will we receive the high- 
est prices obtainable for our surplus fruits. In view of this, let us at this 
meeting awake to the great interests involved in this matter. With this end 
in view, I would recommend that this Society take action at this meeting rel- 
ative to developing a plan or system whereby our fruits going into market 
may be more eyenly distributed all over the large territory looking to us forits 
fruit supplies. 

And now, after summing up the results of the past year to some extent, 
and also haying called your attention to the points already referred to, for a 
few moments let us consider the importance of the social and educational 
advantages of our Society. We need these regular meetings for mutual 
encouragement. It is well to have this interchange of practical experiences, 
and thus be enabled to instruct and encourage each other. It is also good for 
us to have this social inspiring communion of thought, that we may learn 
new ways and means that will enable us to rise higher and higher, to a more 
complete standard of fruit culture; and also, as we come together from time 
to time, or in everyday practical life, let our intercourse be of that high, genial 
character that our hearts may be drawn nearer together and that we may feel 
day by day a marked sympathy for each other in the struggles of a practical 
life. 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, 113 


And now, last but not least, let us consider briefly the educational advan- 
tages of this society, and the profession which we follow. It is not necessary 
to ask: What is pomology? What is floriculture and horticulture? What are 
their influences, their tendencies, and their teachings? I shall not refer to 
their commercial advantages, though they are of great importance. But will 
remark, in an educational point of view, they affect the innermost character 
of a people. Their whole tendency is of a conservative and refining character, 
which attaches a people to the land in which they dwell. They not only 
adorn, but they build up and establish the country. Their special mission is 
to beautify, ornament, and make attractive, country life. They take hold of 
the social, the intellectual elements of society, and nourish them, while they 
give rest and peace to the head and heart. They attract from the city to the 
country, the very best elements of the city. And it has been found that the 
influences of trees and flowers, and of fountains and parks, are purifying and 
restraining, and the bringing of fruits and flowers to the city table at all 
seasons of the year, is combining the advantages of city and country life, and 
throwing these advantages open and into the hands of the rich and poor. I 
have no admiration for a pomologist who has no higher thought of his occu- 
pation than that of work. I have no admiration for the son of a farmer who 
leaves the farm to become a sort of city gentleman. As a sovereign, he is, in 
his occupation, head and shoulders above all others. It is his part to create. 
All other occupations are the results which his necessities have created. The 
advance of railroads from the most distant points of civilization to the sea- 
board, and the ships which whiten the seas, are the results of this class of 
men who demand a rapid and safe transportation for the products which 
Nature’s lavish hand has thrown into their possession. 

The profession which we follow and which we represent here this evening, 
not only educates us to a higher life, but it also teaches us to love the beautiful 
in Nature. The robe of the earth above is spangled and sparkles with beauty; 
the earth clothes herself annually with natural flowers. How beautiful the 
garment Nature’s hand has thrown over and around the world. Even the 
infant child pays homage to Nature, in its admiration of the beauty and frag- 
rance of flowers. Flowers are the alphabet of angels, and if we will cultivate 
them and cherish them they will write on our hearts the language of heaven. 
In fact, the influence that flowers have in making our homes happy and beau- 
tiful, can hardly be estimated. Flowers form one of the most important 
factors of civilization. Then let us cultivate flowers. We are glad to note 
their beautifying presence here with us thisevening. They particularly speak 
to us in loving tones to be cheerful and happy. And while we contemplate 
them as one of nature’s choicest gifts, we are led to higher thoughts and pur- 
poses in life. When we look at the majestic sunflower we are taught a lesson 
of constancy and devotion to the teachings of Him who made this earth in 
all its beauty. For it is an emblem of constancy and devotion to its god, the 
sun. Moore has given us the following beautiful language: 

‘The heart that has truly loved never forgets, 
But as truly loves on to the close 


As the sunflower turns on her god when he sets 
The same look that she turned when he rose.” 


To all whom I address this morning, and to every person seeking the higher 
forms of pleasure, floriculture holds out the most enticing rewards. 
Are you a lover of beauty? Have you an eye which delights in colors? 


15 - 


134 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Look upon those flowers! No human artist ever. mixed such colors; no 
brush has ever equaled that delicate blending; no canvas has ever revealed 
such effect of light and shade. Are you a lover of nature? Seek her then, 
in that department where she displays her rarest beauties—amid gay flowers 
and clambering vines and graceful plants. 

And now gentlemen of our society, in conclusion let me say we have much 
reason to be encouraged, in view of our efforts being largely crowned with 
success during the short time we have existed as an organization. Let us 
remember what a large field of research and promise is open before us. Not 
only are we to furnish the luscious fruit of earth for future generations, but’ 
also, by the calling and profession which we represent, we seek to raise 
man to the highest grade of Christian civilization. Truly a noble work—a 
grand mission ! 

Let us then be active in fulfilling it, and let us be encouraged by the thought 
that long after we have passed away from earth, the results of our labors, like 
the dews of heaven which continue to refresh the earth, shall be gratefully 
remembered by the many thousands that shall rise up all over this beautiful 
land and call us benefactors of our race. Work on, then, my brothers, work 
on. Let us persevere to the end. And as surely as the sun shall shine and 
the rain descend so surely shall your labors be crowned with a noble success. 
Let us be true to the profession in which we are engaged. Let us remember, 
“United we stand—divided we fall.’’ Let us, then, be firmly united by the 
common bonds of friendship; united by the common memories of the past; 
united by the common interests of the present; united by the common hopes 
of the future—a friendship that will burn on the altar of our hearts, bright 
and pure—a friendship that will stand the test of time—a friendship that will 
finally unite us together in that beautiful world where Nature stands revealed 
in all her glory. 

Joseph Lannin of South Haven then moved that a special committee be 
appointed to report upon the president’s address, to report at this meeting, 
which was carried. 

A rising vote of thanks was tendered the chair. Major Safford made a neat 
and appropriate respone. 


Wednesday Morning Session. 


After prayer by the Rev. Mr. Gibbs, the standing committees were appointed, 
new officers elected, and some official reports made. A brief discussion of 
packages ensued, all speakers contending for uniformity and full measure, at 
the close of which Mr. J. Lannin pertinently remarked that resolutions of 
this sort usually fall to the ground when the meeting adjourns, each member 
going away firm in the belief that his own judgment in th. matter is sufficient. 


\ 


PROSPECTS OF COMMERCIAL FRUIT GROWING, 
BY W. A. SMITH OF BENTON HARBOR, 


Our close proximity to this large body of open water, our high altitude, and 
generally warm and well drained soil, have in times past established the reputa- 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 115 


tion of western Michigan as one of the best and safest locations in the lake 
region for horticultural purposes, and our people have not been slow in utiliz- 
ing alarge portion of the country for that purpose. While a country is compara- 
tively new, farmers seldom fail in growing good and remunerative crops with 
a@ minimum amount of labor; but when the soil in the course of time, by 
long continued cropping, becomes exhausted of its humus, phosphoric acids, 
potash, and other essential plant food, the farmer find his crops more uncer- 
tain and his yield much smaller. The fertility of his depleted soil can, 
however, soon be restored by a judicious rotation of crops, a liberal applica- 
tion of clover (‘‘the poor man’s friend’’), and a generous use of barn-yard 
and commercial fertilizers. This is a matter entirely under his own control. 
But in common with the fruit grower he suffers from the lavish and often 
unreasonable destruction of our forests, rendering our winters colder, our 
summers hotter, and more subject to long and severe drouths. 

Those of us who live close to the lake shore and are in proximity to lake 
harbors flatter ourselves that our advantages are highly valuable and perma- 
nent; that water transportation is easier and cheaper than freighting by rail, 
and that our products, especially tender and perishable fruits, are more safe- 
ly carried to market in this way. Twenty years ago this was true. Then 
the cultivation of small fruit in the west was quite limited, and the demand 
was small, partly because the supply was meager; yet asa rule the products 
of the orchard and garden yielded the producer larger profits than now. 

Various causes are assigned for the depressed condition of the market. 
Some say it is over-production; some say it is under-consumption, owing to 
the labor strikes, while other’maintain that it is due to the large amount of 

‘poor or worthless fruit thrown upon the market and put into competition 
with the better class of fruit. All these conditions and causes doubtless have 
a tendency to depress the general markets of the country, and in no depart- 
ment of commerce will this depressing tendency manifest itself more readily 
than in the market for perishable fruit. 

But will, or can, the knowledge of these facts change the order of things 
in this direction? The plea of over-production may not be good. Ifso there 
is certainly a want of proper distribution. ‘Too much is consigned to some 
markets and not enough to others. Time and perseverance will in measure 
remedy this defect. Hvery one cannot grow first-class fruit. If all could, 

_ and would, there would be no inferior, or second-class fruit on the market, 
consequently. no standard of comparison, and much of the better class would 
necessarily have to be sold at the same rate that the poorer quality is now sold 
for. A large portion of mankind never or seldon buy any thing but cheap 
products. Debar them of this privilege, particularly in the fruit trade, and 
you virtually close the market against them, as they can hardly afford to pay 
for the better class of goods. ‘This condition would soon bring about an 
over-production of any kind of fruit. Every sudden and radical change in 
the relation of man to man, such as the frequent and ruinous conflicts of late 
between capital and labor, known as labor strikes, must of necessity reduce 
consumption and thus depress the general markets of the world. 

Twenty years ago the cultivation of small fruits was confined to a few 
favored localities, having ready access to our large towns and cities. Now 
the multiplicity of railroads has changed the entire order of things. Now 
nearly every farm and hamlet can contribute daily to the wants of the city. 
‘The competition in every department of industry has become close and fierce. 


116 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


In this connection no class of persons suffer more than the fruit grower. His: 
products are perishable and must mainly be sold on arrival. No trifling with 
time and waiting for a more congenial season can be allowed. While we on 
the lake shore, in some localities at least, have easy access both by land and 
water to the great markets of the west. we are yet greatly lacking in system 
and organized effort in the small economies of our business. In seasons of 
great depression, like the past, the package, transportation, cartage, and 
commission eat up so much of the proceeds that but little remains for the 
grower. ‘This fault, in some respects at least, lies at our own door. 

Our packages for small fruits, as a rule, are too small. Many of our grape- 
growers the past season shipped the bulk of their grapes in eight-lb. baskets, 
thus paying the transportation company, from our port, 60 cents per one 
hundred pounds for carry freight 55 miles, or more than one cent per mile. 
While we were paying these rates for water transportation across the lake, 
the grape-growers in western New York, along the Hudson river, and other 
eastern points, were shipping their grapes to the same markets, in packages 
costing considerable less than ours, and shipping in car lots, six or ten times 
the distance, for about one-half the rates we paid. While our Concords (and 
they never were better) were selling for 3 and 34 cents per pound gross, 
throUgh the season, those eastern growers claim their Concords netted them 
3 cents per pound. By the use of these small packages, paying freight as we- 
do, by the package, it is a question whether we are not working for the inter- 
est of others more than ourselves. The same objection applies to the ship- 
ment of other fruit as well as to grapes. Peaches have been shipped from 
Delaware to Chicago for years in half-bushel baskets, without netting or 
other covering, at a cost of 35c per basket, the basket costing probably 8c,. 
cartage lc, making a total of 44 cents per half-bushel. From our port the 
freight on a fifth-bushel is 5c—on 5 baskets, 25c; five baskets and netting, 
25c; cartage, 5c making a total of 55c per bushel. Our berry-boxes, too, are 
all ‘‘snide,” and our apple-barrels are cut down to 2} bushels. All these 
things in connection with our loose, irregular, and often dishonest manner of 
putting up fruit for market, have had a ruinous and depressing effect upon 
the entire business. 

There is no profit in growing apples, gathering them, and hauling them 
from two to ten miles to a cider mill and selling them for ten cents per 
bushel. Better by far root out the varieties that have no market value or 
home use and give to the remainder better care, more cultivation, and restore 
back to the soil the elements of plant food which, by long practice of crop- 
ping and depletion, it has lost. Asa rule orchards have far too many varieties. 
For market purposes winter apples of good keeping qualities pay the best. 

The codlin moth has been the terror of the orchardist. Some years, in 
many localities, it well-nigh destroys the commercial value of the crop. But 
now it is safe to say we have a remedy, if properly applied, a cheap, expedi- 
tious, and sure remedy. The epraying of our trees, say twice, once as soon 
as the fruit is set and the trees out of bloom, and again two or three weeks 
later, with a solution of one pound of London purple to 100 gallons of water, 
applied in the form of fine spray, thrown over the tree instead of being 
forced up among the branches, is a sure relief from this destroyer. In the 
early season the blossom end of the fruit is up, and here is where the poison 
must be applied. The poison should be prepared in the form of paste and then 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, Bly 


mixed with the water and the whole kept in constant motion during the pro- 
-cess of spraying. 

Another branch of our business, which in many localities in western Mich- 
igan has for some time been virtually abandoned, owing to the prevalence of 
yellows and cold winters, is peach-growing. One flower will not make a 
summer, but one good crop of peaches will produce a wonderful stimulus to 
the future production of this most luscious and healthful of all our fruits. 
‘Give us good peaches on this lake shore and we can compete successfully with 
the whole country in our western markets. But to be successful in this 
branch of horticulture we must needs be vigilant, industrious, and persever- 
ing. The soil we can prepare, the yellows we may ¢heck or finally remove, 
but the climate is beyond our control. In this branch we hold the key to 
success in our locality, and when we fail from climatic causes the great west 
and northwest will have to depend almost if not entirely upon the far-away 
Atlantic coast and the south for their supply. 

The past season has been a most favorable one for the luscious grape, A 
warm, dry, long season gives us good ripe grapes. While in some localities 
the crop has been affected to some extent by rot, we are as yet comparatively 
free from this scourge. The fruit was good, the crop large, but the margin 
small. 

The pear orchards in our locality (Berrien county) have of late years been 
almost entirely free from blight. Our crops average fair to good, and we 
found a ready sale at paying rates for all good fruit sent to market. I think 
the production of this fruit is out of all proportion to its excellent properties 
and its market value; and for home use while it lasts no other fruitcan take 
its place. 

VIEWS OF OTHERS. 


This paper was followed by considerable discussion upon the several points 
‘touched upon in the essay. 

Mr. Corner said nature had stored up large amounts of food for plants and 
fruit trees in the soil, sufficient probably to produce the needed supplies for 
ordinary uses of the inhabitants; but when orchards covered the larger part 
of the ground in any district, and immense crops of fruit were shipped from 
them, year after year, for a long term of years, in time the necessary elements 
in the soil must be exhausted unless restored by the use of proper fertilizers 
in large quantities. 

Frank Linderman said he had used fertilizers freely and found bone-dust, 
ashes, and barn-yard manure of great value. He believed in a liberal use of 
fertilizers. 

W. A. Smith said that while his vineyard was young, for the first few years, 
he received good crops from it, but it failed to produce satisfactory crops 
afterward for some years. He then used ashes at the rate of four tons to the 
acre. This had been followed by good crops of grapes. President Phillips 
said that he had used ashes freely in his vineyard, with good results; had 
faith in the use of ashes in the vineyard. H.H. Hayes had used ashes and 
bone-dust freely. The grape is improved in color and flavor thereby. 


118 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Wednesday Afternoon Session. 


The first hour was occupied in discussing transportation and fruit packages, 
after which Joseph Lannin of South Hayen presented the following paper om 


PEARS FOR PROFIT. 


Osband’s Summer—Is very productive, ripens early in August; fruit as 
large or larger than the Buffum, and much superior in quality. The stalk is 
short and strong, fruit showy, being of a pretty glowing color on the side next 
the sun. It sells well. Originated in Wayne county, New York. 

Madeleine—Is an excellent early pear; ripens about the time of Osband’s 
Summer, but like all early pears is inclined to rot. It is considerably larger 
than Osband’s Summer, but will not keep quite so long. ‘This fine pear is of 
French nationality; was cultivated long ago by Carmelite monks. The tree 
is hardy and very productive, fruit salable. 

Clapp’s Favorite—This is a large valuable pear, originated by William Clapp 
of Massachusetts, from seed. The tree is vigorous and sufficiently hardy to 
stand our Michigan winters. When planted on good ground and well cared 
for it will repay with interest the labors of the orchardist. I gathered from 
eight trees, fifteen years old, 192 peck baskets, this last season. This fruit 
should be gathered at least eight days before ripening, or it will begin to rot 
at the core and lose its flavor. When well grown and properly ripened this 
is one of our most beautiful pears. 

Bartlett—Is perhaps the finest pear grown, take it all in all. We are in- 
formed by Mr. Downing that ‘‘this noble pear” originated about the year 
1770, in England ; was brought to this country and disseminated bya Mr. 
Bartlett from whom it took its name. As eyerybody knows the Bartlett, its 
great qualities, and the universal demand for it in the market, it is not neces- 
sary for me to speak of it further. 

Flemish Beauty—This is of Belgian origin, as its name imports. The tree 
bears early fruit, large, juicy, sweet, if on good ground and well cultivated ; 
but if neglected the fruit will hardly grow to medium size and will crack and 
be of little value for home use or market. When planted on strong clay 
ground the fruit assumes a brown color, but if planted on a rich loam it is a 
beautiful light yellow. When well grown this is one of our most delicious 
pears. It ripens about the middle of September. 

Buffum—This pear is, according to Mr. Downing, ‘‘a native of Rhode 
Island.”? Its form is a good deal like the White Doyenne. The tree is an 
upright, vigorous grower, but seldom comes into bearing until ten or twelve 
years after being planted. This is far from being a dessert fruit, but is excel- 
lent for canning and preserving. When the tree becomes fifteen years old or 
more, it bears immensely and the fruit sells fairly well in the Chicago mar- 
ket. One year ago I gathered nine bushels from one tree seventeen years 
old, and the fruit netted me $9.90. 

Hardy—This pear ripens directly after the Buffum. The skin is of 
a greenish color, russety and sprinkled with brown dots. The tree isa strong 
' grower and very productive. In an orchard of 500 trees I would plant 
twenty-five of this variety. The fruit is above the medium size and is highly 
perfumed. 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, E19 


Stevens’ Genesee—This is one of the most showy of our native pears. ‘The 
fruit is large, of a yellow color, flesh: white, aroma rich, juicy. It ripens in 
Michigan about the 15th of September. It is very tender as a fruit and 
will not keep, unless carefully handled, for more than two or three weeks. 

Bose—This is, in my opinion, superior in flavor to every pear grown in 
this country, unless it may be the Seckel, and while it approaches the Seckel 
closely in flavor it has the advantage of being nearly three times larger. 
This splendid pear was raised in Belgium, in 1807, and named in honor of 
M. Bosc, superintendent of the Jardine des Plants, Paris. The fruit is 
small at the stem but increases in size toward the calyx end. Nurserymen 
complain because of the difficulty they experience in propagating the trees, . 
and for this reason the nursery stock is dear. When transplanted from the 
nursery it is difficult to raise the trees, there being no fibrous roots, but only 
two or three stout prongs. When ripe the fruit is of a beautiful golden yel- 
low. In an orchard of 500 trees I would plant 50 or 75 Bosc. It ripens about 
the 15th of October. 

Clairgeau—This large, showy pear was raised near the city of Nantes in the 
west of France. The tree bears young, is remarkably productive; so much so 
that it is found necessary to thin at least three-fourths of all that desire to 
grow. The fruit can hardly be classed as second rate; but because of its large 
size and fine appearance it always commands a good price in the markets where 
appearance takes the lead. 

Anjou—This noble pear is also of French origin. Fruit is large, of 
greenish color, russet dots, of a light crimson color next the sun. The flesh 
is white; not so fine in flavor as the Bosc. It is, however, of a fine, melting, 
delicious flavor, and highly perfumed; ripens early in November and sells 
well. 

Boussock—This pear is of Belgian origin. :The tree is one of the 
most vigorous of all our pear trees, and very easy to propagate. The fruit is 
above the medium size, of good appearance and always commands a good 
price. Flesh white, fine in grain, juicy; first in second class; ripens Oct. 1 
to 15. t 

Sheldon—This splendid pear originated from an accidental seedling on the 
farm of a Mr. Sheldon, in the town of Huron, Wayne county, N. Y. The 
tree grows erect, vigorous, hardy, and is a good, regular bearer after it arrives 
at the age of eight or ten years. The fruit grows very slowly until the middle 
of September, when it begins to enlarge, and becomes of fair size. If well 
cultivated on rich ground the Sheldon will grow to nearly the size of a Bald- 
win apple. Mr. W. A. Brown and myself had plates of this variety of pear 
at our fairs, last fall, as large as Roxbury or Golden Russet apples. When 
growing it is of a green russet, but when ripe it is a beautiful golden hue. 
In flavor it will nearly compare with the Bosc. I had from one tree last 
season 32 peck baskets. It ripens about the 20th of October to the first of 
November. 

Howell—Originated at New Haven, Connecticut. The tree is an up- 
right, fair grower and on arriving at maturity will, with fair play, bear a 
good crop every year. The fruit is large, roundish, alittle small at the stem, 
but broad at the calyx end. When growing and until it begins to ripen, the 
fruit is of a greenish color. When ripe it often has a finely colored cheek, 
sprinkled with small russet dots. The flesh is white, of fair quality; sells 


120 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


for a good price. Ripens in the last week of October, but will keep ina 
cool, dry place until] September. 

Seckel—There are two varieties of ie delicious little pear. The brown, 
or original Seckel, originated on the farm of a Mr. Seckel who lived a short 
distance from Philadelphia. This pear is said to be distinct from all other 
varieties, and is not equalled by any variety in this country or Europe. The 
tree is hardy, but not quite so vigorous in its growth as some other varieties. 
The fruit is small, regularly formed, of a brownish color, somewhat russety 
toward the stem; flesh white, rich, juicy, melting. Ripens Sept. 20-Oct. 10. 
Foote’s Seckel was raised by a Mr. Foote of Massachusetts from the seed of 
the Seckel. This variety is from two to three weeks later than its parent, is 
one-half larger, and nearly if not quite as good in quality. The tree is more 
spreading and vigorous than the Seckel. Every fruit-grower should plant 
some of these desirable varieties of pear in his orchard, as there can be no 
danger of overstocking the market with the Seckel pear. 

Louise Bonne — This is a French pear. It growsequally well as a standard 
or on quince stock. The tree is a strong grower and very productive, fruit 
of medium size and good quality, flesh white, sweet, and slightly perfumed. 
Ripens in October. 

Duchess —A pear imported from France. It is grown to greatest per- 
fection when grafted on quince stock. Indeed, when grown as a standard 
the fruit is so insipid as to be wholly unfit for use, but when well grown is 
perhaps the largest of all our pears. The flesh is white, juicy, of fine flavor, 
and were it not for the little hard substances scattered through the flesh, it 
would be one of our finest pears for dessert. Because of its large size and 
showy appearance it always brings a good price in the market. If not 
allowed to overbear the tree will produce a good crop every year. Ripens 
first of October to 25th. 

Onondaga (known as Swan’s Orange )— Originated in Connecticut. The 
tree is vigorous and very productive. This variety proves to be pro- 
fitable for market. The fruit is large, skin a little coarse and uneven, 
quality excellent; ripens last of September. 

Lawrence —Is a native of Long Island. The tree very hardy, an early 
bearer. Fruit medium in size, flesh white, good to very good; ripens 
in December, and will hold good until March. 

White Doyenne —Is recognized as one of the best varieties of autumn 
pear. It is known as Butter pear in Philalelphia, as Virgalieu in New York, 
and as St. Michael’s in Boston. It isa French pear and has been known to 
fruit growers for over 200 years. The fruitis a little above the medium size, 
of a pale yellow, sprinkled with small dots. This fruit ripens in the latter 
part of September, but if picked before fully ripe will keep a couple of 
months. ‘This pear is of very rich flavor. 

In this paper I mention 17 or 18 varieties of pear, but were I about to plant 
in orchard I would reduce this nearly two-thirds, because several of the varie- 
tes referred to ripen at the same time. 


FERTILIZING PEAR TREES. 
Some discussion followed upon Mr. Lannin’s paper upon pear culture. J. 


G. Ramsdell said that some varieties of pear were more profitable on quince 
than as standards. He cited an instance where Mr. Yomans of Walworth, 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 121 


Monroe county, N. Y., had grown large quantities of the Duchess pear as 
dwarfs and had succeeded perhaps better than any other man in the United 
‘States. Mr. Yomans had used large amounts of ashes, bone-dust, and barn- 
yard manure, with other fertilizers. He probably used more fertilizing ma- 
terial than any other grower in that state, and had received larger returns 
than any man within his knowledge. Yomans practiced cutting back his pear 
trees annually, leaving only three or four buds of the previous year’s growth. 
The pears were all first-class fruit and sold in the New York market for 
-almost fabulous prices. 


Wednesday Evening Session. 
The Secretary read a paper by Mrs. G. H. La Fleur, of Allegan, on 


‘THE DUTY OF HORTICULTURISTS IN THE ORNAMENTATION OF PARKS 
AND PUBLIC SCHOOL GROUNDS. 


The history of mankind may be divided into periods or cycles of time, each 
producing types peculiar to themselves, differing somewhat from any that 
preceded them. Hach has left traces of its character, in relics or letters. 
They have stamped their impress, one by one, upon the pages of the book 
which chronicled the events connected with their coming and going, their 
advances and retreats, their victories and defeats, during the ages in which 
mind has struggled for the mastery over matter. The footprints of these 
departed men, on the road over which they have traveled, have been, in the 
main, toward the light which was thrown upon them-from a source of wisdom 
superior to their own, warming and causing to germinate and grow the seeds 

-of knowledge, which is one of the distinguishing characteristics between man. 
and the lower animals. 

The temples, mosques, cathedrals, and monasteries of the past, convey to 
the mind something of the character of those who reared them. Churches, 
schools, and colleges are only the outgrowth of the people who constructed 
and maintain them, and they will remain to testify of the thoughts, senti- 
ments, and incentives, which governed those who pass by in a given period of 
time upon the calendar of ages. These inanimate things did not make men 
what they were, but are the results of their condition at the time of their 
-existence—only the external expression of the unseen man. 

It follows, then, that the people of any age may be ambitious to leave be- 
hind them work that will mark the highest degree of moral and intellectual 
growth to which they can attain. The occupations in which men engage have 
much to do in forming their habits and directing their thoughts. In looking 
back over the history of nations we find that where agriculture has engaged 
the attention of the masses, and its interests have been protected, the people 
were prosperous and contented, and developed the best traits belonging to 
man. By their labor forests have been cleared, roads made, communities 
formed, and homes builded up. A pastoral people are a permanent people. 
They become attached to their surroundings, and with this sentiment comes 
the desire to improve and beautify the homes where they expect to live and 
educate their children. They live nearer to and see more of nature than the 


122 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


inhabitants of cities, consequently are more inclined to observe and obey her 
laws. In their midst schoolhouses and churches are reared, not for pride or 
display, but because these things are the outward expression of the innate. 
principles of an agricultural people. 

Such were the pioneers of this state, and they have left evidence of their 
lives end works to remind us of the debt of gratitude we owe them for having 
laid the foundation for this grand and beautiful state which is year by year be- 
coming anideal land. Following closely the agriculturist comes the horticul- 
turist. Fruit, trees, vines, and berries are planted, and this is the second 
stage entered upon toward making Michigan one of the most desirable of lands 
for the homes of men and women of culture. The numerous orchards which . 
have been planted and improyed, the vineyards so frequently found, trained 
with care, are so many evidences of their love for Pomona’s gifts. Combined 
with the more substantial productions of agriculture the cultivation of fruit 
leads us to a love for the beautiful—nay, compels us to admire flowers and 
plants, and this results in the ornamentation of our homes and grounds. One 
good work begets another, until we find the best elements in a rural people: 
drawn toward each other by similar tastes and sympathies, and this fraternal 
feeling has resulted in the organization of horticultural and pomological 
societies, a step which has been fruitful of much good, enabling members to 
co-operate and undertake still greaterimprovements. The great work accom- 
plished in the past, by those who have labored to improve the home comforts 
and surroundings of the people of their time, is and ever will be, recognized 
as worthy of the gratitude and remembrance of us all. 

How greatly the beauty of any country is enhanced by the planting of 
trees along the highways, and how gratifying the shade to the weary traveler. 
If every freeholder would plant along the public thoroughfare, as far as his. 
lands extend, ornamental, forest, or fruit trees, it would enhance the value 
of his possessions and confer a boon upon the traveling public. I would 
particularly recommend the fruit trees im such places for the use of the 
public. It is done in some countries—why not here? How refreshing to. 
the thirsty and weary traveler is a handful of cherries or a nice apple. In 
cases where landowners are not able to purchase, horticultural societies might 
unite and donate the needed trees and thus leave beautiful and useful way- 
marks to awaken the gratitude of future generations. 

Almost every county has a fair ground near some city’s limits. These 
grounds are usually places of public resort, and where towns have no other 
public park the fair ground might be owned jointly by the municipality and 
the agricultural society, and converted into a public park, through which 
walks and driveways should be made with regard to convenience and the 
beauty of the landscape. These, with the trotting course, would furnish 
pleasant drives for the citizens as well as strangers, upon whom a favorable 
impression would be made—they would remember such towns as desirable 
places of residence, where they would be sure to find cultivated society for 
themselves and families. 

A public park in any town adds greatly to its beauty, and is always sought, 
for enjoyment, by both old and young. If we educate ourselves and others 
to love and admire beautiful places, the result will be to turn the attention of 
the masses to this important factor which does so much to endear us to our 
homes and the country in which we dwell. 

When any great change is desired for the better, we should bring an influ-- 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 123: 


ence to bear upon those who are most susceptible to impressions. Thus, 
naturally, we turn to the young and endeavor to instil into their minds the 
importance of the desired result. If this is thoroughly done the seed is 
sown which in time will materialize and produce that which was impressed 
upon them as an idea. Where, then, can we better begin this work than at 
the district school ground? In place of the schoolhouse standing almost in 
the road, on a plat of about one-fourth of an acre, and the highway for a 
play-ground, let us have ample grounds surrounding the schoolhouse, planted 
with trees, vines, and flowers. Among these let the children take their first 
lessons in botany. The impressions received—the lessons learned amid such 
surroundings—will not be lost. In after life memory will revert to the 
pleasant places where so many happy days were spent. The love of the 
beautiful, and an appreciation of the fitness of things will grow with their 
growth and strengthen as they mature into man and womanhood. ‘They will 
not be content with having things no better than their fathers’, but will ever 
be reaching out after a higher type of life and will rise to and live upon a. 
higher plane of existence. The current which is bearing the race toa 
higher destiny will run a little broader through their lives. 

Have we, then, no duty to the children? If horticultural and pomological 
societies had no other work before them than the ornamentation of school 
grounds, would not this alone be worthy of the time and money spent? 
There is need of improvement in this connection, and the people are looking 
to you to lead because the work is in sympathy with your tastes, thoughts, 
and occupations. 

Another important work for horticulturists would be the fitting up and mak- 
ing beautiful the resting place of the dead, because it is the place where we 
lay away our loved ones, and aiso where we expect to be Inid. How fondly 
memory reverts to some gentle slope, where the sunshine lingers lovingly and 
warms into life and beauty the fragrant blossoms planted by loving hands over 
the grave of the departed. How much more satisfying to the sensitive mind, 
than costly monument of sculptured stone, are the few fragrant flowers, 
tended carefully, and the tear of sorrow on the blue and white vincas which. 
creep tenderly over the mound beneath which the dear ones are laid. 

We have in our great land, thanks to the wisdum and skill of our horticul- 
turists and artists, many beautiful cemeteries, but we want more. LEyvyery. 
village and hamlet should have its “ City of the Dead” made lovely by united 
effort, with trees, vines, and flowers. All honor to our horticulturists whose 
lives have been spent so closely to nature’s heart that they learned her secrets. 
and from her have drawn their inspiration. How different is the sensation 
produced on the mind, as we think of our departed laid away amid such sur- 
roundings, than thought of cremation. Only afewdry ashes! ‘To the sensi- 
tive, how shocking! In densely populated countries (as a sanitary measure) it 
is doubtless best, but in our own broad and beautiful land no such sacrifice is- 
needed. Let us think of the remains of those who have left us as resting 
amid nature’s loveliest productions. Let us plant our burial-places with that 
which is most beautiful and appropriate, that they may become places where: 
we shall wish to go with tributes to the memory of those who are gone. 


124 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


Thursday Morning Session. 


Thursday morning’s session was spent in discussing several topics which 
had been provided for this session, and some from the question-box. 

In answer to the second question, ‘‘ How shall we prune peach trees to 
prevent the accumulation of so many dead limbs each year?” Wm. Corner 
said he had made this question a study for several years; had tried several 
experiments; had found that most varieties of the peach need thinning. 
This involved a large amount of labor and expense. A much better plan is 
to thin the tops of peach trees by cutting out a part of the limbs, leaving 
the tops open. The peaches would need much less thinning by hand and 
the fruit would be improved by the influence of the sun. Peaches could be 
grown in this manner at less expense, be more uniform in size and color, 
with less strain upon the tree. Most peach growers allow their trees to carry 
altogether too much foliage for the good of the tree and fruit. By follow- 
ing the method he had named, that is, thinning mostly by pruning, and then 
furnishing plenty of fertilizing material for the tree, as food from which it 
could draw to produce the large annual crops which are almost sure to follow 
this treatment, one may be quite certain of good fruit and good profits. 

Mr. Ramsdell said that he had learned by practice and observation that 
growers who feed their trees liberally receive in return the largest crops of 
peaches. Severe thinning, and plenty of fertilizer, produced the finest 
peaches, and those orchards withstood the low temperature of our cold 
winters and were more free from borers and disease. He believed in the 
theory advanced by Mr. Corner of thinning the peach by proper pruning. 

The discussion was followed by the report of the treasurer for the year. 

The several committees appointed made reports, after which the customary 
resolutions were passed. 

An invitation was received from the Saugatuck and Ganges Pomological 
society to hold the June meeting at Douglas. The invitation was accepted 
and the time sét for the meeting the second Tuesday in June next. 


MEBERNG AT DOUGLAS. JUNE, 18387, 


Tuesday Evening Session. 


The meetings of the society were held in the public school building, 
except in the evening, when the pleasant auditorium of the Congregational 
church was used. The local attendance was large at all times, having never 
been exceeded, with perhaps one exception, in the society’s history. 

The session Tuesday evening, called to order by President Phillips, was 
begun with a duet, ‘“‘Fly Away Birdling,’’ by Misses Mary Andrus and 
Hattie Spencer, with Miss Belle Spencer as organist. Their voices were highly 
pleasing and their execution of a quality doing them great credit. 

The Rey. E. Andrus made fervent and appropriate prayer. 


ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 


J. F. Taylor of Douglas, having been appointed to make the address of 
welcome, spoke thus: 


Mr. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN— You have come to us as representatives. 
of the West Michigan Fruit Growers’ Association. We heartily recognize 
your mission, and I am authorized by the fruit growers of Ganges, Saugatuck, 
and Douglas to welcome you to our hospitalities and our homes during the 
continuance of this meeting. We have not much to offer you, except lunch 
and lodging, in return for the wisdom and experience you may leave us for 
future use in our fructiferous surroundings. This is the first gathering of 
the kind you represent ever held among our people, and you may be assured 
we are hungering and thirsting for a feast on the knowledge of those who 
have grown gray in exploring the broad fields of pomology. In choosing this 
fruitful vocation, which has proved to be an appetizer to bring us together 
for a feast, we wish to recognize the fact that men are everywhere, to a very 
large extent, the creatures of theirown environment. Nor are these environ- 
ments entirely arbitrary. They are greatly modified by our choices and 
changed by our acts of loyalty or disloyalty to the Moral Governor of the 
universe. It was manifestly so with the great progenitor of our race. His. 
fruitful surroundings, with the fair hand that handled them in their beanty, 
proved a temptation greater than he could bear, and hence brought toil and 
trouble on all his descendants. We share their fate. The thorns, and the 
thistles, and the briars which so increased his labor, as the first results of 
evil, are now easily subdued by gang plows and wheel cultivators. But in 
these days of evolution and progress they haye made their appearance in 
numberless diseases and insects preying upon trees and plants and fruits of 


126 : STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


all kinds to make the divine sentence effective, ‘‘In the sweat of thy face 
shalt thou eat’’ fruit, or without go hungry. As that beautiful garden of 
olden times was located in the same grand division of the globe where the 
peach is supposed to have originated, some have thought that its golden 
body and blushing cheek comprised the identical fruit which was forbidden 
to our first parents. And perhaps it is on this account that so many evemies 
of the peach are ever on the alert to baffle the wisdom and skill of those who 
are striving to retain or improve its original beauty. However this may be, 
the fact is patent that success in fruit growing is the result of vigilance and 
ceaseless toil. The orchards that you will look upon as you pass along our 
streets represent a large amount of concentrated mental and muscular exer- 
tion—and the work is not yet completed. Peach-growing is only in its 
infancy. Its fragrance in flower and fruit and fortune, if the fortune is not 
too far off, is attractive beyond measure, and sometimes seems to have the 
same moral effect on the producer that the unknown specimen did on mother 
Eve, when she saw it was good to look upon, and therefore good to eat. Ten 
years ago you could count the bearing peach orchards in these townships on 
your finger ends. Now weare shipping a few hundred thousand baskets of 
fruit every summer. and only our door yards and gardens are in bearing, in 
comparison to the tress under cultivation in the surrounding fields. That 
you may be assured of our efforts to provide some part of the fruit which is 
consumed by the millions of eaters living in cities and colder climates, we 
welcome you to a view of the landscape around us. We think it is full of 
promise. It betokens health and happiness to the carniverous portion of the 
human family. The fruit-bearing trees which you will see on the morrow 
are for the ‘*‘ healing of the nations.”’ Fruit is a better diet than drugs, and 
lays a good foundation for moral and physical health. It relieves the system 
of many impurities and the mind of that bilious miasma which so often — 
clouds its vision. It inspires men with a love of the beautiful, for it appeals 
to the appetite as well as to the eye. Its delightful fragrance always fur- 
nishes a tempting appetizer for the pure and the true in nature and in life. 
We welcome you to the fresh breezes of Lake Michigan, which ‘‘ temper 
the winds,’’ not so much to the “shorn lamb’’ as to the sensitive peach trees 
in all stages of growth. ‘These are nature’s shields for the fructifications of 
frigid climates. We welcome you to our homes, not so much as places of 
luxury and ease, as scenes of domestic tranquility, where work and wages go 
hand in hand to minister to the necessities of life. ‘To all these things and 
to as many more as you can find to enjoy, we welcome you. 


RESPONSE. 


H. Dale Adams of Galesburg, responding for the society, said: 

REVEREND Sir—It becomes my pleasant duty to respond to your kind and 
generous welcome. I only regret my inability to express in words the senti- 
ments of my heart. In behalf of the society of the Western Michigan Fruit 
Growers, permit me to say, as their representative, most cordially do we accept 
and thank you for this generous greeting, and in whatever we shall fail in our 
voiced expressions, I can assure you we shall make it up in the deep and silent 
gratitude of our hearts. We have come among you to discuss and learn the 
most possible, concerning the subjects laid down in the programme for this 
occasion. And in looking over this people and recognizing the many intelli- 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT G!.OWERS’ SOCIETY, 127 


gent, enthusiastic, and practical ladies and gentlemen here assembled, we must 
lay all doubts aside and confess whereof we know, that our visit among you 
can be none other than a pleasant and a profitable one. In your generous 
and hospitable welcome you have extended to us the freedom of your muni- 
cipality; a welcome to your society, to your homes, and to your hearts. What 
more can a people offer? What more can a guest or a stranger at your gate 
‘desire? We who have come from afar, and whose opportunities have not per- 
mitted us to aspire to that degree of perfection so fully attained by yourselves, 
in this favored region of the peach and other specialties in the field of pomol- 
ogy, would only suggest, that in the discussion of the subject before us, you 
shed abroad and among us the results of your practical experience in the call- 
ing you haye chosen, that we may profit and add to our store the blessings 
founded on your labors. The society whose welcome bidding is this day as- 
‘sured, is comparatively new as an organization, but in its united membership 
is the oldest of any in our beloved commonwealth in practical expression and 
devotion to the calling of the fruit grower. Far from any purpose of mine to 
make invidious comparisons between this society, as an organization, or its 
members as individuals, and others of like character; but an intimate knowl- 
-edge of its members and those of others compels me to say that none other, 
not one, can more than claim an equal place by its side. Our programme, 
as will be seen, is largely devoted to the peach—its culture, varieties, and 
management in detail. 1 take pleasure in informing you that the gentlemen 
selected to treat the various divisions of these subjects, so interesting and 
-essential to the wealth and prosperity of this locality, are men chosen from 
the:veteran ranks of the calling, and I bespeak for them your candid consider- 
ation. Sir, again [ thank you for your generous welcome, for your assured hos- 
pitality, and your devoted friendship; and when is given that last evidence of 
continued friendship, exemplified by the hand-shaking at the parting, may we 
return to our homes laden—yea burthened—with the lessons learned among 
you, and the reminiscences of this occasion be annually in our memories so 
long as life extends. Friends, you have laid us undera debt of gratitude too 
great for us to repay, with the uncertainties of life before us. 

The only topic assigned for the evening was ‘‘Prospective outlook for a 
peach crop in 1887.’’ Several members from different sections were called upon, 
and they reported concerning every other sort of fruit crop as well as peaches, 
all agreeing that the promise for full crops was seldom better, though some 
injury to trees by the severe winter was noted. 


Thursday Morning Session. 


President Phillips announced the following committees: 

Resolutions —J. H. Wetmore of Allegan, A. C. Merritt of Casco, and L. A. 
Wilcox of Benton Harbor. 

Fruits— Chas. Alford of Ottawa county, A. Adams of Shelby, W. A. 
‘Brown of Benton Harbor. 

Flowers — H. Dale Adams of Galesburg, Mrs. Roxina Sheffer of Casco, 
Mrs. G. H. LaFleur of Allegan. 

Frank Linderman of Casco, read the following paper on 


128 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


MARKETING FRUIT. 


I will confine myself mostly to peaches, as my experience has been mainly 
in that fruit. Before we can market our fruit we must first get it ready to 
market. In this preparation of our fruit for market lies our success or 
failure in marketing, at least to a great degree. The first and most im- 
portant thing to mention is, very careful handling from the orchard to the 
boat or depot. 


PACKING IN GRADES. 


We will first give our attention to the style of packing the peaches. We 
have our packing benches made about the right height for convenience, say 
about two feet and eight or ten inches. Then take a basket of peaches and 
put between two empty baskets and pack both grades at once, putting all 
first grades in the right-hand basket, the second-grades in the left and the 
culls in a basket by themselves. By this way of packing you handle each 
peach just once. When we get our basket packed, if it is a first-grade we 
put the card upon it so there is no chance fora mistake. This card is a 
guaranty, and it means that that basket of peaches is straight No. 1, all the 
way through, and the commission man is instructed to make it soat my 
expense if there is any case where there has been a mistake in any way. 
The fruit is packed in layers from the bottom of the baskets, so when the 
top is on you can turn it bottom up and not move the fruit. Peaches packed 
this way stand shipping very nicely, and when they get to market look solid, 
and the baskets are nice and full and will sell at sight. 

I don’t like the idea of pouring the peaches out upon the bench to pack.. 
You can not help but bruise them more by rolling them over and over again 
and sorting them to get the right size to put into a certain place in the- 
baskets. 


IN THE MARKET. 


We now have our fruit well packed and we want to market it to the best 
possible advantage. Now right here comes in the real secret of this guaranty. 
Here is where we find that a little honesty is going to bring a premium. 
To illustrate this point, Mr. President, pardon me for just making a hypothe- 
sis: Suppose, if you please, that my neighbor, Mr. A., has been shipping 
peaches to the Chicago market for a number of years, and has been very 
careful and honest in his way of putting up and warranting his fruit, and has. 
sent regularly toone man and built fancy prices; and the same day he sends 
one hundred baskets of his fruit to the commission man, Mr. B sends one 
hundred baskets to the same man. But Mr. B. is a newshipper and he thinks 
if the peaches look pretty well on top they will bring agood price. So he 
puts them up, culls in the bottom and culls in the middle and good ones on 
top, and away they go to be sold. Perhaps the commission man wants to 
know about what he has got for a new customer, so he opens a couple of 
baskets of Mr. B.’s peaches and finds them terribly poor. He sells them at 
fifty cents per basket, and the same day he sells Mr. A.’s for one dollar per 
basket. Now, when Mr. B. finds that Mr. A.’s peaches brought one dollar, and 
his only fifty cents, that commission man is a thief “right from the word 
go,’’ and he tellseyery man he meets that that commission man stole fifty” 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 129 


cents per basket from his last shipment. Now, the point is, in the end the man 
who paid one dollar per basket is perfectly satisfied with his bargain, but the 
man who only paid fifty cents per basket, feels as though he had been swin- 
dled out of about forty cents per basket for all he got; and sure enough, 
he was. : 

So, you see, the commission man is not always to blame when he is 
*‘blessed.”” We must make our own reputation. Our commission man 
can’t do it for us. We should keep on the right side of our salesman, and 
we can best-do that by sending nice, large consignments regularly, every 
shipment, so he can tell his customers he will have them by every boat or 
train without fail, and oftentimes your fruit will be sold before it arrives. 

I ship a great deul direct to consumers on orders. Selling at depot or dock 
is a very desirable way to deal. There is no risk at all, as you have sold 
your goods and got your money without any commission or freight to take 
out. 

We need more first-class fruit and less second and third class. We can 
have it so if we will make it so. 


WHAT OTHERS HAD TO SAY. 


L. H. Wilcox of Benton Harbor remarked that there was great lack of 
system upon the whole lake shore in the methods of marketing fruit. We 
consign to strangers and have to take what they please to give us. Mr. 
Linderman’s plan is a good one for a large shipper. A man may so build up 
a trade. But co-operation of the whole body of shippers is necessary to the 
welfare of all. 

W. A. Brown: If possible, the Linderman plan is a good one, so for as 
individuals are concerned; but the peach interest is assuming vast propor- 
tions and some system is necessary. The great northwestern regions are tribu- 
tary to us for peaches, but we can not reach them to good advantage through 
the Chicago market and two or three middlemen. Combination to make 
shipments to the far west is the best plan, but how best to do it will require 
much consideration. 

Rey. E. Andrus: The plan of building up a reputation for honesty is an 
admirable one. Large shippers may do this, but the greater number of 
growers raise not enough to become well known. A board, or something of 
the kind, making a guaranty for all the members, would be beneficial to 
such. 

C. W. Whitehead of Benton Harbor spoke of the Inter-State Society, an 
association of horticulturists in Illinois, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Missis- 
sippi, having headquarters at Cairo and making direct shipments to other 
northwestern cities besides Chicago, members being notified daily of the state 
of markets and directed where to send and how much. ‘The Chicago men 
fought this, so as to hold northwestern markets, but the plan has been suc- 
cessful and something of the kind must be resorted to here. 

Mr. Whitehead further remarked upon the mischievousness of sending culls 
and second-grade fruit to market, and even the raising of such. The first 
requisite to first-class prices is first-class fruit. 


Lg) 


130 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
VARIETIES OF PEACH FOR PLANTING, 


a topic upon which A. S. Dyckman was appointed to lead, was, in his 
absence, taken up by S. R. Lewis of Ganges. In an orchard of 1,000 trees he 
would set for early sorts—Alexander, a few Early Rivers, and set Lewis Seed- 
ling extensively, with Hale’s Early and Crane’s Early Yellow. He would set 
early sorts because it is to the grower’s interest to have a succession of fruit 
through the season, and there is profit in the early kinds. For the intermedi- 
ate crop he would set many Weed’s Late Barnard (later and larger than regu- 
lar Barnard), largely of Snow’s Orange (a good peach, smoother than Early 
Barnard and of better quality in flesh and for shipping), and 200 Jaques. 
He would “‘be shy of both Crawfords except in extremely favorable places, 
using the Barber or Hinman instead of Crawford (it being hardier, better, 
and nearly as large), and Brunson Seedling in place of Late Crawford. Also 
set some of Plummer, so-called (said to be same as Gudgeon’s Late), a white 
peach ; and lastly, 200 or 250 Smock.”’ He had unsatisfactory results from 
Old Mixon and Stump, the latter especially not yielding well. Ten or twelve 
years ago the speaker and his brother, N. W. Lewis, went to Coloma, Berrien 
county, to get of a Mr. Ray trees of what was called the St. Joe Sugar peach. 
They were seedlings of Hill’s Chili, but came true to name, except one, and 
that was the originator of the present Lewis Seedling. It resembles Hale in 
appearance and quality, ripens between it and Barnard, is nearly a freestone, 
and is very profitable because no other sort ripens at its season. 

Alexander Hamilton indorsed Mr. Lewis, except that he would substitute 
Louise for Rivers and plant some Early Barnard. This peach does well in 
Ganges though not at South Haven. So also does the yellow Honest John. 
He did not think well of Mountain Rose, because, being a white peach, it 
does not compare well with Barnard or Early Crawford. 

S. M. Hamlin, of near Douglas, spoke well of Yellow Rareripe (it had given 
annual crops since 1869), Honest John, Switzerland, Old Mixon, Gros Mignon, 
and Gudgeon. He likes all these and would plant them. Switzerland is 
large, white, ships well, and differs from Stump chiefly in being later. 

G. H. LaFleur: The Honest John or Large Early York is white, but our 
Honest John is yellow and is really Yellow Rareripe. 

J. F. Taylor: Weed’s Late Barnard is in fact Burgeon’s Yellow. These 
local names are confusing. Snow’s Orange must be we!l thinned or it will be 
very small. 

D. W. Wiley: Soil must be considered. Hill’s Chili is poor on light soil, 
as it will not stand drouth, which often comes at its time of ripening; but it 
is good on the heavier soils. Per contra, Robert Reid of Douglas said he got 
his best Chilis on light soil, having them also on heavy land. ‘‘ But,” said 
Mr. Wiley, ‘‘ while Mr. Reid’s soil is sandy, it is moist, dark and loamy.’’ 
Walter Phillips said the Chili about Grand Haven shrivels and is woolly; and 
S. R. Lewis said it was not good on either sand ridges or heavy clay. 


CULTIVATION OF THE ORCHARD, 


A. C. Merritt, of Casco, opening on the topic “ Cultivation of the Orchard,” 
said that without thorough cultivation we can haye nothing good to take to 
market. ‘Trees are so anxious for 2ultiyation that their roots will reach out 
to tilled ground when many feet away from it. As well never set trees as not 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 131 


to cultivate intelligently and thoroughly. The season for cultivation is not 
long, so the work must needs be thorough. If continued too late we may get 
the result now visible—dead trees, especially young ones. If we have thor- 
oughly ripened wood it will withstand extreme cold. his has been a grand 
season for getting early growth, but many have waited too long. Cultivation 
is often equivalent to fertilization. Some growers keep their orchards like 
gardens while they may cultivate, and such have ripe wood. Even heavy clay 
may be made mellow and good for trees if taken at the right time. What- 
ever tools will well cultivate corn will do for peaches. Ina dry time, on light 
soil, cultivate late in the day, so as to prevent excessive loss of moisture. 
Quit cultivating early in August. If trees are heavy with fruit it would do 
good if later than this, but in such case it usually is not possible. This is 
why I say cultivate intelligently, for there are many varying conditions, and 
nothing calls for so much intelligent care as the peach tree. Soil makes a 
great difference as to value and success of varieties. To sum it up briefly, 
begin early, cultivate often, quit soon enough. How early to begin depends 
upon dryness of soil and weather. I sometimes cultivate at or before blossom- 
ing, sometimes not. In some conditions, such as moist soil or wet season, 
early cultivation induces frosts and kills the blossoms. You must use your 
brains. 

Levi Loomis thought the dead young trees this season were due to the late 
rains of last fall causing new growth, coming as they did after a time of 
drouth. He does not cultivate after the middle of July. For thirteen years 
he quit July 1, sowed buckwheat and always got good crops. 

J. F. Taylor: Wherever, last year, cultivation was kept up through the 
drouth, no late growth came. Stop cultivating in a wet August, but keep it 
up if dry. It is safe to cultivate as long as drouth lasts, even to September. 
Intelligent judgment is necessary as to this. Asa rule, stop earlier on trees 
one and two years old than on either older or younger trees, as there is most 
growth during those years. Last year early cultivation was bad, but this 
year it is beneficial. Early culture sometimes, when followea by cold and 
wet, promotes curled leaf. 

Then followed a mass of contradictory experience in cutting back new 
growth late in the season. Mr. Wadsworth, Mr. Manwaring and Mr. Boyles 
had practiced it with good results, and it is said to be the common way in 
New Jersey; but Mr. Loomis and Mr. Gardiner had lost, or known of the loss 
of many trees on exactly this account. It seemed to be regarded as a bad 
practice. 

Similar disagreement was expressed as to cultivation, some claiming it could 
easily be overdone, with bad results from production of unripe wood late in 
the season. Others maintained that evil results lay rather in the direction of 
neglect; that without thorough tillage the present magnificent orchards could 
never have been produced and maintained. The prevailing sentiment was 
well expressed by Mr. S. R. Lewis, when he said: “I believe in the most 
thorough cultivation, but good judgment is necessary in its practice. These 
differing views are due chiefly to variation of soil. We must cultivate bear- 
ing trees through dry weather until rain comes. Cultivation must be ‘clean.’ 
Every weed is a robber in time of drouth.”’ 


6 


132 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
DISTANCE APART IN THE ORCHARD 


was a signal for another difference of views. D. W. Wiley years ago thought 
trees should be not less than twenty feet apart. Now he believes he can do 
better at not more than one rod. ‘Trees seldom crowd, even at that distance. 
If they do, it is better to remove some, they meanwhile having been a source 
of profit. They are thinned much by disease, storms, etc., and some varieties 
require less room than others. 

S. G. Sheffer had tried 14, 164 and 20 feet, and got best results from the 
latter. 

J. F. Taylor: ‘‘One objection to 163 feet is the upright growth of the 
trees. The fruit on the under limbs then lacks color and flavor and that 
above is too high for convenience in harvesting.’? ‘Twenty by twenty is his 
preference, and to this others agreed. 


LOCATION AND SOIL 


Induced J. H. Wetmore, of Allegan, to remark that the first requisite is 
good soil, the second drainage, the third altitude. Wet roots kill more trees 
than any other cause. His orchard is on strong soil and much cultivation 
induces too much growth. 

Replying to a question, W. A. Brown said in Berrien county yellows killed 
equally on high and dry, low and wet soil. 

A. Adams, of Shelby: High, dry and rich soil isdesirable. He had always 
believed that elevation was the first requisite, had acted upon that thought, 
and entertains it still; yet many locations that a few years ago were not 
thought desirable are now raising peaches. He preferred, in light soils, a 
northern slope, as southern slopes are likely to start growth too ‘early, make 
ing the trees endangered to frost. 

Clark Sheffer: This question is of slight account to us, as nearly all the 
available land between these two rivers (Black and Kalamazoo) is already 
occupied. ‘There are cases near South Haven in which trees on western 
slopes bore fully, while those close by on eastern slopes, had no fruit. Most 
damage comes from eastern storms, the lake influence at such times not 
reaching eastern slopes. 

S. M. Hamlin: A high ridge is best, as cold air settles into the valley. Get 
the highest ridge you can and as near to the lake as possible. 


Thursday Afternoon Session. 


The session opened with a very large attendance, the first number of the 
programme being the following paper by W. A. Smith, of Benton Harbor, 
on 


FRUIT EXCHANGES. 


Nearly every industry in the land has its special organization for the purpose 
of concentrating its efforts and labors in behalf of its peculiar interests and 


- 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 133 


well-being. We see, almost daily, both the good and the evil effects grow- 
ing out of the labor strikes in our large towns and cities. These labor asso- 
ciations, if properly conducted by honest, intelligent men, would doubtless 
be the means of bestowing many benefits upon mankind ; but when controlled, 
as they now are, in great measure, by unscrupulous, designing demagogues, 
the consequences are far more evil than good. 

The objects of a fruit exchange should be, first, the improvement of the 
quality and general appearance of the fruit we send to market—some may say 
quality has nothing to do in the matter, appearance is everything; but I 
think the two should go hand in hand. 

(2.) The need of more honesty in the packing and preparing of fruit for 
market. It is needless to say that comparatively few shippers are strictly 
honest in this respect. I do not wish to intimate that there is less regard 
for straight dealing among fruit growers than other classes of producers. 
Suffice to say, there is far too little among almost all classes. In the rush 
and hurry of the shipping season there is, unfortunately, great temptation 
to make a better appearance of our fruit than the general condition and 
quality would warrant. 

(3.) Transportation. From points where fruit is shipped by rail, a combi- 
nation of growers to secure rates by car-lots, would in many cases very much 
reduce the cost of transportation, and cartage on the other side. Our trans- 
portation on this lake shore, in the past, has been out of proportion, consid- 
ering the distance, the fruit shipped to the same markets from distant points, 
both east and west, and coming directly into competition with our fruit. 
Grape growers in the lake region of western New York will ship by car lots 
at a much lower rate than we ship across the lake by boat. If the fourth 
section of the inter-state law is enforced, our shorter hauls will at least 
enable us to compete for customers in our own markets. 

(4.) A wiser distribution of our fruits among consumers. As the business 
is now conducted, the great bulk of the fruits are shipped to a few large cen- 
ters of distribution and there rehandled and reshipped to outside points, 
thus increasing largely the expense to the grower, and reducing the value of 
the goods rehandled‘and reshipped. Where car-lots can be shipped directly 
to outside points it would be a great economy in expense, and the fruit would 
arrive in much better condition, thus saving time and money. 

(5.) The regulating of consignments to responsible commission houses 
might secure low rates of cartage and a lower rate of commission, say a 
reduction from ten per cent to seven, and a resident agent, selected by the 
growers and located in every large fruit market where heavy consignments 
of fruit are shipped daily, would conduce largely to a more careful and hon- 
est transaction of our business among the various commission houses to which 
we consign our fruit. The ultimate object ofa fruit exchange should be to 
do away with middlemen as far and as soon as possible; but in order to do 
this much patience and painstaking labor must be performed. If we could 
build up a good market at our respective places of shipping it would reduce 
our expenses largely and increase our profits accordingly. 

(6.) The total abrogation of the present system of drumming for commission 
houses should receive early and special attention from every fruit grower, 
whether working individually or collectively. This is a nuisance that 
should and must be abated sooner or later. It is virtually a tax upon every 
fruit grower’s labor. It is a tax that we can ill afford to pay. 


134 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


(7.) The regulation of packages. It is very desirable to have a more uni- 
form package for the various fruits now sent to market. In the matter of 
quart boxes there are three or four different sizes, shapes and styles in use. 
As long as fruit growers do not give a decided preference for some one over 
all others, manufacturers will continue to put upon the market whatever 
style, size or form is demanded by the individual caprices and notions of the 
several growers. ‘This diversity of packages, though varying slightly one 
from the other, increases the expense of manufacture, which necessarily 
comes out of the consumer (not of the fruit but of the package). It hasalso 
established the ‘‘snide’’ and forced it upon the trade. 

In the ‘‘belt” growers should aim to increase the size of the packages, 
thus reducing very largely the cost, first of the package itself, the covering 
used on the same, the cost of transportation and cartage, making in the end 
a large percentage of the cost of getting our peaches on the market. Twenty 
years ago we used the half-bushel basket and many were returned. Then ° 
came the third-bushel. ‘That was used for some years and finally superseded 
by the quarter-bushel. ‘This is still in use to some extent, and perhaps ex- 
clusively in some localities; but it was too large for some growers and the 
fifth-bushel came into use, and [ am inclined to think in many cases this is 
a ‘“snide,”’ like our “snide’’ berry boxes. At a glance we can hardly realize 
the enormous additional expense of these small packages. If we are shipping 
by car lots, paying by the car instead of by the package as we do on boats, 
the difference in cost would be less. 

Delaware peaches have been shipped to our western markets for some 
years in half-bushel baskets, without netting or other covering except peach 
leaves—the same package, save the cover, we used twenty years ago. The 
idea that a small package of fruit will sell for as much as a larger one, every- 
thing else being equal, is a grand and fatal delusion. To satisfy ourselves 
upon this point, we need only to apply this rule to ourselves in the purchase 
of the various commodities for our own consumption. 

Southern Illinois ships berries mostly in twenty-four full-quart cases, while 
we ship in the sixteen ‘‘snide’’-quart cases. Last year many of our grape- 
growers shipped their entire crop in what were called ten-pound baskets, 
which, however, held only about eight pounds of fruit. This package, 
freight and cartage on the same, cost as much as the twenty-pound package 
used by other shippers, who got as much per pound for their fruit as those 
using the small package. This is especially the case when fruit is plenty and 
cheap; for these buyers look to quality and quantity when buying. 

It is evident that in this line a general reform is needed by the best 
interests of all fruit growers. Increase the size of your package, reduce the 
cost of transportation, and add to your profits. 

It is evident that peach culture is, and will be, rapidly on the increase on 
this lake shore, from this time until climatic or other causes render the busi- 
ness a general failure. That dread disease, yellows, isno longer so great a 
terror as it has been in the past. Our knowledge, from our experience with 
this malady, may enable us in the future to combat it to a successful termi- 
nation. Like the dreaded pear blight, it seems, when judiciously managed, 
to be partially at least under human control. 

It is evident the various reforms indicated in this paper never can be ac- 
complished by individual effort. Combination and organization are the 
order of the day, and the sooner the rural population accept the inevitable 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 135 


and go to work unitedly and harmoniously in securing a reasonable compen- 
sation for their money invested and their toil expended, the sooner will they 
feel encouraged to go on in their laborious efforts to supply the markets of 
the world with the delicious fruits of the field, the garden, and the orchard. 


KEEPING UP THE FERTILITY OF THE SOIL. 


Frank Linderman, considering this topic, said: We at South Haven use rye 
and like it. Some have experimented with rye and clover together and done 
well; also with plaster, salt and ashes, the latter being obtained from Chicago 
smoke-houses and containing salt, fat, etc. Rye is sown about the first of Aug- 
ust and plowed in just before fully headed. Ashes are sown broadcast, prob- 
ably two tons per acre, and cost $3 per ton unloaded into the wagon. [Other 
growers had paid $3.50 and $4 per ton.] A long discussion ensued as to the 
merits of rye as a fertilizer. Some contended that it was of little value, or 
none whatever, taking as much from the soil as it returned, rotting slowly, 
and not comparable to clover as a fertilizer. Others, and these were in great. 
majority, cited actual experience favorable to rye; but many may have cut it. 
at the wrong time and got no benefit. It should be cut just before the grain 
forms. It is then tender, full of juices, rots quickly, conveys moisture to the 
soil, and gives it the nitrogen it took from the air while growing. If plowed 
under later, it is woody, decays slowly, and is of slight value if any. 

It is also of value as a mulch and holds the fallen leaves and the snow for 
protection of roots in winter. It grows during the damp season and goes 
under at the dry time. Some commended clover for similar use, care being 
taken to get it under early enough to prevent it from robbing trees of moisture. 
Some would grow it only between rows of young trees and not close to them, 
and never in a bearing orchard. It should never stand till it blooms. J. F. 
Taylor had practiced sowing buckwheat and had never been troubled with cut- 
worms. ‘This is inaccord with President Phillips’ experience with buckwheat 
in his vineyards. Many commended barnyard manure as the best fertilizer. 

Mr. Wiley would not use it on young trees. Any soil will grow these fast 
enough unaided. Only one spoke of commercial fertilizers, and he doubted 
their desirability. 


MICHIGAN SEEDLING PEACHES, 


Mr. Alexander Hamilton, of Ganges, a peach grower and nurseryman of 
experience, read the following paper upon ‘‘Michigan seedling Peaches:” 

Some of our most valuable peaches are Michigan seedlings and kinds about 
the origin and true name of which we know nothing. The most desirable of 
the Michigan seedlings are, I believe, Lewis Seedling, Snow’s Orange, Bron- 
son’s Seedling, Corner’s Seedling Barnard, Dumont, and some of the Chili 
seedlings. The most desirable of the kinds we are unable to name correctly 
are known here as Barber or Hinman, Golden Drop, Weed’s Late: Barnard, 
Crane’s Early Yellow, Overhiser, Hamlin and Burrows peaches. In the town- 
ships of Saugatuck and Ganges, especially in Ganges where it originated, 
Lewis Seedling is the most popular of the Michigan seedlings, and, notwith- 
standing its rather poor quality, is being set very largely, and that too by 
those who have it in largest numbers in bearing. Its beautiful appearance, 
the desirable time at which it ripens, and the certainty of its coming each 
year, make it a very profitable peach to grow. 


136 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


Snow’s Orange is becoming, as it deserves, a great favorite with our grow- 
ers. It is a good shipper, ripens after the Crawford and Barnard and before 
the Chili gluts, and in plentiful years goes into market at a time when peaches 
sell well, while in scarce years, when many of our leading varieties ure 
destroyed by the leaf curl, it bears full crops and sells for big prices—over a 
dollar per basket, as it did two years ago. 

Bronson’s Seedling ripens with the late Chilis, is hardy and productive, and 
one of our very best shippers. For locations where the late Crawford is shy 
and the Chili shrivels I know of nothing unless it might be the Golden Drop, 
that is so desirable. 

Corner’s Seedling Barnard ripens with the old Early Barnard, which it 
equals in all respects, while it is less liable to rot and leaf curl, a better ship- 
per and surer bearer. 

The Dumont is of late origin but is fast coming to the front. In size it 
nearly equals the Crawford; flesh yellow, firm, and very sweet; pit small; 
ripens after the Jaques; is very hardy and productive; an excellent shipper, 
and considered by those who have it a great acquisition. 

The Chili seedlings that have originated in Michigan are very numerous and 
some of them very much superior to the old New York Hill’s Chili. Among 
the very best is the one brought here by Bradley Williams, of Kalamazoo, and 
known in the vicinity of Douglas as the Cass Chili. It is a sure bearer, and on 
suitable soil is a most excellent and beautiful peach and one that has paid the 
growers more money than any other. My neighbor, Mr. V. Wadsworth, of 
Peach Belt, sold his entire crop of this kind of Chili, in 1884 and 1885, for 
about one dollar per basket, and one entire shipment going for $t.25 per basket 
and another of 180 baskets (36 bushels) for $180. 

Of the kinds we are unable to name, none have attracted more attention than 
has the one we call Barber or Hinman. It is as large and beautiful as the 
Crawford, tree hardy and a moderately good bearer. 

The Golden Drop is better known at South Haven than it is here, so I shall 
ask some of our South Haven friends to tell us about it. 

The peach we call Crane’s Early Yellow is the earliest yellow-fieshed peach 
shipped from Fennville. It is, when well cultivated, nearly the size of a Craw- 
ford, very productive, a beautiful orange yellow with deep red cheek, and comes 
in just as the Hale is going out; is somewhat similar to the South Haven fruit, 
known in that vicinity as the Hamlin, Burns, and Overhiser peaches. 

With these and a few other varieties, which are required to make a complete 
succession of ripening, peach growing, even on fair locations within the Michi- 
gan peach belt, which reaches far north as well as south of Douglas, can not 
fail to be a success, 


CONTEMPORARY OPINION, 


A. C. Merritt had tried the Golden Drop. At first it was golden indeed, 
but later, though larger than at first, it has lacked color; yet he deems it a 
very good peach and would plant it if he had none. The fault noted may 
have come from oyer-fertilization and peculiar seasons. It bears young, 
freely, and continuously. Hedeemed it a great acquisition. 

J. J. Atherley: It is not as hardy as Chili, and ripens just after. His 
fruits of this sort had lost color also and were small, but he thought the 
former was caused by over-bearing. He would be cautious about setting it. 


‘ 
WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, 137 


Replying to a question, Mr. Hamilton said the seedlings mentioned in his 
paper were hardy. 

W. A. Brown: These new varieties should have permanent names. For 
instance, which is it: Barber or Hinman? 

Mr. Hamilton: This is not a Michigan peach, but it would be well to find 
its true name or give it one that all will recognize. It was shown at the 
meeting of the American Pomological Society, last year, but no one could 
name it. . 

Secretary LaFleur offered the following resolution: 

WHEREAS, In view of the fact that there are many new varieties of 
peach, as well as some of the older kinds, that are known under different 
local names, therefore 

I move that a committee of three be appointed to correct, so far as possi- 
ble, all improper names, and establish correct names; and, in the case of 
new seedlings, to establish some name by which they may be known. 

This was adopted, and Messrs. G. H. LaFleur, W. A. Brown, and J. P. 
Wade were appointed and instructed to report at the society’s next meeting. 


WHEN AND HOW TO DESTROY THE BORER 


was first responded to by Levi Loomis: Dig him out—it’s the only way; or 
wire him out, which is practically the same thing. Do itin the spring. 
The borer hides in chip manure when placed about trees. Therefore don’t 
put it there. Not so with forest leaves. Care should be taken, in digging 
borers, not to scratch the roots more than necessary. Better let the grub 
stay than to set careless men to hunt him. Never fail to cover up the 
roots and crown in’ the fall, as this prevents to some extent deposit of the 
eggs. 

W. A. Brown: Take them out in May and September. 

S. R. Lewis: The egg is deposited in August. Bandages with something 
offensive upon them will prevent the laying of the egg; then, if we had 
taken out all the grubs the previous spring, we could finish the business in 
one year. 

THE CONTAGIOUS NATURE OF YELLOWS 


brought out W. A. Smith in some terse and earnest remarks: This topic is 
an unprofitable one. No mai knows anything about it—literally nothing. 
lt is, like pleuro-pneumonia and pear blight, contagious, and can like them 
be stamped out by but one means—extermination. This costs you some- 
thing. But it cost us more in Berrien county, for we had 150 yellows doctors. 
You learned, by our experience, not to tamper withit. Take it out—burn 
it up! [Cheers.] Can we tell when a tree is infected ? Yes; and at once if 
it is in bearing; but otherwise not, in the first stages. It is fatal every 
time, and contagious in all stages. Some say it spreadsfrom even the stump 
and roots if left in the orchard. We do not know how it is communicated. 

Mr. D. W. Wiley: How about setting young trees in the places where old 
ones had yellows? My experience is, it can be done. I have practiced it. 
It may be a question if it could be done where the disease had become 
general. 

Robert Reid : I have successfully reset, even where trees had been generally 
destroyed. 


138 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Mr. Wiley: When I see a tree with yellows, I stop all other work and take 
it out; nor do I experiment, but take it out and do other work afterward. ~ 

S. G. Sheffer: In Casco the only things we think of are the ax and spade 
when we learn of the existence of a yellows tree. [ Applause. ] 


* 
Thursday Evening Session. 


To Joseph Lannin had been assigned the topic: ; 


HOW LONG DO PEACH TREES LIVE AFTER BEING AFFECTED WITH 
YELLOWS? 


He remarked: As Mr. Smith has said, we do not know the cause of yel- 
lows. Prof. Burril thought it was bacteria, but it is not known whether 
they are the cause or the effect. Prof. Miles examined with a powerful 
microscope the leaves, fruit, branches and roots, and found bacteria in all 
these when from diseased trees, but none in any portion of sound trees; but 
as before, whether this condition was cause or effect he could not tell. At 
the American society’s meeting he had been shown bacteria in pear blight, 
and he had seen branches inoculated with it. Pear blight is believed to be 
certain death to stricken trees. But he (Lannin) knew better. Blight will 
kill affected limbs but not the whole tree, hence there is an apparant differ- 
ence between blight and yellows. The bacteria are preyed upon by still 
more microscopic creatures than themselves, and but for this they would 
multiply into myriads. He had seen yellows in cultivated and uncultivated 
orchards, high land and low, well pruned and umpruned trees. One can 
hardly know, sometimes, when yellows begins. It will show in fruit three 
weeks before the normal time of ripening. If trees are not in bearing it 
shows first in leaves, their edges turn up and their pointsturn down. Affected 
trees will make a good growth of wood the first year and will blossom the 
second. The fruit is larger than usual the first year and smaller the next, 
and turns color still earlier; the third year it is smaller yet, merely a skin 
over the pit and the tree always dies that season. Inoculation is not accom- 
plished by mixture of pollen, as experiments have proved. Yellows pits from 
trees in their first year will grow, but their product is a dying, dwindling 
thing that never becomes a tree. Pits of the second year will not grow. 
Yellows is sometimes propagated by budding. The Benton Harbor 
people are often scoffed at for having tried to cure yellows. But 
they were anxious to save their trees, not knowing that the disease 
was incurable. But for their mistakes and mine, you at Douglas 
would not be in your prosperous condition. You learned by our errors 
and losses that the only way to treat yellows is to dig it right out and burnit. 

Mr. Whitehead ventured the opinion that yellows is caused by bacteria, as 
certain diseases of men are by microbes, and will eventually be curable. 

Mr. LaFleur mentioned a grower who was positive he could cure yellows. 
He used three tons of ‘‘cure” but had to destroy 300 trees in the succeeding 
two years. 

President Phillips then read the following paper upon 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 139 


CULTIVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF GRAPES, 


The first point is location. I prefer high grounds and hillsides sloping to 
the south or southeast, surrounded with good river drainage. The second 
point, quite essential to the success of the vineyardist, is the soil. It used to 
be said that prapes would grow on the poorest soil we had. It now takes 
good soil and that needs to be fed liberally from year to year. For the fol- 
lowing three varieties, Worden, Niagara and Brighton, I prefer a sandy loam 
soil. I speak of only three varieties because I consider them the best three 
varieties to raise for money on this lake shore. All grapes succeed best on 
lands well cultivated and drained. Grapes do not like wet feet, nor will they 
try to do well with them, for wet ground is cold and unhealthy, causing the 
vines to decay, and soon they die with premature old age. This will not be 
the case on lands drained so that heat and air can penetrate to the roots. 

The next important step is the preparation of the soil. As cut-worms are 
very troublesome on this lake shore, I would advise, on grounds to be planted 
with vines the coming fall or the following spring, the sowing of buckwheat 
the last of June. When in full bleom plow under. This is a dead-shot 
against cut-worms and all embryo insect life or larve in the ground. The 
poisonous gases contained in the bloom of the buckwheat does the work. 
Before planting, cultivate the ground thoroughly. Then roll and mark out 
in rows nine feet apart, and set your vines ten feet apart in therow. I prefer 
first-class yearling plants in preference to any other. I would trim the roots 
to from ten to twelve inches in length. The hole should be dug a foot deep, 
leaving a slight cone or elevation in the center. Set your plant and spread 
the roots evenly and well. Cover the roots four inches or more with fresh 
surface soil, well pressed around them. Now add, if you have it, some well- 
rotted manure or fertilizer. a handful or two mixed with unleached ashes. 
Then fill up, pressing in the dirt compactly. 

Cultivate well the first year, and in the fall cut back to tnree buds. Mulch 
the vines and do it well. The second year cultivate thoroughly. Give the vines 
an early start and keep them growing, and do not let them become stunted. 
If you do they will never get over it. For the first three or four years, until 
the vineyard is thoroughly established and able to resist the attack of the cut- 
worm, I would cultivate well till the first of July. Then sow to buckwheat 
and plow under when in full bloom. 

It has been said one of the greatest faults in the management of a vineyard 
is in not strengthening the vine by trimming. It seems to me it is very im- 
portant that we have a thorough knowledge of the strength of the vines in 
our vineyards, and then trim in proportion to their strength. Then again, 
do not let young vines bear too heavily; and even old established vineyards 
must be guarded in this respect. Let us grow less fruit and of a better qual- 
ity. Let us cultivate more evenly, trim more evenly, fertilize more evenly, 
and have more even vineyards; and I believe it will be more profitable in the 
end. 

Now as regards trimming the vines: The second year, if vines have made 
good growth, trim back to two feet or less. If growth is weak, cut back again 
to three buds, mulching well preparatory for winter. The third year train 
your vines to what is called the Kniffin system—first wire two and one-fourth 
feet from the ground ; second wire two and one-half feet higher. Train your 


140 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


vines to these two wires, leaving two arms on each vine. When armg have 
made a growth of four or five fect, pinch them back. In trimming, the 
coming fall or following spring, cut back each arm to five or six buds. The 
fourth year, the vines haying now become strong, leave the arms longer—say 
eight or nine buds, which is sufficient wood for a full crop of fine fruit of the 
best quality. Let me caution all to never overload a vine, as this is one of 
the greatest curses of the vineyard. If at the end of the fourth year your 
vineyard is uneven, some vines weak, such vines should be cut back in pro- 
portion as they are weak; and manure well—do not let them bear much if 
any. Do this from year to year, and in a few years your vines will all be up 
to the same standard in strength and productiveness, and will please your eye 
by their beauty and gladden your heart by giving abundant proof of the suc- 
cess of your labors. 

For vineyards, all things considered, [ regard unleached ashes the best fer- 
tilizer known. A ton of hardwood ashes contains 320 lbs. of potash, worth 
$16, 105 pounds of phosphoric acid (insoluble) worth $5.25. Omitting all 
the other ash constituents, which have some value of themselves, the potash 
and phosphoric acid of a ton of such ashes are worth $21.25, or nearly six 
times the value of a ton of fresh horse dung. ; 

Summer pruning, also the importance of handling and marketing our 
grapes in the best condition, so as to bring us the best returns, the length of ° 
this article will not permit me to take up fully; but I will say in a word, it 
is my practice to pinch back the bearing shoots to within two or three leaves 
of the fruit. As to marketing, pack well and send none but good fruit to 
market. And I wish to say, and also to impress it upon the mind and memory 
of every grape grower present, that there is nothing so disastrous to the 
grape market as the shipping of green grapes early in the season. It is sure 
to bring prices down to a low point, and once down it is hard to bring them 
up again. The consumer who has been waiting patiently for the grape 
season to open, buys them with the expectation of finding them ripe and 
delicious ; but instead finds them sour and unfit to eat. The consequence is 
it will be some time before he will try his chance again. Thus the market 
becomes seriously damaged at the outset. 


ON THE SAME SUBJECT. 


Replying to a question by Mr. Lannin, Mr. Phillips said he pinches back . 
the new growth as soon as the grapes begin to form; and further, to pinch 
off all superfluous shoots and keep this up as you would in raising peach 
trees. 

W. A. Smith: It is noticeable that Mr. Phillips recommends but three ya- 
rieties. ‘Ten or twelve years ago there was a great boom for the Iona. I was 
one of its victims; for, while the Iona is one of our finest grapes, it is a 
failure nineteen times out of twenty. Of Mr. Phillips’ three sorts there is 
but one I can recommend---the Worden. It has not been grown as long as 
the Concord, but is promising. There is at present a great boom for the 
Niagara and it sells for great prices. But is it safe for this society to recom- 
mend it for general culture? Its quality is not better than that of the Con- 
cord, it has not proved hardy, and it is not free from rot. I knew of a vine- 
yard of four acres of three-year-old Niagaras that last fall were in perfect 
order. Now only one in ten rods is alive and the rest are dead to the ground. 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 141 


A neighboring plat is in the same condition. These growers say it rots 
worse than Concord, when they get anyat all. Location has much to do 
with such results, but I insist it is not safe for us to recommend it for general 
culture. 

Mr. Phillips: I think the quality of the Niagara better than that of the 
Concord, and it was so considered at the meetings of the American society. It 
has sold very high in the market, even outselling Catawba. I not only con- 
sider it superior in quality to Concord, but prefer it above any of the Cali- 
fornia grapes. I have never before heard rot or mildew charged against it. 

H. H. Hayes of Talmadge, Ottawa county: I have nothing to say against 
the Niagara. I set 500 vines in 18§2 and got $1,650 net from them, up to 
date. Ihave had no winter-killing; they are in fine condition now; not a 
bud was dead this spring. The vines are on high land, a clay loam soil, and 
mercury went ten degrees below, last winter, on the hill. Some vines are 
sixty feet lower than that point, but are in perfect order now. I set 3,000 
more this spring. I got ten cents per pound for last year’s crop. Porous 
soil is not good for the Niagara. My place is twenty miles from the lake. I 
cut back in July, do not allow the vines to over-bear, and have always had 
good results. 

A. C. Merritt: I have seen several vineyards of Niagaras out of condition, 
but always found a 3ufficient reason for it. I set mine five years ago, in two 
lots. In the location I thought the best they were a complete failure, 
although great pains were taken. Why they failed I do not know. It may 
have been the lake winds. In the other place I did not lay the vines down. 
I do not want vines that can not stand up and take care of themselves. But 
there they have been successful. They were set on ordinary soil and not 
cultivated as well as I would do if beginning anew. I sold $985 worth of 
fruit last year from less-than 600 vines. They have never been protected at 
all. But last spring (1886) I left too much wood and permitted them to 
overbear. Hence all present damage to the vines I attribute to my own 
neglect. Mr. Merritt highly commended Mr. Woodward and other members 
of the Niagara Grape OCo., as to their personal characters, being well 
acquainted with them. 

L. H. Wilcox: The Niagara has some good points and some poor ones. 
We at Benton Harbor cannot commend it. It winter-kills and so does not 
yield well. Sut in the market is the best of all grapes. 

President Phillips: We like it in Ottawa county because we can grow it; 
you in Berrien county dislike it only for the opposite reason. 

W. A. Brown: I think if planted on high land about Benton Harbor it 
would be successful. 

J. Lannin: The members of the Niagara Grape Co. are gentlemen, and 
are always more liberal than the terms of their contract. The Niagara grape 
is a magnificent grower and I believe it to be hardy. With me it rotted a 
little last year. Mercury did not go as low last winter as it did the winter 
preceding ; yet my vines, which went through the former season unharmed, 
were in the latter damaged. This result is due, I think, to peculiarities of 
season. Last October there were two weeks of very warm weather. I had 
pinched back my vines early and a second time; and I think the wood was so 
ripe that in the late and warm weather the buds started and were killed to such 
an extent that I shall have but half a crop this season. But, as the opposite 
of this, to test the hardiness of the Niagara, I in the season of 1885 trained a 


142 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


vine 17 feet long and left it six feet high; and although in the succeeding 
winter mercury went seventeen degrees below, every bud on that vine started 
and grew the following season. 

Mr. Phillips: I got ten cents per pound for Niagaras last season and but 
three cents for Concords. 

W. A. Smith: I have no antagonism to the Niagara, but I say we should 
not recommend it for general cultivation when it fails in some places. Its 
test is not yet fully made. By my own taste its fiavor is inferior to that of 
the Concord; but quality of fruit is wholly a matter of taste. I think I shall 
soon try to grow the Niagara myself. 

A. Adams: Its quality is not better than that of the Concord. It sells high 
because it is a novelty. I think that by the time all the vines now set are in 
bearing, some new grape will ‘‘ take the starch out of it.” » 

T. W. Merritt: Some of A. C. Merritt’s vines did not overbear last year 
and such are all right now. The Niagara is musky, but that is a flavor many 
people like. The fruit of the Niagara may be shipped to California and back 
and still be in good condition, while the Concord is a poor shipper. Set grape- 
vines no deeper than you can cultivate, but be sure and set them that deep. 
Invert the soil as deeply as possible and set at that depth. 

A. C. Merritt: I do not think the Niagara’s leaf will resist mildew as well 
as the Concord’s. The fruit will rot when Concords do, but not other- 
wise. My vineyard’s soil runs from sand to clay loam, the vines doing best 
on the latter. The clays are best for grapes. 

Mr. Adams: What can be said of the Pocklington and Prentiss? 

Mr. Lannia: ! had some Pocklingtons, but got three times as much fruit 
from Niagaras. They are not now hurt by winters; but they will drop their 
fruit unless it is gathered at just the right time; its bunches are small, and 
although it is hardy I would not advise anyone to plant it. The American 
society voted on choice of white grapes and Niagara got two-thirds of the 
ballots. 

Mr. Phillips: I set the Prentiss and it killed out quickly. 

Mr. Lannin: The Empire State froze almost to the ground last winter. I 
have now one little bunch and am caring for it with much solicitude. 

Mr. Phillips: My Brightons bore for the first time last year and were mag- 
nificent. They grow strongly and are of good quality. 

Mr. Nye: In Ohio I have known the Brighton to show no mildew at a time 
when the Concord did show it. 


Friday Morning Session. 


Reports were made and adopted from the committees on flowers and fruits, 
following which was read the subjoined letter from J. G. Ramsdell, of South 
Haven, who had been appointed to read a paper on “Can the Spread of 
Yellows be Prevented? ”’ 

SoutH Haven, May 29, 1887. 

Just at the last moment I find I am unable to be present with you, June 1, 
on account of ill health of my family and myself. I am very sorely dis- 
appointed in not being able to be with you on this particular occasion, for I 
have always had a very strong interest in this association from the first, and 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 143 


have become more and more confirmed in the belief that the organization of 
this society was a necessity to the fruit growers of this shore, supplying 
a long-felt want which is of so great magnitude that it is more and more 
apparent every year. One thing consoles me, and that is that South Haven 
and Casco will be well represented by others more able to entertain the 
meeting than I could be, thereby helping to keep up the interest so necessary 
to the society. Ifmy friends Lannin or Atherly, and perhaps others, can 
speak on the subject allotted to me, they will do better than I could myself, 
for in the numberless discussions before the South Haven and Casco society, 
within the last seven years, we all have come to believe fully, that ‘‘ pre- 
vention will prevent ;’’ yet we do not all carry out our convictions in practice. 

Here let me say that among the many facts that go to sustain the theory 
that we can, if we will, prevent the spread of yellows, no one is more con- 
clusive than this: Those fruit growers who have removed all trees promptly 
as soon as discovered, have as arule good orchards yet; and those who haye 
neglected to do so, their orchards are ruined. Add to this one more fact, 
that there are many good paying orchards here that have cut out hundreds 
of trees, while every neglected orchard in the same neighborhood has been 
swept away by the foul disease. Of course, all who have even one tree. 
affected must join in the work of demolition or some localities will suffer. 

Time will not allow me to say what I would of what I believe to be prevent- 
ives of the first inception of yellows, such as proper nourishment of the tree, 
the careful cultivation, thorough pruning of limbs, and the rigid thinning of 
the overloaded trees; also the healthiness of both pitand bud. If we neglect 
any of these precautions we are on unsafe grounds. 

If President Phillips does not object, allow me to suggest briefly that I 
hope, above all things which may happen to this society, that it may be 
delivered from all ‘‘long drawn out” essays which have no practical value, 
and generally are a dead weight on the meeting. 

One more suggestion: I hone the meeting will not fail to take up the fruit 
exchange, and not let it be passed by or crowded out for want of time, for 
whether Mr. Smith fails you or not (like myself) with his paper, this ques- 
tion should be thoroughly discussed. Isee that they have found it necessary 
to adopt the exchange in Delaware and New Jersey for self-protection. I be- 
lieve if the whole peach belt would unite and form an exchange at every 
shipping point on this shore we could supersede the commission man and 
obtain such prices as our fruit commands in the distant as well as our near 
markets. 

Your friend, 
J. G. RAMSDELL. 


ONCE MORE, YELLOWS. 


Resuming the topic as to prevention of spread of yellows, J. J. Atherly said 
nothing new was known of the matter; it is all a mystery; we thought at 
first that fertilization would prevent yellows, but it didn’t, and no one knows 
how to stopit. Mr. Lannin told of its mysterious and irregular ways of 
spreading in his orchard, and remarked that the disease is more virulent here 
than at the east. Wm. Corner said one means of prevention is neglected— 
the uprooting of small groups of trees that die of yellows in villages and by- 
places in the country. We don’t know how to prevent trees from having 
yellows, but we know if yellows are in the ash heap they are all right. 


144 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


James Gardiner: I have seen at this meeting one man who shipped yellows 
peaches knowing them to be such; and yery likely we shall hear from him 
how to prevent spread of yellows! 

S. M. Hamlin: I know of a man who propagated good trees by buds from 
a tree that had yellows the next season, proving that a tree will show yellows 
very quickly after inoculation. 

J. F. Taylor: The poorer soils show the least yellows; the promotion of 
great growth seems to induce the disease; but we may detect yellows quicker 
in well kept than in neglected orchards, unless when the latter are in fruit. 
An old yellows orchard stood several years at Swan Creek, in Pineplains, and 
I have frequently seen yellows treesin Allegan village. It is such neglect 
that kills our orchards. 

Robert Reid: I lost 500 trees by pure neglect. I could not destroy a nice 
Crawford tree that was bearing 40 or 50 baskets of fruit with only one peach 
or one limb showing yellows. I simply cut that off. But the next year that 
whole tree had yellows, as did others about it. The next year yellows appeared 
in my other orchard, and then I had learned to take the diseased trees out at 
once; but I hauled them through the orchard and spread the disease that 
way. Inow put lime about my trees and have faith in it as a preventive, 

J. H. Wetmore related his experience. Yellows appeared first in one tree 
in one corner of his orchard, on a sandy knoll, the next year in the extreme 
Opposite corner on heavy soil, in only one tree also. He next sawit some 
years later and he had to take out his whole plat; but just preceding this 
outbreak of the disease, his man had plowed the orchard seven inches deep, 
doing extensive damage to the roots. Commissioners had marked trees in 
his orchard whose only ailment was grubs and severe winters. Mr. Wetmore 
is a disbeliever in the contagion theory, but he always takes out the diseased 
trees promptly. 

O. Beebe: Examinations with the microscope have shown that no bacteria 
are in the roots the first year of yellows. 

A. C. Merritt: I have proved in my own experience that new trees may be 
successfully raised where diseased trees haye been uprooted. 


TRAINING TREES AND THINNING FRUIT. . 


Mr. Wm. Corner, of Ganges, appointed to lead on this topic, said: Many 
years ago, when this was avery new country, I first came into it and begana 
clearing. I will always recollect the trip Isoon afterward made to the home 
of Levi Loomis. He brought into the room for my regalement, a pan of big 
yellow peaches, and I was so delighted with them that I determined to raise 
such if I could; and I went into my cabin soon afterward and began peach 
culture. I said to some neighbors, about this time, that this lake shore was 
peculiarly adapted to fruit raising, and particularly to production of the 
peach. They laughed at me. But now, behold! Look on the other side 
than that of yellows. There is no place on earth where the peach flourishes 
better. 

Lately I saw at Fennville a man who had received alot of peach trees. 
He had them lying open and dry upon the rack of his wagon. I do not do 
so. When I receive my new trees I cover them as carefully as I would a baby. 
I get them in the fall and put them into atrench, laid down, but not covered 
far up their trunks, as doing so makes them tender, and they come 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 145 


out in the spring fresh and thrifty. Don’t let the roots become 
dry. Many have made mistakes as to varieties. There should be 
more late fruit. I spread copperas about the roots of the trees 
and it greatly decreases the borers. Caustic lime will do the same. 
Trees are often ruined by overbearing, and careful, systematic thinning is one 
of our most important duties. This work I do chiefly by means of clipping 
out the little branches. Asarule our trees carry too much tender foliage. 
We sometimes become wear ied with talking over so often these methods of 
growing fruit. But why should we? There are always beginners who need 
just these points, who come to such meetings as this to get them, and it is 
our duty to give them constantly the benefit of our experience. 

Mr. Manwaring: I would first thin by clipping out the limbs and after- 
ward by picking. 

A. Bos: Will thinning to three inches apart do? J. H. Wetmore: I 
would want more, for the large sorts. Clipping is an insufficient way of 
thinning. 

Levi Loomis: Ido not find that copperas will kill the borer, nor ashes, 
salt nor lime. I find no difference between peaches three inches apart, and 
those close together, and would thin to four or more inches. The fruit of 
double buds will do as well together as one would if the other were taken. 

Mr. Corner: For all the use of copperas I take out the grubs by digging, 
and leave the crown dry, as the moth which lays the egg will not so readily 
attack hard and dry surfaces. 

D. W. Wiley: I used to dig the borer every fall and spring; but we waste 
time so. I would not encourage neglect, but after a tree becomes four years 
old, time is lost hunting borers and more harm is done than good by the ordi- 
nary man’s cutting. 

Mr. Hamilton: What is the rule at South Haven? 

A. C. Merritt: We regard thinning as of much importance, but the tree 
must be right before it begins. Some trees [see need the saw first. I begin 
with shears. You must have first your ideal. If a twig that should be left 
has four fruits and is fit for but one, take off three. But take out such 
twigs as should not be there—give light and air to what remain. Proportion 
your fruit nicely. Leave the base peach if it be thrifty, otherwise leave 
some other. Leave apart or in pairs, as may seem best, but three inches is 
too close—four to six is much better. 

J. J. Atherly agreed to the above, adding: Fix the limbs so that they 
will not rub nor whip each other nor their fruit. 

Clark Sheffer: The grub is not stung into the tree. I heap dirt to the 
trees the middle of June and remove it the middle of August, leaving the 
eggs at the surface where they dry. I have but few grubs. ‘This method 
involves labor but it is effectual. Usually trees have too many branches. 
They should be thinned to six to eight inches apart. 


CAN BLIGHT IN PEAR TREES BE PREVENTED? 


was a question upon which Wa. Shirley of Millgrove was to have enlight- 
ened the society from his wealth of experience; but being absent Mr. La- 
Fleur spoke in his place, giving Mr. Shirley’s method with twig blight in the 
pear tree. As soon as an affected tree is discovered, blighted portion is cut 
off and the bark of both limbs and trunk are slit to the wood, several slits 


19 


146 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

being made in each of the large limbs and the body. This stops blight every 
time. He does not know why; but his theory is that in certain conditions 
the leaves fail to elaborate all the sap furnished, and the new growth of bark 
following the slitting affords the needed relief. 

Wm. Corner had tried this method but the trees died of blight just the 
same. Still he believes slitting the bark to bea good practice. 

Mr. LaFleur suggested that Mr. Corner may have left his trees too long 
before trying to save them. 

Joseph Lannin: Blight comes in hot weather, in August, when the hot sun 
comes after rain; and it comes upon all varieties and upon all soils. There 
is such a thing as trees becoming hide-bound. Slitting will relieve this. It 
will also promote the setting of fruit buds, but perhaps, for this end, it is 
not good for the tree.. I have cut out blighted limbs andthe trees have | 
lived. It isnot as prevalent as it was some years ago, and I have not for 
several years seen such weather asI described. There is no danger of over- 
fertilization of the pear tree. 

Mr. Lannin, being asked what pears he would set for profit, said he would 
plant 100 each of these five sorts: Bartlett, Flemish Beauty, Bosc, Louise 
Bonne, Sheldon, Anjou. ‘‘ But you have named six,” said the reporter. 
‘© Well, you may strike out any one of them.”” Mr. Lannin further said he 
would set standards of all varieties except Duchess and Clairgeau. 

President Phillips made brief but earnest and fitly spoken expression of 
thanks to the members for the aid and consideration shown him, and declared 
the pleasing and successful June meeting closed. 


FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING AT PAW PAW, 
DEC. 7-9, 1887. 


The fourth annual meeting of the society was held at Paw Paw, commenc- 
ing Wednesday evening, the 7th, and continuing until Friday noon, the 9th 
of December. The committee on arrangements and reception had made pro- 
vision for the entertainment of members and visitors in attendance at the 
meeting, and also secured the court-house for the society. 

At 7.30 P. M. President Phillips called the meeting to order. The exer- 
cises of the evening opened with singing and instrumental music by a select 
choir, which added much tothe pleasure of the evening and was highly appre- 
ciated by the audience. This was followed by prayer by the Rev. Pellister. 
O. W. Rowland, editor of the True Northerner, delivered an address of wel- 
come, which was responded to by Secretary LaFleur, in the absence of C. L. 
Whitney, of Muskegon, who had been appointed to the task. Further 
remarks of the same order were made by Messrs. H. Dale Adams, of Gales- 
burg, and Joseph Lannin, of South Haven. 

President Phillips delivered his annual address, reviewing briefly the work 
of the society from the beginning, and urging perseverance in the well doing 
so auspiciously begun. 

The remainder of the session was occupied with reports of the apple crop 
of 1886, which was stated to have been of average quantity and quality, or 
better than that. 


Thursday Morning Session. 


At the Thursday morning session the secretary’s report was read and ac- 
cepted. The president named the following committees: 

Resolutions—J. G. Ramsdell of South Haven, H. E. Blackman of Allegan, 
C. J. Monroe of South Haven. é 

Fruit—W. A. Brown of Benton Harbor, H. Ray of Watervliet, A. H. 
Smith of Paw Paw. 

Miscellaneous—H. Dale Adams of Galesburg, W. A. Smith of Benton 
Harbor, W. B. Andruss of Allegan. 

The first topic considered was 


SOIL AND LOCATION SUITABLE FOR THE APPLE ORCHARD. 


W. A. Brown said he would first speak of some locations not adapted to 
fruit growing. Most of the western and northwestern states, especially such 


148 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


states as consist largely of prairie, are not adapted to fruit growing. The 
low temperature during winter and the general level condition of the land is 
not favorable for apple growing. Thousands of dollars had been spent in the 
vain attempt to grow apples. The last attempt is being made by trying to 
grow some of the Russian apples, but they are nearly worthless and are almost 
a failure. In some of the eastern states the old orchards are on the decline, 
and in some parts of Michigan the prospect is none too flattering. Even in 
the states where apple growing is most snccessfully conducted, comparatively 
a small part of the land is really adapted to the successful growing of apples 
for market. The sandy pine land, the low, wet land, and even the clay soil, 
where the clay subsoil retains too much water, or when there is no natural 
drainage on large, level flats that will not admit of tile drainage, are all unfit . 
for apple growing. The apple orchard should be planted on elevations haying 
both water and air drainage. A clay loam or gravelly soil is desirable. The 
northern part of this state is the best at present, due to timber belts. 

W. B. Andruss: I will give some facts concerning my own orchard, in 
regard to elevation, soil and mode of cultivation. My orchard is situated on 
elevated ground; although part of the ground is level, yet it is considerably 
higher than most of the surrounding country. The soil is sandy Joam mixed 
with gravel, and also small and large stones, with not much clay in the sub- 
soil. Ido not prune my trees so severely as many growers do, but keep 
them moderately open to the sun and air. I plow the ground once in three 
or four years shallow. I have a large number of varieties. My orchard has 
paid me much better than other land in ordinary crops. [haye a fair amount 
of applies every year, but large crops the even year. 

H. Dale Adams: Plant the apple orchard on elevated, dry, strong soil, such 
as will grow good crops of wheat and corn. 


VARIETIES FOR HOME USE. 


A. Chatfield: The selection for home use is a matter of taste. Hardly any 
two would select exactly the same list of varieties. Some of the best for 
home use might not be suitable for market apples. There are so many good 
varieties of apple, almost anyone can find some one suited to his taste. The 
Northern Spy has some good qualities. I prefer it to Baldwin. I have ten 
Rhode Island Greening trees, and one Baldwin tree in one row. The single 
Baldwin tree bears more apples than the ten Greenings. ‘The trees stand on 
sandy land. Near by, an orchard on clay soil has several Greening trees 
whieh are quite productive. 

L. H. Bailey has a large apple orchard growing on strong soil which has 
been cared for and kept in good, healthy condition. The trees stand 40x40 
feet each way. ‘This is too close; should prefer 45 to 50 feet. The apples 
that pay best with him are Stark, Baldwin and Ben. Davis. They each bear 
well, keep well and sell well, provided you Jook after the sales and commis- 
sion men yourself. He shipped to one firm thirty barrels of apples and to 
another eight barrels. He received returns of $1.50 per barrel from both 
firms. He sent his son to these commission houses, where he found the 
apples with his name on the barrels. He bought the apples of both the firms, 
paying $2.50 per barrel for both lots, and took receipts for money paid, which 
he handed to his father, L. H. Bailey, who called upon these two commis- 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 149 


sion houses and asked for an explanation. The commission men made the 
matter satisfactory to him! 

W. B. Andruss: I have a large number of varieties in my orchard, consist- 
ing of summer, autumn, and winter apples. They are not equally valuable 
for productiveness and quality. I have secured scions of the different kinds 
aud grafted them into the tops of some of my trees, and in some instances I 
have three or more sorts grafted into one tree. I do this for the purpose of 
testing them. Jn this manner I have tried nearly one hundred varieties. Of 
course, many of them are not worthy of cultivation for market, but the 
quality in some cases is excellent. ‘here is only a comparatively small per- 
centage of this number really valuable for market. I consider the following 
list as embracing the really good dessert apples: Primate, Lowell, Pomme- 
water, Grayenstein, Hawley, Melon, Belmont, Jonathan, Northern Spy, 
Grimes’ Golden. 

J. L. Hopkins: The Baldwin is a valuable apple and has perhaps paid bet- 
ter and been sold for more money than any other one sort; but with all this 
it has some defects. The tree is not hardy, and the quality cannot be said to 
be number one. The Stark is hardy, an immense bearer, keeps better than 
the Baldwin, of better quality, and equal in size and color; it is one of the 
best market varieties for Michigan. 


GRAPES. 


The president here announced that one hour would be devoted to grapes, 
and called upon Joseph Lannin to lead in the discussion of that topic. 

Mr. Lannin’ said elevations having natural air and water drainage, asa 
rule, are better adapted to fruit than level or lower ground. Good strong 
soil should be always preferred. This istrue withthe grape. There are dif- 
‘ferent methods practiced in training the vine, and each has its advocates and 
each has merits in a greater or less degree. More depends upon a good soil 
and location, with a proper care, than upon the particular method of training. 
Like nearly all kinds of fruit, there are comparatively few varieties of grape 
adapted to this section, that can be called profitable. We have black, white, 
red grapes, and some one of each color may be said to be superior to the 
others. Soil, location, and methods of cultivation might change the relative 
value of some of the varieties commonly grown. All things considered, the 
Worden for black, Brighton for red, and Niagara for white, are best. The 
Niagara is perhaps the best white grape. The vine is a strong grower, hardy, 
and productive; the quality is good. He has now 400 Niagara vines in bearing ; 
would plant the Niagara in preference to all others. The Diamond is highly 
spoken of. The Woodruff has some advocates and is undoubtedly a good grape, 
but too late for this part of the state. It is later than the Brighton. 

President Phillips agreed with Mr. Lannin in regard to Worden, Brighton 
and Niagara. In Ottawa and-Kent counties the Niagara is free from rot and 
decidedly the most productive of any variety grown. No other kind yields 
so readily to the influence of proper care and training, or pays better in rich 
returns for fertilizers and culture, than the Niagara. He has forty-one varie- 
ties, but prefers the Niagara to any and all of them. 

C. Engle, of Paw Paw, has grown seedling grapes for several years and is 
testing a large number of such at present. He said not more than one in 
every 100 proved to be better or even as good as the parent variety; had the 


150 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


best results from the seed of Rogers’ Hybrids. Mr. Engle had on exhibition 
eleyen distinct varieties of grape grown from seed, some of which possess real 
merit. They had been kept in paper bags and were in an excellent state of 
preservation. Several grape growers who were present tasted the grapes and 
pronounced them all of fair quality and some of them really fine. Mr. Engle 
has not named these grapes and will not until he has fully tested them all | 
and is ready to place them on the market. 
Adjourned until one’ o’clock P. M. 


Thursday Afternoon Session. : 


The first thing on the programme was a paper by Mr. C. Engle, of Paw Paw, 
on 
VALUE OF PEDIGREE IN FRUITS. 


It is with great diffidence that I produce for the public a paper upon this 
subject about which so little is generally, and I may say positively, known; 
and yet I am a thorough believer in pedigree for fruits, as much so as for 
horses, cattle, or sheep. Perhaps I could do no better than to give you my 
experience, that you may judge whether I have just reason for the faith that is 
within me. Twenty years ago I began planting pits and seeds to raise my own 
nursery stock. The pits (peach) were mostly from Crawford’s Early peaches. 
When budding time came I noticed a good many of the seedlings had the gen- 
eral stocky growth and peculiar yellowish green foliage of the Crawford Early. 
Some of them, about twenty, I set in the orchard without budding. When 
they came to bear, every one of them bore fully as fine fruit, for aught I could 
see, as the budded trees, and some of them I thought a littlesuperior. They 
did not ripen all at the same season. Some were a week or ten days behind, 
none ahead, of the true Crawford’s Karly, but all had the same general char- 
acter of the parent fruit, large size, high color, and rich, yellow flesh. I was 
so well pleased with the result that I planted a lot more of the same kind to 
set in the orchard without budding; and also a lot of Hill’s Chili and Bar- 
nard pits and some Concord and Delaware grape seed. At one year old I set 
in the orchard 500 of each variety of the seedling peaches. In the not very 
elegant but expressive vernacular of the day, I did not ‘‘get left’’ on a single 
tree of the Crawford’s Early. All were good and two I thought worthy of a 
name, and so called them respectively President Lyon and Golden Beauty. 
The former was about one-fourth larger, higher colored, and in my judgment 
better in quality than its parent, ripening at the same time; but unfortu- 
nately it proved quite tender in the bud. The latter has only this to recom- 
mend it above its parent: it sets more buds, nearly double, and they stand 
more freezing. 

Among the Barnards there were but few variations—three, I think; and 
yellow Honest John was one of them. With three exceptions all were true 
Barnards in appearance. And so with Hill’s Chili. But few and slight 
variations were noticeable. A lot of Hale’s Early pits planted at the same 
time proved equally satisfactory. All were as good in quality as the Hale, 
some of them much better. The greater proportion ripened with the Hale, 


¢ 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 151 


some a week to two weeks later. They (the fruit) varied more in general 
contour than any variety I had planted, some being very much elongated, 
like Hill’s Chili, and some very much compressed. But I got no freestone— 
that I was looking for and am looking for yet. 

My next venture was with Crawford’s Late pits. These were planted five 
years ago the past spring and fruited the first time the past season. About 
one per cent were clingstone, and four trees bore oblong peaches like 
Hill’s Chili with the same narrow, pointed pit and solid, rich, yellow flesh. I 
think these were fertilized with pollen from Hill’s Chili, as the trees from 
which the pits were taken were partially surrounded by an orchard of that 
variety. One only was a white peach, which proved to be of superior 
quality. With three exceptions, all (and there were between five and six 
hundred trees ) were true Crawford’s Late, so far as habits of tree and size 
and general appearance of the fruit were concerned. 

Five years ago I first attempted artificial fertilization by using the pollen 
of Hale on Crawford’s Late blossoms. ‘The result was a dozen trees, the 
most of which bore the past summer. Two only showed their breeding and 
bore white-fleshed peaches, the one the shape of Crawford’s Early, with the 
same swollen point, and the other very nearly round, a little compressed. 
Both were as large as Crawford’s Late, ripened a week before Crawford’s, and 
were very good in quality, losing the extreme acidity of the parent on one 
side and the sometimes insipidity of the parent on the other. 

Of the Barnards, Hill’s Chili, and Crawford’s Late, no selection was made. 
but all dug and planted as they came up in the nursery rows. I sometimes: 
think it would have been better to have done the same with the Crawford’s 
Early seedlings. ‘The chances of getting something new would have been: 
greater. One of the rejected seedlings was budded to Crawford’s Late, 
which, after bearing several seasons, wag broken off. The sprouts which 
came up were left to stand and bore fruit, ripening six to eight days sooner 
than Crawford’s Early and otherwise in every respect the rival of that famous. 
- variety. 

So far as these experiments go, I think I can safely say that pedigree does. 
favorably affect progress in securing better varieties. For who would think 
for a moment that the same number of good peaches would have been pro- 
duced had the pits been gathered from good, bad. and indifferent varieties? 

Of grapes, I first planted seeds of Concord and Delaware. There were 
fifty of the Concords, none of which proved of any value. The Delawares 
were so puny I never removed them from the nursery rows. The next 
planted were seed of Salem and Goethe. The Gethe plants proved to be 
weak and puny and so far have borne no fruit. The Salem were strong and 
robust, almost to a plant, and commenced fruiting at from three to five years 
old. Quite a per cent were fairly good grapes and some I thought very good. 
Many were white, some red, and all intermediate shades of color up to black. 
Some were quite early and some too late to ripen in this climate. But I did 
not see my ideal grape among them—one with a vine vigorous, hardy, and 
productive, berry as large as Wilder and as good as Duchess, with clusters 
weighing one, two, or more pounds each. I may not produce such a grape, 
but some one will, I fully believe, and at no very distant day. I have a lot 
of seedling Salems, Ives, Hartfords, and Marthas to plant out the coming 
spring. Also seeds of Salem, Niagara, Iona, Catawba, and Pocklington; 
seeds of Fay’s and Cherry currants; of Gregg and Cuthbert raspberries ; 


152 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


pits of May Duke cherry, and of some of the best of the seedling peaches. 
With the product of some of them I hope to surprise you in the not very 
distant future. 

The question of pollen influences is a vital one in connection with this 
subject. How long may the pollen be detached from the stamens or anthers, 
how far carried by the wind or otherwise, and still retain its vitality or fer- — 
tilizing power? Does the tree or vine, whose seeds have been once impreg- 
nated by pollen from an inferior sort, forever after retain a taint of that 
blood in its system, as is the case in the animal kingdom? 

I have nodoubt, if we could isolate our trees or vines as we can our live 
stock, shut them up as it were, and so prevent impregnation from roadsidé 
scalawags, we could in time establish certain strains or breeds which would 
be just as certain to reproduce their kind as do our domestic animals, the 
Normans, Shorthorns, or Merinos. We can do much toward that end by 
planting only the best varieties and in as large and solid blocks as possible, 
and keeping all frost seedlings and inferior sorts at as great distance as may 
be. Seeds taken from such plantations would almost invariably produce 
good fruit, with the chance that is always before the experimenter in this 
line of producing a superior sort. 


MORE ABOUT GRAPES. 


Resuming the discussion of grapes, H. Dale Adams said he agreed with 
Mr. Lannin, the Worden for black, Brighton for red, and Niagara for white. 
Rot is the worst enemy to the grape; thinks rot more likely to apppear in 
vineyards than on single vines. The grape will grow and thrive on level 
ground provided the water does not come too near the surface. The wild 
grape grows on wet soil and bears annually. 

W. A. Brown: The grape-vine will not do as well on low or level ground as 
on elevations. 

Joseph Lannin: The vine on gouthern slopes will blossom early in spring 
and is sometimes injured by late spring frost. A northwest slope retards the 
blossoming in spring; prefers that from the fact that it is much more safe. 

J.C. Gould preferred a northern slope. It retards blossoming. The grape 
crop had been a very large one and prices ranged low, yet he considered grape 
growing fully as profitable as cultivation of other fruits. 


INSECT ENEMIES OF THE APPLE. 


W. A. Smith, of Benton Harbor, gave a talk upon insect enemies to the 
apple orchard. He commenced by saying those enemies are very numerous 
and apparently on the increase; they commit depredations on both the tree 
and fruit. The borer and the codlin moth are the worst enemies with which 
the fruit grower has to contend, the latter doing the most damage and requir- 
ing the greatest amount of diligence to destroy. If some means is not used’ 
to destroy them or prevent their work upon the apple, they threaten to largely 
reduce the amount of apples grown and compel the fruit growers to suffer 
great loss. Every precaution should be used to prevent the ravishes of this 
terrible pest. The ground in the orchard should be kept free from rubbish, 
such as bark, boards or logs. The bark on the trunks of the trees, well up 
among the limbs, should be scraped off. ‘This will destroy the hiding places 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 153 


where the cocoons are spun, in which they pass the chrysalis state. Various 
methods have been in use to trap and destroy the worms and prevent their 
hatching. Within a few years experiments have been made with the use of 
Paris green, by spraying the trees immediately after the blossoms fall, while 
the apple is very small. ‘This should be repeated in ten days. One pound 
of Paris green mixed with 80 gallons of water is the mixture used. A force 
pump is necessary to spray the trees. ‘The saving of fruit exceeds the 
expense. If every fruit grower understood the effect of spraying his trees, 
and all joined in the work, it seems to me we might drive this pest from 
our orchards. 
PACKING AND SHIPMENT OF APPLES. 


J. C. Gould, of Paw Paw, who has been engaged in shipping apples and 
had large experience, was called upon to give a short talk upon ‘picking, pack- 
ing, and storing apples. He said he had had the best results by following a 
few simple rules. ‘The apples should be ripe on the tree before picking. 
They should then be gathered before they drop or are blown off by the wind. 
It requires some experience and observation to know just when any one 
variety is ripe and readyto gather. If picked too soon they will wilt, destroy- 
ing somewhat the crisp and the flavor of the apple. If left on the tree too 
long they drop or are blown off, causing loss. Autumn apples come into 
condition for picking all through the autumn season. Winter apples of 
different varieties do not all ripen at one time. Some varieties ripen quite 
early while other varieties should remain on the tree much later. Some varie- 
ties will drop off much more readily than others. Apples growing on slender 
twigs will hang much better than those growing on stout, short timbs. All 
these points the intelligent grower will understand by careful observation. 
He should study the habits of each kind of fruit grown by him. When any 
variety of apple is ripe and ready for gathering, place the fruit in barrels and 
put them into a dry, cool place and let them remain standing on end until 
ready for shipping. Then empty them on straw or hay, and sort and repack 
in some barrels, putting in only perfect apples. Care should be used not to 
mix varieties. Place only one kind in each barrel and see that they are 
marked on the head of each barrel the true name of the variety. In this 
manner you Can first ship or sell the varieties that will not keep a long time, 
and retain the good keepers later if desired. Care should be used in handling 
apples, to prevent bruising. The stems should always remain on the apples. 
Never draw your apples to market loose in the wagon-box. ‘They should 
be placed in barrels before leaving the orchard. Very much loss comes by 
improper handling and carelessness in picking. I ship to some special mar- 
ket and usually know beforehand what I am to have. Find a good market 
and ship only good apples. You will then get best prices. 

EK. G. Buel agreed with the last speaker in manner of picking, but thought 
September 25 to October 10 the most favorable time for such work. His 
method for repacking is to place the apples on a table covered with blankets, 
then sort and repack. I have picked, packed and shipped apples immediately, 
and have kept them in barrels for some time, then repacked, sometimes head- 
ing up and shipping soon; have sometimes kept them several weeks after 
they had been repacked. I prefer the latter method. I head them when 
ready to ship. ‘The average farmer is not an adept in handling and selling 


154 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


apples. Such would better sell to shippers direct. They know then exactly 
what they receive for them. This would be found best in the long run. 

J. G. Ramsdell said the farmers that shike off their apples, pick them up 
without sorting, mix several varieties together, and draw them over a dusty 
and rough road in their wagon-boxes, six to eight miles, and then sell them 
for what they can get, are the men that ruin prices by throwing these cheap 
apples on the market. ‘This fixes prices and then it is not so easy to raise 
them. There seems to be no way of reaching these men. They will not at- 
tend fruit growers’ meetings, and many of them read few if any papers pub- 
lished in the interest of fruit growing. 

N. H. Bangs: I am one of those average farmers. Farmers are not all 
well posted in growing and handling apples, neither are they so regardless of 
their own interest as to handle their apples in the manner described. 
Some of them may not be as particular as they should. We have bcen ad- 
vised to sell our apples direct to buyers. When buyers learn to pay a fair 
price for good fruit well handled and delivered in sound condition, perhaps 
farmers will be quite willing to take more pains and deliver their apples in 
good condition. The dealer buys your neighbor’s apples at low figures be- 
cause they are in the bad condition mentioned, then tries to force the price 
down to the same figures for your first-class apples. There is little encourage- 
ment for farmers to handle with care. 


THE AVERAGE FARMER AS A FRUIT GROWER. 


The secretary read a communication from some member of the farmers’ 
club, asking that the society discuss the question, ‘‘ How far should fruit 
growing enter into the business of common farming?” 

D. 8S. Woodman: Farmers ought to grow all the garden truck and fruit 
of all kinds that their families need. This they should do for the comfort 
and health of it. Then, when the location is right and the farmer is inter- 
ested in fruit growing, there is no reason why he may not grow fruit for 
market. He should not attempt too many things or he will fail in all. 

Henry Chatfield said he had grown garden truck and small fruit in con- 
nection with common farming. With proper help to perform the work anda 
competent person to manage, there is no reason why any man may not make 
a success in growing fruit and berries. The orchard requires manure. 
Farmers that keep stock will find that the farm is kept in better condition 
by them for any crop than those that sell everything off from the farm. 

J. J. Woodman: The remark was made last night that Michigan con- 
tained within its limits nearly everything necessary for the support of the 
people. When we consider the timber and minerals, with the varieties of 
grain and vegetables grown, also the fact that we grow every kind of fruit 
that is really necessary to supply our wants, and even many of the luxuries, 
we must admit that her resources are truly wonderful. There is no good 
reason why the farmers may not grow not only farm crops, but fruit aad 
vegetables to supply the family. It may not be advisable for farmers to grow 
small fruits for market in connection with general farming. But where the 
soil and location are favorable, the farmer should grow apples, as no common 
farm crop pays better, if it does as well, as the apple orcharc. Consi/ering 
the amount of fruit grown in Michigan, and the uses to which it may be put, 
it seems to me that its real value has not been appreciated. The vast amount 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWER®S’ SOCIETY. 155 


of fruit grown in this State, and its great value should enter into the statis- 
tical reports as showing the resources of Michigan. The apple is king of 
fruits, as a general fruit for all sections. It enters into more kinds of food, 
in one way and another, for home use, than any other fruit grown. If you 
go south, among the oranges, lemons, bananas, and other tropical fruit, you 
will find that the people there would give more for such a collection of 
apples as we have here on exhibition than for all the tropical fruit they grow. 

W. A. Brown: I shall not advise farmers to attempt the growing of berries 
and small fruits for market. Leave that to small farmers who make a busi- 
ness of growing for market. But every farmer should provide his family with 
berries for table use.- This will not require much labor or expense. 

W. A. Smith: Farmers should grow all the fruit necessary for home use, 
such as apples, pears, peaches, plums, berries and grapes. These should be 
grown in abundance and used freely. Cultivate a taste for fruit—it will pre- 
serve health and save doctors’ bills. 

A. G. Glidden: Some people claim they have no time to care for small 
fruits; they let the grass and weeds grow among the berries and other fruits. 

If these same men would plant only one-half the amount and take proper 
care of that, they would derive not only pleasure but profit; good, fresh, ripe 
fruit saves a great amount of work in the house. 


Thursday Evening Session. 


The session of Thursday evening was begun by the reading of the follow- 
ing paper, by A. H. Smith, of Paw Paw, on 


SURFACE IRRIGATION FOR FRUIT TREES. 


Under ordinary circumstances the roots of a tree extend in a circle whose 
radius is equal to its height. This is proved in a dry season, like the past, 
by the absence of all vegetation within this circle. The tree, having prior 
possession of the ground, absorbs what moisture there is and other vegetation 
makes a sickly growth. 

Those who contemplate surface irrigation of fruit trees should procure a 
rain-guage and keep a correct record of rainfall during the growing months 
of the year, or from April 1 to October 1. From records made at Lansing, 
during a period of ten years, we find the average rainfall per month during 
the growing season to be 3.40inches. Taking out two extremely wet seasons— 
1880 and ’83—and the average for the remaining eight years is only 2.77 
inches per month. Even this is probably in excess of the requirements of 
the tree, for during the hard showers, as soon as the ground is saturated, the 
water runs off and its benefits are lost. Probably two inches per month 
would be a safe basis to work from. This would amount to 392 gallons for 
each tree whose roots extend in a radius of ten feet. This would be about 
eight oil or naphtha barrels full of water. Nature usually supplies this amount, 
and in some instances more than five times as much water has fallen from 
the clouds in a single month, or at the rate of forty barrels per tree. Is it 
any wonder that the fruit rots under such conditions? Taking two inches 


156 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


as the requirements of the tree, our aim is to supply the deficiency, if any, as 
recorded by the rain-gauge. To illustrate: Suppose that up to a certain 
date we have more than the required two inches per month rainfall; 
or to be more accurate, one-half inch per week. It should be remembered 
that the rainfall must be well distributed, at intervals, to be effective. 
Now come two weeks with no rain. We give the tree two barrels 
of water, more or less, in proportion to its size, equal to one-half 
inch of rainfall. If another week passes with no rain and no prospect of 
any, we must repeat the application. It is expensive but I think no man 
eyer lost a dollar in this way, provided he did the work thoroughly. Another 
consideration: Work is at a stand still, except with those who believe in the 
theory of constant cultivation, during a drouth. We have lost faith in 
that theory here. In looking over the reports for a series of ten years, I 
find but one month during the summer season when the rainfall was less 
than one inch. It will usually be found that a barrel or two of water, 
applied just at the critical period, will insure a full crop of fine specimens, 
while if we wait a few days, hoping for rain, and it does not come, the crop 
is ruined as far as size and quality go. 


In Michigan we are obliged to use mechanical means for irrigation. Water 
must be drawn in barrels or tanks from adjoining lakes and streams, or a 
windmill and reservoir can be built upon the highest ground in the orchard. 
In using well water for irrigation, care must be taken that the temperature is 
not below that of the surface soil. If cold water is used direct from the 
pump, more harm than good will result, especially with young trees. The 
cost of irrigating fruit trees with windmill and tank would be expensive except 
in very favorable locations;but it might be used for strawberries or garden truck 
and made profitable. Water hauled in barrels a distance of. one-half mile will 
cost from ten to fifteen cents per barrel of fifty gallons. In case of peaches, 
a barrel of water applied when the tree really needs it, thatis, about ten days 
or two weeks before the fruit ripens, will pay from one to five times the cost 
of application. If the tree should be large and the ground extremely dry, 
several barrels might be applied with proportionately profitable results. I 
think it is safe to say that peaches and plums will stand any ordinary drouth 
if given plenty of water about two weeks before they ripen. In proof of this 
theory, Smock and Salway peaches withstood the long summer’s drouth, and 
copious rains,coming just before they ripened,produced a crop fully equal to the 
average, Pears and apples need a reasonable supply of moisture all through 
the season. A few experiments may be instructive. Two Flemish Beauty 
pear trees standing side by side, called in the plainest language for, moisture. 
About one-half of the foliage was gone and the half-grown pears were begin- 
ning to drop. A barrel of water was rolled to one tree and allowed to run 
out slowly. ‘T'wenty-four hours later the difference in foliage was noticeable. 
The watered tree stopped dropping its foliage and fruit, while the tree not 
watered continued to drop both. ‘This tree then received a barrel of water 
with the same results, but the twenty-four hours’ difference in time of appli- 
cation was never made up. ‘The first tree watered had the largest pears and 
the most foliage. A Damson plum tree began to drop its fruit on account of 
drouth. A hole was dug about four feet from the trunk, large enough to 
hold a barrel of water. No fruit dropped after the application, but as the 
drouth continued we repeated it a week later. After this showers came to 
our relief and we harvested a fine crop of plums. At the first picking of Hale’s 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 157 


Early peaches, the fruit on several trees standing on a sandy ridge was found 
to be green and shriveled and about the size of hickory nuts. These trees 
had not been properly thinned, and carried too many peaches to ripen well 
except in a favorable season. It was supposed that the fruit was past recovery, 
but as an experiment a barrel of water was applied to each tree. This revived 
them perceptibly. Several days later the ground was well soaked by rains 
and the fruit ripened perfectly, although rather small and a week or more 
later than trees on heavier soil. Three Smock trees stand in sod near the 
house where they can not be well cultivated. Two of them received no water 
and bore no fruit. ‘The third received five barrels of water, or two hundred 
and fifty gallons, at intervals during the summer whenever the ground 
seemed very dry. Notwithstanding the tree had stood in sod and had 
received no cultivation for two years, it bore nearly a bushel of quite large 
Smocks. If the tree had been cultivated, probably one-half the amount of 
water would have produced the same results. The experiments undoubtedly 
prove that surface irrigation during a drouth will enable a tree to ripen a full 
crop, when if neglected a crop of small, inferior, and often worthless fruit 
will surely result. 

The time has come when we must adopt a more intensive method of culti- 
vation. The man who thoroughly cultivates a few acres, looks after the 
wants of each individual tree or vine, and never tires of studying their vary- 
ing characteristics, is the one who will ultimately succeed. 

A. C. Glidden of Paw Paw followed with a paper on ‘‘ Vitality of Apple 
Orchards.”’ 


PRUNING AND GENERAL CARE OF APPLE ORCHARDS. 


J. G. Ramsdell of South Haven said: The decline or the bad condition 
of so many apple orchards, is the result of bad management and improper 
pruning or no pruning at all, and in some instances they have been allowed 
to overbear without returning to the soil the necessary amount of manure 
to supply the elements to produce fruit. Constant draft upon the soil will 
in time starve any fruit tree which bears annually. The treesshould not be 
allowed to carry too much top. If apple trees are properly pruned and fed 
from year to year, and not allowed to oyerbear, they will, if the location and 
soil be what it should be, remain in healthy and thrifty condition very much 
longer than many of the orchards to be found in every locality. 

H. Dale Adams: I don’t agree with Brother Ramsdell. Don’t trim the 
tree at all if you want to preserve its vitality. Pruning and overbearing 
are the causes of the decline in many cases. Near my farm stands an old 
apple orchard, planted by the Indians. It has never been pruned and has 
borne but little fruit; yet it is in apparently good condition. The old apple 
orchards planted by the Indians were found in good, sound condition and con- 
tinued so much longer than trees planted in later years by the white settlers 
and cared for. 

J. G. Ramsdell: The statement made by Bro. Adams is not proof that the 
no-pruning system was the cause of the health and longevity of the Indian 
orchards. At that time the soil was new, containing all the elements neces- 
sary to grow any fruit tree. The forest trees were then mostly standing, 
affording protection. At that time and until most of the forest trees had 
been destroyed, the peach grew and bore large crops of fruit; but from some 
cause a change has come. This may be observed in many other things 


158 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


grown besides fruit. I attribute this to a want of some element in the soil 
which has been exhausted by constant drafts without replenishing by fer- 
tilization. 

W. A. Brown: Ido not believe in severe pruning. Never cut off large 
limbs. If we grow good fruit we must have air and sunlight, and this can 
be regulated by moderate pruning. There is something about the condition 
of the soil and climate quite different from what it was in the early his- 
tory of fruit growing in Michigan. The trees planted at this time and for sey- 
eral years past are mostly grafted in the root; also some of the best and lead- 
ing varieties are somewhat tender. While improving the quality of the 
fruit grown now, we may have lost some of the hardiness of the tree. 

H. E. Blackman: Much depends upon the time the trees are pruned. 
There is considerable difference of opinion as to the best time. Every fruit 
grower should observe carefully the effect of pruning at different seasons of 
the year. This is a question worthy of investigation. We can only arrive 
at definite conclusions through a series of experiments at different seasons of 
the year and on trees growing in different soil. One well established fact, 
arrived at through well conducted experiments by different men, is of much 
more value than any amount of theory. Maple trees should not be pruned 
until the danger of the sap running out is past. Trim maple trees in June or 
last of May, but never in winter or early spring. 

Norman Phillips: One cause of loss of vitality of apple trees may be traced 
to the bark louse. No tree can grow which is covered with lice. They are 
much more common than most people would believe, and it might be well 
for farmers to examine their trees and if they are infested with the bark lice, 
they may be easily destroyed by painting the bark of the tree with a mixture 
of pine tar and linseed oil—equal parts boiled together and applied well up 
on the limbs. This will destroy the lice and not injure the tree. 


SOME MORE ABOUT PEACHES. 


The subject of peach growing was commenced for discussion. C. Engle of 
Paw Paw, who has been engaged in growing peaches from the pit for several 
years, was called upon for a short talk. He had planted pits from many of 
the best varieties. Some sorts will reproduce themselves from the pit more 
often than others. Pits planted from the same tree will produce many dif- 
ferent sorts, some ripening early and others late. I find the best results from 
planting the Crawford pits, although pits from Hill’s Chili will often come 
true. Many good varieties have been produced from Hill’s Chili pits. The 
Barnard will often reproduce itself from pits. He plants selected pits from 
the best varieties, and in this manner has produced some valuable new varieties 
of peach. : 

C. J. Monroe asked Mr. Engle if he were to plant out a new peach orchard 
of 1,000 trees which would he prefer, trees grown from pits or trees grown in 
nursery and budded. Mr. Engle said he should prefer the trees grown from 
pits. 

C. J. Monroe: Will you give the method you would adopt in growing these 
trees from the pits and your method of selecting? 

Mr. Engle: I should first select the pits from the best varieties and plant. 
When ready for planting I should select the most promising trees. The tree 
is an indication of what the fruit will be. By long experience and careful 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 159 


observation I am enabled to judge quite accurately by the tree. I am so 
well satisfied with my experiments that I will continue them in the future. 

H. Dale Adams had visited Mr. Engle and examined some of the trees 
grown from pits; thinks Mr. Engle is doing much for the benefit of fruit 
growers, who will receive the benefit of such experiments. Mr. Adams once 
received a peck of pits of the Hill’s Chili. They were planted and nearly all 
produced Hill’s Chili of fine quality. 

W. A. Brown said there are trees grown from Hill’s Chili pits, some of 
which are an improvement on the budded trees commonly sold. 


Friday Morning Session. 


The secretary and treasurer made reports which were accepted and adopted. 
nae following officers were then elected: 

{*: President—Walter Phillips of Grind Haven. 

» Vice- Presidents—W. A. Brown of Benton Harbor, J. G. Ramsdell of South 
Haven, H. H. Holt of Muskegon, H. Linderman of Casco, Benton Gebhardt 
of Mears, Oceana county. 

~ Executive Board—Joseph Lannin of South Haven, W. A. Brown of Benton 
Harbor, H. Dale Adams, Galesburg, A. C. Glidden of Paw Paw, William B. 
Andruss of Allegan. 

Secretary—G. H. LaFleur of Allegan. 

Treasurer—W. A. Smith of Benton Harbor. 


FRUIT EXCHANGES. 


A. C. Glidden, who had met the secretary of the Delaware Fruit Exchange, 
and received from him an explanation of the working of the exchange in that 
state, was called upon. He explained the working plan and the results of 
the past year, which had been very satisfactory, both to fruit growers and 
buyers. He hoped that steps to organize afruit exchange in this state would 
be taken soon. This should be commenced at once, that we may receive the 
benefit the coming year. Michigan produces a large amount of fruit, com- 
mencing with the strawberry in June and continuing until the close of the 
year. Our present system of selling subjects the shipper to much loss and in 
some instances to entire loss. Combination is necessary to systematizing or 
regulating the methods for the sale of fruit. Mr. Glidden read from a Cali- 
fornia paper an article explaining the method adopted and the results of the 
’ past year’s experience in that state. 

W. A. Brown: The tendency is toward combination for self-protection 
against the imperfect methods in practice both among commission men and 
the fruit growers themselves in the handling and sale of all kinds of fruit. 
We have a great diversity of fruit in Michigan. The question is, how and 
where can we place it on the market to the best advantage? 

G. H. LaFleur: Soon after the organization of this society, A. S. Kedzie, 
of Grand Haven, urged the importance of some combination by which fruit- 
growers could adopt better methods for placing their fruit in the hands of 
consumers. ‘That the importance of this question is fully realized by many, 


160 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
_ 

if not every member, may be inferred from the fact that the matter has come 
up at almost every meeting of this society in the past. But no definite action 
has been taken to unite in the formation or adoption of plans that could be 
put into general practice. This society is composed of members coming from 
different parts of the State. This fact renders it the more difficult for us to 
adopt any plan which can be entered into by all the members. The time has 
arrived when some definite action should be taken, looking to the formation 
of a fruit exchange for the benefit of the fruit growers of western Michigan. 
I think if anything of the kind is accomplished it must be through interested 
frnit growers who shall organize and elect officers and act independently of 
other organizations. I would recommend that the president appoint a com- 
mittee of three, for the purpose of organizing a fruit exchange, and I will 
ask W. A. Smith, of Benton Harbor, to offer some such resolution. Mr. 
Smith then offered a resolution to that effect, which was adopted. The chair 
appointed as such committee W. A. Smith, A. C. Glidden, and J. G. Rams- 
dell. 

The committee met immediately and decided to issue a call for a meeting 
of fruit growers at South Haven, some time in January, for the purpose of 
organizing a fruit exchange. 

The customary resolutions of thanks were adopted, and an invitation 
accepted to meet in Benton Harbor the ensuing summer. 


REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FRUITS. 


Your committee on fruits would respectfully report as follows: 

The exhibit of apples made by W. B. Andruss of Allegan is exceedingly fine, 
and being composed largely of new and comparatively rare varieties is worthy. 
of special commendation. Included in this exhibit we find perfect specimens 
of Wealthy, Melon, Shiawassee, Stark, Hubbardston, Mother, Ostend Green- 
ing, and other varieties. The thanks of the society are due Mr. Andruss for 
his exhibit, also for his remarks regarding the qualities and characteristics of 
new apples exhibited. 

Mr. Hopkins of South Haven exhibited specimens of a new and rare apple 
known as ‘‘Richard’s Graft.’? This apple is grown by B. S. Williams of 
Saugatuck, who has several trees in full bearing. The apple is very large, is 
striped with deep red ona yellow surface, and is of the best mild sub-acid 
flavor. The season is late autumn, going to market soon after Maiden Blush 
and it sells at a better price than other apples of its season. 

H. Ray of Watervliet placed some fine specimens of the Mann and Jonathan. 

C. Engle of Paw Paw exhibited sixteen varieties of grape, thirteen of which 
are seedlings originated by him. These grapes are all remarkably well preserved, 
and comprise all the colors and many of the qualities and characteristics of the - 
new and best seedling grapes. We find one white, one red, and one or two 
black varieties, which are of excellent appearance and good quality. 

Mr. Engle informs us that some early varieties are more promising than the 
varieties on exhibition. He has produced all these grapes from seeds of the 
Salem and they are selections from a very large number of seedlings grown 
by him. The thanks of the fruit growers of western Michigan are due to Mr. 
Engle for his intelligent and persevering efforts in propagating new and val- 
uable grapes and peaches, as manifested in his orchards, and as will appear in 
the records of this meeting. 


FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING, AT FENN VILLE, DEC. 
18-20 1888, 


One of the most valuable meetings ever held by Michigan pomologists was 
that of the West Michigan Fruit Growers’ Association, which opened in Fenn- 
ville the evening of Dec. 18. Its value consisted chiefly in the practical 
character of most of the papers and discussions; but aside from this, there 
was begun a movement to secure cheaper and better transportation by rail to 
Chicago of the fruit crop of this section of the state, which has good promise 
of success. Its establishment would revolutionize that branch of the fruit 
growing business and save annually thousands of dollars to the producers. 

There was a fair attendance when President Phillips called to order and 
announced music by the Fennville band, and then introduced State Senator 
~ McCormick for the address of welcome. 

Mr. McCormick alluded to the many glorious advantages and resources of 
our country and specially extolled Michigan and her famous fruit belt, defin- 
ing the latter as ‘‘a narrow strip from Grand Traverse to Berrien.” 
Declaring his pride in the work of the horticultural societies of the state, for 
their aid in advancing and enlightening the fruit growers, he paid deserved 
compliments to “‘the Lyons, the Garfields, the Phillipses, and the LaF leurs.” 
He praised the pioneers of our state and the wives who so bravely shared 
their labors; thanked the Fennville business men’s association for their 
complete provision for entertainment of the visitors, and extended to the 
latter a cordial welcome. og ie 

To this Mrs. N. H. Bangs, of Paw Paw, thus fitly responded :¥j 

We have come to a period in our history when anything that savors of 
antiquity has an interest and charm for us. Pictures and pottery dug from 
the ruins of Pompeii bring fabulous sums. Even an article of common 
stone-china, if it has reached the age of one century, outranks its more 
modern sisterhood, takes upon itself airs, graduates from the dining-room to 
the parlor, and, smiling down upon us from the mantel, seems to tell us 
stories of our ancestors and the long ago. If by reason of grea. strength or 
careful usage its age is lengthened, its value is correspondingly increased. 

Freemasonry asserts for itself an early beginning in the chronicles of the 
world. I may not be well versed in their theories, but I think some writers 
say the order antedates the flood—at least the building of Solomon’s temple— 
which, upon the theory of the ‘‘survival of the fittest,” gives them great 
respectability and aclaim upon us for veneration for the organization. 

Agriculture, for the last century or more, has been demanding greater 
prominence among the professions as her due, basing the same upon her early 
origin and the dignity of her work, and now it stands as the peer of any, 
recognized by all as a power to be courted by those aspiring to high places. 


21 


162 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Agriculturists, with their twin companions, horticulturists, have an estab- 
lished claim to being the oldest known workers. 

Tonight you have welcomed to your midst a branch of this great body. 
Fruits have been brought by different members and placed upon the stands. 
Prominent there, as everywhere, is the apple. Daily upon our tables and 
hourly in the hands of the children, it seems to be the most important, 
standing in the same relation to all fruit that bread does to all food. The 
word comes to us from the old Anglo-Saxon, its orthography from the Danes, 
and to them it signified ‘‘all fruit,’? but in our later years, fruit without a 
stone. Among the Greeks there were twenty-two varieties known, among 
them the custard apple which was sold upon the street by mongers called 
custard-mongers; and now we have costermongers, the word remaining to 
us, although this variety of apple is lost. 

The apple of Sodom, of which Chateaubriand and Josephus speak, travel- 
ers tell us, still grows by the Dead sea, still fair to look upon but bitter to 
the taste. 

From the Narrows to the Golden Gate, Michigan fruit is sought for. 
Traveling in the south, Michigan apples are found upon the bill of fare. So 
popular is this fruit that it has come to be one of the tricks of trade to give 
this name to any thing of the species of apple. 

Tonight, in well-chosen words, you have given greeting to the fruit grow- 
ers of western Michigan, and extended to them the hospitalities of your vil- 
lage and your homes, which we accept as an earnest of your good will and 
faith in the brotherhood—a brotherhood made honorable not only by lapse 
of time, but as well by the character of the employment and its beneficent 
influence upon those employed, thus being akin to the culture of flowers and 
music in the family. 

If he be ‘‘ a benefactor who causes two blades of grass to grow where but 
one grew before,’’ what shall be said of him who propagates, raises, and even 
introduces new varieties of fruit, as well as studies to make the most of each 
tree and plant? 

The consumption of good, ripe fruit is health-giving, and in some instances 
life-giving, and in all cases reduces the doctor’s bills. 

We come to you for another interchange of experiences, to give and to re- 
ceive, together to hear the lessons of the past recited, to tell of our hopes 
and plans, and to peer into the future, as far as we may, with a Vision born 
of the failure and success of the past. 

For the association I have great expectations; for, if such be LaFleur, 
what must the fruiting be? 

I hope neither at this meeting nor any other will a careless or designing 
hand toss the apple of discord into your midst, but that all may remain, as 
now, contented and harmonious; and I should be very glad if at some time 
in the not distant future, Mr. McCormick, your position and mine might be 
reversed, and that I might welcome to my own village of Paw Paw the fruit 
growers of western Michigan. 

After another selection by the band, President Phillips read his annual 
message, as follows: 

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN—According to an established usage of this and 
other societies, it becomes my duty at this our fifth annual meeting to 
deliver an address. Just what the character of this address shall be is not 
so clearly defined. I will remark first, that we meet this evening under 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 163 


different circumstances than we did four years ago, at our first annual meet- 
ing, held at this place. At that time we were in our infancy, few in number 
—on trial before the people—engaged in solying the problem whether the 
fruit interest of western Michigan demanded the existence of our society or 
not; and as I reflect upon that meeting and recall some of its discouraging 
features I am led to thank God that there were then a few brave hearts that 
stood firm under the banner of pomology, until today finds this organization 
doing anoble work, occupying a place in the front ranks with similar socie- 
ties engaged in developing fruit culture to its highest standard. And while 
we are thus encouraged, let us remember our mission is still before us. The 
loye of home is dear everywhere, but nowhere more so than in Michigan. 
Here we have all the natural elements to adorn and beautify our homes. But 
it is left to pomology and horticulture to furnish instruction and teach us 
how to use these elements to the best alvantage. Nothing has done more to 
place our state in the front ranks of the leading states of this Union, than 
horticulture and pomology. Our exalted mission can only be fulfilled by 
much and faithful labor. Our mission is to give knowledge and infuse’ 
enthusiasm into each other, and to sympathize with and help each other in 
our labors in this high calling. This alone would pay us for coming together 
in these annual gatherings, even if we had no set speeches or papers. 

Let us also remember that theory and philosophy can not do much for us. 
If ever pomology and horticulture become great arts, it must be by the 
experiments and efforts of fruit growers themselves. To-day there is much 
confusion in the art and practice of fruit growing—such as the different 
varieties of fruit to raise for profit; the manner of cultivating the same; best 
modes for handling and packing; also the best form and style of packages 
to be used for the different varieties of fruit—all these questions are more or 
less involved in doubt, and on many of these points two parties could be 
arrayed, nearly equal in numbers. ‘These things ought not to be. As those 
who are interested, it is our duty to clear up these doubts and to render more 
certain every process of fruit growing. We should, by practice and not by 
theory, prove all things and hold fast to that which is good. 

Let us also cultivate social intercourse. Especially should we as fruit 
growers take this matter into consideration, and now, as the long winter 
evenings are with us, let each one see what can be done in his own vicinity, 
among his neighbors, to secure some of the advantages of meeting our friends 
for social enjoyment and improvement. It is thus we are here today. The 
natural result of this social intercourse is to produce certain qualities of* 
character. 

Some one has said, the true way to be a gentleman or lady is to cultivate 
the heart. Kindness of heart is the crowning grace of social life, and pro- 
duces within us charity and love for others. What blessings follow from 
such a charity! The kind-hearted and benevolent live beloved, they die 
lamented. ‘Their memory, like the summer twilight after the sun has gone 
down, remains calm and pleasant in our hearts forever. 

As regards the crop of fruit on this lake shore the past season, it has been 
an abundant crop, at least of most kinds. Especially the crop of peaches 
wasa large one. Fruits of all kinds were late in ripening, owing to Cool 
weather during summer and early fall. In consequence of late ripening, 
early frosts, and the large amount of fruit thrown on the market, prices were 
low. Particularly was this the case with peaches, large growers of this favor- 


164 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


ite fruit, in many instances, not being able more than to pay expenses. And 
this fact gives rise to a question which this society ought to consider and 
determine, viz: Is it not better, instead of making peaches an entire specialty, 
to plant more pears, apples and grapes, and so, as the farmer says, have 
mixed husbandry? 

And now it becomes my painful duty to note the fact that death in the 
past year has entered our ranks and taken one of our honored and leading 
members to his reward and rest. I refer to the death of the Hon. Harvey 
Campbell Sherwood, of Watervliet; he was, at the time of his death, first 
vice-president of this society, and has held that position since its first organ- 
ization. Mr. Sherwood was a true gentleman in tke full meaning of the 
word; was a man of high social and intellectual qualities, and one of sterling 
integrity of character. In 1870 he left his friends and a pleasant home in 
central New York, and with his wife and son came to Watervleit, Berrien 
county, and took an unimproved tract of 400 acres within two miles of 
Watervliet station and made what is now known as Lakeview farm, one of 
the finest fruit and grain farms in western Michigan. His presence will be 
much missed in our councils and his conservative advice in matters of 
importance to this society will never again be given. But let us ever strive 
to emulate his example and cherish his memory. 

IT am pleased to note the fact that our worthy secretary has gathered and 
compiled for publication, and forwarded to the preper officials, to be pub- 
lished in the coming state reports, all of the main proceedings of our society 
since its first organization. ‘This has involved an immense amount of labor 
on his part, and I would recommend that this society devise some means 
whereby the secretary may be compensated for his labor. In conclusion let 
me say, let us work on united. Let harmony prevail in all our councils; let 
us haye no divisions or dissensions; let us all work for the best good of the 
society, having forbearance and charity one for the other, and God will bless 
our labors and reward them bountifully. 

Following this, reports as to the results of the past season were called for, 
the chair designating reporters for the several localities. 


THE RECORD OF A VERY POOR SEASON. 


R. Morrill, Benton Harbor: Strawberries were injured by frost, May 22, 
and the vines had been harmed by two preceding dry seasons. There was a 
light crop of good berries which sold at a higher average price than in any 
season for fifteen years. There were about 50,000 cases as against three or 
four times as many in preceding seasons. ‘There was an average crop of rasp- 
berries; a good crop of blackberries, of fine quality and satisfactory price. 
There was nearly a failure of the apple crop. ‘The bloom was sufficient, but 
injury was done by succeeding cold weather. Pears were very good. We have 
no peaches of any account, as yet, but 300,000 trees have been set the past 
three years. No yellows has yet appeared and we had a few good peaches this 
season. Melons are a crop peculiar to us. Shipments aggregated 70,000 
cases and prices were low because of overproduction. The first bloom of the 
grapes was killed by frost and the secondary buds made a crop of inferior 
quality. : 

W. A. Smith, Benton Harbor: Mr. Morrill has fully covered the ground. 
We had no good grapes after the Delaware, because of cold weather. Such 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, 165 


seasons we are likely to have every three or four years. The two preceding 
seasons ripened our grapes to perfection. 

O. Beebe, South Haven: Strawberries did not yield well, because the vines 
were few, but we had good fruit and prices; raspberries and blackberries were 
a fair crop; apples, a third of a crop and not good; pear trees were loaded 
with fruit which brought paying prices; peaches were many, but undersize, 
of bad quality, and brought poor prices. Some vineyards gave excellent 
fruit, but in many, because of the cold autumn, the grapes did not ripen—in 
some they even were not harvested. 

S. G. Sheffer, Casco: What Mr. Beebe said is true also of my vicinity. 
‘Some men had pretty fair crops but most of them had quite the opposite. 
Apples were very poor, as a rule, though a few were fine. One vineyardist 
left his vines flat on the ground, with neither stakes nor trellises, and got 
very fine, ripe grapes of good size. Small fruits, what few we raise, were 
good enough. 

This statement as to grapes caused a brief discussion, in which Mr. Beebe 
explained that in this exceptional case the grapes were ripened by the extra 
heat they received from reflection of the sun’s rays from the earth. While it 
was cool it was also very dry, so that they did not rot. Usually, with such 
treatment, there would not have been one ripe grape. 

H. H. Hayes, Talmadge, Ottawa county: We had good grapes, apples and 
peaches in my vicinity. 

H. H. Ray of Watervliet stated substantially the same as Messrs. Morrill 
and Beebe. 

R. Morrill: There are many grapes at Berrien Springs, fifteen miles back 
from the lake, on high ground, and there the Concords were this year per- 
fect, and it is always so. ‘They are away from the chill of the lake. 

W. 5. Andruss, Allegan: Apples were pretty good—fairer and batter than 
last year, at least; grapes ripened well and pears were extra; peaches were good 
in some places and in others quite poor, and good prices were paid for all 
that were of fair quality; of quinces there was a very large crop but low 
prices; cherries were a good crop. 

It was asked why there were good prices for peaches in Allegan when quite 
the opposite was reported from the lake shore. Mr. LaFleur explained that 
the reasons were two. The crop is not as large as here, though there are 
some growers of 3,000 bushels or so; and nearly all of it was sent east, south- 
east, and south (to Indiana), mainly reaching points not supplied from 
Chicago. 

Geo. W. Chubb, Lisbon, Ottawa county: Our peaches were few, not as 
good as those of last year, and were marketed in Grand Rapids at paying 
prices—$1.25 to $2 per bushel, except on one day when they went down to 
75 cents. Grapes ripened fully in some vineyards but not in others; and he 
asked why this was so. 

President Phillips said the difference in this case was doubtless due to the 
variation in pruning and thinning. 

Levi Loomis, Ganges: Peaches were in number large; in size, quality, and 
price, quite unsatisfactory. All the orchards suffered from drouth and 
afforded no profit. There were but few good apples. Grapes were a failure, 
except that near Fennville some Niagaras matured. 

President Phillips: Moore’s arly, Worden, Brighton, Massasoit, and 
Niagara ripened and were harvested. The Concord did not mature with me, 


166 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


nor generally in my vicinity. I practice pinching back bearing canes to the 
second or third leaf from the fruit. 

B. Gebhardt, Mears, Oceana county: Plums and pears were fair and 
brought good prices; early peaches the same, but later ones did not do as 
well; plums were not a large crop, through better than the year before, and 
brought good prices; grapes were almost a failure. Our area of peach trees 
about equals that of plums now, but we are setting four peaches to one plum. 
Asmany fruit trees will be set next spring as the whole setting of four or 
five preceding years. Some large farms will be wholly set to fruit. Our 
peaches sold at 90 cents to $1 per bushel, plums $2 to $3 net. We sell our 
plums in Milwaukee and Chicago, sending by boat from Ludington. They 
are a sure crop, though some varieties are not full each year unless thinned 
and fertilized. 

A. C. Glidden, Paw Paw: I have but little to report, for not much fruit is 
grown in my locality. The strawberry crop was cut short by the previous 
year’s drouth. Apples were hurt when small by a hot wind which blasted the 
leaves, causing many to afterward turn yellow and fall; and were further 
harmed by drouth. The same wind damaged other trees and oats as well. 
I sprayed my apple trees twice, and, whether by that cause or some mere co- 
incidence, I had better apples than my neighbors. 

A. Bartholomew, of Keelersville, Van Buren county, reported the same as 
Mr. Glidden, as to strawberries, cherries and apples; and agreed with him as to 
occurrence of a hot wind and its effects. 


Wednesday Morning Session. 


The Wednesday morning session was opened with prayer by the Rey. Duns- 
more of Fennyille—a proceeding quite unusual to meetings of fruit growers. 
But the prayer could not have been considered greatly out of place by even the 
most skeptical, for it was quite as much to the point, in a horticultural sense, 
as a good deal of the other talk of such occasions. 

President Phillips announced the following committees: 

Resolutions—A. C. Glidden, R. Morrill, Benton Gebhardt. 

Fruit—Alexander Hamilton, Geo. 8. Chubb, J. W. Humphrey. 

Miscellaneous Business—Wm. Corner, William B. Andruss,D. W, Hinman. 

To the latter committee was referred President Phillips’ message. 

Mr. A. C. Glidden of Paw Paw began the practical work of the session by 
reading the following paper on 


THE ROOTS OF TREES AND PLANTS. 


It is not my purpose on this occasion to give a scientific treatise on the 
roots of plants, even if I had the ability and qualifications necessary for it; 
but simply to start in your minds some inquiries—possibly by some suggestions 
of my own—that shall lead you to study the requirements of the tree or plant 
which comes through the agency and medium of the roots. We know so lit- 
tle of what is going on beneath an inch or two of soil, that it is not surpris- 
ing if we at times work an injury tothe tree or plant, through our misapplied 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, 167 


zeal to be doing something to promote their growth, and increase their fruit- 
fulness. 

Much of what is really known concerning the office of roots is determined 
by analogy. All animal creatures inspire or respire or perspire and in that 
act, or by it, they retain life and vigor. ‘They also assimilate nutrition and 
come to perfection in the degree of its plenitude. Animal foods are various 
in character, to suit the wants of the various organisms demanding “daily 
bread.’’ Even the sponge—that connecting link between the animal and the 
vegetable kingdom—is known to suck the sea water through the many chan- 
nels of its substance and eject it in streams from cone-shaped mouths at its 
upper surface. So we know that along the roots somewhere, and possibly 
over their whole surface, are little mouths through which the plant receives 
the pabulum upon which its structure is built. As the nectar of the sea water 
nourishes the sponge, so.the juices of the earth—in meagre supply or abund- 
ance—are sucked up and sent along the sinuous channels of the woody fiber 
until, strained and distilled of its earthy salts, to be given up as food, the 
pure, surplus waters as set free in vapor from the leaves. 


THE PROCESS OF NUTRITION. 


To intelligently furnish that aid to plant growth which we desire, it is 
necessary for us to know in what manner and under what conditions the 
plant receives and requires the nutrition to be presented. The roots evident- 
ly do not come up like lambs to a trough of corn and devour solid particles 
of food, so that dumping a pile of manure about the trunk of a tree is in no 
sense furnishing adequate supplies of food. If this is done the day the tree 
is set out, two very important principles in plant growth are subserved: 
The percolatiag juices which the rains bring down in the earth, furnish the 
first protruding fibers of rootlets with a rich renewal of growth, and also con- 
serves by its cool covering the moisture already found inthe soil. Every tree 
planter has noticed that before any evidence of life is present in the branches 
of the young tree he is setting, there will be little white hair-like radicles 
coming from under the bark where the roots have been severed, and these 
doubtless furnish to the tree its new life and growth. And so at every 
recurring period of growth new roots form first and this new formation is 
determined by the conditions of soil which warrant a continued supply of 
food within easy reach. As the tree spreads its branches wider, so the roots 
make constant incursions and invasions into the unexplored strata, wider and 
deeper and constantiy asking of the soil what it can do for the parent tree. 
When rich deposits of food are found, there the white radicles protrude in 
force and the little spongioles at the ends absorb the juices, which are for- 
warded by little elevator tubes to the great laboratory of the leaves, where it 
is transmuted into fragrance, fermented into acids or fused into sweets, 
becoming blossom and leaf, and ending in fruitage at last. 


THERE ARE TWO CLASSES OF ROOTS, 


the primary or true and the secondary or adventitious. The primary root is 
formed by the direct elongation of the radicle. The secondary root does not 
proceed from any definite point, and its development depends upon favorable 
external circumstances. When the conditions of soil are naturally fayorable 


168 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


to the growth of trees or plants, or are made so by fertilizers or tillage, then 
these foraging parties come out from the primary roots and ravage the soil of 
its fertility. Some have supposed that primary roots have a sort of instinct- 
ive knowledge as to where and in what direction stores of plant food are to be 
found. What has given rise to this supposition is the fact that where a par- 
ticular spot about a tree or plant is very rich in soluble food, there these 
secondary or adventitious roots are extremely numerous. It is really only a 
very fortunate ‘‘strike’’ of one of the exploring parties in the orchard, who at 
once set a force at work to transport the prize to the common camp to be 
assayed and minted and stamped as Golden Pippin apples or Gold Drop 
peaches. It is an open question as yet whether all the pabulum which fur- 
nishes the power of growth to the tree comes through the root from the 
extreme points or fibers, or whether some portion of it is absorbed all along 
their surfaces. I am inclined to think that only pure water is thus absorbed 
in the latter hypothesis, that this office is constant in its operations from 
year’s end to year’send. A tree dug in the fall retaining only a small per 
cent of its fibrous growth will, if buried in damp earth, continue to send up 
sufficient moisture, even in winter, to preserve the life of the tree. But if 
for any cause the ground becomes dry the tree dries up and is dead. 


TRANSIENT CHARACTER OF THE SECONDARY ROOTS. 


There is a belief, which is very widespread, that all the secondary or fibrous 
roots should be carefully preserved at planting and that these are the life of 
the tree. I believe this to be a fallacy. These roots were thrown out from 
the primary stock to bring the tree to its present state and stature; but the new 
life and growth which the tree willsoon take on is only stimulated by new shoots 
that come out from the radicles. This is true only of deciduous trees. 
Evergreen trees put out new shoots from the fibers very readily anl their 
growth during the year is more constant. During June and July our fruit 
trees make nearly their whole growth for the season unless stimulated to an 
extra effort later on. During this period of active growth the roots are 
sending out new feeders in all directions. They comeup toward the surface, 
and lick up the sap from decayed vegetation, and rob the green herbage of 
all its sustenance. Shear all these off with a sharp plow, up comes another 
robber horde, as voracious as the vanquished ones. Neither the height of 
the tree, nor its spreading branches, is any rule to govern the extent of this 
root foraging ground. In barren lands the roots must go further in quest of 
supplies to keep the parent tree in vigorous growth, while on rich soil the 
tree is provided for within a smaller area. After the yearly growth has 
ceased and the buds have refined, the roots start a new system of organic 
existence in the tree. They begin at once to store up in the little channels 
or grain of the wood, an elixir composed of starch and sugar, and indigenous 
gums, laid from the base of every exposed and dormant bud, along every 
channel, checking it with a concentrated pabulum that shall quicken the 
bud into life and leaf at the upflow of sap in spring and start the germinal 
roots for another summer’s campaign. This combination of material thus 
stored up, is similar in composition to the several coatings around the germ 
in a kernel of wheat or corn; and as these need only heat and moisture in 
the ground to start the shoot upward and the rootlet down, and become food 
while the plant is seeking other sustenance, so the same elements stored up 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, 169 


in the tree and root, start into life the germs in opposite directions to 
begin another season’s round, when the upflow of sap begins. 

All supplies of food for tree or plant are taken up by the roots in liquid 
form. Every particle of dead vegetable matter hastens toward decay and 
decomposition when fallen to the earth, and the soluble parts are washed into 
the soil by the descending rains, as fast as they reach the stage when this be- 
comes possible. About half the bulk and more than half the weight of the 
plant thus returns as plant food again while the woody fiber becomes humus, 
to give character and color to the soil, and to act as a trap to catch and hold 
fertility, until the fibrous root of some plant is fixed upon it to extract this 
fertile sap from the soil. 

“‘The oak tree, struggling with the blast, 
Devours its father tree, 


And sheds its leaves and drops its mast, 
That more may be.” 


RELATION BETWEEN ROOTS AND BRANCHES. 


It is thought by some that one side of a tree is supplied by the roots on that 
side, or that each root supports its equivalent in the top, instead of furnishing 
its supply of sap to the general food for the good of all alike. Ido not care 
to express an opinion on this point, as the examples are so contradictory 
that the proofs for either hypothesis are hard to obtain. That the root sustains 
a subordinate relation to the branch is proved by the changed character of the 
root to correspond with the variety in root-grafted trees. Cut a seedling root 
in two parts and insert a crab scion in one anda King in the other, and when 
they are two years old the original root which furnished the fiber to start the 
scion into growth, will have entirely disappeared, and the young tree will 
have roots identical with the parent tree from which the scions were cut, and 
the roots of every tree of the same variety will be exactly alike, so far as color, 
character, and texture are concerned. 

There is a difference of opinion whether roots have the power of selecting 
from the earth the elements of which plants and trees are composed in the 
proportions which are always found in plants of the same order. The weight of 
evidence, however, bears heavily on the affirmative side of the question. ‘Those 
who argue against selection assert that the surplus of each element, carried up 
in solution, is returned by the downward flow of sap, and is discharged again 
into the soil as excretory matter. There were many interesting questions 
hinging upon this voluntary or involuntary power of roots, which the limits 
of my paper will not allow me to discuss. It is sufficient, practically, for the 
fruit grower to know that the roots of his peach trees will always assort the 
juices that enter intothe perfect peach, and that potatoes will still insist upon 
developing beneath the soil. His flowering shrubs will never exchange products 
with the orchard, and although, with all his philosophy, he can not tell why 
the same handful of earth should yield so varied a bounty, yet his faith will 
look unquestioningly for this ever recurring miracle. 


‘Strange that this lifeless soil gives vine, flower, tree, 

Color and shape and character, fragrance too; 

That the timber that builds the house, the ship for the sea, 
‘Up through this root its strength and its toughness drew. 

That the cocoa among the palms should suck its milk 

From the dry dust, while dates from the self-same soil 


170 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Summon their sweet rich fruit; that our shining silk 

The mulberry leaves should yield to the worm’s slow toil. 
How should the poppy steal sleep from the very source 

That grants to the grape vine juice that can madden or cheer? 
How does the weed find food for its fabric coarse 

Where the lilies proud their blossoms pure uprear ?” 


SOME WOULD NOT HAVE IT SO. 


Exception was promptly taken to Mr. Glidden’s reference to the uselessness 
of fibrous roots at the end of each growing season, etc., one speaker citing 
the importance of ‘‘smaller roots” to the successful transplanting of nursery 
stock. 

Mr. Glidden explained that what are termed fibrous roots are secondary 
roots, which serve their purpose each season and die. After the transplant- 
ing of a tree a new set start. One can not tell the difference, always, in small 
trees, between radicles and secondaries. ‘The former are likely to be very 
small on nursery stock, but the more there are of them the better. 

O. Beebe of South Haven came to the aid of Mr. Glidden, saying: If all 
these secondary or fibrous roots lived and continued in growth, what sort of 
tree would we have? ‘There are thousands of them to every tree or plant. 
Some of what may in certain cases appear to be secondaries were in fact radi- 
cles from the start. Broken radicles start out new at the ends. 

R. Morrill: I am aware that Mr. Glidden is perfectly right, but he thrust 
us ordinary men into deep fog. A little discussion was necessary to clear it 


up. 

Mr. Glidden: When a tree is taken up, only a slight proportion of the sec- 
ondary roots come with it. The cutting off of feeders, in transplanting, is 
what makes necessary the cutting back of the top. 

Mr. Morrill told how he was amazed to find, after a severe rainstorm had 
washed out a lot of tomato plants, that in five days the roots had grown so: 
fast as to meet and pass in a four-foot row. 

S. G. Sheffer of Casco read the appended paper on 


SUCCESSFUL PEACH GROWING. 


The topic assigned me, ‘‘Successful Peach Growing,” is a wide subject, yet 
it will hardly interest the peach growers unless they obtain better prices for 
their peaches than many did last season. But as there are many who raise 
peaches, or attempt to raise them, who fail, perhaps for the want of informa- 
tion, I will give my experience and observations for thirty years; and here 
let me gay that I was the first peach grower at South Haven. 


LOCATION FOR AN ORCHARD. 


Great care should be taken in selecting the ground fora peach orchard. It 
should be on elevated land and natural drainage should be had if possible; 
but if such land cannot be obtained, then land selected for an orchard should 
be thoroughly under-drained, so that no stagnant water may stand on the 
surface, for one of the great difficulties to be avoided is wet feet for a peach 
tree. Ii peach trees are exposed to a wet soil, it soon shows in the color of 
the leaf (also the bark), and if it does not have proper drainage it soon meets 
premature decay and death. 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 171 
PLANTING TREES. 


No orchard, in my judgment, should be planted less than twenty feet apart, 
forseveral reasons. First, to allow a good chance to work the trees. Second, 
the tree should have the benefit of the soil for ten feet each way, to mature 
the fruit properly ; and third, to admit the sunlight to color the fruit and have 
it fully developed ; and fourth, for the free circulation of air. Houes for set- 
ting trees should be at least three feet across, and the top soil should be used 
around the roots. After setting the trees should be well mulched. 


SOIL. 


Great care should be taken in selecting soil for an orchard. My observa- 
tion and experience show that sandy loam is the best. The nicest peaches I 
ever saw were grown on sandy loam, though I have seen very fine peaches 
grown on sandy soil and also on clay, but such soils need more application 
of that class of matter that goes to fertilize the peach, and care should be 
taken to give the tree, while growing, proper nutriment, which should con- 
sist of well-rotted barn-yard manure. 


PRUNING. 


The tree should be pruned so as to leave no crotches, but limbs extending 
from the trunk from four to twelve inches apart, and in my judgment the 
top of the tree should commence three feet from the ground ; and care should 
be taken, in pruning, to give the tree an upright position and to prevent it 
from arming out so as to hinder successful cultivation. 


SOILING. 


It has become a matter of much study among the peach growers, what 
should be used for soiling purposes. With us, on clay soil, we use rye—some 
use clover with rye, whichis very good; but in my opinion, rye, if continued 
for a number of years, does not furnish sufficient materia] for the pit of the 
peach, and would recommend that wood ashes be used once in about three or 
four years—or potash, which is the same—for material for pit growth, or 
well-rotted barn-yard manure will supply the place. 


THINNING. 


One of the greatest cares in peach raising is to thin properly, as quality is 
wanted rather than quantity. When the grower sees the tree loaded with 
nice fruit, he commences at once to estimate the baskets on the tree and the 
amount per basket, and it is difficult for him to thin properly; but he 
should remember that a few less baskets of fine fruit are worth more than a 
great amount of inferior peaches; and again, over-bearing hastens the death 
of the tree by exhausting its vitality in a worthless crop. 


CULTIVATION. 


There is such a diversity of opinion as to the manner of cultivating trees, 
that we scarcely find two of the same views as regards the matter. Different 


172 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


soils need to be treated differently, but I believe that most pomologists agree 
that peach trees should be worked in the spring, as soon as the ground settles 
and is fit for work, and continue at intervals till the last of July. If worked 
later, it has a tendency to keep the tree growing, and it does not mature the 
wood, so that severe cold weather is likely to kill the tree. 

I have but very slightly alluded to some of the main points of successful 
peach growing, and yet I think if the few hints that are given are acted upon, 
good orchards and good peaches may be raised. 


ILLINOIS METHODS WITH PEACHES. 


T. E. Goodrich of Cobden, Ills., was called for, and responded, saying he 
understood there had been in western Michigan fourteen consecutive crops of 
peaches, a thing never heard of in “ Egypt,’’ where we only get one crop in 
three or four years. ‘‘We are too far south and have too cold weather. Were 
we farther north, where it is wa:mer, we could do better,’”’ said Mr. Goodrich, 
in a tone that was appreciated. ‘‘ When we do get a crop we receive no price 
for it, but think all the money comes here. We have all the difficulties you 
experience in growing peaches, and one other—eyery morning we have to 
‘bug’ all of our peach trees for curculio; yet we can raise as fine peaches as 
grow anywhere in the universe. California peaches are not at all equal to 
ours in juiciness and flavor, yet the peach is the best of their fruits except the 
grape. We do not have yellows—never have had it. We plant twenty feet 
apart, cultivate in spring with plow and follow that with harrows and culti- - 
vators to keep the ground clean; we sow rye and turn under, and each alter- 
nate season turn under two crops of cow-peas. Our trees or buds are killed 
by cold in both winter and spring; the buds will not survive eighty degrees 
below zero, and seldom eight below. In ‘bugging’ we use sheets in inverted 
umbrella shape, on frames, and use also the trap system. We have but one 
kind of soil, and that is poor soil. Originally it was leaf mold but would 
now be called a light loam.’? Mr. Goodrich was asked about the Ede peach, 
and replied: “I did not intend to say anything about that. We like it and 
would prefer to keep it at home. It is of very fine quality, a heavy bearer, 
hardy so far, but we have only grown it four years. It is yellow, ripening at 
the time of Crawford’s Early. We have the disease known as curl-leaf. 
Cultivation of the peach declined for eight or nine years, then revived and is 
now increasing. We had an Alden fruit drying establishment which ran 
awhile and failed; a cannery shared the same fate, and now the surplus is 
only dried by families. We have no fruit exchange nor anything of the kind 
except the granger system of shipment. What do we consider fair prices? 
Well, we used to think $12 per bushel pretty good! One dollar per third 
bushel box is a good rate, and that is about what we average for good fruit.” 


HANDLING AND PACKING PEACHES. 


Following this, Mr. Alexander Hamilton, of Ganges, read a paper on 
“Han iling and packing peaches for market, to se2ure the largest profit.”’ He 
sald : 

In order to obtain better profits from large crops, such as we have had 
the present season, the peach growers of western Allegan county will, I think, 
have to use at home, by drying or otherwise, their windfalls and all such 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 173 


fruit as they would not purchase themselves if they were the buyers instead of 
the sellers. 

Of the fruit that is good enough to ship, a large portion should be sent to 
other markets than Chicago, for we cannot get good prices anywhere if we 
first glut the market which in a measure fixes the price in all markets within 
our reach. 

I think, too, our profits might be largely increased if we could deal more 
nearly direct with the consumer, the railroads, and the package manufactur- 
ers. I find no fault with the middlemen. As arule, those of them we have 
to deal with are fine fellows, but our business can no longer afford to pay a 
Chicago dealer cartage both ways and a commission of ten per cent for 
simply forwarding our fruit to be sold to the consumer by a Marshall, Jack- 
son or Lansing dealer who must also be paid his ten per cent. If the pack- 
age manufacturer can afford to pay a dealer ten per cent for selling his 
goods, he can sell them to the grower for that much less; and if the railroads 
can carry a car-load of peaches for the American express company from this 
place to Chicago for $30 or $40, they can do the same service in a like man- . 
ner for the peach growers or a fruit growers’ express company for the 
same price, and save the shippers of peaches about one-half they are now 
paying the American Express Company, which, with the other savings sug- 
gested, would leave the growers of peaches a larger profit than they can get 
from any other crop. 


OTHER FACTS AND THEORIES. 


G. Richards of Ganges spoke of the great success Angus Dean, of Indiana, 
has in merketing his peaches (known as the Otto peach, not from its kind 
but from the town where grown) in Chicago. Mr. Dean goes to Chicago 
and there supervises the sale of both his own crop and those grown in his. 
vicinity. We should likewise have men in the great trade centers selling our 
crop for us. Quite unlike ourselves, Mr. Dean sends no culls to market. 
Were we equally careful we could make just such a reputation. 

R. Morrill: Parker Earle does the same way; and the secret of their suc- 
cess is that every man knows exactly what he is getting when he buys Harle’s 
or Dean’s fruit. 

J. W. Humphrey: I was in California last winter and met a man from 
Decorah, Iowa. We talked of peaches and he asked me (he was a dealer) to 
send him some the following season. When that time came he wrote me, 
quoting the prices he had to pay in Chicago. I sent him peaches and nearly 
doubled my receipts; and I did the same in some Wisconsin towns, 

Joseph Lannin: One trouble is, too many peaches are raised here—the 
supply somewhat exceeds the demand. If, instead of putting out more, we 
should take out half of what we have (the poorer sorts), and raise large fruit, 
we would get large prices. There are combinations among basket-makers, 
boatmen, railways, express companies, and the commission merchants. Hach 
combination will have its price; and then, if anything is left, Lannin may 
have it. In sending elsewhere, I have not got better net prices than those of 
Chicago. Transportation charges and so-reported ‘‘spoiled”’ packages made 
up the difference. Mr. Lannin drew a vivid picture of the average “runner” 
for commission merchants, and declared te should be done away with. “We 
have to pay for his fine clothes, his livery, his jewels, and his drinks.’’ Mr. 


174 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Dean has, or controls, a large quantity of fruit, and the case of no one of us 
is a parallel to his. The speaker was doubtful of the utility of combinations 
among fruit growers, and said the California union is a corporation buying 
all the fruit that was offered—that was quite another scheme and one which 
may work well. 

R. Morrill was of different opinion, advocating the principle of fruit ex- 
changes or unions. The trouble is, in the plan of individual shipments, we 
do not average honest enough. [Applause.] Men inclined to be “straight” 
come to these meetings—those likely to be scored keep away. Angus Dean 
guarantees the quality of every package, and so holds his trade. 

G. Richards: We pay too much for transportation of peaches. We pay 
fifty cents per 100 pounds to Chicago, while for twenty cents they will carry 
the same distance a barrel of apples weighing 150 to 175 pounds. Why 
more for one than the other? We pay too much for pickers and for other 
work in the orchard. There is no reason why we should pay more than for 
ordinary farm work. 


ATTITUDE OF THE RAILWAY COMPANY. 


Mr. Morrill: Would not the interstate commerce law require the railways 
to take freight in car lots at the same price and in the same time they do 
for express companies? a 

John P. Wade: I once went to Mr. Rose of the Chicago & West Michigan 
railway company about this matter, and he promised to make us the same 
rates on car lots. But he did not, and he afterward wrote that their contract 
with the express company prevented them from handling fruit except as 
freight. Ithen wrote the Hon. Thos. M. Cooley, chairman of the inter- 
state commerce commission, about the matter, and from him received the 
following reply: 

AvausT 16, 1888. 
J. P. Wade, Esq., Fennville, Mich: 


DEAR Sir—Replying to yours of the 13thinst., I fear the commission will not be able 
to be of service to you in the matter about which you write. 

The supreme court of the United States decided some time ago that it was compe- 
tent for railway companies to make with an express company a contract to give it 
exclusive privileges. If therefore you want to be allowed to send your fruit as express 
matter, | am afraid you cannot secure the right; though you undoubtedly have the 
right to send it as ordinary freight. 

Very truly yours, 
T. M. COOLEY. 


Wm. W. Iddings, Fennville: Ido not agree with those who contend that 
there is an over production of fruit. The market has developed as the crop 
has increased, and there are consumers for all the fruit we can grow. Over- 
plus of good fruit is wholly a result of failure in distribution. 

W. A. Smith: The railway is dependent upon this community for its bus- 
iness and can be brought to terms on this question of rates to shippers and 
express companies. ‘I'he manager of the road has often said that if the ship- 
pers would combine and take charge of the business they could have the 
desired rates, but there is the difficulty. We distrust one another and refuse 
to act in the only way by which we may get what we want. 


Ot 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 17 


Wednesday Afternoon Session. 


Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 19, was held the liveliest and perhaps most im- 
portant of the sessions, for a subject was taken up that is at present the 
nearest to the pocket of every west Michigan fruit grower who sends his 
product to Chicago by rail. It began with the subjoined,able paper by R. 
Morrill of Benton Harbor on 


PACKING AND MARKETING FRUIT. 


If we should write a text-book on the science of commercial fruit grow- 
ing, we would divide it into five chapters, as follows: (1) Selection of soil 
and location; (2) selection of varieties; (3) planting, fertilization, and culti- 
vation; (4) packing; (5) marketing. We should do this to impress on the 
mind of the reader the importance of each operation, as it is a fact that if a 
mistake be made in any of the departments of our work it will surely follow 
us through to the end and finally rest on our pocket-book, not in it. If a 
mistake be made in either the first ur second division of our work, it will fol- 
low us as long as the tree or plant lives—say from three to twenty-five years. 
If a mistake be made in our third division it can sometimes be remedied ; and 
the mistakes in four and five can always be rectified if we only will do it, 
although it will take time and perseverance to overcome the effects of wrong 
methods practiced in these departments; and this brings us to our subject of 
packing and marketing, which, I think, is a question in which the general 
public should have a voice—in fact, so important has it been deemed that 
legislatures have taken the matter in hand and said to a certain class of fruit 
growers, ‘‘so far shalt thou go and no further,” and it certainly seems as if a 
large class of fruit growers do place themselves within the legal term of 
‘obtaining money under false pretenses.” 

Now, brother fruit growers, I said this was public business, and I will 
try to demonstrate it. First, we will all acknowledge that the proper way to 
improve any business is to search out its defects and eradicate them. Next, 
let us see what right my neighbor has to dictate how I shall do my business. 
In order to do this I will claim that we have no right to do anything that 
shall destroy the reputation of his fruit, thereby causing him to receive much 
less money than he would if I were not in the business. Now, this is just 
what has been already done by a certain class of men in this lake shore region. 


THREE GRADES OF FRUIT GROWERS. 


Right here let me say, the Michigan fruit growers can be very properly 
divided into three classes. The first is a class who pack everything strictly 
“‘straight,’’ from bottom to top, using a full regular package, put their name 
on all their good fruit, and if they ship any of low grade, ‘‘which all growers 
must at times,’’ perhaps they put a numbered stencil on as they do not want 
to build areputation on inferior fruit; but they do put up this fruit of even 
goodness throughout, ‘‘no stuffing or deceit practiced on any grade.’?’ Now 
this is all right, as there is a very large class of cheap custom in all our 
cities, and while this class, in common with all other buyers of fruit, expect 
to be cheated more or less, when one of them strikes a line of this kind of ' 


176 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


fruit he comes again. ‘The stencil number is fixed in his mind; and when 
he finds the fruit, prices can be held firm, and all concerned realize a substan- 
tial benefit from the transaction. 

Now, let us see how the best grades of this man’s fruit fares. The com- 
mission merchant receives it, and if you have succeeded in making him 
believe that you are honest, or if you have a good reputation already 
established on the street, he will place your fruit in the hands of some good 
customer, perhaps having to guarantee it and take a moderate price for it. 
It proves all right and this customer tries this brand again and again; and 
if, after a long acquaintance, the fruit has proved perfect, you have gained a 
customer who will not let your fruit go begging. This class of growers, I am 
sorry to say, is quite small, but there are a few of them scattered all over 
this fruit belt. Hachof us can name a few. If you are acquainted with 
such a man you will find his general reputation and credit is good. He is 
said to be making money; you find him at meetings like this; his eyes 
and ears are open, and in slang phrase, he ‘‘catches on” to every item 
that can be used to improve his business. You seldom hear him call 
commission men ‘“thieves.’’ He finds them his friends, anxious to do his 
business, ready to accommodate, willing to suggest improvements, interested 
in his welfare, and on the whole a very satisfactory and indispensable part- 
ner in the business. 


Our second class is a very large one, composed of fairly honest men who 
do not mean to defraud anybody unless it pays; who, if they owe you a dol- 
lar will pay it, but when it comes to packing fruit you will find that their 
finest apples, peaches or berries are always in sight and the poorest is some- 
where in the same package. If one of these men should have his deception 
pointed out to him by a swindled purchaser, he would probably lay it to the 
boys or the hired man. If you or I should argue with him, he would claim 
that it was all right, as others doso; also that the purchaser expects to find the 
best on top, and I suppose he would not like to disappoint the buyer. These 
are the most common arguments used in defense of this plan. This class of 
men will often tell you that their commission man has instructed them that. 
it is the best course to pursue. Now don’t you believe a word of it. I have 
a quite large acquaintance with the leading firms on South Water street, 
and I never heard one of them recommend such a course. On the contrary, 
they plead fer straight packing, full size packages, and regular shipments. 
From this class of shippers we can hope for better things, as there is a pretty 
good element among them, and they will respond fairly to a request or demand 
for better work, especially if they can be convinced that it pays; but few of 
them have patience enough to give a better method a fair trial. I have in 
my mind a few men who have tried a few shipments and condemned the plan 
because it did not advance prices as rapidly as they desired, forgetting, per- 
haps, that they had been years building up a rather bad reputation for their 
fruit, and expect to remedy all that in a few shipments. Here let us urge 
upon all shippers that a steady determination to get to the front by honest 
packing and honest packages will get you there as sure as the sun shines. 

Now, we will call attention to the third class of growers, with whom I 
claim all honest fruit growers as well as the general public have aright to 
interfere, not by law but by force cf public opinion, and compel them to 
quit their disreputable methods or abandon their business in disgrace. This 
is the thoroughly dishonest portion of the lake shore fruit growers. Let me 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. Le 


describe one of them and his methods, and no doubt you can name him, as 
he flourishes in every neighborhood. You can not detect him by his 
general appearance or practices, as he sometimes stands among you in the 
disguise of a good citizen, or even as a Christian, and I have heard of him in 
the pulpit. This man we will characterize as a fraud and a rascal, and we 
should treat him as such, for he is slowly but surely destroying the reputa- 
tion of one of the finest fruit regions on the face of the earth. Let us see 
what he is doing now. He is probably planning how he can get a smaller 
barrel or a smaller quart box, or how to get the bottom of his pint boxes 
a little nearer the top; or how to make his ‘‘topper” berries go a little further, 
or how to fill his boxes nearly full of Crescents and top out with Sharpless; 
or he may have his eye on a firte patch of wild blackberries from which, in 
the spring, he will fill numerous orders for Wilson Jr., Erie, etc. He also 
may have on hand an old strawberry patch from which he will supply a lot 
of new beginners with any variety they want. He has probably secured a 
stock of the largest quart boxes in which poor women and children will pick 
his berries, and he will put them into the smaller ‘“‘snides’’ for his customers. 
_ He has alarge number of stencils, and he ships today to one house, tomorrow 
to another, and so on, skirmishing up one side of South Water street, and 
down the other ina vain endeavor to get away from his reputation, each day 
adding from one to several new names to those he has swindled; and all the 
information the injured buyer can get is that the fruit came from across the 
lake, and this whole fruit belt must bear his consequent bad reputation. And 
it is no wonder, for I presume fully one-third of the fruit shipped from our 
lake ports has passed through his hands, and he seems to be handling all 
kinds. His peaches are always very tempting, and strangers buy them—old 
buyers know better. The buyer opens them, expecting a feast, and gets 
along very well on the top layer; but somewhow the worms have got in and 
stung all that were large enough to sting. In his apple barrels you will find 
some nice fruit on each end, and, probably thinking that his patrons like 
cider, he has put in a bushel of cider apples; or, if apples are scarce, may 
have put in a few turnips, and I have heard of his being so generous as to 
put a pumpkin in each barrel, which saves the customer from buying any pie 
timber for some time. If he is shipping berries and has a thoughtful streak 
on, he may turn two or three boxes upside down, so his customer shall not 
overeat. 

Seriously, friends, these things are of frequent occurrence, and fully one- 
third of the fruit from this region is badly ‘‘stuffed,’’ and it is no use to dis- 
guise the fact. The question for us is, can not we check this fraud? If not, 
we must accept a bad reputation in a body, and a consequent loss of patron- 
age which will go in other directions. These facts have more to do with our 
markets than most men would believe. If our reputation was first-class, as 
good as the Barnesville, Ohio, folk have made theirs, there would be no fur- 
ther trouble in marketing fruit; but until we can get rid of this rank swindling 
class, our only hope seems to be in individual reputation, which, in a city like 
Chicago, can always be built up profitably. 


THE RIGHT WAY TO PACK FRUIT. 


It seems superfluous to detail to this society what I consider proper methods 
for packing and marketing fruit, but as there are often new beginners in our 


23 


178 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


meetings a few suggestions, together with the discussion which usually fol- 
lows, may do some good, and all profit more or less from an exchange of ideas. 
First, I will lay down a few principles which I know are right as well as profit- 
able and should be stamped indelibly on the brain of every fruit grower. 
First, use nothing but a well made standard package; if a barrel, get the full, 
legal size; if a quart or pint case, see that it is full-size; if a peach package, 
it is more difficult. The bushel and half-bushel basket are very good pack- 
ages, if properly made, but as they are made with the sharp-edged rims, rough 
projections and nails poorly clinched, they are hardly fit to pick up corn in, 
let alone a lot of choice peaches, which in twenty-four hours will have an 
outside layer of bruised, cut and rotting trash which will cost you more than 
you can afford. If you do use them they should be lined with some very 
heavy brown paper or light cardboard, to protect the fruit. It will pay. 
Probably the best small package is a full peck Climax handled basket, made 
with open-work sides and slatted rest cover, dispensing with the deceptive 
tarletan, which, if not a fraud, certainly comes very near it. Another very 
desirable package, just now, is the lath box, holding a peck ; nail two of them 
together. Did you notice last summer how the Kentucky and southern Indi- 
ana growers skimmed the cream off the peach market with this package and 
some good, straight-packed fruit? If this package is not demoralized by this 
suicidal stuffing process, it can be placed on the market, with good fruit in it, 
to advantage. Buyers have come to look for a certain style of package from 
certain localities, and in passing along the street will inspect or pass by fruit 
accordingly. But one thing we should insist on. The manufacturer should 
give us a smoother package inside, and when we fill it we should be careful 
to fill it just as we should want to buy it. 

If we are packing apples we all know how to pack an honest barrel, and if 
we don’t do it we should be prosecuted in the interest of the swindled people. 
_ If we are packing berries, the case becomes more difficult, as pickers do not 
average very careful and some are not honest. Consequently there is no 
safety short of rehandling the fruit in the packing sheds, which is best done 
by smart girls, who should be able to pack properly at a cost not exceeding 
ten cents per case of sixteen quarts. Then you know your reputation will 
not suffer. Some will say that tender fruit, like the red raspberry, can not 
be rehandled in this manner. ‘To such I will say that it has been done for 
years by several growers. I believe the first man to make a success of it was 
Parker Earle, whose good sound sense has been the means of leading a great 
many fruit growers into advanced and more profitable methods. In order to 
rehandle successfully, a few picking directions are needed. Red raspberries 
should be picked, in ordinary ripening weather, every second day; in very hot 
or showery weather, or the last of the crop, they may need picking every day. 
Strawberries should be picked as soon as fully colored, and it is best to make 
two grades if the fruit ischoice. Blackberries are variablein ripening. The 
Wilson or Early Harvest should not be picked oftener than every third day, 
as, while they will color well in ordinary weather in two days, they will nearly 
double in size in the next twenty-four hours, while the Snyder only requires 
two days. ‘The time can be varied, either way, one day, if the weather is 
very hot or very cool. If these conditions are complied with, there is no 
trouble in the operation. If heavy rains should interfere, the ripe fruit will 
be poor anyway, so we consider it best to put on all the help we can and pick 
and ship without packing, using a numbered stencil; but, for the sake of 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, 179 


your conscience, watch your pickers and do not let them put in any sandy or 
injured fruit. I forgot to say that in packing we throw out all imperfect or 
over-ripe fruit, as well as all trash, in fact putting it in prime order for the 
table. By this means I have succeeded in getting much larger prices for 
berries than 1 could otherwise. 

It does not seem necessary to suggest anything further in regard to pack- 
ages and packing, to this audience, except to say that in all our packing we 
should always put our fruit up in just exactly such manner as we would like 
to purchase it, and it will surprise some of us to find out how easy the 
marketing problem becomes after foilowing such a course for a year or two. 
Gluts in the market will have no terror for you, and no human influence will 
work you a loss, as it stands solidly in your favor at every stage of your busi- 
ness. Always remember that there is plenty of room at the top of the lad- 
der for those who are willing to climb, and know how, while the man who is 
crushed is always in the crowd on the ground. 


THE TRANSPORTATION PUZZLE. 


As for marketing, a great deal might be said and done to improve our 
present facilities. If you are well toward the top of the ladder it need not 
worry you, as Chicago will always pay more for a prime or fancy article than 
the citizens of any other city accessible to us can afford to do; but for the 
great bulk of our poor to fair fruit, it is well to plan for a better system of 
distribution and sale, as there are hundreds of cities with from 5,000 to 20,- 
000 inhabitants, which are as yet poorly supplied with fruit, and in which 
reasonable prices can be obtained; and numerous other larger cities which 
are supplied with our products from Chicago, to whom we have to pay 
tribute in the way of commissions and buyers’ profits. This might be 
avoided to a certain extent by a fair co-operation of fruit growers and rail- 
road companies, but as it now stands these expenses are counterbalanced by 
the excessive rates and poor service rendered us to all points west of the lake, 
except Minneapolis and St. Paul, which, for the past two years, have been a 
great dumping ground for New York, Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan, resulting 
sometimes in a fair profit and often in a serious loss. There still remains to 
us all our interior towns, as well as our northern cities, northern and central 
Indiana, and it would surprise some of us to know how good some of these 
markets are; and if proper influence can be brought to bear on our express 
companies we should be able to supply them profitably. I hope some day to 
see the Michigan fruit exchange so well organized that it can successfully 
manage these things for us. 

In the meantime, our main reliance must be in Chicago. So let us see what 
can be done there. Our worst trouble there is our standard. It is not high 
enough. Other fruit regions are pressing us hard and may drive us to the 
wall, unless we wake up and demand a reform in our methods all along the 
jine. I recollect that a few years ago a movement was on foot to black-list 
certain commission men; but it did not take long to discover that the shippers 
loudest in favor of it were the best candidates for such a list. It is simply 
ridiculous to attack our salesmen in a body until we have done our part hon- 
estly, and ina body. My acquaintance with them has shown me that as a 
class they are as bright and shrewd a lot of men as can be found in the city, 
the very nature of their business compelling them to be honest if they expect 


180 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


to remain in business or make any money fromit. Of course there are rascals 
among them, as well as among us, but when we expect them to protect us. 
against our own rascality it is asking too much. ‘They can not do it if they 
would. But be honest and any of the best houses will get your crop through 
in grand shape. 

How can we accomplish any reform in our work? This society has a mem- 
ber, or several members, at every fruit shipping point. Now, let us go from 
here with the determination to set an excellent example for our neighbors, 
on every occasion. Let us preach that honesty in this business is the best. 
policy, ‘‘ because it pays;’’? do not hesitate to condemn the slightest fraud 
even if your best friend commits it. Do everything you can to make the 
practice contemptible in every neighborhood. Your commission man will 
point out improvements if you ask him to. Watch your neighbor’s fruit. If 
it is not right, let him knowit. ‘To all who practice fraud in packing, let me 
suggest that your help notice all your tricks and your name goes abroad, ag. 
they are very likely to review your practice when they get to a place where 
honesty is the rule. 

Now, brother fruit growers, let us all keep this matter in mind during our 
shipping season, using all our influence for improvement, and at our next 
annual meeting see if we can not report some progress. It is a matter of self- 
preservation, and let us so consider it and work accordingly. 


THE ILLINOIS ‘‘G@RANGER’’ SYSTEM OF SHIPMENT. 


T. E. Goodrich, Cobden, Ills.: Immediately after the war we had to pay 
$2.50 per hundred for freight from Cobden to Chicago, while now-we pay but. 
22 cents. This change has been brought about by our persistent efforts and 
the “‘granger” system of shipment. In this method we (the growers) load 
and unload the cars, two agents doing all the business with the railway com- 
pany. One at Cobden receipts for freight, loads it, makes the manifest, and 
telegraphs necessary instructions to the agent in Chicago, who notifies the 
consignees of what is coming, unloads the fruit, and collects the freight and 
his own charges. The trains carry nothing but freight, make nearly passen- 
ger time, and are very seldom behind time. On these trains we pay $90 per 
car of ten tons, and by the ton for excess. Other sorts of cars and trains are 
used for ‘“‘truck” (vegetables, etc.), making thirty-six hours’ time, and the 
contents arrive in good order. Rates for such cars are $50, $42, and $35 per 
car, according to time. At first these night freights were not received with 
favor, but they are now, even for berries. The agent in charge of our fruit 
now works for us instead of for the express company; then, bad care or no 
care was given; now, the best ofcare. So well is our freight handled, mer- 
chants get us to take their eggs and other such goods. We use refrigerator 
cars also, paying a higher price for distant markets, such as New York and 
Boston. Chicago objected to “refrigerator fruit’’ at first, but that prejudice 
has nearly passed away. At first the fruit was made too cold, but now it is 
kept at about fifty degrees, being put directly into the cars and not first in a 
refrigerator as in the beginning. At first we had great difficulty in getting 
the railway company to put down prices, but we have fully succeeded and the 
railway still has a satisfactory profit. I see no reason why the Chicago &. 
West Michigan Company can not be induced to do as well. ‘To secure such 
eonditions as ours all you have to do is to combine and make a beginning. 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 181 


The agent at Chicago attends to all details of the business there. He adds up 
the freight, cost of loading and unloading, etc., and assesses it pro rata on 
each package; and makes a daily report of this to the shippers, so that they 
may compare with it the statement of returns made by the commission mer- 
chant. Each town on the line, of course, has an agent, but one agent in 
Chicago does business there for the whole, keeping each town’s affairs sepa- 
rate, although in the association, if such it may be called, are included towns 
in the extreme south of Illinois, in Tennessee, and even further south. But 
the fruit trains proper originate at Cairo. We carry upon our plan freight of 
any sort, for anybody, and in collecting take only enough for expenses. 

R. Morrill: Some Benton Harbor parties went to Supt. Mulliken, of the 
0. & W. M. road, about these matters, and were told by him that his com- 
pany would haul cars for the fruit growers as cheaply as for the express com- 
pany if they would care for them in the same way. Mr. Cooley’s letter, 
however, seems to settle against us the question of our right to require this 
of the railway company. The interview I speak of was held in February, 
1888. I learn that the existing contract between the railway and express 
companies will soon expire. 

N. Goodrich, of Chicago (agent there for the “‘granger’’ system): In order 
to have fruit reach the market in best order, it is necessary to watch it all the 
way to the merchants’ hands. We have found the granger system the best 
to that end. ‘The Illinois Central railway furnishes good cars, well ventilat- 
ed. The growers about each station meet yearly and elect a president, secre- 
tary, treasurer and executive committee to dothe business. The total expense 
of a car on the night freight line is $52.50, being $45 for the car, $2.50 for 
loading and $5 for unloading, the latter including expense of laborers, clerks, 
collecting, etc. The commission merchants send their own teams for their 
goods. Once in a while a package is lost somehow, but usually every one is 
accounted for in good order. I have unloaded fifteen cars of strawberries 
(15,000 crates) and had them on the way to the merchants in thirty-five min- 
utes. On our plan, ten-pound baskets of grapes are carried from Villa 
Ridge to Chicago, 300 miles, for two and one-half cents per basket. Here 
you put 1,000 to 1,200 baskets of fruit into a car; but at Villa Ridge 1,500 to 
2,000 are putin. The greatest advantage, however, isin getting into mar- 
ket early and having careful handling. For twenty-pound boxes of tomatoes 
our average price has been five cents as against the railways’ charge of twelve 
cents as ordinary freight. With us the package used for peaches, early 
apples and tomatoes is the third-bushel box. 

Wm. Corner: We should no be discouraged at our prospects, for we are be- 
ginning to see the light. The handling of our fruit is especially bad, and all 
our pains go to naught by such work at the last. 

R. Morrill: The gentleman is correct; it is not so much in the difference 
of two or three cents per basket as in the handling. I send my fruit mostly 
by boat, not by express, for I don’t dare to. I have seen fruit pitched about 
by expressmen when every throw cost the owner twenty-five to thirty cents. 
The boat service from Benton Harbor is very good. Complaints have been 
made to the express managers, but if they have paid any attention to them 
they have not succeeded in making their employés do as theyshould. Every 
preceding effort on our part is lost by such inexcusable abuses in trans- 
portation. 


182 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
A TUSSLE WITH THE AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY. 


During the preceding half-hour’s talk there was an interested listener of 
whose presence very few were aware. He wasa man of dark complexion and 
darker looks; of grizzled hair and eyen more grisly mien. He entered and 
glanced about as might an angered lion upon a group of chattering and unsus- 
pecting monkeys whose presumption in disturbing his nap had at once roused 
his ire and whetted his appetite. He was Crawford Angell of Grand Rapids, 
manager at that point of the American Express Company’s affairs in western 
Michigan. He had been telegraphed to by the agent at Fennville, who thought 
he scented danger. By the time he was through with the ‘‘subsequent proceed- 
ings’ he was as angry as in the beginning, but a great deal less arrogant. 
Following Mr. Morrill, Mr. Angell rose and thus remarked: In many cases 
these speakers have drawn on their imaginations for their facts. The grow- 
ers are often at fault for being late and so compelling rapid, and therefore 
careless, handling of their fruit. Whenever areal grievance has come to our 
notice we have given it attention. The express company is doing business to 
make money, and not merely for the sake of doing it. We have tried to furnish 
convenient cars, with shelves, so that baskets do not rest upon one another. 
We can do unloading as well and as quickly as anyone. (To Mr. Goodrich.) 
Do you pretend to say you can deliver to the merchants the contents of fifteen 
cars in thirty-five minutes? No one can do that. 

Mr. Goodrich denied having said he could ‘‘deliver”’ fifteen carloads im 
that time, but that he had unloaded that number and had the contents ‘‘ on 
the way” to the merchants in thirty-five minutes from the time of beginning. 
Mr. Angell denied that such were Mr. Goodrich’s words, but was overcome 
by the recollection of several gentlemen and by the reporter’s notes. Mr. 
Goodrich continued: I do not deliver upon South Water street, but to 
expressmen on the platform. ,I have unloaded from twenty-five to thirty 
cars Ly 9 o’clock, when it took the American Express Company till the next 
day to do the same amount of work. . 

D. W. Hinman related experience he had at Grand Haven, where he saw 
grapes frem Allegan piled out of the car into a heap, the expressman kick- 
ing the baskets occasionally to get them into place. He tried to make com- 
plaint to Mr. Angell’s son, but he refused to give the matter any attention, 
on the ground that they were not Mr. Hinman’s grapes. 

R. Morrill, to Mr. Angell: If you will start an investigation you will find 
an abundance of unquestionable evidence of such abuses as those of which 
we complain. The case of which I spoke was at the end of the route, so 
there can be no excuse of unavoidable haste. I reported this case to agent 
George Thayer, but never learned that anything was done about it. 

Mr. Angell: He never reported it to me. 

Mr. Morrill: If the express company can not handle our fruit better, can 
not carry it to and from the cars without pitching it, it should give way to 
some company or agents who can. [Cheers. | 

Mr. Angell: We expect to—when we have to. 

Mr. Morrill, continuing, urged the need of lower express rates to interior 
towns of this and other states. 

Mr. Angell: Our point is to please the shippers, and when fault is found 
we do our best to remedy the evil, even to dischage of employés if necessary. 
We do not like to handle fruit roughly, but sometimes haye to. We remedied 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, 183 


the trouble of which Mr. Hinman spoke, by sending a car through without 
change at Holland. (But Mr. Hinman observed the fault at Grand Haven, 
the fruit not being bound to or through Holland). We try to have all the 
help necessary and make constant efforts to prevent bad handling, but some- 
times the rush of fruit is too great and unexpected. I know of no delays in 
forwarding fruit when loaded. 

This was a luckless expression on Mr. Angell’s part, for it brought John 
P. Wade to his feet with a declaration that he knew of ashipment of peaches 
made from Fennville by the American Express Company, on a certain Wed- 
nesday, which did not get upon South Water street till the following Friday. 

“T deny it! Ideny it !” angrily retorted Mr. Angell. 

But Mr. Willard Wade arose and quietly but with firmness said the fruit 
referred to was hisown, and that he saw it come upon the street at two 
o’clock in the.afternoon of Friday. 

Mr. Angell had nothing further to say. 

W. A. Smith: Under any system some such complaints as these are sure 
to come. The express company probably does the best it can. We have no 
quarrel with it. We must organize and arrange with the railway company 
for rates that we can afford to pay and yet the railway have the margin of 
profit which is its due. We of Benton Harbor have secured rates by rail to 
Minneapolis and St. Paul which were but little more than we have to pay 
merely for carriage by boat across the lake to Chicago. Only organize and 
you will get from the railway managers the same rates of the express com- 
pany. Joseph Lannin read a constitution and by-laws prepared for a Fenn- 
ville fruit shippers’ association. 

R. Morrill moved for appointment of a committee of three to consider this 
matter and report at the evening session. 

The motion prevailing, the committe was composed of Messrs. J. P. Wade, 
John H. Crane and Alexander Hamilton. 

Resuming attention to the programme after discussion of the transporta- 
tion question, the society listened to reading of the following paper, by W. A. 
Smith of Benton Harbor, on 


“ 


TRUSTS AND THEIR RELATION TO HORTICULTURE. 


A trust may be denominated as an ingenious device by which the rich are 
made richer and the poor are made poorer. The ultimate aim and object of 
the whole trust business is to enhance the cost of me necessaries and com- 
forts of life to the consumer. 

The first effort of a trust is to limit production ; the next, to break down 
competition. When these two efforts are attained, it has the monopoly of the 
market, and the consumer is at the mercy of a greedy and unscrupulous com- 
bination of money sharks. 

The consumer stands at the bottom and “ pays the freight’’ on everything, 
whether put upon the market by a trust or syndicate, or in a legitimate com- 
mercial traffic. 

To limit production, whether of the necessaries or comforts of life, simply 
means to increase their cost to the consumer and pe Hi the profit to the 
dealer. 

Corporations, it is said, have no souls, and some men, without the ‘aid of 
corporate influence, have no souls. Money always is power, and the greater 


184 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


the combination of capital the more power it exerts for good or evil. Give 
almost any set of men the exclusive control of the market, and there is hardly 
any limit to their selfish and indecent greed. ‘Take, for instance, the jute 
trust in the cotton states. Jute is a foreign production, largely used in bag- 
ging cotton. This trust got its work in well, controlled nearly all the jute 
bagging in the market, and then applied the lever to squeeze the ‘‘brine” out 
of the toiling millions. Up, up, up it went, until it became absolutely 
oppressive to the cotton industry; and other materials for bagging cotton had 
to be substituted. 

Coming home to every household in the land, take the sugar trust. Under 
its manipulations the sugar we use in our households has advanced one and a 
half cents per pound, or more than twenty per cent. The consumption of 
sugar in this country, annually, amounts to about 3,000,000,000 pounds, or 
fifty pounds per capita. This adds $35,000,000 additional cost to the con- 
sumer; and, as the bulk of this article passes through the hands of the trust, 
we can readily see what an enormous margin it swallows up. The trust buys 
the imported raw sugar, refines it under strict regulations as to supply, and 
thus controls the market and the price. They also have in a great measure 
the control of raw sugar, since it is not sold for consumption, to any extent, 
in that state. The sugar trust has the control of nearly all the sugar refin- 
eries of the country, and when it suits their purpose they will close up a cer- 
tain number of these establishments, and thus limit the supply on the market. 

The millers are arranging a trust to limit the production of the staff of life, 
-and thus to enhance its value to them and its cost to the bread eater. This 
- they aim to do regardless of the cost or supply of wheat. If they can limit 
the output, the market they have, and the terms will be theirs. But, says 
one, this can not be. Nearly every bread-eating community in the land has 
its own mill or mills to fall back upon. This was so in days gone by, but it 
isso no longer. The big fish have swallowed up the little ones, and they will 
not allow any more small fry to breed. The large milling establishments, by 
this plan, will in a great measure control the markets of this country at least, - 
and those who are too small, financially, to gain admittance into the trust, 
will be only too anxious and willing to reap a part of the benefits growing out 
of it. How this trust will benefit the wheat-grower is notso plain. Last year 
one of the large Minneapolis mills, managed on the mutual benefit principle, 
divided $40,000 profits among its employes, the mill still holding the lion’s 
share. How many of the 138,000 farms in Michigan would be required, grow- 
ing wheat at eighty-nine cents per bushel, as last year, to divide $40,000 
profits among the employes? Yet millers say milling don’t pay. 

Michigan has salt enough stowed away in its bosom to supply the whole 
nation for untold generations, and yet the salt rings have, or are trying to get 
up, a trust to limit its production and its consequent cost to the consumer. 

Would these trust sharks hesitate a moment to get up a trust on fresh water 
and air, if it were in their power to doso? 

But the ery is, monopolies can not work in this land of free competition. 
Ah, but free competition is first destroyed, and then the evil is apparent to 
all. 

As a people, we are rapidly falling into the power of the money-bags. 
Almost everything we eat and drink, except our home productions, are doc- 
tored and adulterated. The hog, the ox, and the cotton fields, in a great 
measure, supply our tables with butter and our pantries with lard. The four- 


4 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 185 


legged hog, as well as the two-legged one, is becoming altogether too ambitious. 
The time was when the former was content to supply us with good clean lard. 
Now he must put his nose into nearly every man’s butter dish. 

The fruit growers of Michigan, as well as elsewhere, are always anxious for 
full crops and good fruit. Not only are the growers thus anxious, but every 
one also who is dependent upon them for supply. They all want good fruit, 
and plenty of it, for then the market will be full and the price low. It is 
said there can be no surplus of good fruit. There may be none left when 
-every one is supplied on his own terms, but whether this would recompense 
the grower for his labor or not may be a question. 

This year I shipped grapes, in stands got up in good style. The package 
‘was worth more than the fruit, yet the fruit was sold for less than the pack- 
age cost and the latter thrown in. Fruit growing is becoming a fine art. 
The bugs and other insects are after everything that is worth growing. To 
‘be successful one must put on the armor of insect warfare and do battle con- 
tinuously. If we could form a trust with these little marauders, and have 
them in full years take, say, one-half, and leave us the remainder uninjured, 
thus reducing the supply one-half, we might advance the price and make it 
pay. But give them a moiety and they’ll take the whole. Commercial fruit 
growing is mainly in the hands of persons of small means, and is likely to 
remain there. 

Not only is the growing of good fruit becoming a fine art, but the looking 
after paying markets is a finer one. On the lake shore we ship our perish- 
able fruits mainly to Chicago, consigned to commission houses, and trust to 
luck; and luck is often against us. When the fruit crop of the country, in 
-a general way, is full, the supply is larger than the demand. It is only when 
nature forms a partial trust with the more favored localities, and by frosts or 
drouths or floods cuts off, so as to reduce the: general supply, that the busi- 
ness assumes a healthy financial condition. 

Transportation, where competition exists, is becoming lower year by year, 
.and the service morerapid and systematic. Hence, all the principal outlying 
markets can be reached from almost any fruit growing center in the country. 
Many of these outlying markets, however, are being rapidly supplied by 
home-grown products, as it is about as easy to grow them at one point as 
-another, and thus save the transportation and package, and in many cases 
the commission; all of which added together will in many cases amount to 
more than one-half. 

So rapid and cheap is transportation, that except for the more perishable 
products it makes but little difference whether a good market is near at hand 
or far off. Last year we shipped fruits by car lots to St. Paul and Minne- 
apolis, a distance of about 500 miles, as cheap as our rates across the lake by 
boat, about fifty miles. As fruit growers we can never combine to limit the 
production of fruit, neither can we organize to establish a uniform price for 
any of our perishable products. The goods when upon the market must be 
disposed of without delay. The demand for good fruit is generally equal to 
the supply, at some price. Inferior goods must often be sold at an actual 
loss to the shipper. Where a business runs in so many channels, and is 
divided up among so many growers, it is a difficult matter to control it in 
any way. If every fruit center could make arrangements with evaporating 
-and canning houses to consume a certain part of the crop, when the supply is 
large, it would relieve the market from glut and thus save loss to the shipper. 


186 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Where fruit is carried by rail it should be shipped in car lots, direct to the 
consumer, instead of to a distributing point and reshipped. This requires 
extra time and double toll to the shipper. ‘To do this would require a union 
and concert of action on the part of the growers. It would be necessary for 
some one or more, at each fruit center, to have the general management, not 
only at the starting point but also at the terminal point. In this way better 
rates could be procured, the cost of delivery at the terminal point cut down 
forty or fifty per cent, and the leading markets relieved by shipping to out- 
side points. These arrangements have been successfully made in other local- 
ities and under circumstances similar to ours. I think the time is coming 
when concert of action among growers, in the shape of a shipping organiza- 
tion, at least, will be an indispensable necessity. 

We are haying a monthly crop and weather report, issued by the secretary 
of state, which gives in detail valuable information not only of the crops har- 
vested and secured, but also the acreage and condition of the growing crops 
generally. There is no reason why we should not have equally full reports, 
through that medium, of the fruit crops, both prospective and otherwise, from 
every fruit center in the state. This information is in the hands of Michigan 
fruit growers, and they should see to it that these reports are duly forwarded 
to the secretary of state and in due time. 

G. Richards: Every business has a trust or combination except that of the 
farmers, and it seems impossible to get them to organize. Why are they so 
slow to see the benefits of organization? I see no way but to make a beginning 
among the few who are now ready, then to pack honestly and secure an 
agent who will handle the organization’s fruit and no other. Do this and 
let the unwilling ones go. They are bound to be nothing anyhow. 

A. C. Glidden: ‘‘A boycott is a conspiracy, say the courts. Are not trusts 
conspiracies also?”? Mr. Glidden made strong argument in support of this view 
and said he believed that this would be the ultimate solution of the whole 
difficulty. Organization is entirely feasible, he continued, and its good re- 
sults are already apparent; for at even this beginning, this mere talk about 
these affairs, you have brought the enemy before you, while at no other 
time has he given yourcomplaints the least attention. Hold your ground and 
you can readily gain more. 


Wednesday Evening Session. 


After an introductory piece of music by the band, the first order of the pro- 
gramme was a paper by Benton Gebhardt of Mears, on 


THE PLUM ORCHARD. 


The original parent of the cultivated plum of our gardens and orchards, 
is a native of Asia and southern parts of Europe; but it has become fully ac- 
climated to our climate and soils, as a great many of our yery choicest varieties 
have originated in this country and many parts have produced fruit in abund- 
ance. ‘That the soil and climate of the middle and southern States are admir- 
ably adapted to this fruit is sufficiently proved by the almost spontaneous 
production of such varieties as the Washington, Jefferson, Coe’s Golden Drop, 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 187 


etc., sorts which equal or surpass in beauty and flavor the most celebrated 
plums of France or England. 
VARIETIES. 


In regard to the best varieties to plant for profit, I find the following list 
the best, named in the order of ripening: 

Bradshaw—Fruit very large, dark violet bloom, with a slight neck; tree an 
upright and vigorous grower and productive; ripens middle of August. 

Duane’s Purple—Fruit large size, roundish, inclined to be swollen on one 
side; color, a reddish purple, very handsome; tree an upright and rapid 
grower and bears annual crops. Ripens last of August. 

Lombard—Fruit medium, oval, violet red, juicy, and good; tree hardy and 
immensely productive; a valuable market variety; ripens September first. 

Pond’s Seedling—Fruit very large, sometimes of immense size, form of 
Magnum Bonum; color a light red with a beautiful lilac bloom; one of the 
most attractive in cultivation; tree a good, upright grower, and fair bearer; 
inclined to rot in some seasons; ripens from the 10th to 1Ldth of September. 

Quackenboss—Fruit large, oblong oval, deep purple; valuable for market; 
tree a vigorous and spreading grower, hardy and productive; ripens middle 
of September. 

Bavay’s Green Gage—Fruit medium to large, roundish, oval, pale yellow 
marked with red in the sun; hangs long on the tree and is a market fruit of 
great value; tree moderately vigorous and remarkably productive; ripens 
last of September. 

Shorpshire Damson—Fruit small to medium, but larger than the common 
Damson, roundish oblong; color dark blue; on account of its lateness it 
commands high prices in market; tree a moderate grower but very produc- 
tive; ripens Oct. 1. 

Of the late novelties, or new varieties, I will mention only two, not having 
fruited these to any extent as yet. 

Shipper’s Pride—Fruit medium, round, oval, color dark purple, with a 
heavy bloom and handsome appearance; tree a very strong and upright grow- 
er, hardy and early bearer; ripens Sept. 15. 

Stanton—Fruit nearly round, medium to large; color a dark bluish purple, 
and on account of its late ripening, said to be one of the most valuable for 
market; tree a strong grower, hardy and prolific; season of ripening, Oct. 1 
to 10. 

MANAGEMENT. 


Open standard culture is the universal mode in America, as the plum is 
one of the hardiest of fruit trees; and being as it is, an annual and heavy 
bearer, it naturally requires a good soil or a great quantity of fertilizer 
applied annually to bearing orchards. As the plum isso very productive, do 
not let the trees overbear or break down with their fruit. But trim the fruit 
properly, so as to have it perfect and not injure the vitality of the tree. The 
best mode of culture is to plow the ground early in the spring, each season, _ 
and cultivate thoroughly during the time of fruiting. It requires but very 
little pruning, beyond that of thinning out a crowded head or taking away 
decayed or broken branches, also heading back young trees when making too 
luxuriant growth of wood in one season. The plum will grow vigorously in 
almost every part of the State; but is longer lived, and bears its most abun- 


188 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


dant crops, in heavy loams or in soils in which there is a considerable mixture 
ofclay. It also does most excellently in good, sandy soils, mixed with gravel, 
if properly fertilized, bearing immense crops of perfect, highly colored, and 
well developed fruit; and, too, it is more exempt from rot than on heavy, 
damp soils. P i 

Marketing the fruit is a very important matter to consider, especially if we 
have to deal with or deliver it to express companies to handle and dump 
about. Fruit of this class should be handled with the utmost care, as much 
so as you would handle a package of eggs, and not dumped around as farm 
produce or lumber. 

To reach its best condition, the plum must be ripened upon the tree, but 
when shipped a long distance, and for market, it cannot be allowed to ripen 
on the tree, but must be picked while yet hard. Pick the fruit with care, to 
retain the bloom on it as much as possible. Put up for market in neat and 
attractive packages, either one-fifth or bushel baskets, always covered with a 
fine quality of tarletan, and not mosquito netting as some are accustomed to 
use, and you will have fruit you need not fear to offer in any market. 

Of insects we have the curculio, black aphis, and leaf slug; but of all the 
ccurculio is the most destructive insect we have tocombat with. Never haying 
the experience, or believing it to be effectual, in the use of spraying the trees 
with water containing Paris green or London purple, I would simply refer to 
the mode of jarring the trees with the sheet and mallet for destroying this 
troublesome pest. For the aphis, use strong soap suds or kerosene emulsion, 
and for the leaf slug I find air-slaked lime or dry dust to prove effectual. 
Fight the insects with vengeance and keep all fallen fruit picked up and 
destroyed, and you will meet with success. 

Replying to questions, Mr. Gebhardt said the bearing age of plum trees 
yaries from three to five and even eight years; how long they live I cannot 
say; they are hardy enough, so far, in western Michigan at least, but seem to 
do better on plum roots than on those of the peach ; my trees have borne full 
crops when peaches failed. 

Mr. Lannin said he knew of bearing trees thirty years old. 

Mr. Hamilton had understood that some varieties of plum do best on peach 
roots. 

Mr. Gebhardt: I admit it isso claimed, but I speak of my own experience. 
I have the same kind of trees on both kinds of root, and those on plum do 
much the better. 

G. Richards: I have some Wild Goose plums that have never borne much. 
[A voice: ‘‘They never will.” ] But I have read that the Miner grafted into 
Wild Goose tops will fertilize them. 

R. Morrill knew of some old trees which are every year a bank of bloom but 
never bear a plum. 

D. R. Crane of Fennville stated that he had a number of Chickasaw plum 
trees which bear fully every year, but he has four sorts, including Wild Goose, 
growing near each other. 

Mr. Lannin had read that the Miner and Wild Goose bloom together, while 
the European sorts are a few days later and hence will not fertilize the 
Chickasaws. 

It was agreed by several that the plan of grafting Miner into Wild Goose 
tops was an excellent one, likely to fully provide for fertilization. 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY. 189 


Mr. Crane, replying to a question, said the Miner looks like the Wild Goose, 
only it is a dark purplish red—and good, too, when fully ripe. 


PREFERRED SORTS OF GRAPE AND PEAR. 


Joseph Lannin, of South Haven, was on the programme for a paper on 
‘Best Varieties of Fruit to Grow,’’ but he chose to talk instead. Hxcusing 
himself from saying anything about apples or peaches, on the ground of 
unfamiliarity with them, he addressed himself first to grapes. 

If any are intending to plant the grape they should beware of putting out 
two many sorts. One, two, or at most three are sufficient for commercial 
purposes. It is bad policy to have many kinds, for comparatively few are 
profitable. The grape needs a certain kind of soil and situation for its best 
development. It should be placed on high locations and the soil should be 
clay or loam with gravel subsoil. Of varieties, the Delaware is the standard 
of red grapes, as to quality, yet it is not profitable except in rare instances. 
The Brighton pays better. It has a bunch three times as large as the Dela- 
ware; the quality of the two is nearly equal; it is a strong grower anda 
magnificent grape in every way. Among black grapes the Concord, when 
well grown, is hard to beat; but the Worden, all in all, is preferable. The 
Niagara is the best of all the many white grapes; yet three others are well 
known, Pocklington, Empire State, and Moore’s Diamond, a new one. 
None of these compare with Niagara. It requires the best of locations, 
qecause of its habit of strong growth. While what has been said of com- 
mercial grape growing is true, an amateur grower will find it well to have a 
vine or two of each of the better sorts, for purpose of observation, experi- 
ment, or comparison. The very best soil for grapes is that sort of clay 
which has lime in it. Preference should be given a northren slope, to a 
southern one, the latter being most undesirable of all. 

Of pears, 400 or more varieties are known and catalogued, but many are 
worthless in Michigan. The best of these for market are also the best for 
dessert, as is the case with peaches also. I have now 400 pear trees. The 
slugs killed 100—they will kill a tree in three years. If now about to plant 
an orchard, I would set, for one sort, Clapp’s Favorite. Itisa handsome pear, 
of fair quality, and will not rot at the core unless allowed to ripen on the tree, 
which should not be permitted. The Bartlett is well known and popular 
(many Goodales are sold for Bartletts on the Chicago market). Louise Bonne 
is handsome, scarcely medium in size, an early bearer, and sells well. Shel- 
don is russet till ripe and then a beautiful golden yellow, very rich, fine, 
hardy, sells well, and not much attacked by the slug. There are two sorts 
of pear leaves, hard and soft. The slug prefers the latter, and Bartlett most 
of all. Finest of all pears, but not much cultivated, is the Bosc. It grows 
slowly, not bearing till the eighth year, but enormously every year after- 
ward. It has magnificent leaves which hold on late to the tree and so facil- 
itate formation of fruit buds. It needs good ground, and when well grown it 
sells high. I would advise the setting of a few in each orchard. The Fred- 
erick Clapp and the Anjou are very fine, though in the market the green 
color of the latter is somewhat against it—still, it sells pretty well. Clair- 
geau is very coarse and grainy. The Bosc may be top-grafted into any other 
sort. The Duchess is a very large pear and pretty good if grown as a dwarf and 
properly trimmed, but worthless as a standard. The dwarf Duchess will 


190 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


bear but few fruits unless set so deeply that roots will be thrown out from 
the scion above the quince stock. 

Mr. Iddings asked what he should do with some pear trees which bore 
when four years old but have since made great annual growths with no fruit. 
He was told to let them alone except to run a knife around them about the 
middle of June (they will then form fruit buds), and give them clean cul- 
ture. 

Mr. Lannin said he has had but little blight; that this disease comes under 
a hot sun after showers. Cut out the blighted twigs below sound wood. Set 
standard pears twenty feet apart. 


ADVICE FROM AN ABSENT FRIEND. 


The following is a portion of a letter from W. A. Brown, of Benton Har- 
bor, whose illness prevented his attendance. It was read by the secretary but 
discussion was cut off by lack of time: 

An effective organization will require much disinterested labor by the com- 
mittee having the matter in charge, and meetings of fruit growers must be 
held at all large shipping points, where the plans and objects of the associa- 
tion must be fully explained. I can not, at this writing, offer any well con- 
sidered plan of co-operation but think the Delaware Fruit Exchange and their 
means of information and distribution will be found best adapted to condi- 
tions in western Michigan, with such modifications and alterations as differ- 
ent localities may require. I would advise all rail freighting from practicable 
points to all points beyond Chicago, and the appointment of our own agents 
to look after our interests at all points where our fruits are wanted; also, 
that when a responsible organization is effected we make proposals to the O. 
& W. M. railway to run fruit trains over their road on conditions of mutual 
benefit. As amember of your executive committee I would suggest that 
your society make overtures to the West Michigan Agricultural aud Indus- 
trial Fair Association for an exhibition of fruits at their annual fair in Grand 
Rapids, through their fruit superintendent, and that in addition to regular 
premiums offered, liberal premiums be given for small collections of the best 
and also of the newest varieties of the differeut fruits, with all notes appended 
to all premiums in such collections, giving full history and characteristics, 
such exhibits to be placed where those interested can have free access to them 
and the notes connected therewith. Failing in making an arrangement of 
mutual benefit to the West Michigan Agricultural and Industrial and this 
society, I would recommend the holding of an independent pomological and 
horticultural fair at the proper season and at some point best access- 
ible to the fruit growers of western Michigan, and would invite the 
co-operation of the State Horticultural Society in holding such independ- 
ent fairs. Since agriculture and the mechanical arts have thrown over hor- 
ticulture and pomology, the State Horticultural Society appears to be without 
adequate means to compile the annual reports. Now, if present at your 
meeting, I would move that the proceedings of this and former meetings of 
your society be tendered to the secretary of the State Horticultural Society 
for publication in the state reports. I would also urge the re-adjustment of 
the relations of the two societies in such manner as to become of permanent 
advantage to the many and great interests which depend upon horticulture 
or pomology in this state. The labor of compiling matter for the annual 


WEST MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS’ SOCIETY, 191 


reports might be made less onerous by a division of the several subjects per- 
taining to horticulture and all kindred subjects, as suggested by Mr. Lyon in 
his last annual report. Among these subjects the experimental work now 
being done at the Agricultvral College and outlying stations will demand 
much space; and your society should be given all subjects*pertaining to 
practical commercial pomology, which include a comprehensive system of 
compiling annual statistics of the amount and value of the pomological pro- 
ducts of the state. But I cannot write full details of what might be consid- 
ered irrelevant by your meeting. 


BEST PEACHES FOR PRESENT PLANTING. 


R. Morrill asked what are the best peaches to plant, to be named in the 
order of ripening. Harrison Hutchins had thought of discarding the Craw- 
fords but the crops of the past two years has changed his mind, and he has 
concluded it is hard to get better sorts. Wheatland is an excellent peach but 
ashy bearer. Of the earliest kinds, Champion, Shoemaker, Amsden, Water- 
loo, and Alexander, he prefers Waterloo. Then come in order, Rivers, Louise, 
Hale, Crane’s Early, Early Rareripe, and Lewis Seedling. After these the 
kinds are so many it is hard to tell which are best. If he were to select six 
he would take Waterloo, Rivers, Hale, Early Crawford, Golden Drop, and 
Smock. Stranahan and Juno are both good; Wagar is good in quality, hardy, 
prolific, but this year small; the Chilis have been very small for two years; 
Switzerland is very prolific and ripens about with Late Crawford; he would 
not plant the Mountain Rose, for though it is good it ripens with the Early 
Crawford and so is not salable. Stump isa fair peach, about like Mixon; the 
latter is a tender tree but a better fruit than Crawford. 

William Corner gave as his choice of six for market, Hale, Waterloo, the 
true Jacques Rareripe (there are different sorts under this name), large Bar- 
nard (there are several Barnards), Corner’s Seedling, Chili and Smock. 


Thursday Morning Session. 


The following report from the committee on miscellaneous business was 
received and adopted: 

The committee on miscellaneous business, to whom was referred the presi- 
dent’s message, would respectfully report that they have considered his 
recommendations and would recommend that the sum of $25 be paid the sec- 
retary for his services. The committee would further recommend that our 
society, at this meeting, fix the salary of the secretary at $25 per year. 
pi The committee would also recommend that the society appoint a committee 
to draft resolutions, expressive of our sorrow in the death of our honored 
vice president, Harvey C. Sherwood, and that a copy of said resolutions be 
forwarded to the bereaved family by the president. 
® The committee would further recommend that the president’s annual mes- 
sage be printed along with the proceedings of the society. 

Wa. Corner. 
Wm. B. ANDRUss. 
D. W. HINMAN. 


192 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


The chair appointed as committee on memorial of Mr. Sherwood, Messrs. 
A. C. Glidden, E. C. Reid, and R. Morrill. 

Proceeding with the annual election of officers, the society made choice as» 
follows: 

Secretary—@. H. LaFleur, Allegan. 

President—Walter Phillips, of Grand Haven. 

Vice Presidents—R. A. Morrill, of Benton Harbor; O. Beebe, of South 
Haven; Geo. 8. Chubb, of Lisbon; Benton Gebhardt, of Mears; Harrison 
Hutchins, of Ganges. 

Treasurer—W. A. Smith, of Benton Harbor. 

Executive Board—J. Lannin, of South Haven; A. ©. Glidden, of Paw 
Paw; Wm. Corner, of Saugatuck; W. B. Andruss, of Allegan; R. Morrill,. 
of Benton Harbor. 

Mr. Phillips cordially expressed his thanks for the honor of re-election, but 
said he accepted only on the condition that a new man shall be selected at 
the next annual meeting. 


REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FRUITS. 


Your committee found on the fruit table forty plates of apples, thirty ‘of 
which were furnished by Wm. B. Andruss of Allegan, six by H. J. Ray, of 
Watervliet, and four by J. F. Blair of this place. The fruit is very fine, in 
excellent condition, and correctly named. All of which is respectfully'sub-- 
mitted. 

A. HAMILTON. 
J. W. HuMPHREY. 
Gro. 8S. CHUBB. 


REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS. 


WHEREAS, A body like this, gathered to promote individual interest, is necessarily — 
dependent in a measure upon the bounty of the community; and 

WHEREAS, The benefit to be derived is largely due to the efforts of the people locally 
interested; therefore, . 

Resolved, That we, the members of the West Michigan Fruit Growers’ Society, 
tender hearty thanks for the unbounded hospitality of the citizens of Fennville, and 
the fruit growers of the vicinity, for their attention to the wants of the strangers now 
in their midst. 

Resolved, That to the local committee and to the business men of the town, this meet- 
ing is largely indebted for the very satisfactory arrangements provided for the meeting, 

Resolved, That we appreciate the attendance and the interest manifested by the 
ladies of Fennville, their untiring attention, and the bountiful and elegant repast 
furnished the members in this hall. 

Resolved, That to all who in any way have added to the interest of this meeting, by 
their practical suggestions, their essays, or their efforts in any direction, the member- 


ship offers hearty thanks. . 
A. C. GLIDDEN, 


R. MORRILL. 
BENTON GEBHARDT., 


The society accepted, from President Lannin, of South Haven and Casco 
Society, a pressing invitation to bold the summer meeting in the former 
town, that society to set the dates. 

After brief remarks by the president, thanking the members for the great 
interest in the meeting and their courtesy to the chair, the society finally ad- 
journed, 


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WBRTINGS. OF KINDRED ETE 


HELD IN MICHIGAN 


DURING THE YEAR 1888. 


AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NURSERYMEN, 
ADEE ROT. J UNE 2 0) reps 21, 


THIRTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 


The opening session, Wednesday morning, President C. L. Watrous in the 
chair, was devoted to appointment and reports of committees and discussion 
of various matters not of interest to others than the members. 

Upon re-assembling in the afternoon the first proceeding was the annual 
address of the president. After noting the success of the association in secur- 
ing a change of freight classification of trees in boxes from first to third class, 
and the favorable prospect of reduction of the postage rate for seeds, bulbs, 
and cuttings, Mr. Watrous discussed ‘‘ Hardy Varieties of Fruits,’? among 
other things saying that, in regions where fruit trees have suffered from 
extreme cold, ‘‘it has been observed that varieties of trees and plants indige- 
nous to that region, or descended from such indigenous forms, have suffered 
least, if at all. In regions where all fruits descended from foreign ancestors 
have been severely crippled, the native forms and their derived varieties 
have suffered comparatively little.’’ 

Mr. Watrous thus continued: 

“‘Among fruits the apple, most important of all, and wholly of foreign 
ancestry, has suffered most grievously, the cherry and plum, also of foreign 
ancestry, suffering the next heaviest losses. Our grapes, east of the Rocky 
mountains and outside of greenhouses, being largely of native ancestry, are 
still ready for business or pleasure. The raspberries, blackberries, straw- 
berries and gooseberries, all of native stock, are ready for use. Happily for 
the country, all these last-named fruits have been so thoroughly emancipated 
from their taint of foreign ancestry as to be reliable throughout all the regions 
indigenous to their wild relatives. 

“©Tt only needs that painstaking and conscientious men shall originate new 
and better adapted forms, in every locality whose conditions render such labor 
necessary, and shall seek out and propagate such promising chance seedlings 
as may from time to time appear, in order that each and every botanical 
region may have an abundance of varieties well adapted to its needs. 

“Throughout all of the great empire known as the Northwest, native 
forms of the plum have now almost or quite supplanted the foreign stock. 
’ The cherry and the apple still remain to be carried through the same course 
of evolution, by seedling variation that has already been passed through by 
the grape, the raspberry, the blackberry, the strawberry and the gooseberry. 

«‘A glance into the list of the venerable American Pomological Society will 
show how very few years have been spent in changing the lists of approved 
sorts from foreign to native names, and the different native species into what 


196 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIATY. 


now supply so large ashare of the most pleasure-giving and health-sustaining 
part of our national diet. 

«The same broad road to improvement is open in case of the cherry and 
especially of the apple. At the risk of seeming extreme in this regard, I am 
willing to go on record before you all, as saying that I believe sufficient prog- 
ress has been made to justify a confident expectation that within the lives of 
young men who hear my voice today, the common and universally propa- 
gated varieties of the apple throughout the great Northwest will be the 
descendents of the native crab apples, indigenous to the glades and thickets 
of the prairies, which have through ages unmeasured, by variation and 
natural selection, adapted their race to every vicissitude of their climate and 
soil, as none of foreign ancestry ever can, except by the same measureless 
course of adaptation through seedling variation. This is not all as visionary 
as it might appear. 

“Already have been exhibited two different varieties of apple bearing un- 
mistakable proofs of legitimate descent from native thickets, which have 
excited favorable attention. 

‘In many different places careful and zealous experimenters are develop- 
ing these by cross fertilization and otherwise, with high hopes for the future. 

«There is no reason why the cherry should not tread the same king’s high- 
way toward perfect adaptation. I hold that a perfectly adapted grape or 
apple should bear its fruit and, with proper care, be as long lived as its 
wild brethren in the thicket. Why should not this be so, as well as that the 
civilized brain worker should, by proper living and care, not only live as long 
in useful activity, but far outlive, the days allotted to the savage roaming the 
forests and prairies of the same region ? And no man can answer why not. 

«« The considerations here urged regarding the superiority of native forms 
of fruit-bearing trees and plants, apply with no less force to trees and plants 
for ornament, shade, shelter and timber. The best authorities now agree 
that American trees are the best for America. The foreign trees, with which 
so many of the older parks and pleasure grounds of the east were planted, 
from lack of suitable and cheap trees of our own native varieties, are steadily 
failing, when their days of greatest use and beauty should be just upon them. 

“One of the most eminent authorities in America, in considering these 
failures, has lately said in bitterness of heart, that if these losses and failures 
will only teach men the folly of proclaiming the worthiness and adaptability 
of any foreign tree or plant, before it has had a trial of a time extending at 
least through a period equal to the natural life of a single individual of the 
species, these losses and their lessons will not have been too dearly bought. 

“« Kvery nurseryman in the nation should feel his responsibility to himself 
and to his generation, not only to do what he can toward originating new 
and more perfectly adapted varieties of fruits and plants, but also to be on the 
watch for new and promising forms of chance origin, and to see that each 
has adequate trial and honest judgment in at least its own botanical region. 

**T fear most of us have very inadequate ideas of the strain put upon the 
vitality of trees and plants by transplanting them to different conditions of - 
climate and soil. In alate most admirable report of the state geologist of 
Indiana is the statement and proofs of the fact that there exist within the 
boundaries of that one state no less than seven distinct and well defined bot- 
anical regions, each marked by a preponderance of certain native plants, and 
the absence or scarcity of others, as shown by the lists submitted. This 


AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NURSERYMEN, 197 


should be a Jesson to each of our fraternity, teaching him to test the favor- 
ites of distant regions with no more than hopeful distrust, and to prove them 
well before proclaiming them to his friends, his customers, as worthy of con- 
fidence and the investment of money. Many of us might have saved, and 
may yet save, ourselves grief and humiliation by observing this simple rule. 

«* By allowing the glamour of a foreign name and the deceptive haze of 
distance to cloud their judgment, many honest men have had more j,rophe- 
sies to ‘take back’ than have added to their reputations. Careful and intel- 
ligent experimentation is the daily duty of the nurseryman. 

«Tf ever any calling, whereby men ate honest bread, deserved the name 
of profession, instead of merely business, that of the true nurseryman is 
most deserving. No science which touches upon the lives of plants or of 
men is outside his field of legitimate and necessary study. No matter how 
profound a student he may be, he has need of all his gathered wisdom to 
guide his steps into new and unexplored fields of research. It can not be 
doubted that this association has done and has yet to doa great work in 
stimulating the minds of its members to new and more extended studies.” 

After a good word for experiment stations, Mr. Watrous had this to say, in 
praise and blame, of that pest of pomologists, the tree peddler: ‘*‘When this 
association has settled the transportation problem and the postage problem, 
and done its utmost to secure and propagate only the very best varieties of 
trees and plants for each region of our broad land, there will yet remain one 
great and heavy labor, the labor of discovering how to place their products 
inthe hands of planters under their correct names without misrepresenta- 
tion. ‘The day may never come when the zealous tree missionary will wholly 
refrain from describing a fruit or flower in rose-tinted language when seek- 
ing anorder. Neither is it at all certain that the public would be better servea 
by tree sellers wholly without imagination and without extreme hopefulness. 

“Thousands of mothers and children now luxuriate upon fruit and feel 
their souls expand under the influence of trees and flowers which would not 
haye been bought and planted except through the unflagging efforts of the 
tree missionary who had need that day of all his imagination and all his rose- 
tinted descriptions, to induce the planter to divert afew dollars from the 
broad and beaten path of more corn and hogs, into the pathway of fruit, and 
shade and flowers. ‘hese blessed means of grace, following the path of the 
tree missionary, may atone for all his sanguine promises as to size and sweet- 
ness of fruit and flower, but they can not be expected to wipe away the sin of 
deliberately filling orders with things quite different in name and nature from 
the thing described and sold. 

‘Tf members of this association would resolve to sell no stock to any dealer 
suspected to be guilty of fraud in filling orders, similar dealers would be 
forced out of the trade or to more honest and careful methods. 

‘Legally no man is bound to follow his property after he has sold it. In 
fact he cannot do so. Yet reproach is heaped upon our fraternity because 
other men attach dishonest labels to our honestly grown and honestly sold 
trees. This is a grievous burden to bear, and one that I am confident will be 
largely mitigated in the near future. It can be done by no few men, but our 
association may hopefully look to this as one of its fields of labor.” 

Then followed a long report from the committee on freight classification, 
the gist of which has herein been given; some remarks by W. C. Barry, of 


198 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


New York, upon “Higher Aims of This Association,” and other debate 
about business affairs. 

Thomas Mehan, of Philadelphia, unable to attend, sent a paper on ‘‘Sug- 
gestions for the Improvement of Fruits,” from which is subjoined these 
extracts: 

“They need improvement. There has been an advance in some respects, 
but the general movement has been retrograde. Take the strawberry. 
Thousands enjoy it now, where but a hundred could years ago. But for 
this,thanks to the culturist. The fruit has not improved. No variety is better 
or yields more abundantly, than any that was popular a quarter of a century 
ago. I know it is customary to smile at the retrospective fancies of elder folk. 
They are told that distance lends enchantment to the view, but I know that we 
could go to the strawberry bed without regretting that we did not bring a 
pound of sugar with us. We now have for the table sugar flavored with 
strawberry. We had in those days strawberries for their own dear sakes. Is 
it not the same with most fruits? I say most, for in some lines, especially 
the grape, there has been a genuine advance, though even here we have not 
done much better for ourselves than the Catawba did for us in the days of 
which I write. 

‘‘This reference to the grape brings me to Mr. Watrous’ point, how best 
to improve our fruits? Shall it be by hybridizing, or by selection? And if 
by selection, what are we to select? 

‘‘We can get new races by hybridizing or crossing, but it is of little value 
as an improving element. Hybridization or crossing is the foe of evolution. 
It is a conservative power, the deadly enemy of progress. It seems a natural 
law that everything should vary. Philosophy has shown us the reason for 
this, and it has come to be generally accepted as a truth that the present 
order of nature could not possibly exist had not providence implanted the 
tendency to vary, when the great machine of life was first set going. But 
every movement of nature is rythmic; there are opposing forces at every 
step. Continuous advance and rest mark almost every node on the branch. 
All these rythmic movements come from opposing forces, and in the eyolu- 
tion of opposing forces hybridism is one. A plant with comparatively sour 
fruit has a seedling with sweet fruit. Insects, or the wind, carry the pollen 
of the parent, or of those like the parent, to the new departure, and the 
next generation produces fruit neither sweet nor sour. The adventurous 
youngster is brought back again toward the ranks. It is next to impossible 
to make any good use of hybridizing or crossing in improving fruits. 

*‘In the origination of new races it is, however, invaluable. There was a 
‘time when people believed that hybrids were sterile. They saw that the poor 
mule was sterile, and jumped at the conclusion that there was a law in all 
such things. ‘Truly, some hybrids are sterile; but then, there are numerous 
cases of sterility among individuals not hybrids. American horticulturists 
surely know that hybrids are not necessarily sterile. Rogers of Salem, over 
a quarter of a century ago, produced a new race of grapes between two 
species. We all know thisrace is not sterile. The race having been 
once established, has given, as by natural variation, a great advance. This 
is the only case where we know of a certainty that the founders of new races 
were hybrid. Various raspberries and gooseberries have been hybridized, 
but no new race has sprung from them. But there are races from supposed 
hybrids; supposed hybrids with good reason. There can be but little doubt 


AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NURSERYMEN. 199 


that the Kieffer pear and its kindred originated as a hybrid between two good 
species. ‘The race of raspberries, of which the purple cane is the type, is 
evidently between two good species; as also is the type of blackberry of which 
the Wilson is the representative. It is believed that the Siberian crab and 
the common apple have given us a hybrid race, and there may be some 
others. Once we have the new race we must look to the selection of seedlings 
for the improvements we desire. It is by no means clear that environment 
has anything to do with directing new forms; but, the forms having once 
sprouted into existence, from the original providential germs,if one may so 
speak, environment has a great deal to do with the preservation of the 
sprouting being. If the variation be in the direction of tenderness, a severe 
climate will kill it; if it prefer a moist atmosphere and finds itself in a dry 
one, it becomes uneasy; or, if itbe one demanding higher nutrition than 
usual, and it finds itself where poverty reigns, it will do little good. We 
can only tell from experience whether the variation is in the line of what 
we want, and from that we must select seed, and again from that as it 
approaches the type we have set up for ourselves. 

“The introduction of new species for hybridization, or the importation of 
new varieties from abroad, all have their uses as giving us new lines for start- 
ing on; but selection must be the chief weapon in our war against rough 
nature. 

“J think the want of real progress, noted in the beginning of this essay, 
comes from too much attention to crossing by the more intelligent among us; 
and the chapter of accidents which has left often to ignoramuses the intro- 
duction of new fruits. Once advertised extensively, the best of nurserymen 
has to keep them. His business is to supply what the public has been taught 
by the advertisements to demand. A variety found in the meadow, pro- 
nounced superb at the corner grocery, and endorsed as the best in the world 
by the respectable justice of the peace, or the truthful village clergyman, is 
enough to bring fame and fortune to the introducer, if he will only venture 
his cash on printer’s ink. 

‘“‘We can do better than this. It seems to me the duty of nurserymen to 
take into their own hands, more than they have done, the improvement of 
fruits, intelligently keeping in view desirable points, and ultimately selecting 
from seedlings till they accomplish their ends. It will surely pay.” 

The Thursday morning session began with an entertaining paper on 
“French Nurseries,” by Mr. Irving Rouse, of Rochester, N. Y., who said: 

“One can scarcely imagine a greater contrast than exists between an 
American and a French nursery. The first thing that strikes an observer in 
France is the lack of implements considered necessary on this side of the 
Atlantic. No cultivators, no harrows, no plows, and no horses to werk them 
with. Not one nurseryman in ten owns a horse, or has any use for one. 

‘*The ground, as the Irishman said, is plowed with a spade, is cultivated 
with a spade, assisted by mattocks, and the stock is dug withaspade. No 
use there for tree or seedling diggers. It is delivered on the packing yards 
on wheelbarrows and handcarts, and is taken to the railway station by teams 
owned or employed by the railway company, and the cost of hauling is con- 
sidered part of the freight bills. It seems hardly credible, but the propri- 
etor of a nursery of over 200 acres assured me that a plow had not touched 
the ground in over fifty years. As horses are not used, the ground can all be 
utilized; no headlands or fence corners left untilled. 


200 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


*‘The seed of apple and pear are sprouted in beds after receiving much 
the same treatment during the winter that we in America give them. After 
they have made a little growth, the young plants are taken up and trans- 
planted about an jnch apart each way, in beds about four feet wide. The 
beds have narrow paths between, just wide enough to stand and walk in. 
After this transplanting, if the season is dry, the beds are irrigated by means 
of water from deep wells, raised by wind-mills or horse-power. The weeds 
are pulled out, but no cultivation of course is possible. 

‘In the plantations of larger stock, the forest and shade trees are usually 
planted in the same manner, except that the trees are a foot or more apart 
each way and the paths are left out. Our system of deep cultivation is of 
course not possible, and the only thing that can be done is to keep the 
ground clean by hoeing, and the surface loosened up. ‘The ground is man- 
ured heavily and at great expense, the fertilizers being all carried from the 
compost heap in baskets on the backs of workmen. If some of our people, 
who think they have a hard time, could see women backing out manure at 
forty cents per day for twelve hours’ work, they would conclude that there 
are people worse off than they, and a worse country to live in than the 
United States. A first-class workman receives from four to five francs, 
eighty cents to one dollar, per day of twelve hours, and is then competent to 
take care of agangofmen. The bulk of the workmen receive three francs, 
or sixty cents a day of twelve hours. In the districts near Paris they get 
rather more, while in the Cologne districts they average but two and a half 
francs or 50 cents per day. Land, on the contrary, is exceedingly high, 
$1,000 per acre being the average price given me of some eight or ten con- 
cerns near the larger towns. ‘The dearness of land and the cheapness of 
labor account for the absence of labor saving machinery and the cheap- 
ness with which stock is produced. 

‘First-class standard apples in France must have stems at least six feet 
without limbs, and they are frequently ten and twelve feet high. Cherries 
and pears are grown in the same way. They are of necessity older, rougher, 
and not so bright as our trees. The green moss must, asa rule, be scraped 
off the bodies before being delivered. The extra age and size makes the price 
high, the ruling figures being thirty cents for standard pears, twenty to 
twenty-five cents for standard apples, and twenty-five to thirty for cherries. 
The tree agent and dealer is not known in that country, most of the orders 
coming direct to the nursery. A good deal of stock, however, is sold at the 
fall fairs. The peasants come in from the surrounding country with a cart 
load of trees, and the nurserymen say that the peasant seller always has on 
hand any sort the customer may ask for. 

‘*My own impression is that the temptation to substitute, under the whole 
system, is greater than under the agent and dealer plan, and I can assure 
you that certain concerns have as bad a reputation for that sort of thing as 
any one can well have, and the presumption is that they deserve it, as under 
their system of business the seller has all the responsibility, there being no 
middleman, agent or dealer. 

‘The conditions of climate are quite different from ours. The winters are 
not so cold as ours in the north, nor the summers so hot, tender plants like the 
camelia flourishing on the west coast, while 100 miles inland they cannot be 
grown at all, indicating a difference equal to that between New York and 
Georgia. heir climate and soil produce fine trees and fine fruit, and we 


AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NURSERYMEN, 201 


are indebted to the French people for many of our finest sorts, but neither 
the Frenchman, nor the Englishman, nor the German know what it is to use 
fruit as we use it. In no city in Europe can you buy such a great variety of 
fine fruit as in New York, and in no country in Europe is fruit within the 
means of the working classes as it is in our country. 

‘s We, as nurserymen and fruit growers, can congratulate ourselves that 
owing to our efforts there is produced in no other country in the civilized 
world fruit of such fine quality, such immense quantities, and so wonderfully 
cheap as in our own.” 

Mr. Barry, of New York: ‘The reference made to the fruit we enjoy here 
is certainly correct. The American who visits Europe is greatly surprised at 
the poor quality of the fruit that he finds in that country, and the high 
prices that he pays for it, and it makes us, who live in this country, feel that 
we enjoy a great privilege in living in this progressive region. I think that 
the people who live in this country, generally, do not appreciate the advan- 
tage that they have in enjoying fine fruits—for instance, the apple. The low 
price at which it can be obtained enables everybody, the poorest in the land, 
to enjoy the fruit in the same degree that those on the other side, who are 
the richest of the land, can enjoy. That is to say, the poorest on this side 
can enjoy the fruit as well as the richest on the other side of the water. We, 
as a people, do not appreciate this fact. If apples cost us $10 or $12 per 
barrel, as they do on the other side, we would think a great deal more of 
them. We would appreciate them more and eat them more freely than we 
do. I think the time is coming when the people who go abroad will see this 
thing, and they will come home and appreciate it more than they now do. 
Think of the variety we have of apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, etc., 
and all the small fruits and grapes. Why, certainly, gentlemen, we do not 
appreciate what we have to delight the eye and palate. If we had to live 
here without meat and all those things, we could live on our fruit alone, and 
we ought to be thankful that we live in such a country and such a fertile 
region. 

‘The Work of the Association” was the title of a paper by Mr. Herbert 
Myrick, of Springfield, Mass., in which, besides allusion to various affairs of 
the association, Mr. Myrick made this defense of the tree agent: 

“The system of selling nursery stock by traveling agents has long been 
assailed by the agricultural press. That it has been abused is beyond a doubt, 
but no well informed person can deny that this system has carried horticult- 
ure where otherwise it would still be unknown. Many a farmer has bought 
a bill of nursery stock in sheer desperation to get rid of the agent, and in 
future vears has realized that that agent was his best friend after all. In 
other words, a large number of men whose orders can only be obtained 
through agents, would never set large or small fruits unless urged, or even 
forced to do so by the pertinacity of a modest ‘nurseryman on wheels.’ In 
this way the traveling agent has been a blessing in disguise—very much dis- 
guised in the judgment of some people, but nevertheless a blessing. 

“The question to be solved is, how can this agency system be protected 
against fraud? It is about time that the press ceased its sweeping denuncia- 
tions of nursery salesmen, because the good should not suffer for the mis- 
deeds of the bad. No editor expects people are going to rush to buy his 
paper, but he has got to make something that they must have and bring it 
to their attention, either through agents or otherwise, to secure their pat- 


202 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


ronage. If the editor or publisher fails to do this, he fails to achieve suc- 
cess. Just so the nurseryman who thinks the public is going to rush into 
his office to buy nursery stock will find himself wofully mistaken, unless he 
make some effort to secure its patronage. We have passed the times when 
men can sit down and get rich, and even to make a living most men have to 
‘hustle’ pretty lively now-a-days, especially in the nursery and newspaper 
business. 

“Tt ought to be possible for this association to perfect a black list of travel- 
ing agents. For instance, let every member report to the secretary the name 
of any traveling salesman who is caught defrauding the public by selling 
them stock untrue to name, or lying to them about the merits and hardiness 
of varieties. 

«‘Announce in the agricultural press that farmers are invited to send to 
the secretary of the association full particulars about any agents by whom 
they claim to have been swindled. A system of inquiry to verify the facts 
could be easily inaugurated without great expense. Inform the newspapers 
of this work, and ask that all complaints from their readers of swindling 
salesmen be investigated by the secretary before publication, so that the full 
name and address of the offending party may be published to the world.”’ 

Then followed a committee report and a discussion upon reduction of post- 
age on seeds, etc., but as such reduction has been accomplished the matter 
is of no further interest. 

The annual election of officers was effected by report of a committee on 
nominations, with this result : 

President—Geo. A. Sweet. 

Vice-President—G. J. Carpenter. 

Secretary—Chas. A. Green. 

Treasurer—A. R. Whitney. 

Eaecutive Committee—Leo Weltz, 8. D. Willard, 8..M. Emery. 


pEATE” FORESTRY CONVENTION “AT. GRAND 
ye EP Sue JUAN CU a Nan bes Orel Oe 


In pursuance of the scheme of purposes as outlined by the commission 
soon after its organization, and in acceptance of a cordial invitation extended 
by the Grand Rapids Board of Trade, a Forestry convention was held in the 
city of Grand Rapids on the 26th and 27th of January, 1888. This meeting 
“was convened with the objects in view of comparing opinions, gathering 
facts, and recording current thoughts in our state upon questions that 
would naturally present themselves to the commission in pursuance of the 
work indicated by the law creating it. 

Hon. N. A. Beecher, of Genesee county, recited to the convention the 
reasons why a bill was drawn and the law enacted which provided for the 
Forestry Commission in Michigan. He found a number of leading thought- 
ful men in the state who were discussing the best means of staying the great 
waste of timber in the state by fire and careless cutting, and how best to 
conserve the forest wealth of the northern part of the state so that it could 
be most wisely utilized, and how, by encouraging new plantations in the 
southern part of the state, to restore the conditions needful to the most suc- 
cessful agriculture, which had been swept away with the thoughtless 
destruction of nearly all the forest growth. 

le stated as an admitted fact that where one-fourth to one-third of the 
total area of timber is allowed to grow, we can raise more products of all 
kinds than where the country is denuded of the same. The humidity of the 
atmosphere, six per cent greater in forest than in field, assists in producing 
rain and is more healthful. 

The annual waste or consumption of forest timber in one year in the 
United States is, according to the last census, estimated at $700,000,000, 
more than double the amount of the National Bank currency. 

There are 1,000 mills engaged in manufacturing lumber and shingles in 
Michigan, with an invested capital of $48,000,000, and the value of the 
annual product approximates $60,000,000. The owners of these mills employ 
35,000 persons, who receive annually an aggregate of over $7,000,000. The 
total product of Michigan for 1886 is almost 3,000, 000,000 feet ; shingles 
283,838,000. 

Mr. Beecher quoted Geo. S. Frost, an extensive dealer in Michigan pine 
lands, as saying: ‘‘The whole timbered area of Michigan is ‘cornered’ and 
will not last more than fifteen years.” 

The amount of timber used by railways in operation in this state for the 
year 1885 was 3,750,000 ties ; allowing thirty-five feet to each tie, gives 131,- 
250,000 feet. ‘Then comes piling, bridge timbers, etc., which equal one-third 


204 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


of the above. In addition to this there are at least 1,500,000 railroad ties 
shipped from this state to other localities. 

It needs no argument to prove the commercial value of pine and hard 
woods, but the cheaper woods, those that have been considered nearly worth- 
less, are becoming valuable. Extensive pulp factories are springing up in 
different parts of the State and utilizing the cheaper woods, such as spruce, 
balsam, small Norway, jack pine and poplar. The demand for these species ° 
is increasing rapidly. 

It was these facts, and the experience Mr. Beecher had had in growing 
plantations of trees that led to the enactment of the law creating a commis- 
sion to open the way for such legislation and education as seemed wise in the 
premises. 

A paper was presented by Prof. James Satterlee on 


NUT BEARING TREES, 


deprecating the practice of figuring out grand results from planting nut 
trees in quantity upon the outcome of a single specimen favorably located. 
He related his own experience briefly as follows: 

“In an orchard in Montcalm county of one hundred chestnut, walnut and 
butternut trees, planted twenty-five years ago, from twenty-five to forty feet 
apart, on ordinary sandy loam ‘oak openings’ soil, the trees now average 
from nine to twelve inches in diameter below the branches, have handsome 
symmetrical heads, and are from thirty to forty feet in hight. One,a walnut, 
at one corner of the field, in the richest, moistest soil, has reached a diame- 
ter of fifteen inches below the branches, which spring from the trunk at 
about five feet from the ground. These trees were kept well cultivated for 
the first twelve or fifteen years, since which time they have been kept in grass, 
and closely pastured by sheep. ‘The trees increase in productiveness each 
year, and now bear ten or fifteen dollars’ worth of nuts each year. 

‘‘But counted from a money standpoint, this little orchard has been a fail- 
ure. Asa timber supply it would not be a success. The potatoes that were 
raised on an equal area of land by the side of this little orchard during the 
past year, would buy more stovewood than the whole plantation would make 
to-day.” 

The professor, however, counted the investment a valuable one as con- 


tributory to the satisfaction resultant upon ownership of an attractive 
rural home. 


VALUABLE TIMBER REMAINING IN MICHIGAN. 


G. W. Hotchkiss, of the Chicago Lumbermen’s Exchange, estimates that 
Michigan originally had about 150,000,000,000 of feet, board measure, of 
pine, but now has only from 12,000,000,000 to 20,000,000,000. During the 
last five years there has been an average cut of 4,500,000,000. 

Arthur Hill, of Saginaw, thought Michigan now had about 30,000,000,000 
standing pine. 

Perry. Hannah said the hard wood of northern Michigan was worth more 
than all the pine the State had ever produced. 

EK. W. Barber, of Jackson, presented some gleanings from the census: 

Of the 36,755,200 acres representing the area of Michigan, but 13,807,240 


STATE FORESTRY CONVENTION. 205 


acres are in farms, of which 4,452,206 acres, or thirty-two-per cent are wood- 
lands. 

Competent authorities state that, for the best agricultural results in a 
country where the average rainfall is even more than it is in Michigan, at 
least one-third of the farm lands should be covered with trees. 


UTILIZING THE BARREN KNOLLS. 


L. D. Watkins, of Manchester, Michigan, advocated the planting of barren 
and waste places to rapid growing trees, as a matter of farm economy. He 
said the common locust was a rapid growing tree, and there was no reason 
why the poor spots on farms could not be made fairly profitable by planting 
to trees and at the same time the earth rendered more attractive. 

J. Austin Scott, of Ann Arbor, a veteran tree planter, gave valuable illus- 
trations of the rapidity of tree growth under proper management. ‘Trees 
that he planted in his boyhood in Connecticut and in early manhood in Ohio 
are now two feet in diameter. Twenty years ago he purchased a place in 
Ann Arbor covered with saplings, and now many of them are eighteen and 
twenty inches in diameter. He advocated the American elm as a tree for 
street planting. 

Benjamin Hathaway related his experience in making and managing a 
farm wood lot. He set maples in 1859 in considerable quantity that are now 
afoot in diameter, and haye been utilized for five years in the manufacture 
of syrup and sugar. White pines set the same year have grown to the same 
height as the maples, but do not average quite so great a diameter. His 
reserve wood lot was planted with small maples—say an inch in diameter, 
white pine, blue and white ash, spruce, cedar and other evergreens. These 
trees were grown in the nursery four years along with rows of chestnut, walnut, 
butternut and hickory grown from the seed. These trees, when planted in 
the wood lot, were set thirty feet apart and well planted, with abundant root, 
and well formed top. Not more than one per cent of the plantation failed. 
The pine and spruce have made the largest growth. He described minutely 
the management of an eight acre and twelve acre plantation, mentioning, 
incidentally, that one of these he had cultivated continuously since planting, 
and in it were now growing raspberries and blackberries which thrive in the 
shade of the trees. Mr. Hathaway described his method of planting trees 
along his fences and highways to be utilized for posts upon which to string 
wire. Wagener apple trees planted seven years ago and headed high are 
already large enough to support such a fence. 

He strongly advocated that each farm should have a half acre devoted to 
growing forest trees to be used in planting where and when they were needed. 
Mr. Hathaway was of the opinion that from a money point of view the 
investment in trees on his farm had been a valuable one; that his farm 
today, if put on the market, would bear him out in the opinion. 

Arthur Hill, of Saginaw, presented a paper on 


FOREST FIRES—PREVENTIVE LEGISLATION. 


From the U, 8. census for 1880 he quoted the record of a specimen year 
in which 267 forest fires were reported, originating as follows: 


206 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


Hrom clearing, Jand 2.2200) 22 0 Jos ta eo Shea omer ee ae Fe See eps te 161 
TAO COTIOUV OR eee men cas ee Ee ee ee UL era ee ee 43 
Ua LOree ee ees A EN be Re dk eee ee 59 
Smokers eto o2 EE eS ie ee) eee ae ee eee 3 
indisrisvesec ao he LS Oe OE a ee ee ae ee ee eee 1 


We have stringent laws for game protection, yet our forests which shelter 
the animals are of far greater moment. Mr. Hill’s suggestions concerning 
needed legislation succinctly stated are: 

First, A provision making the supervisor of each township fire warden of 
his township, and defining his powers and duties and fixing a fair rate of 
compensation for his services ; 

Second, A provision substantially the same as section 1, chapter 328, Com- 
piled Laws, which provides that every person who shall willfully or negli- 
gently set fire to any woods, prairies or grounds not his own property, or 
willfully or negligently permit any fire to pass from his own woods, prairies 
or grounds to the injury or destruction of the property of any other person 
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor punishable with fine or imprison- 
ment, or both, the party injured to have double damages for the injuries sus- 
tained; 

Third, A prohibition against the building of fires by persons clearing land 
during the period from April first to November first in each year without the 
consent of the fire warden in writing, with previous notice to owners or occu- 
pants of adjoining lands; 

Fourth, Provisions as to railroad companies, requiring them to keep their 
right of way clean of dead herbage and othercombustible material, and com- 
pelling any railroad company, upon the written request of any fire warden 
through whose jurisdiction its road passes, in time of danger, to burn coal 
instead of wood for locomotive fue], and to employ a corps of men to be 
known and to act as a ‘fire patrol,”” whose special duty it shall be to prevent 
fires in and along the right of way, and to suppress fires originating in the 
right of way, and compelling the companies at all times to use extreme dili- 
gence in preventing and suppressing fires kindled by the companies, their 
agents and employes. 

Upon this general subject B. E. Fernow, of Washington, D. C., presented 
his views. To dispel ignorance should be the first object of legislation. 
Hence the necessity of a careful canvass of forest resources provided for by 
the State, and development of the lines of manufacture which demand 
timber of certain hinds. ‘The disastrous results of ruthless forest destruction 
in other lands ought to have its influence upon us in framing laws which 
should either prevent a like destruction, or create in place of that which is 
elided, a growth which in itself would modify the results of man’s destruc- 
tive work, when looking simply to immediate accumulation of property. 

Mr. Fernow said that special legislation, then, which is the strong 
expression of the interests of the community, is needed for forests and forest 
property, can admit of no doubt. ‘The forest legislation which is needed in 
’ Michigan, as well as most other States, must be directed, first, to a better pro- 
tection of the forest property as long as it may last, which we have from 
nature’s kind hands; secondly, protection of the future crop, as far as nature 
has kindly restored it, or man has planted it; thirdly, it is to provide and 
make accessible such information as will enable the people to utilize their 
forest growth to better advantage, will enable them to see the necessity for 
reforestation in certain places, and the desirability in others, furnish the 


/ STATE FORESTRY CONVENTION, 207 


basis of a rational system of forest management, just such as we attempt to 
introduce into agriculture ; fourthly, legislation may go so far as to recognize 
a temporary need of directly encouraging a private activity in planting and 
caring for forest property by means of temporary financial assistance or other 
aids, reduction of taxes, etc. 

He advocated provision for an energetic forest commissioner, charged with 
the forestry interests of the State in all their bearings, who would procure 
and digest for you the statistics, who should interest himself in seeing fire 
and forestry laws executed, who should furnish such information as is needed 
by forest planters, legislators, manufacturers, etc. 

Last year $10,000,000 worth of property was destroyed ‘by forest fires in 
Michigan. The State can well afford to spend at least the interest on this 
annual destruction of property in an attempt to curtail and control it. 

With regard to encouragement of forest preservation and planting, Mr. 
Fernow said: 

‘A State law which will encourage the holding of forest areas by town- 
ships or counties, and their administration under direction of the forestry 
commission or commissioners, is highly desirable. There is no reason why a 
township or county should not own and manage a forest, when it is in the 
interest of the commuity to so own forest property, just as they own and 
build roads, bridges and schoolhouses, or as a city owns its municipal build- 
ings and other property. The community is not only richer than the private 
man, but it is longer-lived, and can more conveniently wait for returns. Let, 
then, where public interest should demand afforestation, the community 
step in and plant the forest, charging the outlay in the form of a lien or 
mortgage upon the growing forest, with all the rights and liabilities that 
usually pertain to such investments, except that the interest may accumulate 
until the crop is ripe and ready to be marketed, when the loan with accumu- 
lated interest, must first be repaid before the owner reaps any benefit. Any 
such forest planting, now begun, will at the time when the crop becomes 
useful prove such a satisfactory investment that no further encouragement 
for careful forest management will be required by the harvester.’’ 

Dr. W. J. Beal quoted losses by forest fires from the last census as follows: 

a 


Acres Burned. Prop. Destroyed. 
$440,000 


(OP II(0) gob t: emer eee mea Le ees Tee ae ee em a 306,800 

KE QLOTAG OS. 5 Se hh eg ne em TG Le 2 113,800 935,500 
1 Wice) ane ko ee Sa eget TAU a OM IND hk So LL ed ea tC a 238,000 985,980 
VETS SO Gaye es hse Tu Rr a ee ee 250,000 1,398,000 
IUOTOTLTEE HAE cog ok weep ees et 0 STAN LBL) tes SINR 88,00 1,128,000 
PROTINSVVATNIA a2 oe.) Soe Cato 2 ae ee pa NEIL 685,700 3,643,000 
UG HaTaNEYE|S| SYS ye SS em it kh 3). Se a 985,000 5,253,900 
Wel Sr@mal a yee) A: ee els Le eT. ed Pe 83,000 3,255,000 


The loss by fire in the United States is about one-twelfth the value of fuel 
consumed, and one-seventh the value of timber cut for lumber, ties, posts 
and bridges. But the greatest loss isin the destruction of young growing 
trees, seeds, etc., which are ready to do the most of reforesting when the 
mature timber is remoyed. 

In a general discussion upon forest fires, it was generally conceded that the 
State should take hold of the matter, and from the experience of older States 
which had enacted laws, draw up a plan that will at least mitigate the pres- 
ent enormous destruction of property from this cause. 

Mr. Fernow advised in general the adoption of a combination of the Penn- 


208 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


sylvania plan of fire wardens appointed by the county commissioners of 
each county, and the Canadian plan, where the lumbermen and the State 
combine, half and half, during the dangerous season, and employ a fire patrol 
to extinguish and warn against fires. It was optional with the Canadian 
lumbermen to have the system or not, and it has worked so well that it is ex- 
tremely popular. 


PROFITS IN TIMBER CULTURE. 


Under this title Hon. Martin Conrad, of Chicago, foreman of the largest 
wagon works of that city, said: 

Five sorts of timber are foremost in the construction of wagons. 

First, White oak (including swamp white oak), maturing for wagon work 
in eighty years or less; 

Second, Shell-bark hickory, maturing or fit for use in thirty to fifty years; 

Third, White ash, now becoming very scarce, but very valuable, fit to use 
in thirty years ; 

Fourth, The tulip tree, or whitewood, superior for carriage bodies, wagon 
boxes, requiring sixty years or more to get fit to use; 

Fifth, Red or Norway pine, requiring at least sixty years before it is profit- 
able to cut for the bottoms of wagon boxes. 

In growing trees men forget that an acre of well grown timber, artificially 
grown, is worth five times as much as one that has grown in a natural way. 

Mr. Conrad, after studying what has been done in a limited scale, esti- 
mates that one good tree would grow to the rod, 160 to the acre, say 110 to 
the acre after eighty years. 

We start with 2,700 to the acre, and thin them as they grow; when eighty 
years old each should make 500 feet of lumber, or 55,000 feet to the acre, 
worth in Chicago now, $1,430, and in eighty years, no doubt, it will be worth 
$50 per 1,000, or $2,750. 

The cost of raising is much reduced by thinning, the tan bark, etc. 

A man need not wait eighty years to realize money on the timber, as young 
timber can be sold with the land. It has a prospective value, as a pig, a colt 
or calf. Young timber is on the line of a permanent improvement. 

Prof. Satterlee in discussing further the subject, spoke of the growing 
of hoop-poles, saying that bitternut sprouts grow with surprising rapidity, 
making a crop once in six years of considerable profit. 

The quality of timber as affected by rapidity of growth was illustrated by 
Mr. E. R. Lake, clerk of the forestry commission. Second growth pine of 
Massachusetts was very inferior to virgin forest pine of Michigan; while sec- 
ond growth hickory of rapid development was far superior to that of slow 
growth, thus making the point that slow growth in cone bearing trees is de- 
sirable, while :n deciduous trees we should stimulate rapid production of 
wood. 

Dr. Beal showed the reason for this in the growth of cells. 

Dr. R. C. Kedzie, of the Agricultural College, gave an address, taking 
for his text 


A WORD ABOUT WATER, 


in which he gaye an account of a recent journey across the continent, andja 
resumé of his impressions concerning the relationship of rainfall to the de- 
velopment of a region and the importance of employing every means in the 


STATE FORESTRY CONVENTION, 209 


power of man to secure a sufficient fall of rain to grow a full round of crops 
for human sustenance. He said there was a suspicion spreading widely that 
throughout the older parts of our country the climatic conditions which con- 
trol the seasonable rainfall are so changing as to produce greater extremes 
of drouth and flood; that the water level in many regions is lowering; and 
that there is a relationship between the elision of the timber and the irreg- 
ularity of the rainfall. 


Researches have been made abroad with reference to these questions, but 
he questioned if these were applicable to our own country with sufficient 
exactness to be of very great value. He compared the physical geography 
of the eastern continents to our own, showing that there was the greatest 
contrasts in the characteristics which are generally conceded to modify 
climate. 

With regard to our peninsula he remarked: 


“But when we turn our attention to the position and surroundings of our 
peninsula, we are satisfied that nature chose this spot for some peculiar 
manifestation of her favors, and when she threw the arms of her encircling 
lakes in a loving hug about our peninsula she meant business. Looking at the 
unique position of our State, no thoughtful person will doubt that the 
meteorological conditions here demand a separate and careful study irrespec- 
tive of the general climatal conditions prevailing elsewhere. No generalized 
discussion will meet our condition as a State. a - “2 What are 
the relations of forests to rainfall? to soil-water? to erops? to the public 
health? What will be the influence of deforesting in these various particu- 
lars? We can gather a large harvest of opinions, guesses, suggestions and 
views on all these subjects. But what do we absolutely know about any of 
them? 


“ In these questions about the relation of forests to climate we want facts, 
not fancies—facts strong as granite and changeless as the sun, so that when 
we build up our theory, and call it a science, we shall not have to ‘lay again 
the foundation of repentance from dead works.’ With fancies we may in- 
flate a beautiful cloud that will soon fade into thin air, but with facts we may 
build a pyramid that will bide for aye. Have we now such facts on this sub- 
ject? Who can tell us for certain the real difference between the air in a for- 
est and that in an open field on a summer day?” 


The address closed with the following words relating to original investiga- 
tion in this State: “Permit me to say that the whole subject of the relation 
of forests to meteorology is one of great interest, and would seem to be one of 
vast importance te our people. If there is a casual relation between forest 
area and climate, and if there is danger that we may ignorantly disturb the 
harmonious relation of field to forest, it is time to pause and inquire before 
the time of safety is overpast. It may seem that the thermometer, the 
psychrometer and the rain gauge are feeble instrumentalities by which to fix 
the line of policy of a great State, yet the fall of an apple revealed the law of 
gravitation and turned human thought into new channels. 


‘©Tt seems that we are now in just the position to take up and investigate 
these questions of overshadowing importance to our people. Thanks to our 
far-seeing State government, we have a Forestry Commission and a State 
Weather Service, the very organizations to carry forward such an investiga- 
tion, and, by singular good fortune, both organizations are under the direction 

27 \ 


210 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


of the same board. And Michigan is just the one to lead the van of States 
in this, as she has in so many other new lines of work.”’ 
A paper was presented by Eugene Davenport of Woodland, Mich., on 


THE SUGAR MAPLE, 


in its relation to the forestry question. He opened with the following 
announcement: 

“Tt will be the purpose of this paper to show, that, within the maple belt, 
no other tree lays equal claims to the attention of those interested in the 
preservation of our forests, nor offers so good and economical means for the 
accomplishment of that purpose. To this end I shall endeavor to show: 
First, that the sugar maple fills all desirable conditions for forestry pur- 
poses better than does any other tree; second, that, everything considered, 
the maple sugar industry pays a better profit than does any other ordinary 
farm enterprise; third, that it may be considered in the light of a permanent 
investment, and that by virtue of this tree our forests within the maple belt 
may be rendered sources of revenue for all time—the most certain means to 
their preservation.” 

He called attention to the fact that timber trees declare dividends only at 
death and that nut-bearing trees and sugar-yielding trees make annual divi- 
dends, the trees still surviving. Of the two latter the sugar trees have the 
advantage, because, from their limited habitat, there can never be an over- 
production. 

To illustrate the profits that may accrue from a “ sugar bush”’ Mr. Daven- 
port gave the record of his own business briefly as follows: 

We tap one thousand trees which are scattered over forty acres of land. It 
is by no means a choice piece of timber, as the same number might, and 
oftén do, stand on twenty acres. Besides the land our cash investment is 
about $750.00, divided as follows: 


POU aE DATA) 126 ACLBe hes oo Se ae ee oe ee $250 00 
DOCU OMEN SDNGS (@(OanCUS 40 ou 5 2 oe ee eee en ee ee ee 70 00 
PupamHoure witatanicesess 5-2 28 t  e S ee s eeee e onan 150 00 
A CVAPONSLORSS 2 eee eee eS ont Ch uae SEES ee ee See ee 250 00° 
Miscellaneous 24 fee tere te ok oe ee ey ae 30 00 

MROUAL eens oho aS. SEER ek ek ce Oe ee ee $750 00 


Our annual product sells for from $350.00 to $500.00, with an average 
of about $400.00, from which we deduct expenses, as follows: 


ihabor: fielietos: sia Saye Se en De OE ee ee oe $100 00 
WVGAT OV ADDATALUR a de one 2 ee eee eo ne 15 00 
Interest on $750.00 @ 6 per cent___________-_- Wh Den? oak epee a 45 00 

otal | costioLwmanuractwre:. 2 P22 eee ee ee $160 00 


This leayes an ayerage annual net profit of $240.00. I make no deduction 
for taxes, as I consider them offset by the value of the land for pasture and 
of the timber for fire-wood. As all expenses have been deducted, the $240.00 
may be considered as the income from an investment iu forty acres of maple 
timber, which is six per cent on the value of the land at $100.00 per acre. 
This is above its market value. If the money value of the land be $50.00 
per acre, the investment yields a dividend of twelve percent. ‘This is a net 
profit of twenty-four cents for each tree, and every maple tree thus repre- 


STATE FORESTRY CONVENTION. 211 


sents a money value of $4.00 for sugar purposes. This is reckoned on the 
basis of syrup at one dollar per gallon. 

Mr. Davenport, by statistics, showed that the market for the product would 
always be good, and illustrated by facts within his own observation that 
sugar orchards could be as permanently valuable investments as any other 
property in which the farmer could invest. There must be the same regard 
for succession that the successful orchardist manifests when he has a young 
orchard in its prime at the time the old one enters a decline. A maple tree 
that has reached its maturity should be used for lumber and fuel, and the 
sapling that sprang up not far away should have been nurtured to take its 
place. By proper management a grove of maples may be continually renewed 
and the young trees will be more valuable than the older ones, because grown 
under conditions that are to be constant; while the cutting away of large 
areas of timber has left the older trees open to changes to which they have 
never been accustomed. 

With reference to the discouragement in planting, produced by the length 
of time before returns may be expected, Mr. Davenport remarked: 

‘« True it does take time, but do as our old friend Josh Billings used to say, 
and ‘set them out a good while ago.’ It takes time to raise an orchard of 
fruit trees. Nature has favored us; let us provide for posterity. Neither 
does it take so long a time as we might suppose. Groves of maple that 
within my recollection were small trees are now tapped. I knew one tree by 
the roadside that forty years ago was a little switch preserved by one of the 
early settlers. It is now eighteen inches in diameter, and has a beautiful top 
forty feet across. Trees along our place, set twenty years ago, are nearly 
large enough for tapping, and they have been all the time in a June grass 
sod. Thirty-eight years ago, ina township adjoining my own, ten acres of 
oak were girdled and left to fall down and rot upon the ground. From that 
day to this nature has had her way in that old slashing. She set about 
covering the disgrace. ‘The winds scattered those little winged seeds among 
the rotten logs, and to-day the ground is covered with a dense grove of 
maples with scarcely a tree of any other species. It is said that over three 
thousand thrifty maples now stand on that ten acres, many of them large 
enough for tapping. I would rather have that ten acres of maple grove than 
any twenty acres of farm land in Barry county. These instances show what 
maple trees will do without care, and under circumstances when even apple 
trees would make but a sickly growth or none at all.’’ 

Mr. A. C. Glidden, of Paw Paw, gave a short paper on 


MANAGEMENT OF THE RESERVE WOOD LOT. 


After stating the proposition that all the management necessary was to take 
out the mature timber and give the growing trees the best opportanity to 
develop, he discussed the question of economy in having any reserve wood 
lot at all. 

He questioned if the farmer should be influenced by any theories of scien- 
tific gentlemen with reference to the climatic influence of reserved timber 
areas, when he has the fact staring him in the face that this land has a 
definite value to him for the production of crops above its worth in furnish- 
ing him wood and timber. He argued that the farm wood lot and the 
reserve timber lot will stand or fall from considerations of evidence more 


212 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


palpable than these. If the wisdom of the few is to control the action of the 
many, the argument for replanting must be predicted upon a more substan- 
tial basis. It must be shown that present or prospective profit will certainly 
attend the enterprise, or the whole matter must be relegated to the manage- 
ment of experiment stations, to test the expediency of the project. 

Prof. L. H. Bailey talked to the convention about 


WINDBREAKS FOR THE FRUIT GROWER, 


making the point that there is greater difficulty in the growing of fruit in 
Michigan now than formerly, owing, in large measure, to the deforestation 
or large areas. Forests aids the fruit grown in two important respects: 

1. It prevents the disastrous effects of sweeping winds. 2. It conserves 
and regulates atmospheric moisture. It is very doubtful if the extremes of 
temperature or fluctuations in annual means are most intense in Michigan in 
recent years from the effects of forest removal. It may not even be true 
that there are more high winds now than formerly, but it is true that winds 
sweep over the farm with greater force. Winds sweep the surface and bear 
away the moisture of the soil at the same time that they come in contact with 
the trees and bushes themselves. The effect of the windbreaks is to check 
the force of winds in prescribed areas. It has a local influence. 

Prof. Bailey made the following practical suggestions with regard to the 
making of windbreaks: 

1. The windbreaks should not obstruct atmospheric drainage. 

2. The windbreak should never be dense enough to force the buds on fruit 
trees in those localities which are subject to late spring frosts. 

3. As arule, in localities where atmospheric drainage will not be seriously 
checked, the windbreak should have a comparatively dense bottom, formed 
by undergrowth or low branching trees. 

4, So far as practicable, the windbreak should be planted at a distance of 
six rods or more from the fruit plantation. 

5. Native trees are preferable for windbreaks. 

C. W. Garfield remarked : 

Since the organization of the commission, I have felt that if it could crys- 
talize but just one thing, and that, to set aside and preserve from vandalism 
an area of native forest, it would have justified its existence. 

A generation ago, forest areas could have been reserved at the head waters 
of the Grand, Raisin, Kalamazoo and Huron rivers which would have 
afforded an object lesson of the greatest value to our people. 

The more we cultivate out the vegetable matter from the soil, that seryes 
as a sponge, the more suddenly the waters of a rainfall are lost to the land. 

Had such reserves been kept, the presence of perpetual reservoirs in the 
southern part of our State would be a manifold blessing. 

It can still be done at the head waters of the Muskegon and Au Sable 
rivers. 

The advantage of such a reserve to science is no small item. There the 
native flora and fauna would be preserved for future study. 

The United States government has reserved the Yellowstone Park for 
these same purposes, and if we ever wish to do this, the present is the only 
time. 

In 1883 or 1884, Wisconsin reserved twenty-one townships. It was railed 


STATE FORESTRY CONVENTION, 213 


at as being a scheme to further the purposes of a few speculators. But the 
reserye being at the head waters of some of her main rivers, it is not difficult 
now to estimate somewhat the immense value it is becoming to the State. 
Such a reservation would give us data as to facts of tree culture and forest 
influence that we could not otherwise get. It would enable the State to test 
these questions on*a scale of such magnitude as to be of great value. 
A letter was read from Mr. A. J. Daniels, concerning 


ECONOMY IN THE USE OF TIMBER, 


in which he took the ground that true economy lay in using mature timber 
as rapidly as there was a demand for it. He was sorry to see so much 
valuable wood burned in clearing, when so many were in need of it in our 
large towns, and if some economist would show some fairly profitable method 
of utilizing it, none would more quickly adopt it than the men who do the 
burning, for they need the money. 

In conclusion he said: ‘‘It seems to me to be true economy to cut all that 
is necessary to supply the demand, to make that demand as great as possible 
by inventing methods of using at a profit much of that which is now burned 
as refuse, and—shall I dare to say?—to cut off and burn it when it cannot be 
profitably marketed, if the soil is needed for farming purposes.” 

After passing a hearty vote of thanks to the Grand Rapids Board of Trade 
for courtesies rendered the convention, the deliberations were closed. 

An evening was devoted to an ideal Arbor Day exercise under the manage- 
ment of teachers in the city schools, in which a large number of children 
participated. This exercise was so delightful that it was published by the 
State Agricultural College as a bulletin, for which there was a great demand, 
and afterward republished by the agricultural press of the country. This 
bulletin appears in the volume of the Michigan Board of Agriculture for 
1888. This first convention in the interest of forestry in Michigan has seemed 
to give an impetus to thought and discussion upon forestry topics very profit- 
able to our State, and is perhaps more effective than legislative enactment in 
educating the people towards a truer economy in the management of our tree 
wealth, but it must be remembered that legislative enactment really pro- 
vided for this convention. 


A FARMERS’ INSTITUTE AT SOUTH HAVEN 
JANUARY 24-25. 


The meeting of the State Farmers’ Institute, January 24 and 25, was held 
at the opera house which was tastefully decorated with evergreens, while a 
large anchor over the stage was copiously studded with splendid specimens of 
the apple, seeming to say, ‘‘T'he apple is the sheet-anchor of horticulture,’’ 
while two large tables loaded with fruits and flowers made as fine a showing, 
considering the season, as at many county fairs when the fruits are at their 
best. L. H. Bailey, the apple king, had 28 varieties of apple, J. G. Ramsdell 
9, G. W. Law 8, H. J. Linderman 6, and Messrs, Bixby, Chatfield, Williams, 
and others smaller displays. D.C. Hodge, C. H. Emerson, and others had 
displays of corn and other products, M. H. Bixby wheat, while M. D. Merrill 
crowned and finished the whole by a fine display of flowers. 

The exercises of the evening were opened by music by the South Hayen 
cornet band, followed by prayer by the Rev. M. A. Bullock, and then by the 
address of welcome by Hon. C. I. Monroe, president of the South Haven and 
Casco Pomological Society, who said: 

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN—It is my pleasant duty to say a few words of 
welcome to those who have come to conduct this institute, as well as to those 
who are gathered for instruction. 

It was thought best that I should give some facts and figures about this 
locality and its productions. My excuse to the conductors of the institute 
for imposing these figures is that I do it in compliance with a request from 
Prof. Bailey, who had special charge of the arrangements for this institute. 
My excuse to the audience is that this is one of the few institutes held in a 
locality devoted in the main to pomological and horticultural pursuits; hence 
it seemed desirable to call attention to the extent and magnitude of these 
growing interests of our State, especially that those who are instructors and 
managers of the Agricultural College might get a more comprehensive view of 
the importance of the pomological and horticultural interest, in order that 
said interest may receive from the college a larger share in its course of studies, 
investigations and experiments. 

Before presenting the figures I wish to say a few words of personal welcome. 
President Willits, I believe, is here for the first time. While he comes from 
the Agricultural College, his old home was at Monroe, on Lake Erie. We 
welcome him across the State to Lake Michigan, and trust that he will find 
much here to remind him of his old home, which is one of the oldest fruit 
producing sections of our commonwealth. 

To my old classmate, Prof. Cook, I give hearty welcome, and know that I 
utter the sentiments of this community in saying we are glad to have him 


FARMERS’ INSTITUTE. 215 


come here, notwithstanding his intimate association with so many of our 
enemies of tree and fruit. We shali be glad to hear about his pets, the ticks, 
codling moth, cureulio and others. We shall be particularly pleased to learn 
the kind and the preparation of the food he regards as best to have them 
die on. 

To Prof. Bailey we extend the heartfelt welcome accorded to the child 
returning to his old home. In his recent visit to arrange for this meeting he 
reminded the pomological society, under whose auspice; this institute is held, 
it was to his attendance at the South Haven pomological meetings he traced 
his love for horticultural pursuits. I voice the feelings of the society and of 
his former neighbors and friends in saying that we all take pride in the fact 
that he was once one of our active members, who has gone out from us to 
honor and usefulness. It is particularly pleasing to have him with us to- 
night. 

While fruit has been our principal export, we recognize our fortunate posi- 
tion for market gardening, being only five to seven hours from that great 
market, Chicago, which is doubling about every ten years in population, and 
even in its ability to consume and distribute fruit and vegetables. We can 
load the various products which go to make up the fresh daily supply of a 
great city, on a boat leaving here in the evening, arriving at Chicago early in 
the morning and delivering its load in vastly better condition, with the easy, 
swinging motion of the boat, surrounded by the fresh, pure air of the lake, 
than those vegetables and fruits trundled into the city from eight to twenty 
miles over roads usually rougher than corduroy, and through a portion of the 
city where the air is not specially purifying. The favoring circumstances are 
becoming better known and truck farming is increasing; hence Prof. 
Tracy, who has wide renown in this department, and has a place on this 
programme, would be especially welcomed, but he is detained with business 
and may not be here. 

Last, but not least, we welcome Secretary Reynolds, of the college. We 
regard the secretary as the heart of an organization and we deem it fortunate 
in having one so capable of keeping the lifeblood in regular and healthy cir- 
culation. 

To our citizens and those from other towns: We are glad to welcome you 
to this institute. | We hope you will find it such a ‘‘feast of reason and flow 
of soul” that each will return to his home with many items of helpful knowl- 
edge and with renewed enthusiasm. 

For the purpose of giving a more intelligent idea of this section, which by 
common consent is styled the fruit belt, I had a map drawn showing the three 
great fruit belt counties of Allegan, Van Buren and Berrien. A circle witha 
radius of thirty miles having its focus near your present place of meeting, 
includes most of the territory which has been blessed for more than twenty 
consecutive years, except one, with annual crops of fruit, and especially of 
the peach and fruits of the tenderer kinds, 

As further proof of its claim of being the fruit belt, I refer to the State 
census of 1884. The entire peach crop of the State is there given as 290,091 
bushels; in Allegan, Van Buren and Berrien counties, 187,002 bushels, or 
about two-thirds of the entire crop. Of grapes, 1,550,702 pounds; the three 
counties named, 680,177 pounds, or more than three-fifths of the whole. No 
statistics were gathered of strawberries, blackberries and other small fruits, 
but careful inquiry shows the larger portion of these fruits exported was from 


216 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


these three counties. Of the 4,092,806 bushels of apples raised in the State, 
462,495 were in these three counties, or about one-ninth of the whole out of 
seventy-four counties reporting. I refer thus to the census as it was the last 
official report. 

That I might obtain a reasonably accurate report of the crop of 1887, I sent 
out the following circular: 


WANTED. 


The statistics showing shipments and value of product for 1887, of the three great 
fruit counties, Allegan, Van Buren and Berrien. 

Believing it important to growers, package manufacturers, transportation companies, 
commission men and consumers, also of public interest, I earnestly solicit answers to 
the following questions: 

The amount dried, canned, preserved, etc. The amount shipped from your station. 
The average price. Value of total product. Number of trees or acres. Whether an 
increase or decrease in your vicinity. The fruits named are apples, pears, peaches, 
plums, cherries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, currants and gooseberries. 

Several prominent papers have asked for this information, and with the local papers 
will give it wide circulation. 

The greatest possible accuracy is desired. Those receiving this circular are requested 
to answer so much of it as they can from their personal knowledge, observation or 
special inquiry. Will be pleased to-have you add any suggestion you may think of 
interest to fruit growers. 

If possible, please return the statistics to me by December 24. 


C. J. MONROE, 
South Haven, December 15, 1887. 


As to apples and peaches the reports were quite full, but in the main had 
been shipped by weight and so reported, and then were reduced to barrels, 
bushels or baskets. Where the number of barrels of cider are given, ten 
bushels is the estimate per barrel. When evaporated, six pounds to the 
bushel. Bushel of apples, green, fifty pounds. Pears, plums, quinces and 
cherries were given separate in many reports. No separate account could be 
obtained of the small fruits, which were mainly reported as so many cases of 
berries, without discriminating. In most cases the figures appear to be taken 
from the books of the transportation companies; in others given in round 
amounts. 

Blanks were sent to sixty-five railroad stations and lake ports; about twenty 
were sent a second time with personal letters. I have received fifty-three 
reports by mail and some eighteen or twenty personal reports while passing 
about these counties. The prices I give are the average of those reported, 
taken, in the case of apple and peaches, from about twenty quotations. I 
present the circular and explanation so each person can judge of the prob- 
able accuracy of amounts and prices. ‘This is the result: 


Apples, 415,588 barrels at si ols.-—- 022. eee ee ee ee $685,720 20 
Evaporated, 112,600 bushels (average cost, green, twenty cents) ready for 
market, including package, valued at__.......-.-.---------=---------- 58,024 00 


Cider, jelly, apple butter, pickled, preserved and canned, 313,200 bushels 
(average cost, green, ten cents), manufactured, ready for market, with 


MACK GGG < ccoes Do ahd Oe nee re HR A oa SO ee a RC aL a Oe 109,620 00 
Peaches, total, 1,897,338 baskets; 632,446 peck baskets at 37 cents-------- 234,005 02 
G04 coe One-fitth bushel atourceniee <->. Sere eo ee eee ee 879,467 60 
Pears, 44,780: Duskets, at: 45.centase ou cue ee ee Se Se 20,128 50 
Grands, 308,174. baskets,:at 20,.centeat 24.5 e430. cen! ae pe wence 6 see eae 52,048 50 
Plums, guinces, cherries, 3,831 baskets, at 75 cents......_.....----------- 2,648 25 


Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries and currants, 222,408 
Ralf-bnshel' cases at’ $1 2255.22 38 5 ce A Ue CA ALO 222,408 00 


FARMERS’ INSTITUTE. 217 


Qnions, 58,500 bushelsnat’ cents .. 2. 203d: soya. eke l- -sejee e022 $37,895 00 
Ober Verein tL 100,000 00 
Weis gemma: et) sees ich Me Aca ate lye of oe $1,901,960 07 


From the most reliable information I could get, the following is the num- 
ber of acres in bearing orchards, in small fruits, and market gardening: 
Peach, 12,000; apples, 38,000; small fruits, 68,000; commercial gardening, 
7,000; total, 63,000. ‘Total number of acres in the three counties, 1,284,655. 

Thus we have about one-twentieth of the land in orchards, small fruits, and 
market gardening; or for the crop of 1887 (taking out the orchards which 
bore little or no fruit, the loss of small fruits and vegetables by drouth) it is 
probably a safe estimate that the above yields came from about 40,000 acres, 
or one-thirtieth of the area of these three counties. This gives a hint of the 
possibilities of increasing our orchards and gardens, after making liberal 
allowance for land unfit for either. 

The above ‘values are given as the amounts realized at station or dock, as 
up to that point the money paid out for raising, harvesting, and for packages 
is mainly within tae counties. ‘The above figures do not include the home 
consumption of fruit of the 23,000 families within these counties, whether 
used fresh, dried, canned, preserved, in apple butter, jellies, or the many 
other forms of keeping fruit beyond its natural life. 

It will be observed that the most money is realized from the apple. To 
emphasize the importance of the apple crop, compare it with the wheat crop, 
which is the principal money crop of the farmer. The State crop report for 
October, 1887, places the yield of these three counties at 1,563,969 bushels. 
Deducting 575,000 bushels for bread and seed (five bushels to each of the 
115,000 of population), and we have 983,969 bushels for sale, which at 73 cents, 
the average price for the year, gives us $721,947.37, or $131,416.83 less than 
the apple crop. 

For universal consumption by all classes the apple is the king of fruits. 
For the money invested and the time spent it gives larger returns than any 
other crop of orchard or farm. 

I have attempted to deal only with the commercial phases of fruit growing 
and gardening. As already stated, few realize the magnitude of these interests 
or the money value to the State. 

The continuous annual crop of the peach and other tender sorts of fruits, 
for more than a quarter of a century, has demonstrated our climatic advan- 
tages. The lake furnishes a natural thoroughfare, with the most perfect re- 
frigerating surroundings, across which these products can be taken in a night, 
thus making distance of little consequence; or in other words, we are the con- 
venient suburbs of the cities of Chicago, Racine, Milwaukee, and other ports 
with their network of railroads reaching out through the west and northwest 
to hundreds of cities and villages of growing demands. And this increasing 
demand is occasioned not only by doubling of populations, but through the 
lessening home production of tender fruits, caused in the main by the destruc- 
tion of the great forests of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Manitoba, which have 
been to the Mississippi valley in the past what the great lakes are for Michigan 
—the modifying barrier to arctic cold. Fortunately for us, man can not destroy 
the lakes. 


af this paper was read Mr. Monroe received additional reports of 78,855 baskets of peaches 
and 21,440 barrels of apples. Market garden shipments were also increased, by personal reports made 
during the institute, to something over $200,000, this mainly from Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. ] 


28 


218 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Having these natural advantages, our best success hinges mainly on acquir- 
ing more knowledge in the various departments of horticultural pursuits; 
better and more thorough methods of preventing and destroying the many 
diseases and insect enemies of trees, fruits, and vegetables; enlarged facilities. 
for handling and shipping, and a wider and more even distribution of the 
products. ‘The three great factors are production, transportation, sale. 

The programme of this institute was arranged with reference to obtaining 
instruction upon these topics. I know of no way to give more genuine wel- 
come on an occasion like this than to show the leading industries we wish to 
foster; to indicate the kind of knowledge needed, and to get the benefit of 
others’ opinions and observation and the comparison of experiences and ex- 
periments. Fruit raising requires unusual foresight. The tree must be good, 
its fruit desirable. We plant in the spring, not to harvest in the autumn, 
but years later. Thus the choice of a tree is important; the care must be 
good and constant; and finally, after years of waiting, the tree becomes an 
investment of such value that diligence and watchfulness are essential to fair 
returns. 

The above statistics give a glimpse of the importance of the horticultural 
interest of the State and a flattering promise for the future if our part is 
intelligently performed. We appreciate the necessity of faith in our calling. 
The number of diseases and enemies of the tree sometimes shakes this faith: 
hence the need of knowledge to show that every disease and insect has its pre- 
vention, cure or destruction. 

In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, we give you most cordial and hearty 
welcome to the village of South Haven and to this institute. 


REMARKS BY PRESIDENT WILLITS. 


At the conclusion of the address of President Monroe, President Willits, 
of the Agricultural College, was introduced, and from his very interesting 
talk the following is condensed : 

It affords me great pleasure to visit South Haven. I haye come from 
Monroe, in the eastern part of the State, to South Haven, as I had a strong 
desire to visit the fruit growing parts of the State. Monroe once had a good 
reputation for raising fruit, but you have long since surpassed her. The first 
pear I ever ate was grown at Monroe, and the old tree is yet standing, ninety 
feet high and twelve feet in circumference. 

We have come here to organize a State Farmers’ Institute, and this is to 
be organized under the State Board of Agriculture. We are trying to work 
up the agricultural possibilities of the State. For we ask, after the timber 
is removed from our northern land, then what? And to-day we come 
to talk about the fruit industry. For if those statistics do not lie we have 
come to the place where this industry is shown at its best, and they say that | 
figures will not lie, and we all know C.J. Monroe will not lie. If agri- 
culture is the crowning industry of Michigan, then fruit raising is one of the 
foremost industries of the State. Iam glad these three counties raise that 
splendid fruit, the apple. The Michigan apple is the standard of a good apple 
in California. It may not be out of place to say something of some other locali- 
ties. Our people are looking to Florida and California. A great many have 
put large sums of money in Florida, but nine-tenths of these are disappointed. 
Just now the talk is about California. ‘There are thousands of people now 


FARMERS’ INSTITUTE, 219 


crossing the Rocky mountains who will wish they had not. Without any 
doubt there are crops raised there that are perfectly marvelous. One man is 
stated to have raised on thirteen acres a crop of oranges selling for $6,500, 
or $500 per acre. But there are drawbacks which we do not see at first, and 
to the tenderfoot these stories are marvelous and attractive. The speaker 
illustrated by his own experience. When I left the bleak and snow-capped 
mountains and descended into the lovely Sacramento valley, only three hours” 
ride, and saw the fragrant orange grove filled with the luscious fruit and 
heard the marvelous stories, I thought the land well worth $1,000 per acre, 
and felt that were I a millionaire I would pay that price for all in sight. 
Then after investigation I fell to $800, then to $600, then $400, then $100, and 
finally, after seeing them cutting down some of their groves, I came away with- 
out investing a cent. A man at Monroe last year got $60 per acre for his 
potatoes, which cost him $18.25, anda man at Lansing once received $1,100: 
for five acres of Concord grapes, and when I had bought 130 acres at Monroe 
some advised me to put it all out to grapes, saying I could raise 2,000 pounds 
to the acre, which at even five cents per pound would bring $100 per acre. 
But I said grapes will come down to business just like wheat, for if everyone 
could do that then everybody would go into the grape business. They have 
pests in California as well as here, and they are cutting down their orange 
groves, for they have the scale there, as well as many other drawbacks, and 
fruit raising in California as well as here must come down to business. So L 
say we have no “soft thing” anywhere on God’s green earth, and I came 
back and say it is no harder to get a living here than in California. 


PROF. BAILEY’S TEN POINTS IN HORTICULTURE. 


At the close of the remarks by President Willits, and after music from the 
orchestra, President Monroe presented Professor Bailey of the Agricultural Col- 
lege to an audience of his personal acquaintances, before whom he needed no in- 
troduction. The following is condensed from his very interesting remarks 
on the ten most essential points to success in horticulture : 

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN—It is with great diffidence I appear before you and 
attempt to say anything in this place, for I remember that something has been 
written about a prophet in his own country. But as President Willits has. 
well said, we are not down here to teach you but to get the benefit of what you 
have done. ‘There are many points we might take up, but we wish to take up 
that in which you are most interested. I wish to speak of commercial horti- 
culture. Does it pay? Now, I do not say there are only ten points, but that 
these are the most important. and the first is that the man must be a good 
observer. He must know if the effect grows out of the stated cause. A man 
must read, but he must read the right thing. Good brains are more impor- 
tant than good land. We must know something of insects in order to know 
how to combat them. Our insect pests are increasing, and as the forests are 
destroyed they come from thence into the orchard. The flat-headed apple 
borer has been transferred from the oak tothe apple. Professor Cook will not 
tell youso, but he was the first to discover the way to destroy the codling moth. 
He saw that the blossom stands erect and the moth lays her egg in the blos- 
som. It, now, the tree is sprayed with Paris green, it holds the poison and 
kills the moth, and later, as the blossom turns down, they fall out. Now,. 
the fruit grower must be up to his business if he is to make money. 


220 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


The second important consideration is the land, and we must have good 
cultivation, not to eradicate weeds but because the orchard requires it. 
Manure and lots of it, applied to the land as soon as made and left until 
plowed in—or, if this can not be done, the best way to save manure is to put 
it in broad, shallow piles and keep it moist and under coverif possible. A 
compost heap should also be made, into which should go all the leaves and 
refuse of all kinds. 

Location or site: Higher lands are preferable, for they are drained of the 
cold air by the lower lands. 

Varieties: The best varieties for your purpose. If to ship, those adapted to 
the market when the fruit isshipped in good honest packages. South Haven 
has now a good name for shipping in honest packages and, I am glad to see, 
prides herself on this fact. 

Good marketing, which again includes the necessity of the first point, or a 
man with brains. 

Pedigree in fruit—and I believe in pedigrees in fruit as well as in horses or 
cattle. 

Succession of crops—and this applies particularly to vegetables and double 
cropping, where as many as three or four crops are taken off in asingle season. 

Market facilities: We must adapt ourselves to the market facilities, for they 
will not adapt themselves tous, and whether we make money or not on fruit 
depends on what we have in ourselves. 


Oe oO SMP RES 


APOE ON PEAGH TELLIWS 


And Several Other Important Papers. 
INCLUDING 


PRESIDENT LYON ON RUSSIAN APPLES, 
PROFESSOR BUDD ON CHERRIES. 


PROF. ERWIN SMITH’S PRELIMINARY REPORT 
ON PEACH YELLOWS. 


This important horticultural document was issued in March, 1889, as Bul- 
letin No. 9 of the United States Department of Agriculture, botanical divis- 
ion. It had been expected for several months by horticulturists throughout 
the country, and the demand for it was so general that the edition was quickly 
-exhausted—none was obtainable a few weeks after the first was issued. On 
this account, and because peach culture is so considerable a factor in Michi- 
gan pomology, it is deemed expedient to quite fully reproduce here the results 
of Prof. Smith’s researches, which form the best, if not the only, investiga- 
tion and review of the subject yet produced. 


HISTORY AND DISTRIBUTION. 


Yellows is a disease of peaches, nectarines, almonds and apricots. It does 
not occurin plums. I have myself seen it only in peaches, nectarines and 
apricots, but the evidence that it also occurs occasionally in almonds is reason- 
ably satisfactory. In apricots it is rare. The two trees which I have seen 
were covered with the characteristic shoots but bore no fruit, so I cannot tell 
how it might affect the latter. Noyes Darling also saw it in apricots, but 
did not see the diseased fruit. 

The peach is most inclined to this disease, and for that reason I shall con- 
fine my study to the effects on that tree. 

The name yellows was first applied to this disease, near Philadelphia, at 
the beginning of the century, as we shall see later. The term has passed into 
universal acceptance, but the origin of the malady isunknown. It was much 
written upon in the early part of the century and has engaged the attention 
of horticultural writers from that time to this. Nevertheless, its nature is 
but little better understood to-day than it was fifty years ago. 


GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 


Peach yellows appears to be confined exclusively to to the eastern United 
States. I can find no reference to its occurrence in California or anywhere 
west of the Rocky mountains, and it is doubtful if it occurs to any extent west 
of the Mississippi river. At least the peach growers of Kansas, Missouri and 
Texas affirm that it does not occur in their orchards. To determine positively, 
however, that the orchards in these states are exempt would require a careful 


‘“HOVad ABWIVaH— 


‘HOVad AUOLVNGUd—’s 


“ 


. 
- 


, ‘! “4 or 
ti 8 cing ee nvidia epee es gettin no tense apemmancormiees Smeseahan me eeetimgeneli ene eT ee TT TION CSN paren ee” 


i a <«< yy 


PEACH YELLOWS. 223 


‘examination by some one familiar with the disease, because where orchards 
are small and scattering the disease might remain localized and be overlooked 
for many years. 

Yellows is now more or less prevalent in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New 
York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Vir- 
ginia, Ohio, Michigan, and Ontario. Very likely it occurs to a considerable 
extent in Indiana and Illinois, and probably also to a limited extent in some 
parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and more southern states. I am not 
able to determine the exact southern limits of the disease. It should be said, 
however, that its presence is generally denied in all the Gulf states, where also 
it may be added that peach raising is not animportant industry. I have my- 
self seen the disease in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West 
Virginia, and Michigan. 

This disease, so far as I can determine, does not occur anywhere in Europe. 
Whether it occurs in China, Japan, Algiers, Cape Colony, New Zealand, 
New South Wales, Argentine Republic, or other parts of the globe where 
peaches are extensively planted, is a matter for future inquiry, especially with 
reference to the origin of the disease or to its possible introduction from this 
country. At present the United States appears to have exclusive possession 
of this most insidious and destructive disease. 


EARLY HISTORY OF PEACH-GROWING IN THE UNITED STATES, 


Peach yellows is not a disease of recent appearance. It has been known 
for some time and the literature of the subject is extensive. For a better 
understanding of the present situation it is desirable to learn as much as 
possible of its early history, and also of the early history of the peach in this 
country. 

It is uncertain exactly when peach trees were first introduced into this 
country, but it was prior to 1633. From two entries in the records of the 
governor and company of the Massachusetts bay in New England, it is prob- 
able that they were introduced into the New England region soon after the 
year 1629. On page 24 of the first volume of these records is an undated 
memorandum of things “to provide to send for New England,’’ among 
which are included ‘‘stones of all sorts of fruits, as peaches, plums, filberts, 
cherries.” Somewhat later, in a letter of April 17, 1629, from Gravesend, 
England, by the governor and deputy of the New England company to Capt. 
John Endicott, then ‘ governor and council for London’s plantation in the 
Massachusetts bay in New England,”’ we read (p. 392): 

As for fruit stones and kernels, the time of year fits not to send them now, so we 
propose to do it pr. our next. 

In 1633 the Dutch sea captain, DeVries, found peach trees in Virginia in 
the garden of George Minifie, on the James river, between Blue Point and 
Jamestown. They were the first seen by him in North America. The follow- 
ing is copied from the entry in his journal: 

Arrived at Littletown, where Menifit lives. He has a garden of two ‘acres, full of 


primroses, apple, pear, and cherry trees. * * Around the house were planted 
peach trees, which were hardly in bloom, 


Minifie settled there in 1623. 
In 1635 appeared the following mention of peach growing in Maryland: 


224 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


Although there may not be many that do apply themselves to plant gardens and 
orchards, yet those that do it find much profit and pleasure thereby. They have peares, 
apples, and several sorts of plummes, peaches in abundance, and as good as those in 
Italy. 


In 1656 John Hammond wrote of an earlier period, ‘‘ Orchards innumer- 
able were planted and preserved ”’ (p. 9), and of his own time: 


The country is full of gallant orchards, and the fruit generally more luscious and 
delightful than here. Witness the peach and quince. The latter may be eaten raw 
savourily; the former differs and as much exceeds ours as the best relished apple we 
have doth the crab, and of both most excellent and comfortable drinks are made 
(p. 13). 

‘Some other early statements are as follows: 


In the hot summer, rock cold water, with an eighth of peach vinegar, is the best bey- 
erage; peaches better than apricots by some doe feed hogs. One man hath ten thou- 
sand trees. 

Fruits they have, strawberries, gooseberries, etc.; and for fruits brought there and 
ee apples, pears, quinces, apricocks, peaches, and many more kinds excellent 

ood, etc. 
- In orchards [they have] all sorts of apple trees, pear trees, quince, peach, apricocks, 
cherries, fig trees, and vines. 


Mr. Scharf declares that : 


All early travelers in and writers about Maryland have noted the fact that even 
before the first generation of settlers had passed, the country was thickly planted with 
orchards of apple and peach trees, which seemed to grow in the most flourishing way. 

It is certainly remarkable that within twenty-two years after the landing at Saint 
Mary’s [in 1634] orchards should have become a notable and even conspicuous feature 
in the landscape; but the evidence of the fact is conclusive. 


To the effect that previous to 1683 peach trees were growing thriftily in 
considerable numbers in other’ parts of the country, there are statements by 
at least four persons, Thomas Campanius, 1643-48 ; Louis Hennepin, 1679-82; 
Mahlon Stacy, 1680, and William Penn, 1683. ; 


Campanius records finding peaches in three places ulong the Delaware. 
Hennepin says: 

The peaches there [in Louisiana] are like those of Europe and bear very good fruit 
in such abundance that the savages are often obliged to prop up the trees with forked 
sticks. 

Du Pratz thinks it probable that peaches were introduced into Louisiana 
by the Indians prior to French occupation; the aborigines having obtained 
them from the English colony in Carolina. This is the most probable origin 
of those found by Hennepin, De Soto’s visit to the Mississippi 150 years 
before having been under conditions not at all favorable either to the trans- 
portation or the planting of peach pits. 

Stacy writes from New Jersey: 

I have traveled through most of the places that are settled, and some that are not; 
and in every place I find the country very apt to answer the expectation of the diligent. 
I have seen orchards laden with fruit to admiration ; their very limbs torn to pieces by 
the weight, and most delicious to the taste and lovely to behold. I have seen an apple 
tree from a pippin kernel yield a barrel of curious cider, and peaches in such plenty 
that some people took their carts a peach gathering; I could not but smile at the con- 


ceit of it ; they are very delicate fruit, and hang almost like our onions that are tied 
on ropes. 


William Penn says: 


The fruits I find in the woods are white and black mulberry, chestnut, walnut, 
Pons strawberries, cranberries, hurtleberries, and grapes of diversesorts. * * * 
ere are also peaches and very good and great in quantities, not an Indian plantation 
without them ; but whether naturally here at first 1 know not. However, one may 


PEACH YELLOWS. 225 


have them by bushels for very little ; they make a pleasant drink and I think not 
inferior to any peach you have in England, except the true Newington. 


According to Robert Beverly peaches grew abundantly in Virginia at the 
beginning of the eighteenth century. He says: 


Peaches, nectarines, and apricots, a8 well as plums and cherries, grow there upon 
standard trees. They commonly bear in three years from the stone, and thrive so ex- 
ceedingly that they seem to have no need of grafting or inoculating, if anybody would 
be so good a husband ; and truly I never heard of any that did graft either plum, nec- 
tarine, peach, or apricot in that country, before the first edition of this book [London, 
1705]. 

ee and nectarines I believe to be spontaneous somewhere or other on the con- 
tinent, for the Indians have, and ever had, greater variety and finer sorts of them than 
the English. The best sort of these cling to the stone and will not come off clear, 
which they call plum nectarines and plum peaches, or clingstones. Some of these 
are 12 or 13 inches in the girth. These sorts of fruits are raised so easily there that 
some good husbands plant great orchards of them, purposely for their hogs; and others 
make a drink of them, which they can mobby, and drink it as cider, or distil it off for 
brandy. This makes the best spirit next to grapes. 


In 17338 peaches grew plentifully in Georgia, as indicated by the following 
quotation : } 


Mulberries, both black and white, are natives of thissoil, and are found in the woods, 
as are many other sorts of fruit trees of excellent kinds, and the growth of them is sur- 
prisingly swift; for a peach, apricot, or nectarine tree will, from the stone, grow to be 
a bearing tree in four or five years’ time [p. 50]. 

They have oranges, lemons, apples, and pears, besides the peach and apricot men- 
tioned before. Some of these are so delicious that whoever tastes them will despise the 
insipid, watery taste of those we have in England; and yet such is the plenty of them 
that they are given to the hogs in great quantities (p. 51). 


On September 18, 1740, Mr. Thomas Jones writes from Savannah to Mr. 
John Lyde as follows : 


As to our fruit, the most common are peaches and nectarines (I believe that I had a 
hundred bushels of the former this year in my little garden in town); we have also 
apples of divers sorts, chinchopin nuts, walnut, chestnut, hickory, and ground nuts. 


In 1741 Sir John Oldmixon writes of Virginia: 


Here is such plenty of. peaches that they give them to their hogs; some of them, 
called malachotoons, are as big as a lemon and resemble it a little. 


Of Carolina he writes, quoting Mr. Archdale : 


Everything generally grows there that will grow in any part of Europe, there being 
already many sorts of fruits, as apples, pears, apricots, nectarines, etc. They that once 
taste of them will despise the watery, washy taste of those in England. There’s such 
plenty of them that they are given to the hogs. In four or five years they come from 
a stone to be bearing trees. 


In 1748 the naturalist, Peter Kalm, traveled extensively in Pennsylvania, 
New Jersey, and other parts of eastern North America. Kalm was a shrewd 
and observant man. From his interesting records, which bear the stamp of 
truth, I quote as follows: 


[September 17, 1748, at Mr. Bartram’s country seat, 4 miles south of Philadelphia]: 
Every countryman, even a common peasant, has an orchard near his house, in which 
all sorts of fruits, such as peaches, apples, pears, cherries, and others are in plenty. 
The peaches are now almost ripe. They are rare in Europe, particularly in Sweden, 
for in that country hardly any people besides the rich taste them. But here every 
countryman had an orchard full of peach trees, which were covered with such quan- 
ities of fruit that we could scarcely walk in the orchards without treading on those 
which were fallen off, many of which were always left on the ground, and only part 
of them was sold in town and the rest was consumed by the family and strangers, for 
every one that passed by was at liberty to go into the orchard and to gather as many 
of them as they wanted. Nay, this fine fruit was frequently given to the swine (pp. 
71-72). 

29 


226 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


[Here follows a paragraph telling how the fruit is dried for winter use, | 


The peach trees have, as I am told, been first planted here by the Eur’ cans. But at 
present they succeed very well, and require even less care than our | wvedish] apple 
and pear trees. 

[September 26}: Mr. Bartram was of the opinion that the apple tree v 1s brought into 
America by the Europeans, and that it never was there before their crival. But he 
looked upon peaches as an original American fruit, and as growing wi | in the greatest 

art of America. Others again were of the opinion that they were i st brought over 

y the Europeans. But all the French in Canada agreed that on the anks of the Mis- 
sissippi and in the country thereabouts peaches were found growing \ ild in great quan- 
tity (p. 127). 

Optaber the 27th. In the morning I set out [from Philadelphia] on a little journey to 
New York. * 3 

That part al we traveled at present [7. e.. on the west bank of the Delaware, be- 
tween Philadelphia and Trenton] was pretty well inhabited on both sides of the road by 
Englishmen, Germans, and other Europeans, * * * Near almost every farm was 
a great orchard, with peach and apple trees, some of which were yet loaded with fruit 


(p. 216). 
Kalm crossed the Delaware at Trenton in the evening, and continued his 
journey on October 28, from Trenton via Princeton: . 


During the greater part of the day we had very extensive corn fields on both sides of 
the road. * * * Near almost every farm was a spacious orchard full of peach and 
apple trees, and in some of them the fruit had fallen from the trees in such quantities 
as to cover nearly the whole surface. Part of it they left to rot, because they could 
not take it allin and consume it. Wherever we passed by we were always welcome 
to go into the fine orchards and gather our hats and pockets full of the choicest fruit, 
witheut the possessors so much as looking after it (pp. 222-223). 


In 1758 Du Pratz speaks of peaches in Louisiana as follows: 


The peaches are of the kind we call alberges; and contain so much water that they 
make a kind of wine of it. * * Our colonists plant the peach stones about the 
end of February, and suffer the trees to grow exposed to all weathers. In the third 
year they will gather from one tree at least two hundred peaches, and double that 
amount for six or seven years more, when the tree dies irrevovably. As new trees are 
so easily produced, the loss of the old ones is not in the least regretted. 


In 1756 Israel Acrelius returned to Sweden from the Delaware region, 
where he had been the resident clergyman for some years. From his book, 
which is more trustworthy than that of Campanius, I quote as follows: 


Peach trees stand within an inclosure by themselves; grow even in the stoniest 
places without culture. The fruit is the most delicious that the mouth can taste, and 
often allowable in fevers. One kind, called clingstones, are considered the best; in 
these the stones are not loose from the fruit as in the others. Many have peach orchards 
chiefly for the purpose of feeding their swine, which are not allowed to run at large. 
They first bloom in March, the flowers coming out before the leaves, and are often 
injured by the frosts; they are ripe toward the close of August. This fruit is regarded 
as indigenous, like maize and tobacco; for as far as any Indians have been seen in the 
interior of the country these plants are found to extend. 


In one of his chapters on the ‘‘ General state of Pennsylvania between 
the years 1760 and-1770,” Proud says: 

In some places peaches are so common and plentiful that the country people feed 
their hogs with them, 

In 1793 Thomas Cooper spent the autumn and winter in the United States, 
and on his return to England published a book in which are the following 
statements, apparently in part, at least, gathered at first hand: 

Every farm home in the middle and southern states has its peach orchard and its 


apple orchard, and, with all their slovenliness, abundance and content are evident in 


every habitation (p. 51). 
At Norfolk, Va., peaches sold for 1d. and 2d. per dozen (p. 96). At Winchester, Va., 
the price of peaches was from 2s, to 4s. per bushel, Virginia currency (p. 100). 


PEACH YELLOWS, R227 


In Virginia and Maryland peaches and apples afford peach and apple brandy ; the 
latter is an indifferent spirit; the former, when well made, carefully rectified and kept 
in a cask for some years, is as fine liquor as I have ever tasted (p. 121). 

At Paxton, near Harrisburg, Mr. M’ Allister had several peach trees but 
only recently planted. This man-also had a few apricot and nectarine 
trees. 

He gives 6d. a piece for apple and peach trees, about three or four years old, that is 
fit to plant out (page 129). Peach trees (same place) grow about the thickness of one’s 
thumb and 4 or 5 feet high, in one year, from the stone, and bear fruit in four years, 
from the stone (p. 180). 

In 1795 Winterbotham writes: 

The apples of this state (Maryland) are large but mealy; the peaches plenty and good. 
From these the inhabitants distil cider and peach brandy (p. 36). 

In some counties [of Virginia] they have plenty of cider, and exquisite brandy dis- 
tilled from peaches, which grow in great abundance upon the numerous rivers of the 
Chesapeake (p. 84). 

Little attention appears to have been given to the systematic cultivation of 
the peach even during the eighteenth century. The trees were transplanted, 
or grown in place from pits, and then left to themselves. Hven as late as 
1804 such treatment was not infrequent. Nevertheless the peach flourished. 


FIRST APPEARANCE OF YELLOWS. 


However, in the vicinity of Philadelphia and along the Delaware, where 
from past experience the climate was known to be very favorable, more 
attention was given to peach orchards after the Revolution; and here, prior 
to 1800, there began to be great complaint of the increasing degeneracy of 
the peach. In marked contrast with its former habit it was now declared to 
be very short-lived and disappointing. So general was this decay that in 
May, 1796, the American Philosophical society offered the following pre- 
mium, one of five: 

For the best method, verified by experiment, of preventing the premature decay of 
peach trees, a premium of $60. Papers on this subject will be received till the 1st day 
of January, 1798. 

This premium was finally divided between John Ellis, of New Jersey, and 
Thomas Coulter, formerly of Delaware but then of Bedford county, Pa. 
Both men associated the trouble directly or indirectly with insects, and Mr. 
Ellis gives a rough but fairly correct account of the depredations of the 
borer, Wgeria exitiosa, Say. There is no mention in either paper of any 
symptoms at all like yellows. 

It does not appear that the peach borer was responsible for the entire 
trouble, though unquestionably the habits of this insect have not changed 
during the last hundred years. . 

Ten years later, February 11, 1806, Judge Richard Peters read before the 
Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture a paper ‘‘ on peach trees,”’ 
in which he says: 

About fifty years ago [between 1750 and 1760], on the farm on which I now reside. 
{[Belmont, now included in Fairmount Park in the west part of Philadelphia], my 
father had a large peach orchard, which yielded, abundantly. Until a general catas- 
trophe befell it, plentiful crops had been for many years produced with very little 
attention. The trees began nearly at once to sicken, and finally perished. Whether 
by the wasp [_4’geria], then undiscovered, or by some change in our climate, I know 


not. For forty years past I have observed the peach trees in my neighborhood to be 
short-lived. Farther south, in the western country, and, it seems, in some parts of 


228 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


New Jersey [apparently not in all] they are durable and productive as they had been 
formerly here. * * * The worm or grub, produced by the wasp depositing its prog- 
eny in ‘the soft bark near the surface of the ground, is the most common destroyer, 
re When trees become sickly I grub them up. I find that sickly trees often 
infect those in vigor near them by some morbid effluvia. Although I have had trees 
twenty years old, and knew some of double that age (owing probably to the induration 
of the bark rendering it impervious to the wasp, aud the strength acquired when they 
had survived early misfortunes), yet in general they do not live in tolerable health after 
bearing four or five crops. * * * Fifteen or sixteen years ago [1790-91] Llost one 
hundred and fifty peach trees in full bearing in the course of two summers by a dis- 
ease engendered in the first season. I attribute its origin to some morbid infection in 
the air. * * * The disorder being generally prevalent would, among animals, have 
been called an epidemic. From perfect verdure the leaves turned yellow in a few [?] 
days, and the bodies blackened in spots. Those distant from the point of infection 
gradually caught the disease. I procured young trees from a distance in high health 
and planted them among the least diseased. In a few [?] weeks they became sickly, 
and never recovered. * * * After my general defeat and most complete overthrow,, 
in which the worm had no agency, [ recruited my peaches from distant nurseries, not 
venturing to take any out of those in my vicinity. I have since experienced a, few 
instances of this malady, and have promptly, on the first symptoms appearing, re- 
moved the subjects of it, deeming their cases desperate in themselves and tending to the 
otherwise inevitable destruction of others. 


Judge Peters said he then had two hundred trees of all ages—thirty-two 
yarieties; Mr. Coxe, of Burlington, N. J,, had ‘‘doubie that number,”’ and 
Edward Heston, a neighbor of Peters, had ‘‘seyen or eight hundred trees * 
*  * now in vigor and very productive.” On page 23 Judge Peters adds, 
in a note of later date: 


Mr. Heston begins to suffer by the disease I call the yellows, though he has fewer 
worms than common in other modes [of cultivation]. 


Nearly two years later, September, 1807, Judge Peters records in a brief 
note, that— 


As I predicted the yellows are seen making destructive ravagesin Mr. Heston’s peach: 
plantation. I have lost a great proportion of my trees [the 200] by the same malady 
this year, some of them young and vigorous. We have had two successive rainy sea- 
sons. I do not recollect ever to have seen more general destruction among peach trees 
throughout the whole of the country. It seems that excessive moisture is one of the 
primary causes of this irresistible disease. ° 


Again we read: 


Iam pursuing’ my old plan of re-instating my peach trees lost last season [1806 or 
1807] by my unconquerable foe, the disease I call the yellows. I obtain them from 
different nurseries free from this pestiferous affection. The worm or wasp [_4?geria} 
I have in complete subjection. I should be perfectly disinterested in proposing that 
the society offer a premium for preventing the disease so fatal; for I shall never gain 
the reward, 


Again Judge Peters writes: 


I still think [November 17, 1807] that the disease so generally fatal (more so.this year 
than any other in my memory), called the yellows, isatmospherical. * * * Com- 
pare this account [of thrifty orchards in Delaware] with the actual state of the peach 
in our country, and judge whether we live in a region favorable to its growth. Mr. 
Heston’s attempt at cultivating this tree in the southern manner begins already to fail. 
His trees are evidently infected, and many are on the decline. The yellows are uni- 
Rersally prevalent this season throughout the whole country [%. e., around Philadel- 
phial. 


It is to be regretted that with all his writing Judge Peters left no clear 


account of the symptoms of the disease. There is nothing more definite than 
the following remark: 


The shoots of the last season were remarkably injured by the excessive drought, and 
the extremities of many limbs are entirely dead [February 11, 1806]. Teguments of 


P&ZACH YELLOWS. 222 


straw or bass [placed around the trunk to keep away the borers] made the bark tender 
-and it threw out under the covering sickly shoots. 


This incidental mention of “sickly shoots”? and dead extremities, coupled 


with the other statements quoted, render it likely enough that the appear- 
ances which he attributed to other causes were really due to what we now call 
yellows. So far as I know, Judge Peters was the first to apply the term 
yellows to a disease of the peach. 

Dr. James Tilton, of Bellevue, near Wilmington, Del., expresses himself 
more explicitly and leaves no doubt that the disease which he saw was 
identical with the one now prevalent. Ina letter to Judge Peters, Novem- 
ber 6, 1807, he says: 


The disease and early death of our peach trees is a fertile source of observation, far 
from being exhausted. * * ™* Even that sickly appearance of the tree, called the 
yellows, attended by numerous weakly shoots on the limbs generally, is attributed to 
dnsects by a late writer in our newspapers. 


There is no mention of premature fruit, associated with the ‘‘ weakly 
shoots’ as a part of the disease, but, as an effect of climate, mention is made 
that ‘‘a fine early peach, which ripened in Northampton, Va., so early a3 
June, did not ripen on my farm before the last of August or the first of Sep- 
tember.’’ In the same communication Dr. Tilton speaks of ‘‘ measures pro- 
posed in our newspapers for curing the yellows,” as though the disease had 
become general. 

I have no doubt that Dr. Tilton saw yellows in 1807, and am strongly 
inclined to think that Judge Peters was talking about the same disease. 
Clearly Dr. Tilton thought so. This would put back the first appearance of 
peach yellows to some time prior to 1791. 

Returning to 1806-7 we may inquire to what extent this new disease was 
prevalent. The foregoing citations show clearly enough the condition of 
orchards around Philadelphia. 

Mr. William Coxe, a nurseryman and fruit grower who lived at Burlington, 
N. J., 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia, writes to Judge Peters on April 5, 
1807: " 

Iam perfectly ignorant of the disease to which you give the name of yellows. Noth- 
ing of this description hasever appeared among my peach trees. For four or five years 
past my trees have borne well and have resisted the worms. 

Doctor ‘Tilton writes to Judge#Peters: 


In my jaunt through Maryland I was attentive tothe subject of your letters. I found 
the peach trees generally were long-lived, healthy, and bore well. In Edward Lloyd’s 
garden I observed some of these trees 15 or 18 inchesin diameter and perfectly healthy. 
Colonel Nichols, near Easton, abounds in the best kind of peaches. He is an old resi- 
-denter, and particularly attentive to fruits. 


In reference to Delaware, Judge‘Peters himself says: 


I received verbally from a wealthy farmer, Mr. Bellah, who is the proprietor of a 
considerable landed estate in Delaware [near Dover], the following account, which he 
says is generally applicable to the culture of peaches in the southern country: 

“In Kent county, Del., they cultivate the peach withoutany difficulty orrisk. * * * 
They obtain fruit in three years in plenty; and the trees have been known to endure 
fifty years. No worms or diseases assail them... * * * ‘here are orchards of 50 and 
10 acres, and some larger in Accomac and other parts of the isthmus between the bays 
-of Chesapeake and Delaware, farther south.” 


Timothy Matlack, Esq., writing “On Peach Trees” in 1808, from Lancaster, 
‘65 miles west of Paoiladelphia, speaks of the borer, but does not mention yel- 
lows. 


230 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


It would appear, therefore, from these statements and from considerable 
additional negative evidence, that at this date, 1806-’07, the disease was 
restricted to a small area around Philadelphia, including probably a portion 
of New Jersey and upper Delaware. 

From this date the disease gradually extended into New Jersey, Delaware, 
Maryland, New York, and other states. 

Mr. Coxe, of New Jersey, who knew nothing about yellows in 1807, knew 
it apparently only too well in 1817, for he says of the peach: . 


It is, when in perfection, the finest fruit of our country for beauty and flavor ; it is 
deeply to be regretted that its duration is so short, and that it is subject to a malady 
which no remedy can cure nor cultivation arrest. Of the numberless modes of miti- 
gating or preventing the diseases of the peach tree, with which our public prints are 
daily teeming, none have yet been found effectual. The ravages of the worm, which 
destroys the roots and trunk of this tree, may be sometimes prevented and with care 
may be at all times rendered less destructive, but the malady which destroys much the 
largest portion of the trees has hitherto baffled every effort to subdue it; neither its 
source nor the precise character of the disease appear to be perfectly understood, In 
one of the consequences of this disease every cultivator of the tree will agree, that it 
can not be cultivated with success on the site of a former plantation until some years 
and an intermediate course of cultivation have intervened; ifi a nursery established on 
ground previously occupied by peach trees the stones may possibly sprout, but in a 
few |?] weeks they will assume a languishing appearance, the leaves will turn yellow, 
they will dwindle, and the greater part will perish the first season. 

If trees are brought from a sound nursery and planted on the site of an old orchard, 
or in a garden previously occupied by them, or among old trees, the young plantation 
will share the same fate with the nursery planis, it will seldom survive the first season, 
and it will never be vigcrous or thrifty. 

The fine peaches which are raised for the Philadelphia market are cultivated in the 
following manner. [Here follows an account of the method of cultivation, not differ- 
ent from that now in use in Maryland and Delaware.] With this management | which 
included search for borers in the spring, summer, and autumn], a peach orchard ne#r 
a market, or on navigable waters, will be a profitable application of land, but no pre- 
cautions will insure its duration beyond two or three, or at the utmost four [bearing?] 
years. If it succeeds even for this short time, with a judicious selection of kinds, the 
product will amply renumerate the trouble and expense, beyond any other mode of 
employing the land .~ this country. 

The proper soil for a peach orchard is a rich sandy loam’; I have no recollection of a 
very productive one on very stiff or cold land. 


As early as 1810, according to Darling, and 1814, according to Downing, 
the disease had already destroyed ‘‘ a considerable part of all the orchards’ 
in New Jersey, and had made its appearance on the banks of the Hudson 
and in Connecticut. 

Mr. Coxe in his treatise—all the pertinent portions of which I have 
quoted—does not mention premature fruit. The earliest reference to this as 
one of the symptoms of yellows is by William Prince, of Flushing, Long 
Island, in 1828. Mr. Prince was a famous nurseryman. His extensive 
knowledge of theoretical and practical horticulture, together with his guod 
general knowledge of botany, not only made him familiar with the disease, 
but fitted him to write upon it with some degree of exactness, although he 
does not always distinguish clearly between things proved and things proba- 
ble. He describes the disease which we now call “ yellows,’’ and leaves no 
doubt whatever that he has in mind the same disease mentioned by earlier 
and less explicit writers, such as Coxe and Peters. For these reasons, and 
because the book is seldom found, even in public libraries, I have here 
transcribed all that relates to yellows: 


There are two causes that have operated against the success of this tree [the peach], 
and which seem peculiar to it—the one is a worm which attacks the tree at the root, 


D TERMINAL PEACH SHOOTS, 


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PEACH YELLOWS, — 232 


near the surface of the ground, and often totally encircles it; the other is a disease 
usually denominated the yellows. [Here follows an account of the borer. ] 

Yellows.—This disease which commenced its ravages in New Jersey and Pennsyl- 
vania about the year 1797, and in New York in 1801, and has spread through several 
of the states, is by far more destructive to peach trees than the worm, and is evidently 
contagious. This disease is spread at the time when the trees are in bloom, and is dis- 
seminated by the pollen or farina blowing from the flowers of the diseased trees, and 
impregnating the flowers of those which are healthy and which is quickly circulated 
by the sap through the branches, and fruit, causing the fruit, wherever the infection 
extends, to ripen prematurely. That this disease is entirely distinct from the worm is 
sufficiently proved by the circumstance that peach trees which have been inoculated 
on plum or almond stocks, though less affected by the worm, are equally subject to the 
yellows—and a decisive proof of its being contagious is that a healthy tree, inoculated 
from a branch of a diseased one, instead of restoring the graft to vigor and health, 
immediately becomes itself infected with the disease. As all efforts totally to subdue 
it must require a long course of time, the best method to pursue towards its eventual 
eradication is to stop its:progress and prevent its further extension—to accomplish 
which the following means are recommended, which have been found particularly 
successful, 

As soon as a tree is discovered to possess the characteristics of the disease, which is 
generally known by the leaves putting on a sickly, yellow appearance—but of which 
the premature ripening of the fruit is decisive proof—it should be marked, so as to be 
removed the ensuing autumn, which must be done without fail, for if left again to 
bloom, it would impart the disease to many others in its vicinity; care is also neces- 
sary in its removal to take out all the roots of the diseased tree, especially if another 
is to be planted in the same place, so that the roots of the tree planted may not come 
in contact with any of those of the one which was diseased. 

If your neighbor has trees infected with the yellows in a quarter contiguous to 
yours, it will be necessary to prevail on him to remove them, that yours may not be 
injured by them. By being thus particular in speedily removing such trees as may 
be infected, the disease is prevented from extending itself to the rest of the orchard, 
and the residue will constantly be preserved in perfect health at the trifling loss of a 
few trees annually from a large orchard. 


“A distant subscriber,” writing to The New York Farmer in 1831 (p. 154), 
also mentions premature fruit. He says: 

Notwithstanding the wide destruction that the yellows has made, very few even at 
this day appear to understand the unerring symptoms of the disase. Let me say when 


the fruit ripens prematurely, from two to four weeks before the ordinary time, and the 
pulp is marked by purple discolorations, then beware ! 


EXTENSION OF YELLOWS SINCE 1830. 


The disease extended somewhat slowly, and its general movement appears 
worthy of special consideration, particularly as this may throw some light 
upon the nature of the disease. It may be noted, however, that it continued 
to prevail in the country about Philadelphia, where it was originally discovered, 
as shown by the following citations: P 

In 1838, in the Farmer’s Cabinet, it is styled ‘‘ that most insidious and 
fatal disease of the peach tree, the yellows.’’ 

In 1839 the same journal prints the following from the pen of a corre- 
spondent: 

The worm (geria) and the yellows are.two great contemporary evils, which prob- 
ably have no necessary connection with each other. The worm does not inquire 


whether the devoted tree is sick or in health; the yellows is not always followed by its 
ravages. 


In 1847 the following appeared in the Farmer and Mechanic: 


For many years the peach tree has been subject to a disease known as the yellows. 
This disease seldom makes its appearance before the tree has arrived at maturity, as 
its great vigor and rapid growth appear to preclude the development of the disease 
previous to the tree fruiting. Much time, and labor, and research have been spent in 


232 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


fruitless endeavors to eradicate the disease after it has made its appearance in orchards, 
and the only result arrived at is the necessity for replanting new trees to take the place 
of the old ones at short intervals of time. Many applications to trees have been recom- 
mended, and potash, lime, tobacco, banking up trees in winter, etc., have had their 
advocates. 

Although individual cures may have been effected, or decay for a time have been 
arrested by the remedies, yet such instances are extremely rare; and when applied on 
a large scale are shown to be without value. The disease, a true consumption, still 
continues and will continue, unless some radical method is adopted to eradicate it. 
From my own observation and experience, I am led to the belief that this formidable 
disease has been much aggravated and spread throughout the country by budding from 
trees containing in themselves the seeds of incipient consumption, not yet externally 
developed. A bud may be taken from a tree apparently sound, but after a time both 
trees will be affected and decay. * * * That the disease, however it may have 
originated, has not its origin in either the soil or climate of this latitude is pretty evi- 
dent. Natural trees can now be found in great numbers of many years’ growth along- 
side fences and other neglected situations, perfectly sound and likely to remain so. 

In 1878 yellows was still quite prevalent near Philadelphia. 

Mr. Smith next traces the progress of yellows from this vicinity of Phila- 
delphia, where it seems to have originated, first noting its spread to the north 
and northeast. 

Its presence and disastrous course in New Jersey was noted at various times 
up to 1858, when Edward Wilkins, a Maryland grower, found that ‘‘nearly the 
whole of the peach orchards of New Jersey had been destroyed by a disease 
known as the yellows.’? Other writers are quoted proving the continuous 
existence of yellows in more or less of the state, from that date on till the 
present. 

In eastern New York, yellows was reported by Wm. Prince in 1801 and by 
A. J. Downing in 1814, but the latter notes in 1849 that by practice of digging 
and burning the disease had nearly disappeared. Prior to 1846 yellows totally 
destroyed the peach trees on Long Island, but new plantations were then 
healthy and flourishing. Its presence was continuous, even to the present, 
although spasmodic to some extent, for in 1878 Charles Downing said yellows 
had been in the state sixty years, ‘‘sometimes continuing for five or six years 
and then several years free from it.’’ 

Yellows first appeared in Connecticut as early as 1815, and in course of 
twenty years nearly exterminated the trees, though efforts at cultivation con- 
tinued to the present but without success. 

Its appearance in Massachusetts is not noted prior to about 1862, “but when 
it came it swept everything.”’ 

Prof. Smith thus summarizes: So far as its present distribution is con- 
cerned we may infer that the disease occurs, or is likely to occur, anywhere 
from the Delaware river north and northeast, through New Jersey, eastern 
New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, to the extreme 
limits of peach growing in the more northern New England States. 

It would seem also that the disease did not appear on the northern limits 
of peach growing until many years-after it had destroyed orchards in more 
favorable southern locations. 

As to the northwestward and westward march of the disease, Prof. Smith 
traces its progress through Pennsylvania, although it took till 1887 for it to 
reach Pittsburgh. Yellows was first reported in Ohio in 1849, but little or 
nothing more is recorded of it till 1887, when it was reported as generally 
prevalent throughout the northern part of the state, though kept pretty well 
in check by early destruction of infected trees. 

In western New York peach growing was begun by whites some years prior 


PEACH YELLOWS. 233 


to 1821, but undoubtedly peaches were grown by Indians at a much earlier 
-date. Yellows was reported in Cayuga county in 1824, yet it was compara- 
tively unknown twenty years later, what then existed having been, presump- 
tively, imported from New Jersey in nursery stock. By 1861 yellows had 
become ‘‘ quite at home ” in some parts of western New York. In 1874, and 
for a few years later, Niagara county was the center of extensive and highly 
successful peach culture; but in that year yellows existed in at least one 
orchard, and by 1887 the ruin was nearly complete. 

Brief mention is made of appearance of yellows in Ontario, Canada, in 1878, 
but its ravages are not reported to have been so generally fatal as in this 
country; and of its real and presumptive existence in Indiana, from 1842 till 
now, though Mr. Smith admits he has no positive information of it from the 
southern part of the state. 

This brings him to consideration of Michigan, and we resume quotation: 


MICHIGAN. 


Peach growing in Michigan may, for convenience, be divided into an early, 
‘middle and later period, the first and second periods ending, respectively, with 
1839 and 1866. : 

Michigan was settled much more recently than southeastern Pennsylvania, 
New Jersey, Delaware or eastern Maryland. Although a fertile soil and a 
favorable climate offered special inducements to settlers, the tide of immigra- 
tion flowed steadily past the state for many years, and did not set strongly 
into it until after 1830. Consequently, peach growing for commercial pur- 
poses was begun more than one hundred years later than in the Atlantic coast 
states. Seedling peaches were grown, however, in a small way, all over 
southern Michigan from the time of the earliest settlements. 

In Berrien county, prior to 1809, Mr. Burnett planted peach trees, some of 
which were living in 1829, twenty years after his death. Two years later 
another pioneer, Samuel Wilson, found peaches growing in the Burnett 
orchard. 

At this time most of the settlers in Berrien county had a few seedling 
peach trees. 

In 1834 Mr. Brodiss, who lived six miles northwest of Niles, “ brought 
seedling peaches by the canoe-load down the St. Joseph river to peddle in 
Saint Joseph.’? In 1837 peaches were also brought into Saint Joseph from 
the Abbe orchard, said to haye been set with improved trees sent from 
Rochester, N. Y. : 

In Van Buren county, Dolphin Morris planted peach pits as early as 1830, 
-and grew trees therefrom which lived many years. In 1836 Isaac Barnum 
brought peach pits from New York and planted in Van Buren county. 

According to Harrison Hutchins, of Fennville, when the first whites set- 
tled in the lake-shore region of Allegan county, about 1835, they found a 
small peach orchard on Peach Orchard Point, on the Kalamazoo river, sup- 
posed to have been planted by French traders. The growing of seedling 
peaches by the settlers themselves began here soon after 1840. 

Mr. Hutchins, of Allegan county, also recalls that— 

Before the war small ‘ hookers” (boats) sometimes came to Saugatuck, and carried 
thence small loads of peaches, half grown and fuzzy, to sell in the more northern 


markets among the lumbermen. Their arrival was hailed by the pioneers as a good 
“opportunity to dispose of a few surplus peaches, although they usually carried apples. 


30 


234 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


In the central part of Allegan county Daniel Foster: planted a small nur- 
sery of apple and peach trees soon after 1844. At this time most of the set- 
tlers in that part of Allegan had small peach orchards, grown from pits of 
their own planting. In 1849 an orchard of budded fruit was planted at 
Monterey and continued to be profitable for many years. 

In Ottawa county many orchards were planted between 1836 and 1855, 
some of which contained peaches. In 1839 Allen Stoddard, of Ottawa 
county, sold peaches in Grand Rapids, from trees planted by his wife in 1836, 
around stumps in the clearings. And as early as 1858, according to Frank 
Hall, George Lovell, of Ottawa county, planted a large peach orchard for 
commercial purposes. 

In 1839, at Saint Joseph, in the garden of B. C. Hoyt, grew the first 
peaches ever sent from Michigan to the Chicago market. These were seed- 
lings. The next year Capt. Curtiss Boughton, of Saint Joseph, “ bought. 
peaches by the barrel and dry-goods box ;’’ took them to Chicago on his ves- 
sel, and sold them at an enormous profit. This transaction induced many to 
plant peach trees. 

In 1842 Mr. Hoyt procured buds of improved varieties from William 
Prince, of Long Island, and started a peach nursery; but no improved fruit 
was shipped from‘ Saint Joseph until 1844, when he sent over a few baskets 
of Crawfords. 

After 1845 the shipment of choice fruit began to increase, beginning with a few hun- 
dred baskets of three pecks each, and reaching several thousand in 1855, when a great 
many Crawfords were shipped. 

In 1848 George Parmelee. of Benton Harbor, who afterward became a cel- 
ebrated fruit grower, set his first peach orchard. This contained between 
two and three acres of budded trees. He continued planting peach orchards 
as rapidly as possible, until he had nearly 90 acres. In 1850 he set his first 
Crawfords. In 1873, the original orchard of 1848 was yet standing and con- 
tained ‘* some of the largest and finest peach trees in the country.”’ 

In 1849, Captain Boughton set out 130 budded trees in St. Joseph township, south of— 
St. Joseph river. In 1850 he shipped 250 barrels of seedlings and 150 barrels of im- 
proved varieties twice a week. The shipments, for the year were by his vessel alone: 
not less than 10,000 baskets, 

In 1857, the ‘‘Cincinnati” peach orchard, containing 65 acres, was set in 
Berrien county. ‘‘ From this time the fruit interest commenced to grow 
rapidly, as one after another settled here and went into the business.” 

At South Haven, Van Buren county, ‘‘during or soon after the year 1852, 
S. B. Morehouse and Randolph Densmore planted [peach] orchards north of 
the river. * * * Within the next few years Mr. James L. Reed planted 
anorchard * * * south of the village.” In 1857 a peach nursery was. 
established. In 1859, Aaron Eames planted from this nursery four acres of 
peach trees. Soon after 1861 John Williams planted a peach orchard. 
Others planted orchards about this time. 

In 1861 C. Engle, of Paw Paw, Van Buren county, planted 700 trees of 
Crawford’s Early and Snow’s Orange on an elevated ridge, he having noticed 
as early as 1850 that peach trees on high land in his vicinity endured the 
winters better. 

Peach growing for commercial purposes may be said to have beg im 
Michigan in 1848, but owing to lack of shipping facilities it did not assume 
proportions at all comparable to eastern interests until more than a decade: 
later. Of this early period A. S. Dyckman of South Haven writes: 


PEACH YELLOWS. 235. 


When about the end of the last half century EHieazur Morton, George Parmelee and 
Curtis Boughton, the pioneers of Saint Joseph peach culture, set their respective 
orchards—an aggregate area of 25 acres—people opened their eyes in amazement at this 
exhibition of lunacy, thinking the product of such large orchards would overstock the 
market, 

These references concern only those counties in which peach growing was 
begun earliest and has always held a prominent place. However, prior to 
1860, according to Mr. Lyon, peaches had been grown successfully to a greater 
or less extent in at least fifteen other counties, for periods ranging from six 
years to upward of thirty years. 

In all of these counties, through all of these vears, from 1800 down, the 
pexch grew thriftily and bore ‘good crops. When not injured by borers or by 
those hard winters which every now and then killed or enfeebled some of the 
orchards, the peach tree was healthy, hardy and long lived. There was no 
yellows in any part of the State. 

This disease, known for so long in the east, first appeared in Michigan in 
1866 or 1867, in the extreme southwestern part of the State, in Berrien county. 
I have been at. considerable pains to verify this statement and think it can 
be accepted unqualifiedly, or with only that general qualification given to all 
inductions which rest on a multitude of details, some of which have not been 
examined. In this case absolute proof would be nothing less than concurrent 
exact testimony concerning every peach tree ever grown in the State, but such 
rigid proof no one demands beyond -the limits of the exact sciences. The 
belief that yellows did not appear in Michigan until 1866 rests upon the posi- 
tive statements of hundreds of intelligent peach growers and on the negative 
evidence of all the rest. 

The disease first appeared in a ciremscribed area near the village of Saint 
Joseph, within a few miles of lake Michigan and in the most favored peach 
region of the State. According to W. A. Brown, of Benton Harbor, it is said 
to have appeared first on the lake shore four miles south of St. Joseph, in the 
orchard of D. N. Brown, in trees brought from New Jersey and planted in 
1862 or 1863. It extended at first slowly, being confined to the vicinity of 
Benton Harbor for several years. Later it spread more and more rapidly, until 
by 1877-’78 it was destructlvely prevalent in nearly every orchard in the 
county. The fact that at first it occurred only in a limited area, or sporadi- 
cally, accounts for the various dates assigned for the first appearance of the 
disease. It is certain that the disease was not prevalent enough to attract 
general attention or cause well founded alarm until after 1870. After 1875 
few new orchards were planted and the old ones rapidly disappeared under 
its blighting influence. Even young orchards prematured all their fruit with- 
in two or three years’ time, and rapidly disappeared. 

The progress of peach growing in Berrien county from 1866, when yellows 
first appeared, to the culmination of the industry in 1874 or 1875 was almost 
phenomenal. Careful estimates of the number of peach trees in the fruit 
region of this county were made by private enterprise from time to time with 
the following results: 


Year. “ No. of trees. 
SG Dee eR tee See Le We ee eee wet ees Pett) ee ie 201,603 
oS GO ae shes ad Sat Beet oe! SAC eee td, no Oe 385,530 
Peete Nae nak eee Stes et! ARN AAO Me Ws teh T/L. 2 01 es een 594,467 


In 1865, a canvass showed that only about two hundred and fifty persons. 
were engaged in fruit raising; in 1872 the number had increased to over 
eight hundred. 


236 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


In 1871, according to Charles W. Garfield, who then first saw the Saint 
Joseph region, the peach orchards were everywhere. 

In 1873, J. E. Chamberlain declared the number of peach trees'in the 
fruit region of Berrien county to be not less than 500,000 by actual count. 
A. 8. Dyckman made a similar statement in 1874. Both apparently based 
their statements on the careful canvass made by Mr. Merchant in 1872. 

The peach shipments, by water, from Berrien county in 1877, were estimated 
‘by John Whittlesey, of Saint Joseph, at 422,225 baskets. A few baskets 
went also by railroad. 

From about 1870 we begin to meet frequent references to the ravages of 
yellows. 

In 1871, by invitation of the Berrien County Horticultural association, Dr. 
R. C. Kedzie visited Benton Harbor and examined many trees having all the 
characteristics of yellows. 

In 1872 ‘*L. T.”’ states that yellows has commenced its destructive work 

Saint Joseph, Mich., where he has a twenty-acre orchard. 

In April, 1873, L. Collins, of Saint Joseph, says: 

We have the disease called yellows among our trees and that to an alarming extent. 
I have lost one orchard of 800 trees entirely by the disease. 

In 1872, Messrs. Cook and Bidwell found yellows more or less “in every 
direction from Benton Harbor.’’ It extended northeast 12 miles, as far as 
Watervliet and Paw Paw lake, in the extreme north part of the county. 
They state that: 

The disease has probably existed in the vicinity five years. The exact time of its ad- 
vent is not known. The people have tried to believe that it was not the yellows, but 


‘the result of peculiar soil or seasons. But the fact can no longer be concealed. They 
have ‘‘ the yellows” in its most aggravated form. 


In April, 1873, A. R. Nowlen, of Benton Harbor, says: 


I think the disease made its appearance five years ago [1868] for the first time, and 
in various orchards several miles distant from each other simultaneously. 


In 1873 a committee, consisting of Prof. J.C. Holmes, H. G. Wells, and 
S. O. Knapp, were appointed by the State Pomological society to make a 
report upon yellows in Michigan. During that year these gentlemen spent 
nine days, July 30 to August 7, in southwestern Michigan searching for the 
disease. They found it only at Saint Joseph, Benton Harbor, and South 
Haven. No diseased trees were seen north of South Haven, nor many any - 
where; but the trip was too hasty to permit of thorough examination. They 
talked with many peach-growers and concluded that the disease was not 
widely prevalent. Among others the following well-known peach-growers 
reported to this committee that yellows was not present in their locality: E. 
D. Lay, Ypsilanti; T. T. Lyon, Plymouth; I. 8S. Linderman, Casco; Henry 
S. Clubb, Grand Haven; C. J. Dietrich, Grand Rapids; D. R. Waters, Spring 
Lake; S. B. Peck, Muskegon; J. D. Husted, Lowell; S. L. Morris, Holland; 
and C. Engle, Paw Paw. 

Four years later, in the Annual Report of the Secretary of the Michigan 
State Pomological Society, it is stated that at Benton Harbor and Saint 
Joseph, ‘‘ they are giving up peaches on account of the yellows.” These vil- 
Jages are both on Lake Michigan and only about three miles apart. The same 
year a Benton Harbor correspondent of the Cultivator and Country Gentle- 
man says: “‘ We have lost most of our trees in this region by yellows.”’ 
“The same year the same journal quoted from ‘I’. T. Lyon: ‘‘ This violent and 


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PEACH YELLOWS, 237. 
6 
contagious disease has nearly destroyed the peach orchards at Saint Joseph.” 

In 1880, says Charles W. Garfield, there were scarcely any peach orchards 
left at Saint Joseph. The growers attributed their destruction to yellows. 

In 1878 W. A. Brown of Benton Harbor writes: 

The disease is supposed to have been introduced in this vicinity about the year 1866, 
by means of trees imported from New Jersey, which had been grown from the buds of 
infected trees. But few trees were so affected, and it was several years later when the 
disease in#the vicinity of Benton Harbor first assumed a contagious type. A few trees 
in the large orchards south of Saint Joseph showed signs of yellows, but the character 
of the disease being known, such trees were immediately destroyed, and many fine 
crops were grown before the trees were all affected. The area of country infected was 
comparatively small until the past two seasons (1877 and 1878), when the disease has 
assumed a more virulent character, and has spread over all of Berrien county, except- 
ing a small portion in the extreme southern part, 


In 1887, A. O. Winchester of Saint Joseph writes: 


We do not know where it came from or how introduced. * * * The disease first 
appeared (first destructively) in the center of the peach belt eighteen years ago, and 
gradually spread north and south along the lake shore until there was not a healthy 
orchard left. 

This is not an overdrawn picture. No one who knows the character of the 
authorities cited will doubt the general correctness of the foregoing state- 
ments. Indeed, were further proof necessary, a great mass of additional tes- 
timony might be brought forward. The peach industry was literally swept 
out of Berrien county by yellows within one decade. There can be no doubt of- 
this. From being the foremost peach county in Michigan, with an acreage 
more than equal to that of all the others combined, it became ninth in order, and 
could boast of only 503 acres. In other words, with a prospect of an expanse 
in peach growing which would be limited only by market facilities and the 
ordinary accidents of culture, yellows appeared in destructive form, and the 
industry gradually fell away to about one-twelfth of its former proportions. 
The exact figures for 1874 can not be obtained, but the following statement 
is approximately correct : 


Number 


Year, Acres. ie GCE 
Sanne te fe See ee a eel) eS EL 6,000 654,000 
SSS pes eS cas Mactan ctdcoe Saces ae ees 503 54,827 ; 


growing disappeared almost completely. In 1884, the townships of Benton 
and Saint Joseph contained only 47 acres of peach orchard, and the entire 
north part of the county, including these two townships and seven others, 
had an aggregate of barely 210 acres. Hven these figures do not tell the 
whole truth. In the townships of Benton and Saint Joseph the bearing trees 
numbered at this time only 757, and in the entire nine townships, aggregating 
about 225 square miles, they numbered only 6,668. 

Many peach orchards have been planted in Berrien county since 1884, but 
it remains to be seen whether these will escape the disease which raged in the 
last decade. At present it looks as if they might. 

T. T. Lyon of South Haven states that the disease appeared in the central 
part of Van Buren county somewhat earlier than at South Haven, following, 
as he thinks, the line of the railroad from Berrien county, northeast, 7. ¢., 
being disseminated from nurseries. 


238 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
. . 

Yellows first appeared upon the lake shore, at South Haven, in 1869, in 
the orchard of Rossiter Hoppin. Although it finally destroyed most of the 
trees in that orchard and appeared in many others, it did not spread rapidly 
at first. Messrs. Holmes, Wells and Knapp found the disease there in 1873 
in three orchards only, and but to a very limited extent, 7. ¢., one orchard 
contained one tree; one, two trees; and one, four or five trees. 

In 1873 a committee was also appointed by the South Haven Pomological 
Society to inquire into the existence of yellows at South Hayen. This com- 
mittee, consisting of H. E. Bidwell, H. Linderman and John Williams, 
reported July 3, 1874, that, with the consent and assistance of the owners, 
they had removed a few cases of the disease from three orchards, and that 
““some traces of it’’ yet remained. On August 22, 1874, the same committee 
reported again, as follows: 


Your committee, who were appointed to examine the peaches in this vicinity to see 
if any yellows could be found, and if so to have it removed, beg leave to report: That 
where traces of it were found one and two years ago, and then removed, none now can 
be found; and where new trees are set in their places they are growing finely, and to © 
all appearances healthy. In one case two years ago [1872] the owner tried to cut it out 
of the tree by cutting off the affected limb, but last season he found that and three ad- 
joining trees affected. These were carefully removed, and no traces of the disease can 
now be found in his orchard. A similar case was found last season, where two peaches 
were found diseased on the end of a limb, which limb was removed as soon as the 
peaches were discovered to be diseased. Ona recent examination this tree was found 
to be covered with diseased peaches, and several other trees in the neighborhood were 
likewise found affected in whole or in part, which have all been removed. 


South Haven peach growers knew of the existence of yellows in Berrien 
county, that village being only about 20 miles north of Benton Harbor. 
They were therefore on the lookout for its appearance in their own orchards, 
the nearness of the danger making them specially watchful. Under such 
conditions yellows could not have existed long without detection, and there 
is no reason for supposing it existed at all until 1869. It did not become 
general until considerably later. Finally, however, it destroyed many trees 
and some whole orchards, the Hoppin orchard, among others. 

The condition of peach growing at South Haven prior to 1860 has already 
been noted. During the next ten or twelve years many peach orchards were 
planted. In 1864 A. 8. Dyckman, one of the large growers, shipped 600 
baskets; in 1872 he shipped 12,000 baskets. After 1870 the planting of 
peach orchards increased with special rapidity, owing in part, it may be pre- 
sumed, to discouragements in western Berrien arising from yellows, but 
chiefly to the increased facilities for shipment due to the dredging of the 
harbor and to the building of a railroad. 

The disease appeared first in a few trees and in a few orchards only, grad- 
ually extending to others. According to Mr. Lyon there was not much yel- 
lows at South Haven “until after the severe winter of 1874—’75, when about 
5 per cent of the trees were found diseased and taken out. Afterwards, 
until this year [1880], there was very little of the disease manifest. This 
year the disease shows an increase.”’ 


In 1878 A. G. Gulley, of South Haven, writes: 


. 
At least 5,000 trees have been destroyed by this disease the past season [1878] in this 
county alone, 


In 1882 Secretary J. G. Ramsdell, of South Haven, writes: 


That dreaded scourge of the peach grower, yellows, has made slow but marked 
progress during the year in this locality. 


PEACH YELLOWS. 239 


In 1883 Joseph Lannin, of South Haven, writes: 


We think we are holding the disease in check by promptly destroying the trees on the 
first manifestation of the disease. If, however, yellows continues to spread, it will be 
only a question of years when peach growing will cease on the lake shore. 

In 1888, Mr. Lannin told me he had lost his entire orchard. His neighbors, 
however, think it might have been sayed by a prompt and full compliance 
with the law. | 

Yellows is still present at South Haven, but is no longer a source of alarm. 

Speaking of the advent of yellows Mr. Lyon says: 

The peach interest at that time was already extensive and the trees were free from 
disease. 

Other South Haven growers testify to the previous freedom of the peach 
tree from disease. We may therefore conclude that peaches were cultivated 
at South Haven for a period of at least sixteen years, 1852-’69, unmolested by 
yellows. 

Yellows first appeared at Lawton, in southeastern Van Buren,.in 1878. 
This village is 30 miles east of Benton Harbor and 25 miles southeast of South 
Haven. Here, as elsewhere, peach growers being forewarned, were on the 
watch for the disease and presumably detected it very soon after its appearance. 

Peach growing for commercial purposes began at Lawton in 1860, when N. 
H. Bitley planted 500 trees. These trees bore their first crop in 1866, soon after 
which several other orchards were planted. Later occurred a very general plant- 
ing, so that in 1878,when yellows appeared, there were about 150,000 peach trees 
in the vicinity of Lawton. 

Hon. ©. D. Lawton, of Lawton, writes as follows: 

The first appearance of the yellows here was in 1878. I think it had appeared in Mr. 
Engle’s orchard near Paw Paw [four or five miles distant] the year previous to 1878, 
but that was the season we first recognized the disease here. Peach trees have grown 
here since the first settlement of the region. The first orchard for market—500 trees— 
was set by Mr. N. H. Bitley in 1858, and it survived and bore finely for twenty years, 
until destroyed by severe winters and yellows. No finer, healthier peach trees or peach 
orchards exist anywhere than were found here up to a few years ago. We have had 
several very severe winters, 1884, ’85,’86, during which many tree were injured or 
destroyed. This, added to the ravages of yellows, has caused our peach orchards to 
look somewhat ragged. 

In the season of 1881 there were shipped from this station upward of 100,000 baskets 
of peaches, in 1883 perhaps as many, and possibly as many in 1887. 

Up to about 1875 there were not many shippers. There were but few orchards. Still 
there were some that were proving profitable, and the success of these few induced 
others toset outtrees. Yellowsseems to have gradually spread here from Benton Harbor. 


We heard of its appearance in the west part of the county a few years before we 
discovered it here, and were looking out for it, anticipating its arrival. 


At Lawton peach growing has not been abandoned, although entire 
orchards have been ruined. 

Yellows does not appear to have worked as disastrously in Van Buren 
county as in Berrien, owing possibly to the timely and rather strict -enforce- 
ment of the yellows law. This phase of the problen will be considered later, 
under “‘restrictive legislation.” In 1884 the State census credited Van Buren 
county with 2,181 acres of peach orchard, a small acreage, considering its 
favorable situation, but enough to show that peaches can still be grown in 
spite of yellows. In 1883 Mr. Lyon says of South Haven, the best peach 
region in the county, ‘‘the acreage planted is largely increasing from year to 
year.” 

At Douglas, Allegan county, yellows appeared in 1873 or 1874, simultane- 

- ously in at least two orchards several miles apart. This village is 17 miles 


240 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


north of South Haven and a few miles only from the lake shore. Rey. J. F. 
Taylor, for six years yellows commissioner of Saugatuck township, and for 
twenty years a resident, writes as follows concerning the appearance of the 
disease in that locality: 


Yellows appeared here first in 1873 or 1874. In an orchard south of mine about two 
miles [orchard of Robert Linn] one tree produced some beautiful red fruit. No one 
knew the cause of the changed color. This orchard contained about 300 trees. After 
this tree had borne such fruit a year or two it was pronounced diseased with yellows. 
The man refused to cut it down, and in about eight years all of his trees (300) were 
dead by the effects of this contagious disease. The same year (1873 or 1874). two miles 
east of my orchard, another man |D. W. Wiley] found three or four trees in his 
orchard of 6,000 tree which had yellows. He did not know the appearance of affected 
fruit and went to Saint Joseph to learn what effect yellows had on tree and fruit. He 
cut and dug out these trees and planted new ones in their places, which grew and bore 
[healthy] fruit. This orchard has suffered but little from yellows. 


Yellows does not appear to have spread rapidly at first. Harrison Hutchins, 
of a neighboring village, himself a well known peach grower, writes: 


Peach yellows made its appearance on the lake shore [12 to 14 miles north of South 
Haven] about ten years ago, and one or two years later [1878 or 1879] about Fennville, 
64 miles east of the lake. 


Peaches were grown in the lake shore townships from the earliest settle- 
ment; commercial orchards were planted in 1862, and by 1872 the business of 
peach growing had become general. ‘Iwo years later, 1874, Henry S. Chubb, 
made a careful canvass and found that in two townships only, Ganges and 
Saugatuck, the number of peach trees in orchard exceeded 62,000. The 
name of each grower is given and the number of acres or the number of trees. 
There are many comments on the healthy appearance of individual orchards, 
and no mention is made of yellows. 

In other words, peaches were grown in western Allegan in constantly 
increasing numbers, unmolested by yellows for a period of not less than thirty 
years, even on the assumption that the disease appeared there considerably - 
earlier than the earliest date assigned. 

G. H. LaFleur, a nurseryman at Millgrove, says that yellows first appeared 
in the township of Casco in or about the year 1874. ‘‘ From that point it 
gradually spread until it reached Ganges and Saugatuck. I first saw it at 
Fennville in 1876.”” Three years after its appearance at Fennville, yellows 
appeared in Allegan township, on a favorable elevation, in an orchard grow- 
ing on some of the best soil in the county. 

Mr. LaFleur adds: 

I think the disease prevails in nearly every town in the county where peach trees are 
growing, although some parts are almost exempt as yet. 

In answer to inquiries concerning the extent of injury done to orchards 
about Fennville, Mr. Hutchins writes: 

I think one-tenth of all bearing trees has been affected with yellows; not nearly as 
large a per cent near the lake. Iam 14 miles west of Fennville, and out of 5,000 bear- 
ing trees I have lost nearly 5 per cent. 

To the question: Has peach growing been discouraged to any great extent 
by yellows? he replies: ‘‘I think not. In some few instances, perhaps, but 
not generally.”’ 

To similar inquiries respecting Saugatuck township, Rev. J. F. Taylor 
makes a similar reply. 

In western Allegan, as a whole, peach growing is on the increase. Accord 


PEACH YELLOWS, 241 


ing to Harrison Hutchins, almost every farmer has a peach orchard, varying 
in number of trees from a few hundred to 5.000 or even 10,000. 

Respecting the eastern part of Allegan county, G. H. La Fleur states that 
yellows has reduced the number of trees 50 per cent., although many are 
planted each year. 

The state census of 1884 shows that peach growing is fairly prosperous in 
Allegan county, the acreage there given being more than double that of any 
other county, 7. ¢., 8.367 acres, corresponding to about 900,000 trees. 

In remoter parts of Michigan peach yellows appeared at dates much later 
than 1869. Peaches have been grown in Ottawa and Kent counties for thirty 
years or more. ‘In 1884 Ottawa was credited with 984 acres, containing 84,223 
bearing trees; and Kent was credited with 3,362 acres, containing 161,065 bear- 
ing trees. Nevertheless yellows did not appear in either county until within the 
last eight or ten years. In the vicinity of Grand Rapids the disease did not 
appear earlier than 18383, although peaches have been grown since 1850 and 
to a very considerable extent since 1875. Farther north, in the Grand 
Traverse region, where peaches have been grown to a limited extent since 
1865, it is said that the disease has not yet appeared. On the eastern side of 
the State, it was not present at Plymouth, Wayne county, in 1873, and has 
not been reported from Oakland county, where in 1884 were 1,093 acres, 
containing 44,320 bearing trees. 

In the vicinity of Ann Arbor, peach trees were planted as early as 1842, 
and peach growing has been a considerable industry since 1875. In 1884 the 
number of bearing trees in the city and township was 59,592 (446 acres), 
and many have been planted since that date, yet the orchards have never 
suffered from yellows. Indeed, I can not find that a single case has ever 
appeared. I have myself examined many trees. 

In, view of some inquiries to be made later, respecting climate as a cause of 
peach yellows, it will be necessary to note briefly the conditions under which 
peaches are grown in Michigan, particularly as these conditions vary some- 
what from those found in the Chesapeake and Delaware region. As a whole 
the climate of Michigan is too severe for the peach. Bitter experience has 
shown that the excessive cold and the rapid temperature changes of some of 
the Michigan winters are sufficient to killentire orchards. So much depends, 
however, upon location that no general rule can be laid down, other than 
that in the interior and on the east side of the State the peach does not win- 
ter well north of latitude 43°. South of this, in favored localities, the peach 
has passed through the severest winters in safety. 

What is known as the “‘ peach belt” is a narrow strip of sandy and loamy 
land in the extreme southwestern part of the State, bordering on Lake Michi- 
gan. ‘There peaches were first planted for commercial purposes; there their 
cultivation had been most uniformly successful; and there it still involves 
the largest amount of capital. ‘The reason for this, aside from proximity to 
a great market, lies in the nearness to a large body of water. The prevailing 
winter and spring winds being from points between northwest and southwest 
must pass over Lake Michigan on their way to the peach orchards, and during 
this passage they lose much of their severity by contact with the warmer 
water. In winter the temperature never fails as low along the lake as in the 
interior or on the eastern side of the State, and the extremes of temperature 
are neither so sudden nor so great. In the spring the lake water is cooler 
than the air, and the winds which then blow over it lose some of their 


31 


242 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


warmth, and the vegetation in the orchards is retarded until there is little 
danger of frost. The equalizing influence of this great body of water is 
very considerable. In southwestern Michigan peaches can be grown almost 
as successfully as in Delaware, and near the lake can be grown to some ex- 
tent even as far north as latitude 45° 30’. On the contrary, in northern 
Illinois and in Wisconsin, on the west side of the lake and exp»sed to land 
winds, peaches are not grown in open orchards at all north of latitude 42°, 
and very little north of latitude 40°. At Madison, Wis., latitude 43°, peaches 
will not ordinarily live through a single winter. The same may be said of 
all that part of Wisconsin due west of the great peach orchards of Allegan 
county, Mich. What is true of Wisconsin and northern Illinois is said to be 
true also of the northern half of Indiana. 

In recent years it has been found that peaches can be grown anywhere in 
central and western Michigan south of latitude 43°, if the right locations are 
selected. These are hills and table-lands. Trees on hilltops pass safely 
through winters which destroy whole orchards in valleys and bottom lands. 
This fact is now so well understood that away from the Jake it is rare to find 
an orchard on low land. The orchards at Ann Arbor, Lawton, Paw Paw, 
and Grand Rapids are all on the highest hills. 

To express the same fact somewhat differently, we may say that while the 
peach region par excellence lies in the southwest along Lake Michigan, 
peaches may also be grown more or less successfully south of an irregular 
line running northwest from Lake Erie to Grand river, and thence along the 
lake to near the northern end of the southern peninsula. ‘The chief peach 
counties outside of the most favored region are Monroe, Kalamazoo, Jackson, 
Washtenaw, Ionia, Kent, Muskegon, and Grand Traverse, in some of which 
yellows has not yet appeared, and in none of which has it been present for 
any great length of time. 

To the question, ‘‘ Do peach trees continue to be planted in Michigan?” 
there is no official reply later than that given in the state census for 1884. 
The number of acres of peach orchards in Michigan at that time was 24,502, 
containing 1,428,209 bearing trees. Assuming that there were one hundred 
and nine times as many trees as acres, the number of trees not in bearing, 
7. @., planted recently, would be 1,242,509. Aside from this evidence we 
know that peach growing has rapidly increased of late in many places, and as 
it has encountered no new or unusual obstacles since 1884, it is safe to 
assume that what was then true of the State as a whole continues to be true. 
In other words, we may safely conclude that one-half of all the peach trees 
in Michigan have been set within the last four or five years, and probably as 
many as one-fourth within the last two years. 

Summary.—So far as its present distribution is concerned, we may infer 
that the disease occurs, or is likely to occur, anywhere in Pennsylvania, New 
York, Ontario, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. 


It is also certain that the disease did not appear in the west until at least 
a half century after it had ravaged eastern orchards, nor until many years 
after the introduction of the peach. 


Prof. Smith next considers the southwestward movement of yellows, from 
its place of origin in Pennsylvania, tracing especially its progress through 
Delaware and Maryland, and its present general prevalence. The story pre- 
sents the same general features of the foregoing accounts, and therefore we 
see no need of its reproduction. The disease exists in Virginia and South 


HEALTHY TERMINAL PEACH SHOOTS. 
(Michigan. ) 


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PEACH YELLOWS. 243 


Carolina, and probably in Georgia as well, though perhaps there is, in the 
latter, some variation from its characteristics in the north, except as to fatal- 
ity. Mr. Smith thus states his 


CONCLUSIONS. 


The literature of peach yellows is a medley of contradictions. All sorts of 
- views have been promulgated, with greater or less show of wisdom, and many 
theories have been built on a very slender basis. It would seem that at least 
a personal acquaintance with the disease ought to be requisite to writing on 
such a perplexing subject, yet even this does not appear to have been thought 
necessary in all cases, those who knew the least having often expressed their 
opinions with the most confidence. In connection with my field studies, I 
have endeavored to find, read, and sift the whole of this voluminous and incon- 
gruous mass of writing, and in the preceding pages I have presented all that 
seems pertinent to the question of history and distribution. Wherever pos- 
sible, the writers have been allowed to tell their story in their own way, only 
such portions being suppressed as seemed foolish, irrelevant, contradictory, or 
untrustworthy. ‘Two reasons led me to quote rather than summarize and 
speak ex cathedra: (1) The inaccessibility of a very considerable portion of 
the early literature, some of which has been misquoted frequently. (2) A 
feeling, shared in common, I doubt not, with many others, that statements 
are more certainly to be depended upon when safely inclosed between quotation 
marks than when condensed or paraphrased. 

Among the facts which I believe to be well established by this inquiry are: 

(1) That yellows has frequently been confounded with other diseases of the 
peach, especially in New Jersey, where the borer and the root aphis are very 
prevalent. 

(2) That genuine peach yellows appeared in the vicinity of Philadelphia 
prior to 1791. 

(3) That since 1791 the country has never been entirely free from this 
disease. 

(4) That it was prevalent on the Atlantic coast long before it appeared in 
the west. 

(5) That the area of its action has extended northeast, north, and north- 
west much more rapidly than south. 

(6) That it is now more or less prevalent from Massachusetts to Georgia 
and westward to Lake Michigan and the Mississippi. 

(7) That the disease spreads from centers, usually appearing first in locali- 
ities thickly set with orchards. 

(8) That the first cases of yellows in any district are usually, if not always, 
in young trees imported from infected localities. 

(9) That everywhere it is the same destructive malady. 

Some deductions which may be accepted provisionally and with more or 
less caution are: 

(1) The disease is confined to the United States. 

(2) It is absent from the Gulf States and from those west of the Missis- 
sippi. 
(3) There have been great outbreaks of the disease, e. g., 1791, 1806-07, 
1817-21, 1845-58, 1874-’78, 1886-’87-’88, followed, apparently, by periods 
of comparative immunity. 


244 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


CHARACTERISTICS OF PEACH YELLOWS. 


In the preceding pages, while dealing with the history and distribution of 
peach yellows, I have assumed it to be a specific disease. Is it really so, or 
is it only a sort of a marasmus, due to various causes and itself as variable as 
the conditiovs which produce it? In other words, is the name yellows a 
misnomer and the disease a nonentity, as some would have us believe, or 
is there a well defined set of symptoms to which this term may properly 
apply? 

ee the term specific we mean ordinarily a disease which runs a definite 

course and is characterized by a more or less peculiar set of symptoms, clear- 
ly distinguishing it from other maladies. Whether we know much, little, or 
nothing of the cause of a specific disease, of one thing we are never in doubt: 
it begins, progresses, and ends in a definite way; it can be defined; it isa 
genuine disease. Although in different individuals there may be peculiari- 
ties due to idiosyncrasy or to unknown causes, yet in its broad, essential 
features the disease is the same in all individuals, so that from the careful 
study of a few typical cases we can readily predict what will be the general 
course of the disease in any number of other cases. Instances of such 
diseases readily occur to all, e. g., in man, consumption, small-pox, diph- 
theria; in the lower animals, anthrax, glanders, swine plague; in plants, 
smuts, rusts, mildews. Each of these diseases is characterized by a very 
definite set of symptoms, so that we are in no great danger of mistaking 
one for another. 

Unquestionably by the term yellows much confusion has arisen, different 
persons having used it to convey different ideas. By this expression some have 
meant simply the results of starvation, or the effect of very wet subsoils; 
others, no doubt, have had in mind that stunting peculiar to trees infested 
by root-aphides; others again, the effects of the peach-tree borer. By the 
term yellows I mean none of these things, though any one of them may 
cause the foilage to become yellow, and though any or all of them may be 
found in the tree along with genuine yellows, just as a person may at the 
same time haye measles and whooping-cough, scarlet fever and diphtheria, 
or consumption and ague. 

Peach yellows as it occurs in Michigan, and as I saw it in hundreds of 
trees in many orchards in Maryland and Delaware in 1887 and 1888 isa 
disease of haste and waste; the fruit ripens too soon; the buds push too 
soon; assimilation is disturbed ; the stored starch and other food materials are 
wasted by excessive and unnatural growth; and the entire vitality of the tree 
is exhausted in the course of two or three seasons. 

Healthy peaches grow somewhat slowly until a few days before the time of 
their maturity; then they increase in size rapidly, and all ripen at about the 
same time, this time varying with the latitude, but being quite constant for 
the same variety in any given locality. Upon the variability of different 
varieties, as to time of ripening and the constancy of the same variety,. 
depends the peach season and the whole peach industry. For example, in 
middle latitudes of the eastern United States the peach grower knows to a 
certainty that he may expect the Early Louise or Early Rivers to be ripe at. 
a given date in July; the Mountain Rose and Crawford’s Early at two given 
dates in August; the Old Mixon, Stump, Crawford’s Late, Smock, Bilyeu’s, 
etc., at successively later dates. Consequently, in planting his orchards he 


PEACH YELLOWS, 245 


takes great pains to select these varieties or others which mature in the same 
way, one after‘another. To such an extent is this now carried that in the 
more favored localities, such as Maryland and Delaware, the ‘‘ peach season’”’ 
begins early in July and lasts until mid-October, there being between these 


dates a nearly unbroken succession of varieties. In a given latitude each one 
of these many varieties ripens, year after year, so nearly at a given date that 


months in advance the grower can tell to within a very few days at what time 
it will be necessary to pick and market any variety, and can arrange all his 
work accordingly. Soil, situation and weather exert some influence, e. g., 
peaches on light, warm soil usually ripen a few days in advance of those on 


clay. 


Manifestly, if these varieties should ripen out of season or at nearly the 


same time, either the markets would be glutted and the price of peaches 


would fall below the cost of production, or else the fruit, unexpectedly ripe, 
would rot upon the trees for lack of sufficient help to pick it. In either event 
great losses would result. 

This is very nearly what happens when an orchard is attacked by yellows. 


‘The disease is characterized by the following symptoms: 


FIRST YEAR OF ATTACK, 


The diseased fruit ripens prematurely, and frequently in such a way that 
varieties, ordinarily maturing several weeks apart, are ripe all at once, often 
quite unexpectedly. There is no time to gather this fruit, even if it were 
perfect, and much of it decays on the trees. It is also rejected by drying 
and canning establishments and by commission merchants, except in years of 


scarcity. 


Diseased trees exhibit great variability as to time of ripening their fruit. 
Sometimes this period precedes the normal time of ripening by only two or 
three days; sometimes it precedes it by as long a period as six weeks or even 
two months, in which case healthy peaches on the same tree or on adjacent 
ones are not half grown. Asarule it may be said that such peaches ripen 
at least two or three weeks in advance of the proper time. 

These prematurely ripened peaches differ from healthy ones very mate- 


vially in color. Once seen they can never be mistaken. (Generally they have 


more color than healthy peaches, but the essential difference lies less in the 


amount of color than in the peculiarity of its distribution. Instead of being 
delicately punctate with minute crimson dots or imbued with uniform masses 


of color, like the ruddy cheek of a healthy peach, the surface is coarsely 
blotched with red and purple spots of variable diameter, but usually not less 
than one-sixteenth of an inch across. These give to the peach a mottled or 


-speckled appearance unlike that produced by any other disease, and so entire- 


ly different from the healthy appearance, that the yellows might, in many 


-cases, be diagnosed from a very small fragment of the skin of a single peach. 
‘Sometimes these spots are infrequent; sometimes they are very numerous. 


Usually they are somewhat sharply defined on a much lighter background, 
but sometimes they coalesce, giving to the whole peach a dark crimson or 
purple color, or, more rarely, a brown purple or dull red. 

These red or purple discolorations are not confined to the skin of the peach, 
but extend into its flesh, appearing on tangential section as roundish crimson 


spots, and on radial section as more or less irregular dots, streaks, splashes or 


246 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


veins of color. These streaks extend entirely through the flesh from pit to 
skin, or only part way in or out. Always there is more than thé usual amount 
of crimson color about the pit. Sometimes, especially in white-fleshed 
peaches like Troth’s Early, Mountain Rose and Old Mixon, the whole inte- 
rior is mottled with the brightest crimson, or becomes a nearly uniform mass 
of this deep color. 

In some instances, in yellow varieties, particulary in Maryland, the flesh of 
the prematures was not very high colored; and in two or three cases I found 
scarcely a trace of crimson spotted flesh. Noyes Darling also mentions one 
instance in which the usual high color was wanting, the only exception he 
ever found. 

The taste of peaches ripened prematurely by this disease varies consider- 
ably. Usually they are insipid and worthless for eating; occasionally they 
retain a nearly normal flavor, and not rarely they are slightly bitter or 
mawkish. 

Such peaches seem to decay more quickly than healthy ones. Judging - 
from my own experience, the palatable ones are not injurious even when 
eaten in large quantities. Most prematures, however, are unfit to eat. 

If the tree is in bearing this prematurely ripe, red spotted fruit is the first 
symptom of the disease, at least the first unmistakable symptom. Not 
infrequently out of several hundred peaches upon a tree I saw the disease in 
one or two only, and very often it was manifest only in the peaches on one 
or two small limbs; sometimes, however, the disease showed itself simultane- 
ously in peaches on all parts of the tree, affecting nearly or quite all of them, 
the disease appearing to have attacked all parts of the tree at once. Occasion- 
ally I saw trees loaded almost to breaking with such peaches and they were 
as large as those on healthy trees. 

When the tree had been healthy the previous season, and especially when 
the diseased peaches were confined to one limb or to a few limbs, I found the 
branches and foliage perfectly normal in appearance. Indeed, judged solely 
by their foliage and young wood, many of the diseased trees which I examined 
in Maryland and Delaware in July and August, 1887, would have been pro- 
nounced very healthly, the only symptoms I could find being the prematurely 
ripened, red-spotted fruit. 

Upon some of these trees at this time, and later in the season upon many 
others, I found young shoots developing into a most strange and unnatural 
growth. On many trees this was very striking, filling the whole interior of 
the tree-top. To it the expression ‘‘fungus growth” is often applied by peach 
growers, although it is a part of the treeitself andnofungus. ‘This abnormal 
growtb is so peculiar and so characteristic of yellows that it deserves to be con- 
sidered at some length as the next morbid manifestation. This growth appears 
to be a secondary symptom, although upon barren trees it may be the first to 
appear, as it is often the first to attract attention. My reason for thinking 
it is a secondary symptom is that while limbs often bear premature peaches 
for one season without showing this diseased growth, they never in any , 
instance send forth this growth, and at the same time or afterward produce 
healthy peaches. Having once borne these starved shoots they always there- 
after bear diseased peaches, if they bear any. This growth consists of more 
or less depauperate shoots which are often much branched, so as to be sugges- 
tive of what the Germans call ‘‘Hexenbesen’’ or witch brooms, some of which 
are known to be caused by fungus attacks. There is not only a polycladia, 


PEACH YELLOWS. 247 


but there is a marked prolepsis. These shoots may appear upon any part of 
the tree, and often are developed numerously upon the trunk and main limbs, 
from obscure or adventitious buds. Most commonly I found them growing 
out close together upon the upper side along the entire length of a main limb, 
or of several such limbs, giving the interior of the tree-top a very peculiar 
appearance, entirely unlike that caused by any other disease. Where these 
shoots appeared numerously upon a limb they were frequently unbranched 
and gnly a few inches in length, at least in July and August. More often, 
especially late in the season, I found them branched. In some instances these 
diseased shoots and their branches were very long and willowy. Often the 
leaves also suggested the willow. 

The manner of this branching was to me a striking peculiarity, and one 
which I had never seen mentioned in connection with the disease. There is, 
as we have seen, an excessive auplication of shoots. Shoots, it is true, are 
likely to occur to some extent upon the trunk and main limbs of all robust 
trees, but never in such numbers, nor branched in the manner to be described, 
nor with such a starved appearance. Not only are the shoots dwarfed and 
sickly but their growth is extremely hurried, 7. ¢., in their leaf axils they 
develop buds which the same season give rise to diminutive branches, and in 
turn these branches in the same way give rise to others. Very often I found 
that three sets of branches, and in some instances four and even five, had devel- 
oped on these shoots as the results of a few months’ growth. These branches 
are very clearly shown in some of the photographs accompanying this report, 
as may be seen by comparing them with contemporary healthy growths. 
The tissues of these branches are very poorly developed and their buds are 
diminutive and very often dead before they enter the winter, differing in 
these respects from the few witch brooms I have had opportunity to examine. 
Moreover, there is never any hypertrophy of the branches which bear them. 
The foliage of such shoots is often blanched or pale yellowish green, and 
never of a vigorous green. Itis abundant but very much dwarfed, the best 
developed leaves being frequently less than 3 inches long and propor- 
tionately narrow, and many of the smaller ones being less than an inch in 
length, while full-grown, healthy leaves are from 6 to 9 inches in length by 
1; to 2 inches in breadth. Frequently by failure of the internodes to prop- 
erly lengthen and by the excessive production of branches the growth 
becomes considerably tufted. 

As autumn passes away these diseased shoots manifest no signs of prepara- 
tion for winter (see Photo. V). There appears to be something analogous to 
what in animals would be called a lack of innervation. The ordinary functions 
of the plant are disturbed or set aside altogether. Growth goes on without 
much reference to’the needs of the plant or the time of the year, and is at the 
same time excessive and imperfect. In late October and in November, when 
healthy trees had dropped their leaves and were ready for winter weather, 
such shoots were still growing. 

Although these diseased shoots appear to be a secondary symptom, yet they 
may follow the diseased fruit speedily. In autumn I saw them on many trees 
which were not diseased the previous year, or at least showed no external 
manifestation of disease; and in nearly all such cases they were secondary 
growths from obscure buds, first ‘appearing in June or July or later in the 
year, the primary, terminal, or spring growth being usually the picture of 
health, as regards both branches and foliage. However, this was not wniform- 


245 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


ly the case, for occasionally in August I found terminal shoots which had 
become much branched and were otherwise diseased exactly like those shoots 
which grew from obscure buds on the branches or trunk. This manifesta- 
tion of the disease upon terminal shoots appears not to have been observed 
very generally. A. J. Downing says it never occurs; A. G. Gully never saw 
it. Possibly, it is more prevalent in the South. In Georgia it occurs early 
in the season and appears to be the common form of the malady, whole trees 
of robust growth being diseased nearly or quite throughout. 

In September and October I also saw not a few yellows infected trees, on 
which all the buds of certain terminal shoots had just begun to develop into 
branches, although these shoot axes had previously appeared healthy through- 
out. Often, much earlier in the season, I saw robust shoots from the trunk 
and main limbs, the lower parts of which showed every indication of health, 
the leaves being large and dark green and the wood and bark all that could be 
desired; yet, as growth progressed, these lusty shoots, some of them four or 
five feet long, developed at the apex into a complex of repeatedly ramified, 
feeble branches covered with innumerable diminutive, pale green, willowy 
leaves. Sometimes from a healthy looking main limb grew out two year- 
ling shoots within an inch of each other, one of them being diseased in 
the manner described and the other being unbranched and perfectly healthy, 
with vigorous dark green foliage. Such shoots were upon trees but recently 
attacked. 

The relation of the diseased to the healthy portions of the tree were in 
some instances quite peculiar. The following are some of the more interest- 
ing cases, observed in August and September, 1887: 

Occasionally the diseased shoots grew out of the trunk or from the main 
limbs, while nowhere else were there any indications of disease, such trees 
being barren. 

Sometimes the diseased shoots grew out immediately above or immediately 
below a healthy branch. 

Midway of its length a diseased branch sent out well developed shoots, then 
two- years old, which bore healthy leaves of normal size. This branch may 
have become diseased the previous year. 

Midway of a healthy branch grew out a very characteristic yellows tuft. 
Lower down grew out several branches, large and small, bearing full grown, 
dark green leaves, while above the sickly tuft the branch divided four times 
and the sub branches ramified considerably, all the parts bearing healthy leaves. 

On one part of a tree the limbs bore very healthy foliage and sent out from 
their base exceedingly stocky yearling shoots, where four to five feet long and 
bore large, healthy, dark green leaves. One limb, however, of this tree, also 
bearing healthy spring foliage, sent out along its branches, from obscure 
buds, many of the characteristic, secondary, small, starved, light green twigs. 

Prematurely ripe peaches were sometimes found upon every main limb 
mingled with healthy green ones. 

A tree bore premature peaches on every main limb and put forth a hun- 
dred or more of the starved, secondary shoots from obscure buds on the body 
and limbs, and yet showed no sign whatever of disease in the spring foliage 
or in the growth of any of the terminal shoots, every one of these being well 
developed and provided with full grown, fine looking leaves. 

In another instance these pale, sickly shoots came out unbranched (August) 
singly all over the tree, except on the trunk, the extreme base of the main 


DISEASED TERMINAL PEACH SHOOTS, 


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PEACH YELLOWS. 249 


limbs, and the shoot-axes of the season. ‘This tree was six years old and well 
developed. If it hung full of healthy peaches the previous year, as I have 
reason to believe, from the assurances of the owner and his tenant, then it 
must have become diseased some time between September, 1886, and June or 
July, 1887, unless we assume that the tree may be diseased for some time 
without external manifestation. 

As already noted, premature peaches were frequently observed upon branches 
apparently sound.? 

In one instance numerous secondary shoots grew out erect, along the whole 
length of the branches much as if the tree had been defoliated and were mak- 
ing a desperate effort to get new leaves; yet the terminal shoot-axes of this 
tree (the spring shoots) had, in every instance, made a good growth of one to 
two feet, and bore full grown, dark green leaves, except on some small 
branches in the center of the tree where they were beginning to look yellow- 
ish green and unhealthy. In this tree even the terminal shoots were begin- 
ning (August 16) to put out miserable, starved branches one to two inches long, 
from the axils of their lower leaves; and I am inclined to think it may have 
been affected in some part of the previous season. 

These two symptoms—prematurely ripe, red spotted peaches; and pale, 

diseased, dwarfed shoots, strongly inclined to prolepsis and polycladia—are 
the only ones I could find in trees that were healthy the year before. Most 
frequently both symptoms were present. In some parts of the country, how- 
ever, the diseased shoots do not appear so abundantly, and sometimes not at 
all until the second year. Perhaps seasonal or climatic peculiarities may 
-control this. ‘They are certainly more numerous in rainy than in dry seasons. 


SECOND YEAR OF ATTACK. 


The svmptoms of the second year include those of the first, and there are 
several additional ones. 

The fruit is usually smaller and less abundant, and the kernel is often 
abortive. The flavor of the fruit is also very inferior. It prematures with 
the same general appearance as the first season. Quite often the tree is 
barren, if diseased throughout. I have observed many such instances. 

The diseased shoots continue to grow from the affected limbs, those of the 
previous year, if any grew, being for the most part dead. 

There is also a progressive development of the disease, more and more of 
the tree becoming involved. In other words, it appears first to be a local 
disease; then, later on, a general one. Quite often, the first season, only 
one limb or a few limbs are diseased, but additional limbs are invariably 
affected the second year. I know of no exception to this. The first year of 
attack it is comparatively infrequent to find a tree diseased in all its parts; 
the second year it is somewhat rare to find many sound branches; often there 
are none. 

Another symptom, not very noticeable the first year, is the dwarfed, yel- 
lowish or reddish-brown, and more or less curled and inrolled appearance of 
the entire foliage of the tree, or at least of all that on limbs diseased the pre- 
vious year. This appearance renders diseased orchards plainly distinguish- 
able at some distance, and no doubt gave rise to the name yellows, as applied 


1 The foliage of many such branches was observed to be yellow and badly diseased in j1888, and 
generally the shoot-axes of that ssason were also much dwarfed. 


250 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOUIETY. 


to this disease. At this stage the most careless observer is aware that some- 
thing is wrong with the orchard. The trees have a most miserable, sickly, 
languishing appearance. Some curling and inrolling of the leaves is un- 
doubtedly due to mites or other leaf insects, but I could not satisfy 
myself that all of it was so caused. It should also be stated that the leaves 
on the diseased, secondary or summer shoots do not ordinarily show this roll- 
ing and curling. Frequently there are brown or red spots upon the foliage, 
but this is not a constant symptom and appears to be due to a leaf fungus 
(Cercospora), which finds in the diseased leaves its must favorable condition 
for growth, 


THIRD AND LATER YEARS. 


The diseased tree rarely dies the second year of attack and rarely lives 
beyond the fourth or fifth year. It is generally worthless after the second 
year, 7. @., after all the branches have once borne the premature peaches; 
sometimes it becomes entirely diseased and worthless the first year of attack. 
Whatever may be thought of remedies, it is certain that left to itself the dis- - 
eased tree invariably dies. It is not more likely to recover than is a con- 
sumptive animal. I have heard it said that such trees sometimes recover, 
but none under my own observation have done so, nor can find satisfactory 
evidence of any such recovery. 

The symptoms of these later years are those previously mentioned, to 
which may be added some additional ones due apparently to an increasing 
lack of vitality. One of these is the death of large limbs and, finally, of the 
entire tree. Sometimes as early as the second year, and quite often the third 
or fourth year, the only symptoms of life exhibited by the tree are a few 
very feeble, dwarfish, broom-like tufts of branches, developed from obscure 
buds, here and there upon the otherwise naked limbs. These branches are 
clothed with very depauperate leaves of a greenish-yellow or reddish-brown. 

Some additional mimor symptoms attracted my attention, but not being 
certain that they are constant I present them here as suggestions rather than 
final conclusions. 

The diseased shoots appear very brittle. I first noticed this in trying to 
make some withes, and afterwards found it nearly or quite constant. This 
recalls a statement made by Noyes Darling that diseased branches lose their 
elasticity and sway in the wind with ‘‘a stiff, jerking motion.’’ I did not 
meet this statement until my field work for 1887 was completed, but, in 
convection with the brittleness, I am inclined to give some weight to it, 
particularly as Noyes Darling seems to me to haye been the most acute 
observer and the most logical thinker who has ever written upon peach 
yellows. 

In diseased limbs I also found that the cambium-cylinder was active very 
late in the fall, as might be expected from the prolonged growth of leaves 
and shoots already mentioned. This activity of the cambium continued 
long after it had ceased upon the neighboring healthy trees. This was indi- 
cated by the ease with which the bark could be peeled. In Kent county, 
Del., in all cases, the bark of healthy trees stuck tightly and could not be 
peeled at all after the last of August. From diseased branches in the same 
orchards long strips of bark could readily be separated as late as September 
20, leaving exposed the smooth, moist surface of the wood. 


PEACH YELLOWS. 251 


I should expect to find these symptoms correlated with peculiarities of 
microscopic structure, some of which might perhaps prove of diagnostic 
value, but up to this time I have not been able to make the necessary num- 
ber of careful observations. What induces this prolonged activity of the 
cambium remains to be determined. It is apparently something in the 
nature of an irritant. 

Other abnormal appearances, ¢. g., the black heart wood, mentioned as 
symptomatic by various observers, and the cracked and discolored bark found 
by Professor Penhallow, were objects of diligent search and were observed 
occasionally. However, not having found these two symptoms constant in 
yellows infected trees, and having found the same in many trees not diseased 
by yellows, and even in localities where yellows has neyer appeared, I am 
constrained to rule them out as not peculiar to this disease. I think peach 
s ems are apt to become black hearted by severe freezing or from very slight 
injuries,if at all exposed to the weather. The appearance of the bark on trunks 
and main limbs was noted with great care in hundreds of trees, diseased and 
healthy. Inthe early stages of the disease in almost all the younger trees, 7. e., 
those under six years of age, the outer bark was smooth and fair. In older 
trees the bark is naturally more or less rough and cracked. I could find 
nothing in color or cracking of the bark which appeared to me to be of diag- 
nostic value, although in some cases, on shoots of but a few years’ growth, 
the production of cork in irregular patches appeared to be excessive. Whether ° 
this is a peculiarity of any importance remains to be determined. 

Since, in spite of all that has been said and written on the subject, there 
is still much confusion in the minds of peach growers as to exactly what con- 
stitutes yellows, I have thrown my conception of it into the following propo- 
sitions, the symptoms being noted in order of appearance : 


DIGEST OF SYMPTOMS. 


(1) Prematurely ripe, red spotted fruit. 

(2) Development upon the trunk and branches, which bear, or have borne, 
the diseased peaches of secondary or summer shoots, often in great numbers, 
and always dwarfed and feeble in appearance. 

(3) A very marked tendency of the buds on these secondary shoots to 
develop the same season, forming sometimes in this way within afew months 
secondary, tertiary, quartan and quintan branches. 

(4) The appearance of the disease the next spring in the entire growth of 
the tree, or at least of the diseased parts—the shoot-axes being shortened and 
the foliage dwarfed and sickly, of a yellowish or reddish-brown color, and 
with a greater or less tendency to curl from end to end, and to roll sidewise, 
so that the lower surface becomes the convex outer surface. Sometimes, how- 
ever, the disease affects the terminal shoots the same autumn, causing the 
winter buds to develop either before or after the leaves have fallen. 

(5) A slow progress of the disease from limb to limb, so that in one or two 
years, or at most three years, the whole tree is involved. 

(6) Co-ordinate with the progress of the disease from part to part, a 
marked diminution of the vitality of the tree, ending in death. 

These are symptoms characteristic of peach yellows, and they seem to me 
quite as definite as those of any specific disease. If peach yellows, as I have 
seen it and have defined it, is not a specific Cisease, due to some constant 
cause or causes, then neither is glanders or anthrax, or measles or small-pox. 


“R52 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


DISEASES MISTAKEN FOR YELLOWS. 


Having defined yellows, it will now be proper to state what it is not; 7. e., 
to describe somewhat carefully those abnormal appearances for which it has 
been mistaken. ‘This is the more necessary because many growers, and even 
some writers upon the subject, have never seen genuine yellows, and because 
some of these abnormal appearances are likely to be found in every peach 
orchard and to cause unnecessary apprehension. 

(1) The borer.—The larva of geria exitiosa, Say, devours the inner 
cortex of the tree at the surface of the earth, or immediately above or below, 
often causing extensive destruction, and not in frequently girdling the trunk. 

lf these injuries are slight the tree is not harmed, but if they are extensive 
there is a marked yellowing of the entire foliage, the leaves being also more or 
less folded sidewise, upward, along the midrib, and curled downward end to 
end. The fruit in some cases also ripens prematurely. Thus injured, the 
tree presents a very sickly appearance, and generally dies in a year or two, 
the symptoms being not markedly different from those manifested by any 
tree when some portion of the trunk-cylinder is deprived of the whole or 
greater part of its bark. 

This disease is easily distinguished from yellows. If the foliage is very 
yellow, an examination at the base of the trunk will show that a large part of 
the inner bark has been destroyed, and will often discover the larva still at 
work. If such trees are vigorously shaken in July or August the yellow 
leaves will fall in ashower; but no amount of shaking will dislodge the 
leaves of a tree infected by the yellows. So tightly did the latter stick to 
the branches that, even in September, when I undertook to remove them 
from some of the much-branched secondary shoots, considerable force was 
necessary. Indeed the process was likened not inaptly by one farmer to pick- 
ing pin-feathers from a starved chicken. 

The prematurely ripened fruit, so far as I have seen, is natural in color and 
resembles that produced by the gardener’s devise of ‘‘ringing” or girdling, 
being found only on nearly or completely girdled trees. It is never red spotted, 
never associated with dark-green foliage, and never connected with those 
hasty, much-branched and feeble summer growths which are always found on 
trees badly diseased by yellows. Usually also this fruit ripens only a week 
or two in advance of the normal time and retains its normal flavor. The 
only case in which the two diseases can be confounded is where they both 
exist in the same tree. 

(2) The roots aphis.—A very shining dark-brown or black aphis, which 
corresponds nearly to Aphis chrysanthemi, Kosh, but which I have not been 
able to identify with certainty, infests the roots of the peach often in such 
vast numbers as to interfere seriously with its growth or to kill it outright. 
This insect is common to parts of New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware, par- 
ticularly on sandy land. It frequently so stunts trees that at three or four 
years of age they are but very little larger than when first set. The insect 
occasionally infests whole nurseries, and may be distributed in this way. 
Possibly this may be an explanation to the fact that peach trees are most 
likely to suffer from root aphides the first year or the second year after they 
are set. Such trees are said to be ‘‘Frenched.” The foliage partakes of the 
universal stunting and is usually somewhat yellowish. In districts where 
yellows has not appeared I found this disease called by that name, and have 
no doubt it has often been mistaken for it, particularly in N>w Jersey. 


PEACH YELLOWS. 253 


There is no question but that the root-aphis has killed thousands of trees, 
and been in some sections a very serious obstacle to successful peach culture, 
although it is not so much to be dreaded as the yellows. The marked feature 
throughout is the stunting, something which is not a precursor of yellows nor 
characteristic of the earlier stages of that disease. After a year or two of 
languishing such trees also not infrequently recover. Upon none of them 
have I seen premature, red-spotted peaches and the characteristic diseased 
shoots except when the tree was also suffering from yellows. 

(3) The peach nematode.—A species of Anguillula infests the roots of peach 
trees in Florida and probably also in some other portions of the country, al- 
though I have never observed any on the Chesapeake and Delaware peninsula 
or in the peach districts of Michigan. ‘This minute worm produces knobby 
enlargements and excrescences on the smaller roots, in which usually the cysts. 
of the parasite may be detected. In this way the roots are often badly injured, 
and the tops become yellow and die, but, so far as I can learn, with no symp- 
toms peculiar to yellows. I have seeen only the infected roots. 

(4) Decay of roots.—South west, in Arkansas and Texas, the peach is reported 
to suffer considerably from root rot. In what way this affects the parts above 
ground or whether its manifestations are likely to be mistaken for yellows I 
am unable to say. 

(5) Starvation.—Trees set upon pure sand or upon peat make a very feeble 
growth, although usually managing to live for sometime. This starved con- 
dition, which readily disappears when suitable fertilizers are applied, 
might possibly, also, be mistaken for yellows, although I do not think 
it very likely, as such soil is generally well known to be barren and will not 
grow any fruit trees satisfactorily. Certainly this trouble would never be con- 
founded with yellows by any person familiar with that disease. 

(6) Yet swbhsoil.—Sometimes, by inexperienced growers, peach trees are set 
upon cold, wet soils. If these trees do not die outright they grow very slowly 
and produce only dwarfed yellowish foliage. I have seen such cases in a 
number of orchards, and believe the sickly appearance was due entirely, or at 
least primarily, to the nature of the soil. Few persons would, I think, be 
likely to mistake this for yellows. The premature peaches and the diseased 
shoots are wanting, and the unfavorable situation is a sufficient explanation 
of the symptoms which do appear. 

Mr. Smith’s next chapter is devoted to ‘‘ Losses Due to Yellows,’’ and he: 
gives details of ravages in many orchards in Delaware and Maryland; but on 
this point Michigan peach growers scarcely need more information than they 
already possess from their own experience. 

To resume Mr. Smith’s report: 


EXTENT OF THE PEACH INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 


The peach is, by common consent, the choicest fruit of middle latitudes, 
and is cultivated in both the north and south Temperate Zones the world 
over; but nowhere else in such enormous quantities as in the United States. 
Notwithstanding this, since facilities for drying and canning on a large scale 
have become general, there is a demand for the entire product of even the 
most prolific years, and indirectly the industry has thus become one that 
interests all parts of the country. 

The districts of the United States and Canada now chiefly interested in the 
production of this fruit are the following: Southern Connecticut, southeast- 


i] 


254 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

ern New York and western New York, southern Ontario, New Jersey, eastern 
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, middle Georgia, Tennessee, northern 
Ohio, southwestern Michigan, southern Illinois, southern Kansas, parts of 
Missouri, Arkansas and Texas, and nearly all of California. The areas of 
greatest productivity lie (1) along the Atlantic coast between New York and 
Norfolk and (2) on the Pacific slope in California. 

The total peach product of the United States, as determined by the tenth 
census, was never published and can not now be be ascertained. But though 
it can not be determined for the whole country, it can be determined approxi- 
mately, and for a series of years, for the Delaware and Chesapeake peninsula, 
which has been one of the most productive areas. The following table gives 
the shipments over the Delaware Division of the Philadelphia, Wilmington 
& Baltimore railroad for a series of years; and if one third be added for 
years prior to 1880, and one-half for years following, to make up for peaches 
dried, canned, and consumed on the peninsula, or marketed by water, the 
total will very nearly represent the actual product of the entire peninsula, or 
at least will not be in access of that product. 


Peach shipments from the Delaware and Chesapeake Peninsula. 


| Baskets Baskets 
Year. (five-eighths Year. (five-eighths 

bushels.) | | bushels.) 

23 i 

CNR CES A se Se eee ce eee ee 2,086,680 || (187812 2_ = 222- fon ann bee e ee 434,500 
DEUS ne hens ait ee sooceetan serb eee 12,267 | 1870 ie 2s o2 SSS Se een eee 2,165,500 
RO ee ere ee er 25143467 S802 aoe cece ee eee cate ae eee eee 1,708,500 
LEO (UL See See ae ieee Se eae 1,443,733 1: ee Bese eR eae ey ee ro 270,500 
yf SE es Sno a Ree eee enemas 2,668,800) | 1882252208 wade. oe ee ee 2,731,770 
Ue ote tere enn Sea keene os em eee ae 281,867 ||) 1888222 eae eee nen soanem ene nee tenes 1,783,477 
LES (3 0 oP SB a Se SiC cea See ee: 1,521,600 LSB erent cet ste snore a ccenn = = serene 1,936,617 
NOTE ee. plese A ilacda sa ceas Juscamteseeeaes 675,200" |)" 18850022 2oo Sone eee eee 1,870,496 
Stone ie sere tan secede op nae eens 4,536,000 | 188622 cove 25 ew ae bee eee menos 1,099,738 
Te Sar OE RR braces 26, 1 1j0B8,600)1|- 18874-0225 doe oo a ate ee Bree $48,373 
TT een a rode Hts tS don taal sp mae ete 2,001,500 } TSS cae sate eee eee eee 3,177,477 
FLOLAL LOY GWENLY-bWO0 VORES = arta snare nwo - 256 denne soe se ean eee nero ee sees oe ciate | 7 356,417 


VALUE OF PEACH PRODUCTS. 


Skill and industry are needed in peach growing. Not every man who sets 
an orchard becomes a successful peach grower. There are many obstacles to 
be overcome, and failures are not infrequent. Nevertheless, in the peach dis- 
tricts no other crop can be grown with anything like the same amount of 
profit. Many farmers have become rich in the business, and very often a 
comparatively small peach orchard has yielded a larger money return than 
all the rest of the farm. Some idea of the profits of successful peach grow- 

ng may be gained from the following statements : 


PEACH YELLOWS. 255 


A 70-acre orchard belonging to James Hurdd, of Locust Grove, Md., and 
now nineteen years old, has borne twelve crops at an average yearly value of 
about $6,0 0. ; 

An orchard of 2,700 trees owned by Thomas D. France, of Chestertown, 
Md., is said to have netted its former owner over $40,000. The trees are 
between twenty-one and twenty-six years old and appear to be healthy enough 
to bear peaches for another five years. 

During a series of years the tenant on the Ashcraft farm, near Magnolia, 
‘Del., made enough out of his share of the peach crop to buy a valuable farm 
of hisown. The same is true of the tenant on the neighboring McBride 
farm, and is true also of other tenant in Maryland and Delaware. 

In 1874, Dr. Henry Ridgely, of Dover, Del., paid $11,000 for the Slaughter 
farm. southwest of Dover. This was over $70 an acre and was at that time 
considered an exorbitant price. Between 1874 and 1887 this farm yielded 
over $30,000 worth of peaches. The orchard also bore a large and valuable 
-crop in 1888. ‘To say nothing of other products, this farm has paid for itself 
in peaches alone three times over in fifteen years. On this farm in 1880 the 
product of 16 acres of early peaches, then three years old, sold for over $1,800. 

Dr. Ridgely kindly furnished me with records from other farms which are 
of equal interest. 


About twenty-five years ago he raised 30 acres of fine wheat, which he sold 
for $2,800. The same year from 10 acres of Troth’s early peaches he realized 
nearly $2,600, 7. e.; over $250 per acre. 


In 1863, 1864, or 1865 (he is now uncertain which year), the peach crop 
from his Cowgill’s Corner farm sold for $4,260, 7. e., $213 per acre, although 
some peaches were lost by the equinoxial storm. 


In 1873, from 70 acres of peach orchard, he sold peaches to the amount of 
$10,200, although the Karly Yorks, which were very fine and hung full, were 
all lost by a cloud-burst or very heavy rainfall. ‘That year one tree bore $20 
worth of peaches; another tree, $25 worth; and a third tree, $26.50 worth. 
From this third tree, by mistake, the men picked 15 baskets of green fruit 
two weeks too soon, and this was lost. But for this accident a single tree 
would have produced over $30 worth of fruit. 

In 1884, from 400 trees (four acres) of Fox’s Seedlings, he realized $820; 

4. @., $205 per acre. This fruit was sold in four days, the highest price paid 
for any of it being 65 cents per basket. 

T. C. Crookshank, of Cecilton, Md., sold $1,200 worth of peaches in 1886 
from 12 acres. 

Richard Hollyday’s orchard of 30 acres in Spaniard’s Neck, set in 1866, 
netted him an average of $30 per acre for ten consecutive years. The trees 
were dug out at the age of twenty, having borne for about sixteen years. 

From the farm of William Hudson, near Clayton, Del., $16,000 worth of 
peaches were sold in the two years 1883 and 1884, the orchards at that time 

-containing about 100 acres. 

In 1870, according to William Parry, a Middletown, Del., peach grower, 
formerly from New Jersey, cleared $38,000 from 400 acres of peaches. Mr. 
Parry also declared that he could name several fruit growers who, in 1869, sold 
from 20,000 to 60,000 baskets each, at aclear profit of from $10,000 to $30,000. 
He is also authority for the statement that the peach blossom farm in Mary- 

land, which sold some years prior to 1871 for $31,000, yielded the buyer the 


256 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


first season peaches enough over and above all expenses of picking and market- 
ing to entirely pay for the farm. 

Mr. Parry’s conclusion is that “so far as peach growing on a large scale is- 
corcerned, the net profits may very safely be set down at from $100 to $175 
per acre, while in many instances they yield right through from $175 to $250- 
per acre.”’ If gross profits be substituted for ‘“‘net profits,’’ this conclusion 
does not differ materially from my own. It relates, of course, to bearing years. 

Michigan peach orchards are not less profitable than those of the Atlantic 
coast. 

About 1868, in a letter to D. A. Winslow, George Parmelee stated that in 
1865, on his Berrien county farm, ‘‘forty-five early Crawford trees produced 
a few baskets over 1,100 [peck (?) baskets] and sold for $2 per basket, amout- 
ing to $2,200. The trees were twenty feet apart each way, which puts 109 
trees on an acre, and makes the yield at the rate of $5,848 to the acre. This, 
of course, is given as an extreme result, but if any man thinks that peach 
growing in this region is not profitable, let him call on our fruit growers and 
get facts.” 

In 1865 or 1866, S. F. Heath, of Heath’s Corners, Berrien county, Mich., 
purchased 5 acres of bearing peach orchard for $1,350. His first crop sold - 
for $1,800. He sold then 5d acres to William Gates for $7,000. Mr. Gates sold 
his first crop for $2,000 and his next one, 1868, for $4,000, and had ‘‘good 
prospects for a greater crop the following year.” 

In 1874, after correspondence with one hundred of the largest peach-grow-- 
ers, H. E. Bidwell, of South Haven, Mich., stated the average profit on 
peaches in Van Buren county, for the three years, 1872-’74, to have been 
$343.89 per acre, 7@. e., $300 in 1872, $431.68 in 1873, and $300 in 1874. 

In 1879, George T. Lay, of Allegan county, Mich., sold $1,000 worth of 
peaches from less than 4 acres, and another man is said to have sold $4,700- 
worth from 10 acres. The average value of the peaches from Mr. Lay’s 
orchard for five years, 1876-80, was $213 per acre. 

At Lawton, Mich., in 188), the peaches from 10 acres of five-years-old 
trees sold for $250 per acre. 

I have no data concerning the profits of California orchards, but presume 
an equally good showing might be made. 


VALUE OF PEACH FARMS. 


When on the Delaware and Chesapeake Peninsula I made careful inquiry 
as to the value of peach farms in districts unaffected or but recently affected 
by yellows. Real estate is dull and sales are slow, but peach farms bring 
more than any other. 

The ‘‘Cassidy’’? or ‘‘Peach Blossom’’ farm, on Sassafras river, in Cecil 

ounty, contains about 663 acres, and hus been sold several times within the- 

last thirty years, each time for about $50 dollars per acre. In Sassafras. 
Neck, good farms with buildings are worth from $40 to $70 per acre. In 
some instances offers of $100 an acre would be refused. 

About Chestertown good peach farms are worth from $70 to $100 per acre. 
Plenty could be bought for $70. Recently, in the upper part of Queen Anne 
county, a farm brought $73 per acre at a forced sale, and good peach farms. 
will readily bring that sum, while many peach growers would not sell for less. 
than $100 per acre. 


a 
\ LA 
Ga 

——< 


<>. 


DISEASED PEACH SHOOT FROM A MAIN LIMB. 


(Delaware. ) 


Pa os 
7 - 
iui & 7 
it a 
2° mp ak ge im ee ee 
© « 
¢ 
, 


oe 


OSs ane 


7s) 


ee 1 A 


PEACH YELLOWS. 257 


In Spaniard’s Neck the well established peach farms are worth from $70 
to $100 per acre. Land at some distance from the river and not well adapted 
to peaches is worth much less. 

The peach farm now occupied by William Hudson, at Clayton, Del., con- 
tains 222 acres, and was bought in 1883 at $130 per acre, 100 acres being in 
bearing orchard. 

Good peach farms, situated within a few miles of Dover, are worth from 
$75 to $100 per acre. <A few might be bought as low as $50 or $60. 

Peach farms in the vicinity of Magnolia are worth from $75 to $100 per 
acre. 

DEPRECIATION OF REAL ESTATE DUE TO YELLOWS. 


This has been marked in some sections. Real estate is undoubtedly dull 
the country over, owing to various causes; but that there has been a marked 
depreciation in values in upper Maryland and Delaware, due solely to the 
ravages of yellows, can not be denied. It is too patent. In places where the 
disease has prevailed most destructively it would now be hard to sell a peach 
farm at any price. Buyers do not care to invest; the risk istoo great. Owing 
to the prevalence of this disease many farms will not now sell for over one- 
half or two-thirds as much as they would have brought five years ago. In 
sections where yellows has entirely destroyed the orchards or rendered peach 
growing precarious and unprofitable, farms are now worth on an average 
about one-half what they were formerlv. 

Farms about Middletown, Townsend, McDonough and Odessa are now 
worth from $50 to $80 per acre. Fifteen or twenty years ago, when peach 
growing was at its height in this section, real estate brought fabulous prices, 
but usually paid for itself in peaches within a few years. 

In October, 1866, near McDonough, 170 acres of poor land, without fences, 
brought $120 an acre at public sale. 

In 1867 Mr. G. W. Karsner’s farm of 300 acres, near McDonough. was 
assessed at $150, and valued by some at $250 per acre. This farm was bought 
in 1832 for $14 per acre. 

In 1867 a farm of 150 acres, two miles east of Odessa, sold for $199 an 
acre, and at that time the upland portion (150 acres) of Mr. E. C. Fenni- 
more’s farm would undoubtedly have sold for over $300 per acre. This farm, 
lying on Delaware river, contains 800 acres, 650 being marsh and the rest 
sandy upland with red clay subsoil. It was sold in 1832 as part of a tract of 
2,800 acres for 93 cents an acre, and again in 1853 to Mr. Fennimore, when 
its value for peach growing was understood, for $25 an acre, marsh and all. 

In 1874 the peach farm of Mr. Serrick Shallcross, near Middletown, con- 
taining over 1,000 acres, was valued at $150 per acre. 

At about the same time Mr. Shallcross bought three farms to put into 
peaches, paying $156, $127, and $120 per acre. At that time, about Middle- 
town and McDonough, land of any sort suitable for peaches sold readily, 
even without buildings, at from $100 to $125 per acre. 

The depression of real estate values in Berrien county, Mich., subsequent 

‘ to the loss of the orchards was also very great, and many persons were finan- 
cially ruined, but I have not enough data to render it worth while to con- 
sider it at length. During the flush peach times real estate in southwest 
Michigan changed hands at prices fully equal to those which prevailed in 
Delaware. 


33 


258 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Should peach yellows sweep away the magnificent orchards of the middle 
part of the Chesapeake and Delaware peninsula, as it did those of New Castle » 
county, Del., and Berrien county, Mich., the effect, not only on the price of 
lands, but also on railroad and steamboat traffic and on the general prosperity 
of the peninsula, must be very great. Growers whose farms are mortgaged 
would be financially ruined and life would be harder for every inhabitant. 
This would be true especially of the poorer classes, many of whom are sup- 
ported almost entirely by the peach industry. The single item of the carry- 
ing trade amounts to thousands of dollars annually, as may be seen from the 
table of shipments by railroads, and this is only one of many items. In a 
word, the prosperity of nearly every business interest on the peninsula hinges 
on the peach industry. 

That the peach orchards are really in danger of being destroyed must be 
apparent to any one conversant with the facts, or to any one who will care- 
fully examine thedata presented in this report. In the celebrated Sassafras 
river region, and also in all the upper part of Kent county, Del., there will 
not in five years be a single productive orchard over six years of age if yel- 
lows continues to spread as rapidly as it has done for the last three years. 
I have no desire to present a sensational or gloomy view, but I give this as 
my deliberate judgment, after sixteen months’ continuous study of the sub- 
ject, with every opportunity to examine peninsular orchards. 

Hither of two things may possibly avert this dreaded result: 

(1) The application of some remedy or preventive. 

(2) The disappearance of the virulence of the disease from unknown 
natural causes. 

In my judgment we are already in possession of knowledge available for a 
partial suppression of the disease, but, from a wide acquaintance with the 
peninsular peach growers and some knowledge of human nature, I am in- 
clined to think it can be reduced to practice only in sections but recently 
invaded, 7. ¢., toward the lower part of the peninsula. 


CONDITIONS KNOWN OR SUPPOSED TO FAVOR THE DISEASE, 


CLIMATIC CONDITIONS. 


From the foregoing section upon history and distribution, and especially 
from that part devoted to the early history of the peach in the United States, 
it must be apparent that portions of this country are well suited to this fruit. 
Otherwise it never could have gained such an early strong foothold or flour- 
ished in the open air unprotected as it has done. 

The peach 1s undoubtedly of Asiatic origin, but neither in China nor on 
the table-lands of Persia does it appear to be more at home than in parts of 
the United States; and this might be expected from the fact that we are in 
the same zone and under climatic conditions not markedly different from 
those existing in the middle latitudes of Asia. 

From the recent suggestion by Professor Budd, and the earlier one by Dr. 
Emerson, that yellows may be a disease of non-acclimatization, it is worth 
while to inquire (1) what constitutes acclimatization? (2) what indicates that 
Asiatic peaches are hardier than our own? 

It ought not to be difficult to determine whether a cultivated tree takes 
kindly to a climate. I know no more certain proof than that it makes a 
vigorous growth, is productive, attains the usual longevity of its species, and 


PEACH YELLOWS, 259 


is capable of maintaining itself to a considerable extent outeide of cultivation, 
in fence rows, hedges and other neglected places. In the more favored parts 
of this country the peach fulfills all these conditions, and has done so for 
more than two centuries. In my examinations on the Deleware and Chesa- 
peake peninsula in 1887 and 1888 I saw at least fifty orchards of ages ranging 
from twenty to thirty years, and I saw a few still older. Such orchards are 
by no means infrequent, except where yellows has prevailed for a long time. 
Even in the relatively severe climate of Michigan orchards have lived 
twenty-five and thirty years. The average age of the orchards in Maryland 
and Delaware is only about sixteen years, but this is to be attributed to over- 
production and neglect rather than to climate. If our trees were pruned as 
carefully as European trees they would undoubtedly live aslong. Even with- 
out special care they sometimes reach a great age. There are well authenti- 
cated cases on the Atlantic coast of peach trees which have lived forty or even 
fifty years, and George Thurbur mentions one in Virginia which reached the 
age of seventy years. 


That Chinese peaches are more hardy than our own is a belief rather than 
a well established fact. They are certainly inferior in flavor and probably 
not hardier than the commonly cultivated ‘‘ Persian ’’ sorts. I have myself 
this year seen well marked yellows in North China peaches growing in Dela- 
ware, and have no doubt that Chinese peaches will prove subject to all the 
diseases incident to other races, and on a@ priori grounds, in the «bsence of 
sufficient well-authenticated information, I have no doubt that in China itself 
they are subject to various diseases, especially where grown in quantity. 
Certain, at least, is the fact that in the North Island of New Zealand the 
peach has been nearly exterminated within the last ten years by some myste- 
rious blight. 


Nevertheless, with some show of reason, peach yellows has been attributed 
to various unfavorable climatic conditions. The relation of these conditions 
to yellows will, therefore, be dicussed in the following pages. Four theories 
have received most frequent mention by writers on this subject, and as no 
proofs or valid arguments have been advanced in favor of any others it will 
be sufficient to restrict attention to these four, with a view to determine, if 
possible, just what relation these supposed causes bear to the disease. 


The theory of general change in climatic conditions may be dismissed with 
a word or two. It is easy to propound and difficult to establish. In refer- 
ence thereto it may be said: (1) There is no evidence of any marked change 
in the climate of the United State during the Jast one hundred years; and 
(2) if there were, there is no evidence that the outbreaks of peach yellows have 
conformed to any such change. We may, therefore, set aside this theory 
until evidence is adduced in proof of both propositions. 


The theory of early autumn frosts has been urged with more show of rea- 
son. When we reflect upon the function of the leaves, and on the nice 
balance between roots and foliage which is necessary for the health of a grow- 
ing tree, it is evident that any premature destruction of the foliage must not 
only affect the maturing wood, but also more or less seriously injure the 
whole plant. With this fact in mind, I have given careful attention to the 
subject, the more because some very considerable authorities in horticulture 
have favored this theory, and have stated by way of proof that this disease 
never occurs in the South or when the peach is grown under glass. 


After careful inquiry my conclusion is that early frosts have nothing what- 


260 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


ever to do with yellows. This conclusion is based, in part, upon the follow- 
ing facts: 

(1) In the peach districts of Michigan severe frosts sometimes occur in 
August and often in September, 7. e., before the leaves have fallen; yet there 
are localities where peach trees have been grown continuously for thirty 
years, and where yellows has not yet appeared. 

(2) In the region of the great lakes early frosts have not been confined to 
recent years, yet peach yellows did not appear there until quite recently, 7%. e., 
in southwestern Michigan in 1866; in nothern Ohio in 1878; in Ontario in 
1876. 

(3) On the shore of Long Island sound, in the vicinity of New Haven, 
Conn., peach yellows was very prevalent between 1831 and 1846; yet, during 
the entire period of sixteen years, at Middletown, in the interior of the State 
but not far removed, there was but one severe frost as early as September. 

(4) On the upper part of the Delaware and Chesapeake peninsula peach yel- 
lows has appeared within the last three years in a great many young orchards, 
often affecting hundreds of trees inasingle orchard in one year. In 1887 and 
in 1888 I saw it repeatedly in trees set only three or four years, and occasion- 
ally in still younger trees, most of which were healthy in 1887. In connection 
with these facts I made inquiries to determine (1) the exact dates at which 
early frosts have occurred in recent years, (2) whether usually, or occasionally, 
the peach is liable to lose its foliage prematurely, 7. ¢., while its buds and 
wood areimmature. In 1887 and 1888 I supplemented these inquiries by ob- 
servations of my own. 

At Dover and. Clayton weather records have been kept for a number of 
years, and these show that there have been no severe early frosts, certainly 
none that serve in the least to explain the sudden widespread devastation of 
the orchards by yellows. Below is a synopsis from these records: 

At Still Pond, Md., the entries in the journal of Dr. W. S. Maxwell agree 
substantially with the Dover and Clayton records, although thermometric read- 
ings are not given. A daily record by Dr. Henry Ridgely, of Dover, also 
agrees substantially with that of Mr. Jester, although not so complete. 

From these records it is clear that during the three years 1885 to 1887 there 
were no frosts in August and none of any consequence in September. In 1885 
the first severe frost was on October 10; in 1886 it was on October 17; in 1887 on 
October 15; in 1888 on October 10. 

The first point raised is whether the shoatd of the season were in such an 
immature condition at the time of these frosts as to be seriously injured by 
loss of leaves, assuming for the sake of argument that the leaf function was 
entirely suspended after these dates, The second point is whether the severest 
injuries of this sort can develop peach yellows, or anything resembling it. 

In the autumn of 1887 I paid particular atttention to the ripening of foliage 
on deciduous trees, especially on the peach, and to the effects of the October 
and November frosts Leaves in some orchards, especially about Chestertown, 
Md., began to fall in considerable quantities as early as August 25, but this 

wae, on think, abnormally early. 

At Dover, in the McDaniel orchard by September 27 from one third to two- 
thirds of the leaves on all the lower branches had already fallen, and those 
remaining on these branches (except the terminal ones) detached very readily 
when the shoots were seized at the base and drawn gently through the half- 
closed hand, thus showing that though still green their work was very nearly 
completed. Some of the smaller branches had already lost all their leaves. 


PEACH YELLOWS. 261 


The branches on the tops of the trees were yet thickly covered with green 
leaves, but the buds were well developed and the twigs had the appearance 
of maturity. On an average the trees in this orchard had lost about one- 
fourth of their leaves. 

At Clayton, in an old orchard owned by Alfred Hudson, and considerably 
injured by yellows, the leaves had nearly all fallen by October 4. The 
early varieties shed first. Smocks and some other late sorts retained quite a 
sprinkling of green. On many trees in this orchard there was not a leaf, and 
on an average about four-fifths of all the foliage had fallen. Such was sab- 
stantially the condition of other bearing orchards examined at that time in 
that locality. The young orchards were greener. Three days later I found 
that the trees in the four-year old orchard of John Hudson (No. 9 of this 
report) had lost from two-thirds to nine-tenths of their leaves. On some 
varieties there were more leaves than on others. A one-year old orchard on 
the same farm looked very green and retained most of its foliage. This was 
healthy in 1888, but No. 9 was badly diseased. 

On October 8 near Smyrna I examined two orchards, each about three or 
four years old. They had shed from one-half or two-thirds of their foliage, but. 
the tops of many of the trees were still quite green. From my window at 
Clayton I could also see another young orchard of many acres. The lower 
two-thirds of what foliage remained was reddish brown, the upper third was 

reen. 

: On October 10, near Clayton, in a very thrifty three-year old orchard 
belonging to John Gault, I found that the trees still retained from one-third 
to one-half their leaves. Fully one-third were yet entirely green and doing 
duty. ‘They were entirely gone from some shoots and from the lower one- 
half to two-thirds of most of the shoots. The ends of many shoots still 
retained all their leaves, although the buds in their axils would probably 
have grown if taken for inoculation in August. My memorandum on this 
orchard was: If frost occurs before October 20 it will catch the terminal 
leaves, but I question whether the trees will suffer appreciably thereby. On 
a partial examination at that time I found in this orchard twenty-five trees 
with yellows, and many additional cases developed in 1888. 

Speaking for a majority of the young orchards about Clayton, in which 
many new cases of yellows appeared in 1888, it may be said that from one-half 
to three-fourths of the foliage had fallen by October 10, and in older orchards a 
much larger proportion, although there had been no frost. 

Variety, age, situation, kind of fertilization, time and manner of cultivation, 
and the production of fruit all have much te do in determining how early the 
leaves shall fall. 

In 1887, judging by the number of leaves which had fallen, and by the 
appearance of the young wood, it is reasonable to suppose that peach trees on 
the Delaware and Chesapeake peninsula were well out of harm’s way before 
the first frost. If this is true of 1887, it is undoubtedly true also of 1885 and 
1886, and these frosts can not have been the cause of this outbreak of yellows. 
Indeed, on general principles it may well be doubted whether even very early 
and killing frosts will produce peach yellows. ‘The burden of proof is all on 
the side of those who support this theory. 

In Washington, D. C., especially where somewhat shaded or protected by 
buildings, peach trees retained their foliage much longer than in the open 
field. The first severe frost occurred October 16, at which time many of the 
trees were yet in nearly full leaf. Between this date and October 30, especially 


262 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


after a heavy rain, the leaves fell rapidly, but were not all gone or all yellow 
until about November 7, although there were a number of severe frosts. 


COLD WINTERS. 


The winter of 1880-’81 was unusually severe. Onthe Delaware and Chesa- 
peake peninsula in January the temperature fell to 12° below zero F., a very 
unusual occurrence. The fruit buds were nearly all destroyed. Many trees 
were killed outright. Thousands more were badly injured and have not 
recovered to this day. Many persons have attributed the recent alarming 
increase of yellows to this severe winter. It has also been asserted that in 
New Jersey and upper Delaware a corresponding increase of yellows followed 
the severe winter of 1856-757. In Berrien county, Michigan, the increase of 
yellows was also ascribed to the severe winters of 1872-73 and 1874-775. 

This theory appears more tangible than the preceding, because the effect 
of hard freezes is very apparent in injured bark and discolored wood, and be- 
cause dark heart wood is not infrequent in trees suffering from yellows. It 
has been a favorite theory with many writers. They have insisted that yellows 
is very strictly a disease of northern clmates, naturally unsuited to the peach, 
the fact or supposed fact that the disease did not prevail in middle Delaware 
or in the southern States being cited as ample proof of this. Dr. Emerson 
and Mr. Hovey, in particular, cite the very part of Delaware now badly 
affected as proof that a mild climate is a safeguard. 

It is probable that anything which reduces the vitality of a tree will render 
it more susceptible to disease, and in this way severe winters may have exerted 
an evil influence; but that any degree of cold, or any sudden change of 
temperature, can of itself cause peach yellows is, I think, impossible. The 
following reasons seem to be conclusive: 

(1) If peach yellows is due to severe freezes it ought not to have appeared 
first in centers of cultivation, but rather on northern border regions, where 
severe winters are of more frequent occurrence. The whole history of the 
disease shows the reverse of this to be true. 

(2) On such an assumption, peach yellows ought not to appear at all in 
mild southern climates, yet it has been present for a number of years in 
Georgia, on nearly the southern limit of the successful culture of the peach, 
at least of the so-called “ Persian ” peaches, the only race yet grown to any 
great extent in this country. In this connection it is also well to remember 
that the peach is not indigenous to a warm climate, as some writers have 
taken for granted. It flourishes best in the middle latitudes of either hemi- 
sphere, 7. ¢., between the thirtieth and fortieth parallels, and only exception- 
ally north or south of these boundaries. 

(3) During the winter of 1856-57, at Grand Rapids, Mich., many peach 
trees were killed to the ground or greatly injured. Since that date there 
have also been freezes which much injured peach trees. Yellows, however, 
did not appear until about 1883 and has never been very prevalent. In other 
parts of the State, e. g., in Washtenaw county and Ionia county, peach trees 
have suffered repeatedly from cold winters, being killed back more often than 
not upon low grounds, yet I have never seen a single case of yellows result- 
ing therefrom. At Spring Lake, near Grand Haven, a succession of severe 
winters between 1870 and 1880 greatly injured peach trees and practically 
put a stop to the planting of orchards, but yellows did not became prevalent 
in consequence, and has never proved a serious evil. Nevertheless, in 


DISEASED PEACH SHOOT, 


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PEACH YELLOWS. 263 


Berrien county, near the same great body of water and 70 miles farther 
south, the orchards were entirely destroyed by yellows during the same 
period. Here are two localities subject to the same rigors of climate. When 
the supposed cause has been acting in both localities why has the disease 
prevailed only in one? 

—'(4) Sussex county, Del., is almost or entirely free from yellows, unless it 
be that portion in the immediate vicinity of Milford, yet it was as much 
subject to the severe winter of 1880-’81 as Kent county. 

+ Seaford is only about 35 miles south of Dover, and the difference in eleva- 
tion is so trifling that they may be said to be subject to the same temperature, 
especially during cold waves. Dover has suffered severely from peach yel- 
lows for three years, while Seaford has been entirely free. In August, 1888, 
I visited Seaford, talked with many growers, and examined about thirty 
orchards, some of them very carefully. I did not see a single premature 
peach or any well-defined case of yellows, and did not hear of any. Most of 
the growers are entirely ignorant of the symptoms and effects of this disease, 
so far as personal experience goes. The only suspicious trees I saw were a 
few in thrifty young orchards recently imported from New Jersey. 

About Seaford are many old orchards wnich were seriously injured by the 
hard winter and which still show its effects in discolored or dozy heart-wood 
and partially dead limbs and trunk. 

One of the orchards of Wm. E. Cannon was of special interest, because 
it was very badly injured by the winter in question. The orchard was then 
three years old. Some of the trees died, and none of them have entirely recov- 
ered. The trees lost large patches of bark from trunk and limbs, and the year’s 
wood was frozen brown, and has since become dozy and rotten, frequently 
involving all the annual rings except those laid down within a year or two. 
There is much dead wood, and aslight pull breaks down large growing limbs. 
Nevertheless, the foliage was green and full grown, and the orchard bore 
peaches and looked as if it might continue to bear for a number of years. 
This orchards now contain five or six hundred trees; originally, seven hun- 
dred. I carefully examined each one, but found not a trace of yellows. 

An orchard twenty-four years old, belonging to Charles Wright, was also 
badly injured by the winter and has never entirely recovered. It contaihed, 
originally, about eight hundred trees, seventy-five of which are now missing. 
There are many partially decayed branches and some dead trees, and all are 
lichen-covered. The orchard bore peaches, and will, no doubt, continue to 
bear for a number of years. I carefully examined every tree, but found not 
a trace of yellows. On the same farm is an orchard of one thousand seven 
hundred trees now fifteen years old. This was also badly injured by the win- 
ter, and looks more ragged and broken than the older one, but yellows has 
neyer appeared in it. Col. E. L. Martin also has two orchards, one eighteen 
years old and the other fifteen, which were badly injured by the winter of 
1880-’81. Yellows has never appeared in either, and the younger one has 
borne four good crops of fruit since 1880. I saw both. 

The history of these orchards is the history of all the old orchards about 
Seaford—all suffered from the unusual winter, but none developed yellows. 


EXCESSIVE RAIN-FALL. 


As long ago as 1807, Judge Peters observed that yellows was unusually 
prevalent during two successive rainy seasons, and concluded that excessive 


264 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


moisture had something to do with the disease. Since his time many have 
held the same view, although not much evidence appears to have been brought 
forward to sustain it. Mr. Rutter, however, states that yellows was very 
prevalent in West Chester during the rainy season of 1878. Whether the 
former great outbreaksin Upper Delaware, in New Jersey, Connecticut, New 
York, Ontario, and Michigan occurred during rainy seasons is uncertain. [ 
have found no trustworthy evidence of such coincidence. On the contrary, 
Charles W. Garfield states that yellows was much worse at Saint Joseph, 
Mich., in two excessively dry seasons, 1871 and 1872. 

Careful rain-fall records in inches are not kept on the Chesapeake and 
Delaware Peninsula, so far as I know; but from general entries in several 
weather records and from newspaper paragraphs and the statements of many 
trustworthy persons, it is beyond question that in the vicinity of Dover and 
Still Pond, and in fact over all the upper part of the peninsula, there was 
excessive rain-fall both in 1886 and 1887. As regards 1887, my own observa- 
tions confirm these statements. It was very rainy—hay was a large crop; 
corn-fields could not be properly cultivated; wheat spoiled in the shock; 
weeds grews amazingly; and the peach tree itself made a much larger growth 
than in 1888. According to Dr. Henry Ridgely’s daily record the exceedingly 
rainy months of 1886 were May, June, and July; and the months in 1887 in 
which most rain fell were April, June, July, and August. In 1887 the last one- 
half of April, the whole of July, and the first two-thirds of August were especial- 
ly wet, the July rainfall being enormous. In a general way the rain charts 
of the signal service confirm these statements, and would undoubtedly be 
shaded still more deeply in this region were they based on a larger number 
of observations. Coincident with these two rainy seasons was a marked 
increase of peach yellows, which seemed attributable thereto and wasso attri- 

buted, very commonly. 

One could not help noting such a striking coincidence or ayoid being 
influenced by it. Until this year, therefore, I held the view that excessive 
rainfall, while not the cause of yellows, was a necessary factor in its rapid 
dissemination. It seemed wise, however, to follow the progress of the disease 
another year before making very positive asseriions. It was, therefore, with 
unusnal interest that I waited the season of 1888, hoping it might be dry. 
Fortunately, it was dry; but a careful study of the disease in five counties 
showed no marked diminution in the number of newly infected trees. If 
some orchards showed fewer new cases than in 1887, others in the vicinity 
showed more, and still others developed the disease for the first time, often 
in many trees (see record of examinations in numbered orchards), Many 
other orchards might be cited. I also found that all trees diseased in 1887 
continued to be diseased in 1888, and that the disease had invaded contiguous 
territory which was free in 1887. 

It cannot, therefore, be said that the excessive rainfall of 1886 and 1887 
was especially favorable to the spread of the disease, unless, as is quite likely, 
the conditions then produced remained and continued their injurious activity 
in the dry year of 1888. It may, however, be stated without qualification 
that, contrary to expectation, a dry year following the two wet ones did not 
check the spread of the disease. Rainy weather may have some influence in 
originating a widespread epiphytotic, which is then capable of holding its 
own during succeeding dry weather. On the other hand, too much influence 
may have been ascribed to wet seasons from the fact that diseased trees put 
out a more abundant growth of secondary shoots in such years, and are 


PEACH YELLOWS, 265 


therefore more easily detected by ordinary observers, or rather not so easily 
overlooked. In this particular I noticed on the Delaware and Chesapeake 
Peninsula a very marked difference between 1887 and 1888. In 1888 the 
diseased trees sent out a scanty growth of the abnormal shoots; in 1887 such 
growths were very abundant. 

All things considered, the question of the effect of excessive rainfall must 
be left an open one. Certainly it cannot of itself cause yellows, because dis- 
tricts only a few miles south of the infected areas suffered from veritable 
floods of rain and yet entirely escaped the disease. Another season may throw 
more light upon the subject. It certainly will if it is dry. ~ 


EARTH CONDITIONS. 


The belief that peach yellows is in some way related to poverty of soil is not 
anew theory. As long ago as 1839 a correspondent of the Farmers’ Cabinet 
stated that in earlier volumes of that journal he had found no less than eight- 
een papers recommending ‘‘alkaline substances for the prevention or cure of 
the premature decay of pear and peach trees. Two years later Littleton 
Physic, of Ararat Farm, Cecil county, Md., highly recommended nitrate of 
potash for peach trees, his experiments having begun as early as 1836. 

In 1848, J. W. Bissel, of Rochester, N. Y., stated that there is a loss of lime 
and potash in soils where many peach trees have been grown, and suggested 
that yellows might be due ‘‘to the absence or small quantity of these alkalies.”’ 
He had never seen any analyses of the wood, but suggested that such be made. 
The next year Professor Emmons, of Albany, N. Y., published analyses of 
healthy and diseased tissues. At this time New Jersey peach growers were 
also attributing yellows to bad treatment and poverty of soil. They then held, 
as some of them still hold, that the exhaustion of the land by excessive and 
unintermitted cropping is a sufficient explanation of the disease. 

An analysis of healthy branches was also published in 1854 by Mr. Kirtland. 

In 1871, Dr. R. C. Kedzie, of Lansing, Michigan, visited Benton Harbor, 
examined many diseased orchards, and made analyses of healthy and diseased 
tissues. He found in the diseased tree a deficiency of carbonate of potash and 
phosphate of lime, but in view of the fact that the composition of the ash of 
the same plant varies much according to the age of the plant, the kind of soil 
on which it grows, and the degree of vigor of its development, he declares 
that ‘‘perhaps it might with justice be said that the results of chemical 
analysis, like those of microscopic examination [Dr. W. J. Beal’s], are merely 
negative.’’ At about that date Thomas Meehan, of Germantown, Pa., stated 
that Dr. Wood, of the Philosophical Society, had found that potash benefited 
peach trees attacked by yellows. 

In 1882, Charles Black, a well known nurseryman of Hightstown, N. J., 
declared that crowding was one of the causes of yellows, and made the follow- 
ing remarkable statement: ‘If your trees are too thick, pull out every other 
row, and asarule you will cure the yellows.’’ Trees are sometimes set as 
close as 8 or 10 feet, but should be 18 or 20 feet apart. 

The same year Dr. Goessman, of Amherst, Mass., published his four analyses 
in connection with a paper by Prof. D. P. Penhallow on the microscopic 
characteristics of the disease. Dr. Goessman found in the diseased fruit an 
excess of lime and phosphoric acid and a deficiency of magnesia and potash ; 
and in the diseased branches an excess of iron, lime, and magnesia, and a 
deficiency of potash and phosphoric acid. Both gentlemen took the giound 


266 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


that the yellows was due to a lack of necessary food elements in the soil, and 
cited the four analyses in proof. A remedial treatment based on this theory, 
and consisting of liberal doses of phosphates and of sulphate and muriate of 
potash, was begun at Amherst, by Professor Maynard, in 1878, and the results 
of this treatment were also offered in proof. 

This treatment was repeated by Professor Penhallow, at Houghton Farm, 
New York, the results there obtained being embodied in a special report of 
that experiment station, which was published in 1883. 

In 1884, at the request of P. M. Augur, State pomologist, the Connecticut 
experiment station also made analyses of diseased and healthy peach twigs, 
from which it appears that the ash of the diseased tissue contained no excess 
of lime, but an excess of silica and other insoluble matters, and a deficiency 
of nearly all the other constituents. 

In recent years Professor Penhallow is the one who has insisted most 
strenuously on the correctness of this soil exhaustion theory, and among 
practical peach growers who have given more or less sanction to his views may 
be named H. H. Appleton, Odessa, Del.; John P. R. Polk, Wilmington, Del. ; 
Eli Minch, Shiloh, N. J.; and J. H. Hale, South Glastonbury, Conn. His 
treatment, as given in a Houghton Farm Bulletin, Series III, Nos. 1 and 2, 
and in amore recent communication tothe author, consists in the application 
of 625 pounds per acre of a mixture, by weight, of 1 part of kieserite (crude 
epsom salts), 6 parts of muriate of potash, and 18 parts of dissolved bone-black 
(bone-black in sulphuric acid). This to be applied, one-half spring and fall, 
just before and after leafing; and, if marked evidence of the disease is pres- 
ent, an additional 2 pounds of muriate of potash must be given to each tree 
in spring and fall. The orchard must also first be pruned severely, to cut 
out all the noticeably diseased wood. 

If yeach pellows can be cured in this simple manner every peach-grower 
ought to know it, for hundreds of orchards in New Jersey, Delaware, and 
Maryland are being ruined, entailing great financial loss. Even if this treat- 
ment can be depended on as a reasonably certain preventive, it is one of the 
most important horticultural discoveries of modern times. The fact that the 
ingredients here supplied in a concentrated soluble form are found naturally 
in considerable quantity in the ash of healthy peach trees is certainly an 
argument in their favor. If yellows, therefore, is only synonymous with 
starvation, the results of this treatment ought to be speedy and unmistakable. 
Six years have passed since the publication of Dr. Goessman’s analyses, and 
many faithful trials have been made by peach growers. What have been the 
results? 

When I began my field work, in July, 1887, I had no fayorite theory to 
advance, but gave very careful attention this one, among others, hoping, for 
the sake of the fruit growers, to be able to confirm it. This I have not been 
able to do. 

In the first place, there appears to be an error of logic in deriving conclu- 
sions from premises. In the diseased tissues Dr. Goessman found a deficiency 
of potash, and with this fact for one premise, and for the other the knowl- 
edge that potash is procured by the plant only from the earth, he and Pro- 
fessor Penhallow assumed a lack of this substance in the soil. Hven assum- 
ing a constant deficiency of this sort in diseased trees, the conclusion which 
they reached by no means logically follows, any more than it follows that 
the leanness of a consumptive or a dyspeptic is attributable to a want of 
appetite or of sufficient food. If in diseased tissues there is a constant 


PEACH YELLOWS. 267 


deficiency of potash, such as the analyses seem to indicate, why may it not be 
an effect of the disease rather than the cause? The amount of this substance 
is believed to be proportionate to the vigor of growth. In weak and feeble 
growths, such as are characteristic of the later stages of yellows, we might 
consequently expect to find less of this element. In my judgment the 
amount of assimilable material in the soil has little or nothing to do with 
the deficiencies said to exist in diseased tissues. 

Again, it would seem that four analyses, however carefully made, are an 
insufficient basis for so important an assumption. On this ground alone the 
fact of any characteristic disparity of chemical composition might very prop- 
erly be denied, or held in question, until established by many careful analyses. 
Up to this date only a few have been made, and these are not altogether con- 
sistent. At least half a hundred analyses ought to be made, under various 
conditions of growth, if anything like exact information is desired. At 
present we do not even know that trees stunted by borers, by root aphides, or by 
starvation would not yield chemical results identical with those given by 
trees suffering from yellows. The probabilities are that they would, 

Moreover, knowing from personal experience how easy it is to make mistakes, 
I am inclined, with all due respect to those who advocate this theory, to think 
there may also be a possible error of fact as to the alleged cures. 

The Amherst trees were set, in 1870, only 12 feet apart; were neglected 
for five years, and did not receive treatment for yellows until 1878. Only the 
trees least affected were treated. These became green, bore fruit, and were 
pronounced cured at the end of three years. We are not told who identified 
the disease, or whether the trees in question (the identical ones treated) bore 
the premature red-spotted peaches and the characteristic shoots. Is it not 
possible that these trees may not have had genuine peach yellows, such as has 
destroyed the orchards in Michigan and Delaware? I have frequently seen 
yellow, starved looking trees which were not suffering from yellows, and 
these, too, in orchards where the real disease was present. It is easy to mis- 
take something else for yellows if one has had but little experience with the 
disease. The statements that these trees were on an impoverished hill; that 
they were set only 12 feet apart; that they were eight years old when the 
disease was discovered, and that the trees in the richer bottom remained 
healthy, all lead me to think that some or all of them may have been simply 
starved trees, in which case they would naturally respond quickly to suitable 
food. On any other assumption I am at a loss to harmonize my own observa- 
tions with the statements of Dr. Goessman and Professor Penhallow, unless, 
indeed, there should exist a difference in judgment as to what constitutes a 
cure. My own criterion is that the restored tree must again bear healthy 
fruit, ripening at the normal time. Any substance which accomplishes less 
than this is not a remedy, but at best only a palliative. 

Professor Penhallow’s field work at Houghton farm in 1883 would also 
appear to offer insufficient data for judgment as to the real merits of the 
muriate of potash. One tree only was cured of yellows. This had never 
borne fruit, but was one of a few young trees procured that year from 
Rochester, N. Y. Is there not a possibility that this tree was suffering from 
a cause or causes other than that which produces yellows, although manifest- 
ing symptoms somewhat resembling it? This cure was effected in 1883. I 
am unable to say what has been the subsequent history of this tree. It would 
be interesting to know if it continues healthy and is productive. 
wzias this remedy given any more definite and satisfactory results in the 


268 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


hands of practical peach growers? After two years of observation and 
inquiry in Michigan, Maryland, and Delaware, I must say I can not find that 
it has. So far as my own observation goes the most that can be said in favor 
of any phosphate or potash treatment is that the trees become greener and in 
some cases produce premature fruit for a year or two longer than otherwise. 
On the Delaware and Chesapeake peninsula it is the rule rather than the 
exception to use commercial fertilizers, and some of the orchards which I have ~ 
examined have received very large doses of fertilizers containing potash, phos- 
phoric acid, sulphuric acid, chlorine, etc. ; but it is almost the universal testi- 
mony that as a remedy for peach yellows, or even as a preventive, they are of 
no value whatever. Afew men hold acontrary opinion, and in some instances 
I took special pains to visit their orchards, learn the treatment and note the 
condition of the trees. 


In September, 1857, learning by newspaper reports of some trees near 
Smyrna, Del., which had been cured of yellows, I visited the place and 
examined the trees. They are on the farm of J. Scout, near the village. 
Mr. Scout himself did not assert that the trees had been cured, but said 
««There they are. You can judge for yourself.” 


I found a row of fifteen trees, ten years old, of several varieties. They were 
on level ground, next a gooseberry patch, and near a prolific vineyard. The 
treatment began four years previous and was at first accidental. At that 
time the ground under the trees on the side next the berry patch received 
the same dressing as the latter—v. e., a very heavy coating of privy manure. 
Since then in the spring of each year the trees have received a dressing of 
ground bone at the rate of 600 pounds per acre, and of kainit at the rate of 
400 pounds per acre. 


The condition of these fifteen trees, was that three were healthy; one was 
dead ; one was doubtful and fen hal yellows, six of them being full of the 
characteristic shoots and badly diseased, while the other four showed unmis- 
takable signs of it. In thirteen and fourteen there were some indications of 
recovery, but nothing definite. Mr. Scout thinks that all had the disease 
four years ago, but of this I do not feel certain. 


H. H. Appleton, of Odessa, Del., has boned and potashed his orchards very 
liberally for years, but trees upon bis place were badly diseased by yellows in 
1887 and 1888, and although his shrewd neighbors are losing their young 
orchards by the wholesale, as [ know from personal inspection, they have not 
confidence enough in his treatment to apply it to their own trees. 


One of the most striking failures of this treatment is on the “Cassiday”’ or 
‘‘Peach-Blossom’’ farm, on the north bank of the Sassafras River. in Cecil 
county, Md. The farm is now managed by John P. R. Polk, of Wilming- 
ton, Del. He has been a firm believer in the efficacy of this treatment, and 
for four years, 2. ¢., since the disease began to become serious in that region, 
has given the young 50-acre orchard very heavy dressings of an excellent peach- 
tree fertilizer, prepared for him by I. P. Thomas & Son, of Philadelphia, 
after the Penhallow formula, at a cost of $33 per ton. 


I yisited and examined this orchard August 29,1888. It contains 50 acres; 
the front 15 is six years old; the back 35is eight years old. ‘The whole farm 
has been in peach orchard, but in this field ten years intervened between the 
remoyal of the old orchard and the planting of this one. The soil is nearly 
level upland—mellow clay loam with a yellow clay subsoil. The trees are set 
108 to an acre. Yellows first appeared in the older part about 1884. The 


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HEALTHY TREE.—SET FIVE MONTHS. 
(Delaware. ) 


a Ae 


PEACH YELLOWS. 269 


history of the treatment of this orchard and of the progress of the disease, by 
years, as given by Joseph A. Rickards, the tenant, is as follows: 

1884, Kainit was sowed broadcast in the spring on the entire 50 acres at the rate of 
300 to 400 pounds per acre [about 50 pounds of potash per acre]. 

1885. This year there were many premature trees, nearly one-third of the back 35 
acres, 7. ¢., the older trees. That fall from 5 to 25 pounds of I. P. Thomas’s Peach Tree 
Fertilizer was put around each diseased tree [about one-half pound to two pounds of 
potash and the same amount of phosphoric acid per tree]. In all, 4 or 5 tons were thus 
used. 

1886. There were more premature trees this year. The orchard got worse rather than 
better, and Mr. Rickards wished to dig out all diseased trees, but Mr. Polk objected and 
desired to continue thetreatment. That fali from 300 to 400 pounds per acre of ordinary 
phosphate, part of it made by Mr. Thomas, was sowed broadcast on the entire 50 acres 
[6 to 8 pounds of potash and 20 to 80 pounds of phosphoric acid per acre}. 

1887. The younger, front part of the orchard showed many diseased trees. Nothing 
was put on the back 35 acres, but on the 15 acres of younger trees the Thomas mixture 
was applied at the rate of 300 to 40) pounds per acre. This was puton in March or 
April and plowed under later. The orchard showed no improvement. 

1888. No treatment, save the ordinary careful cultivation which has been given each 
year. 

I drove the entire length of the orchard and along one end, and walked 
through the middle. It is very badly diseased in all parts, and many of the 
trees are entirely worthless. The boss of the picking gang, who has been on 
the place five years, and was then at work in the orchard, told me that 20 
acres of the 35 was ‘‘good for nothing,” and would be cut down as soon as 
time could be found to do it, Mr. Polk having given orders to that effect; in 
fact five acres had already been cutdown. Heestimated that about two-thirds 
of the eight-year-old trees were diseased, and I saw nothing which led me to 
doubt his statement. Of the six-year-old trees, he thought about one-fourth 
were premature. Following Mr. Polk’s direction the tenant began to cut 
these down, but found so many of them, that he preferred not to execute the 
order until he should again see the manager and inform him more fully of 
the exact condition of the trees. The diseased trees were very yellow and 
sickly looking, some were barren, .nd others bore premature fruit and the 
characteristic shoots. The healthy trees, especially in the younger part of 
the orchard, bore considerable fruit; they were large, and the foliage 
was green and vigorous. Evidently they have had good care and plenty of 
suitable food. 

So far as I could judge, assuming for a basis the recent progress of the 
disease in all that part of Maryland, the fertilizers have had no effect what- 
ever in retarding its spread. It has gone on increasing from year to year 
until now the orchard is very badly diseased. It is certainly as bad as any 
untreated orchard within a radius of 10 miles, and much worse than several 
orchards on the south side of the Sassafras river, on similar soil, and on land 
which has been “‘peached” once and has received no special treatment. In 
my judgment it would have been better to have removed the diseased trees, 
from year to year, as fast as they appeared. If I have not been misinformed, 
Mr. Polk is now also of this opinion. 

Orchard No. 1 of this report received 200 pounds of ground bone and 200 
pound of muriate of potash per acre when three years old. 

Orchard No. 2 has also received a good deal in the way of phosphates, 
potash salts, and barn-yard manure for a series of years. 

Orchard No. 14 received kainit broadcast in the spring of 1885, at the rate 
of 400 pounds per acre. Phosphates and barn-yard manure were used on the 
field for other crops previous to setting the trees, but not since. The level 


270 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


30-acre field lying south of this orchard produced between 29 and 30 bushels 
of wheat per acre in 1888. I saw it fallowed in 1887, and the soil appeared 
to be identical with that of the orchard. 

Orchard No. 16 has been remarkably productive, but has received very 
little in the way of fertilizers. It is thirty-three years old, and never suf- 
fered much from yellows until recently. This orchard may be compared 
with No. 2, which is on much the same kind of soil; or with No. 18, which 
was not old enough to bear until 1888, and then produced only a sprinkling 
of peaches, mostly premature; or with No. 3, which made a vigorous growth, 
and bore only ove or two light crops before succumbing. 

Again, on the supposition that yellows is due to exhaustion of soil, ought 
it not to appear in old rather than young trees, in trees which have produced 
excessive crops of fruit for many years in succession rather than in those 
which have borne only one or two light crops or even none at all? The 
reverse of this is true. I have found yellows more rapidly destructive in 
young than in old orchards. I know a number of instances where very pro- 
ductive old orchards have been entirely spared for the first fifteen or twenty 
years, while young orchards on the same farm, or in the immediate vicinity, 
have become very badly diseased during the first six years of their orchard 
life. In some cases where soil, location, method of cultivation, etc., appeared 
to be the same, [ have found that old and young trees were attacked at about 
the same time, both being injured alike, or the young suffering worst; in 
other cases the young orchards have been attacked a year or two sooner than 
the old ones. ‘The reverse of this, 7. e., old orchards attacked first, is some- 
times true, but on this theory it ought to be true always, or at least very 
commonly. This is certainly far from beingthe case. Of the eighteen orchards 
specially mentioned in this report only four are over nine years old, and a 
number of them have been set only three, four, and five years. 

A general consideration of the way in which the disease spreads appears 
also to be opposed to the view that it results from soil exhaustion. Within 
five or six years it has appeared in nearly all the orchards on the upper part 
of the Delaware and Chesapeake peninsula, and for the last two or three 
years it has affected tree after tree very rapidly. In that region it is now on 
all kinds of soil, clay, clay loam, sandy loam, and light sand; on the richest 
farms and on the poorest; on new and old lands; on impoverished hill tops 
or hill sides, and in rich bottoms; in young and old trees; iu budded fruit 
and in seedlings; in transplanted trees and in those which have never been 
moved; in trees crowded, set 20 feet apart, and even forty feet apart; on 
moist fields and dry ones; on highly fertilized soils and on those which have 
received a minimum of fertilizers or none whatever. These statements, every 
one of which I have verified repeatedly in Maryland and Delaware, have also 
all proved true in the experience of Michigan peach growers, as I know from 
correspondence and conversation with many of them. Is it probable, or even 
within the bounds of possibility, that swddenly all the orchard lands in whole 
counties shculd become exhausted and incapable of growing the peach; 
capable still, however, of growing excellent corn and wheat, and fine vine- 
yards and pear and apple orchards? The chemical analyses of the peach 
reveal no peculiarity of composition that would warrant any such belief. 

Moreover, in some of the lower counties of the Chesapeake and Delaware 
peninsula, which haye been settled as long and have grown peaches nearly or 
quite as long, yellows has not appeared, at least not so as to be noticed, 
although the soil is lighter and less fertile. 


PEACH YELLOWS. Q71 


Sussex county, Del., in particular, contains large tracts of very sandy land, 
and is noticeably less fertile than Kent county. Indeed, from Seaford to 
Delmar, along the line of the railroad, it is almost a barren waste of sandy, 
scrub-pine country. Corn and wheat will not grow. Melons and small 
fruits are the principal products, blackberries being the crop which thrives 
best. Peach trees planted on this land are yellowish, small, and starved, and 
the orchards seldom live more than ten or twelve years; yet, in the whole 
region, I did see or hear of a case of yellows. The trees sometimes starve, 
but do not die of yellows. In many orchards it is also the practice, and has 
been for years, to double crop the land by planting four or five rows of straw- 
berries or of blackberry bushes between the orchard trees. These strong feed- 
ing plants take from the soil much potash, phosphoric acid, and other min- 
eral matters, and the peach trees evidently feel the loss; but not even in any 
of these orchards could I find yellows, although I tramped patiently over 
many acres and examined hundreds of trees. 

In driving from Seaford to Laurel I passed through an especially dreary 
country. I have seen nothing like it except in the pine barrens of Michigan. 
The timber was chiefly second growth scrub-pine or old field pine. The roads 
were of deep, loose, yellow sand. ‘The wheels settled in over the felloe, and it 
was not possible to drive faster than a walk. All along the road—in soil, 
crops, orchards, houses, fences and inhabitants—there was every indication 
of poverty, and sometimes of a hand-to-mouth fight with starvation; yet no 
indication of the yellows. Now, in the name of all the chemists, if yellows 
and starvation is synonymous, why does the disease prevail on the rich loams 
of Kent and New Castle and not in Sussex ? 

The better soil north of Seaford is a flat, shallow, gray sand, capable of 
growing 10 or 15 bushels of wheat per acre, but not nearly as fertile as the 
clays and clay loams of Kent county. There I saw no yellows, and could not 
learn that it had ever been in that vicinity, the only suspicious trees being 
recent imports. 

In Maryland a similar parallel might be drawn between the sandy pine 
lands of Caroline county and the loams and clays of Kent county. Kent is 
much the richer county, but, so far, Caroline has almost entirely escaped the 
yellows, while Kent has suffered severely. The more southern counties of 
Maryland, such as Dorchester, Somerset, and Wilcomico, also contain much 
poor, sandy land, but yellows has not been reported from that part of the 
State. 

Again, my observation has been that thrifty trees on fertile soil are quite 
as likely to be attacked as any. In orchards Nos. 2, 10, 14, 15, and 17 of 
this report the largest, most rapidly growing trees, on the richest parts of the 
field, 7. ¢., those receiving the drainage, were the first to be attacked. In 
Nos. 3, 6, 10, and 14 all the trees had made a remarkably fine growth. 
Orchards Nos. 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 14 are on good clay loam soil, capable of 
growing from 20 to 30 bushels of wheat per acre and 40 to 50 bushels of shelled 
corn. Many other affected orchards which I have examined are on excellent 
soil, judging from its appearance, from the growth made by the trees pre- 
vious to becoming diseased, and from the character of the wheat, corn and 
other farm crops growing in the immediate vicinity. The same fact has 
been observed by others repeatedly in Delaware, Maryland, and Michigan. 
A. 8S. Dyckman, one of the largest growers at South Haven, Mich., told me 
that he had a sandy bluff the soil of which had been blown away to the depth 
of 1 to 2 feet by the winds of Lake Michigan, so that nothing but the sandy 


272 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


subsoil remained. Peach trees were set in this sand, and made almost no 
growth for a number of years, but grew and bore peaches when manured. 
In a rich bottom in the same orchard trees suffered from yellows but none 
were attacked on the bluff, although the soil was too poor to grow peach 
trees, or even grass or weeds until it was heavily manured. 


There is a general impression that peach yellows is more destructive in 
orchards planted on land previously occupied by peach trees. This has been 
ascribed to improverishment of soil. The belief, no doubt, arose from the 
common observation that in districts long infected and where, so to speak, 
the disease has become endemic, second plantings decay speedily. In such 
places I am inclined to think this speedy decay is in some way connected with 
locality, but do not believe it to be the direct result of impoverished soil. At 
Odessa, Del., I had good opportunity toobserve this. That region was formerly 
very thickly planted with large peach orchards, which disappeared in the 
seventies, largely on account of the prevalence of yellows. The more enter- 
prising farmers set new orchards, and in 1888 I had an opportunity to examine 
them. ‘They are from one to eight years old, and almost without exception 
those which have been planted over three years are badly diseased; but the 
orchards set on the site of former orchards do not seem to be worse affected 
than those set on ground never before in peaches. One of the worst orchards 
seen is near the Delaware river, on the farm of E. C. Fennimore. The-trees 
are six and eight years old, set on sandy land, clay subsoil, previously occu- 
pied for sixteen years by the very productive orchard already mentioned. 
The old orchard suffered badly from yellows toward the end, and was entirely 
removed in 1874—seven years before the field was again planted to trees. At 
the time of my visit Mr. Fennimore was pulling out orchard trees with a span 
of mules, and I saw large strips from which the trees had been removed in 
1886 and 1887. Many of the trees were badly diseased, and a natural infer- 
ence was that the previous orchard had exhausted the soil. However, the 
orchard is not more badly diseased by yellows than Nos. 1, 3, 7, 8, 11 and 17 
of this report, which are on land never before in peaches; nor is it worse 
than others which I have seen in Maryland and Delaware on ‘‘ unpeached ”’ 
land. 


Somewhat farther south in Delaware, where the disease is now obtaining a 
strong foothold, it does not attack orchards on ‘‘ peached ”’ land any sooner 
or any more destructively than those on land never before in peaches. I have 
observed the same fact in Maryland ina number of instances. Some cases 
may be cited: 

About four-fifths of orchard No. 9 of this report is on land previously occu- 
pied by a peach orchard, but this portion has not suffered worse than the rest 
of the orchard. A portion of orchard No. 10 was formerly in peaches, the 
trees being removed nine years before the present orchard was set. Never- 
theless, this part of the orchard was not attacked any sooner, and has not 
suffered more severely than other parts. Two orchards near Still Pond, Md., 
on “ peached ” land‘have suffered much less than Nos. 1 and 2 of this report, 
although they are not far from the latter. 

Diseased trees also occur in fence rows and by roadsides at a distance from 
the orchards, near ash-heaps and piles of stable refuse, the drainage of which 
they haye received, and in gardens, lawns, and city lots. In short, in the 
badly infected”areas I have found the disease wherever I have found peach 
trees. In the uninfected areas I have found the disease in none of these situ- 


PEACH YELLOWS. ° 273 


ations. Between badly infected districts and uninfected ones there is also a 
middle ground in which may be found some affected trees or orchards. 

These facts are all opposed to the Goessman Penhallow theory. There is, 
however, a still more serious objection. 

If yellows is due to soil-exhaustion, the most convincing proof should be 
found in localities where the action of other presumptive causes, é@. g., con- 
tagium, freezing, etc, have been reduced naturally or artificially to a mini- 
mum. Manifestly it will not do to accept affirmative evidence on this point 
from sections of the country where several supposed causes are acting unre- 
strainedly at the same time, and any one of which may be the true cause. 
For this reason the whole Atlantic coast may be ruled out, and also a large 
part of the Northwest. In all this region either the winters are severe, or 
the disease is not present, or it is allowed to spread without any general, 
systematic effort to check it. The only localities really suitable for such an 
inquiry are (1) those parts of the South where the climate is mild and the 
disease has never appeared, and (2) the peach belt of western Michigan, close 
to the lake shore, in the vicinity of South Haven, Van Buren county, and in 
the townships of Casco, Ganges, and Saugatuck, Allegan county, where the 
yellows law is enforced and where the lake tempers the severity of the winters. 

The soil in many parts of the South was ‘‘ exhausted” years ago, and yet 
peach trees continue to be comparatively free from yellows, and often live 
twenty or thirty years. However, as I am more intimately acquainted with 
conditions in Michigan, I will confine the discussion to that region. 


The four Michigan townships named border Lake Michigan for a distance 
of twenty-four miles, and comprise the most important peach district in the 
state, the only one at all comparable with the peach regions of New Jersey, 
Maryland or Delaware. The country has not been well settled more than 
thirty or forty years, and there is still considerable virgin forest of pine, hem- 
lock, beech, and maple. The character of the soil varies from a light sand 
to a heavy clay loam. At South Haven, and generally near the lake, it is 
sandy. Some miles inland, at least in Allegan county, the soil is heavier and 
more fertile. 

In accordance with state law, supported in this region by a very strong 
public sentiment based on a nearly universal belief in the communicable 
nature of yellows, diseased peach trees are cut down or dug out and burned 
as soon as discovered. In this way, on the theory of spread by contagion the 
infective material, whatever it may be, must presumably be kept at a mini- 
mum. If it is developed in the tree it can never be very abundant, for there 
are never very many diseased trees in existence at any one time. The prox- 
imity of Lake Michigan also tends to prevent injury by freezing. 

Here, then, the influence of two supposed causes is reduced to a minimum, 
and the effect of soil exhaustion will, if anywhere, be freed from complications, 
and in condition to be estimated more nearly at its true value. 

The fact that cases of yellows still appear in this ‘region, year after year, 
in spite of the modifying influence of the great lake, and in spite of the com- 
paratively strict enforcement of the law, would, at first, seem to favor the 
theory of soil exhaustion, but really does not. Some very stubborn facts stand 
in the way of the acceptance of this theory. These are: 

(1) Yellows is much less prevalent where the law has been strictly enforced. 
This phase of the question will be considered later at some length under ‘‘In- 

35 


274 ey STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


fluence of legislation,’’ and need only be mentioned here. Of the fact itself 
I think there can be no doubt. 

(2) Yellows has appeared in this region on productive virgin soil, 7. ¢., on 
land cleared on the original forest within less than a decade, and never ex- 
hausted by cropping. This statement is so important that I have been at 
great pains to verify it, by extensive correspondence, and later by a visit to 
the region. There seems to be no doubt whatever about it. 

(3) Healthy trees can be grown without lapse of time and without fertilizers 
in the places previously occupied by diseased ones. In this region it is the 
custom, and has been for ten years or more, to set peach trees in the place of 
those dug out on account of yeilows, and these resets are not more liable to 
the disease than other trees in the orchard. In fact, from many reliable peach 
growers in southwestern Michigan I have received straightforward independent 
testimony showing that trees set in place of those unmistakably diseased by 
yellows have come to maturity and borne healthy fruit, and are now healthy. 
Such a state of affairs could not possibly exist, not generally, if soil exhaustion 
were the cause of yellows or one of the necessary factors in its production. 

Granted this fact alone and it would seem that the theory of poverty of soil 
must necessarily fall to the ground, for if one tree has exhausted the soil so as 
to become diseased how can another tree be set immediately in the same place 
and come to a healthy maturity? So important is this matter that I desire 
to introduce abstracts from some of the more important statements received. 

On March 24, 1888, and again April 9 and 16, I sent the following question, 
or modified forms of it, to peach growers in southwestern Michigan. 


QUESTION. 


In your experience have you ever succeeded in growing healthy peaches 
from trees set in the place of those dug out on account of unmistakable yel- 
lows; 7. é., set in place of trees which bore the premature red-spotted fruit, 
or the starved wiry branches, or both? If you have done so, when was it and 
under what circumstances, and how long did the trees remain healthy? 

To these questions I received the following replies: 


ANSWERS. 


SoutH Haven, Micu., March 26, 1888. 


1. I have little personal experience bearing upon the question of soil-starvation as a 
cause of yellows, and I have never planted a tree in place of one diseased; but this has 
been done to a considerable extent in orchards here, and I have not heard of disease 
traceable to this cause.—T, T. Lyon, 


SouTH HAVEN, MIcH., April 2, 1888. 
2. I have taken up peach trees that had the yellows, and reset in the same places, and 
have picked peaches from said trees two years and they are perfectly healthy yet.—D, 
C. LEISENING, 
FENNVILLE, MicH., April 11, 1888. 


3. I have done so successfully. I planted an orchard on new ground, and out of that 
orchard one year I cut twenty trees, adjoining, all of which had unmistakable yellows 
—which showed spotted truit and wiry fungus growth, The trees planted in the places 
of those taken out have borne nothing but the best of fruit, showing no signs of yellows, 
and are still bearing.—J. P, WADE. 


In response to a letter asking for more explicit information on certain 
points Mr. Wade replied again, uuder date of April 16, as follows: 


DISEASED TREE.—SET SIX MONTHS. 


(Delaware. ) 


: ee SOR ee 
ve 
bie oe a — 
Comins 
fant. ts re matt £227 3 
“ ia oy pear ee te eee, ans “she 
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é Pe s a). <_“-ip) Gye es a | Pigs st gv 
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ee ees 


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aad 


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| 


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- = er 


inal 


PEACH YELLOWS. 275 


The twenty trees were dug out in 1882, and young trees planted in same places in 
1883. 

The forest timber was beech and maple. I had one crop only after clearing before 
the trees were planted. } t 

The trees were five years old when the yellows was first discovered, with the excep- 
tion of one tree the year previous. 


SoutH HAVEN, MIcH., April 12, 1888. 


4, Perhaps toanswer your question simply by saying ‘‘Yes,” would not be as satisfac- 
tory as to give you some brief examples. 

I came into this country in 1852, when it was one vast wilderness. After the first two 
years, having some improvement, and knowing that our neighbors south, at Saint 
Joseph, were raising peaches, we thought we would try it, and up to this date have 
raised peaches; have set five different orchards at various times on my farm, and in the 
first three never saw any yellows. From 1875 have had a few cases of the yellows, but 
with ax and spade soon cured them. Then the question arose, ‘‘Can we set trees in the 
place where those with the yellows have been taken out?’ The question was discussed 
very thoroughly in our pomological meetings, By some it was thought to be danger- 
ous, but the experiment was made and found successful; and for the last seven or eight 
years we have taken out the affected trees and the spring following have set in the 
same place, and have raised as fine peaches as we ever raised, free from any blight.— 
S. G. SHEFFER. 


FENNVILLE, MicuH., April 11, 1888. 


5. We haye no trouble in making trees grow in the place where we have taken out 
trees that had the yellows. I have an Early Crawford tree that I set in the place of 
one that had the yellows seven years ago, and it has borne fruit for the last four years, 
and shows no signs of the disease yet. Last season I picked three baskets from it of 
nice marketable fruit, and it bids fair to have on a good crop the present year. 

As far as my experience goes a new tree will grow just as well where you take out a 
tree that has the yellows as it would if the tree had been in the best of health. You 
can’t set a tree in an orchard of old trees and have it doas well as it would if the trees 
were all young, as the old trees shade the ground with their wide-spreading tops, keep- 
ing off the rain and dew, and with their long roots sap the ground of the nourishment 
that the young tree needs to make it grow. I think the young tree starves to death. 

- Two years ago I put in new treesin place of those taken out on account of the yellows. 
I gave the ground a liberal dressing of leached ashes, and you never saw finer looking 
trees than these are at the present time—full of fruit-buds and capable of holding from 
one to two baskets of peaches.—W. H. McCoRMICK. 


SouTH HAVEN, MicuH., April —, 1888, 


6. The first case of yellows in our orchard was in 1872, but I think it was discovered in 
Rossiter Hoppin’s orchard, and perhaps in one or two other places, a year or two earlier, 
My attention was first particularly directed to it in 1872. 

I have practiced setting trees in the places where they have been cut out on account 
of yellows, some of them badly affected. Have trees in such situations now several 
years bearing. Several of our neighbors likewise. The main thing is to watch vigi- 
aay cut out promptly and without mercy. Stamp out the disease and guard against 
infection. 

Some of our best cultivators have large bearing trees in place of orchards destroyed 
by yellows. But they are thorough men. Our careless men have gone out of the busi- 
ness.—A. 8. DYCKMAN. 


GANGES, MicuH., April 12, 1888. 


7. Last season was the first time the yellows ever appeared on my place. Ihada few 
cases in my old orchard. I am satisfied, however, that as healthy trees may be grown 
where diseased trees are taken out as could be grown on the same ground in places 
where healthy trees of the same age had been grown, provided there is no part of the 
diseased tree left growing. 

No one here, so far as | know, hesitates about planting new trees in the places from 
which diseased trees have been taken, unless it might be for the reason that the ground 
had become exhausted. 

Hon. D. W. Wiley, of Douglas, Mich., planted five trees in the places from which as 
many diseased trees were taken, twelve or fifteen years ago, and these five trees are 
still living, and bearing as well as if no diseased trees had ever occupied the ground. 

Capt. Robert Reid, of Douglas, Mich., Rey. A. C. Merritt, of South Haven, and hun- 


276 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


dreds of others have thousands of trees growing and bearing well on land that was 
once occupied by trees that had the yellows.—A. HAMILTON. . 


GANGES, MicuH., April 14, 1888. 


8. I have succeeded in growing healthy peaches on trees set in place of trees removed 
which showed the first stages of yellows, namely, the premature ripening and spotted 
appearance of the fruit. 

My first experience with yellows was eight years ago. I had one tree which un- 
mistakably had yellows. I cut it down as soon as discovered, which was in August, 
and late in the fall pulled out the stump, and removed both stump and branches, and 
the following spring set another tree in the same place, which commenced bearing . 
the third year, and has borne a crop every year since, and still remains healthy. 7 
have had from one to a dozen trees diseased with yellows every year since, and have 
continued the practice as stated above, many of the trees bearing now. Have never 
yet had a tree show yellows where set in the place of one removed. 

I always cut down as soon as the first symptoms appear;seldom have one showing 
the wiry growth. Have never used any preventatives; always give thorough cultiva- 
tion through the fore part of the season until about the 1st of August.—A. W. FIsHER, 


_ SoutH HAVEN, Micu., April 17, 1888. 


9. In answer to your first question I can say yes, most emphatically, with this qualifi- 

cation, not ‘‘or starved wiry branches.” The trees that 1 have cut out with yellows 
have nearly always been thrifty and vigorous, showing the disease only in the fruit 
and sometimes only in two or three peaches, while all the rest would be healthy, and 
often only one or two limbs would be visibly affected. Thorough cultivation has been 
my practice, and also to take out a tree as soon as it shows the disease. I have bought 
and set a few trees that never showed anything but the ‘‘starved wiry,” fungus growth. 
but took them out and burned them as soon as discovered. Had I carried over yellows 
trees to bear the second season, doubtless I could say yes to the last clause of your first 
question. 
; Question 2. [When was it?] I first discovered unmistakable yellows in the fruit of 
one limb of one tree in my peach orcharding some fifteen years ago. I dug the tree 
out and burned it before the crop matured. Do not remember as I reset the following 
spring in this particular case, but did very soon thereafter. Have had yellows ever 
since, reaching us high as seventy-five bearing trees in a season, and it has been my 
practice to reset the following spring, all these years, 

Question 3. [Under what circunistances?]| I had read of the disease. The fruit was 
getting color weeks ahead of the rest of the tree, or others. 1 believed it to be the yel- 
lows, invited my friends to see it, the first of whom unhesitatingly denied its being the 
yellows, but could only say it was getting prematurely ripe for some reason. He was 
as inexperienced as myself, and that I was right my subsequent experience proved. A 
few trees followed the same fate the next year, and for several years I took ont and 
reset from thirty, forty, fifty to seventy-five, and then ran down to fifty, forty, thirty, 
ten, one, one; and last fall, with four thousand trees set and two thousand bearing, I 
lost six trees. You will notice that two falls I had but one case each. 

Question 4. [How many trees were thus reset?] I cannot give the exact number 
reset, but I fill every vacancy every spring, and the most of these trees are in bearing, 
and many of them have been until they are past their prime. 

Question 5, [How long did the trees remain healthy?] I am not certain that I have 
lost a tree with yellows the second time in the same place. Since the orchard reached 
a large growth, filling vacancies has been, of course, at a great disadvantage to the 
newly-set trees, but evidently the fact that yellows trees preceded them has nothing to 
do with it. I apply ashes and a little manure to the soil where the old tree grew for 
the sustenance of the new;and for years, and last fall, the tree occupying the ground 
where I lost my first tree with yellows was heavily laden with healthy peaches, and 
that is only one among many like it. 

Qnestion 6. [What reason have you for thinking that the trees dug out were diseased 
with yellows?] I need only say that from observation and experience I know the yel- 
lows at sight as readily as 1 do the most familiar varieties of fruit or the difference in 
different species of trees. The best written description of the yellows is as nothing (in 
conveying an idea or knowledge of it to a person who has never seen it) in comparison 
with the certainty of knowledge and ability to detect it (when there are visible signs) 
that come to some who have a practiced eye by long and interested familiarity with it. 
—A, C, MERRITT. 

DOUGLAS, MicH., April 18, 1888, 


10. My own experience and that of some of my neighbors has, I think, fully estab- 


PEACH YELLOWS. Q°7 


lished the fact, with us, at least, that healthy fruit has been and can be grown upon 
trees planted in the place where trees diseased with yellows have been removed, _ 

My first experience in this direction occurred the summer of 1874, when, in an 
orchard of some four thousand trees, I discovered six trees of the Early Crawford 
variety, all heavily laden with fruit and standing quite near to each other, showing 
unmistakable signs of yellows. A part of the fruit on each of these trees was spotted 
with red spots, the red streaks extending from the surface to the pits. I had those 
trees dug out at once and burned, and the following spring planted trees in the same 
places. These trees came into bearing the third and fourth year from planting, and 
produced fine, healthy peaches, and continued in so doing during the life of the trees. 

At the present time I have one tree that bore its first fruit last season, being four 
years old this spring from setting. The fruit was perfectly healthy. This tree was set . 
in the place of one taken out that had the wiry growth of wood, and had yellows, and 
no mistake. 

From my own experience, and with quite extensive observation as commissioner of 
yellows for four years, I am strongly inclined to the belief that where trees having 

ellows are promptly removed and destroyed there need be but little cause for alarm 
or what we shall be able to furnish healthy and fine peaches for many years yet.— 
D. W. WILEY. 

Douauas, Micu., April 18, 1888. 


11. In reply to your first question, yes. For three years have been gathering peaches 
from those reset. Those dug out bore the spotted fruit and had the wiry growth. 

2d. [When wasit?] In 1878—ten years ago. 

38d. [Under what circumstances?} Condemned by the yellows commissioner. 

4th. [How many trees were thus reset ?] Three hundred. ; 

5th. | How long did these trees remain healthy?] Those reset are healthy to-day. 

6th. [What reason have you for thinking that the trees dug out were diseased with 
yellows?] Because the fruit was spotted, insipid, and some of the trees had wiry 
growth, and were condemned by the yellows commissioner. The three hundred trees 
were taken out of an orcharcd of two thousand trees. 

I lost an orchard of five hundred trees, which I reset two years ago, and the trees are 
doing well.—Rost. REID. 


I made additional inquiries and Mr. Reid replied as follows, under date 
of April 26: 


In answer to your first question [How long after you dug out the three hundred 
yellows trees before you reset ?] The next year, 1879. 

2d. [When you reset did you manure these trees or give them any other treatment 
very different from the rest of the orchard?] Used no manure, but put air-slaked lime 
on all my orchard. Have manured since. The soil is gravelly—wheat soil. 

3d. [In the other orchard of five hundred trees destroyed by yellows, and reset two 
years ago, how long a time intervened between the digging out and the resetting, 7. e., 
what year did you dig them out and what reset?] Three years. Dug out the last in 
1883 ; reset in 1886. 

4th. [Have you used potash or any special fertilizer on the trees reset two years ago 
in place of the five hundred, so that this might possibly account for their healthy 
appearance?] Have used air-slaked lime on them also. I followed, as near as I could, 
the directions found in John Rutter’s book on Peach Yellows. 


Douauas, Micu., March 16, 1888. 

12. I have trees growing, that were planted where trees having the yellows were 
taken out, that have borne healthy fruit three years and show no signs of disease.— 
JAMES F, TAYLOR. 

Finally, the recent admission by Professor Penhallow that restored trees 
are liable to a relapse; the statement by Henry Race, of Pittstown, N. J., 
that trees can be reclaimed only when the disease is in an ‘ incipient’’ 
state; the statement by Charles Black, of Hightstown, N. J., that badly dis- 
eased trees cannot be cured, and the universal New Jersey practice of remoy- 
ing diseased orchards when they are only six or eight years old, would seem 
to warrant the belief that the potash and phosphate treatment, which has 
been most vigorously championed in that State, does not really cure peach 
yellows, or even prevent it. 


278 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


In regard to “‘incipient’’ yellows, I must acknowledge that I cannot detect 
it with any degree of certainty. Others are probably as helpless. I am sure 
of my diagnosis only when I find the symptoms previously recorded as char- 
acteristic of yellows, and then the disease is no longer ‘‘incipient,” If we 
are to discuss this subject intelligently, we must know beyond any question 
that we have in mind the same malady. 

I haye given more attention to the Goessman-Penhallow treatment than to 
any other because it has been more prominently before the public, and be- 
cawse it seemed to offer more reasonable hope of success than any other. 
However there is no end to so-called remedies. If we may believe published 
statements, peach yellows has been cured by stable manure, urine, house 
slops, lime, gas lime, wood-ashes, potash, chlorate of potash, saltpeter, 
ground bone, bone-black, hot lye, hot soap, hot water, fishbrine, fish com- 
post, and various other commercial fertilizers, especially those compounded 
of muriate of potash and dissolved bone-black, and sold under the name of 
““Peach Tree Fertilizer,’’? or “Peach Yellows Remedy.’ Some manufac- 
turers have also advertised such fertilizers as possessing the property of 
germicides. All such statements are false and misleading, and are not made 
in the interest of peach growers. 


WET AND RICH SOILS. 


In some orchards which I have examined the disease was unquestionably 
worse in bottoms and sags, which receive more or less drainage from other 
parts of the field and are naturally richer and moister. as shown by the 
appearance of the soil and by the larger growth of weeds and trees. It is 
less apparent on Map VII, but this may be owing to the fact that on two 
sides of that orchard in the near vicinity are older trees badly diseased for 
some years, and from which this orchard may perhaps have been infected, if 
it did not bring its infection from the nursery. However, the disease does 
not always start in the lowest part of an orchard, and is by no means con- 
fined to sags and bottoms, as the maps show clearly enough. Even in the 
same orchard, where it affects bottoms, one may be taken and the other 
spared. Orchard No. 12 of this report affords a striking illustration of this. 
It contains two shallow sags of about the same area, and of the same general 
character, as determined by soil, moisture, weeds, and the growth of trees. 
If anything, the northwest sag is a little moister and less fertile. The same 
weeds grow in both, but in 1888 the weeds were observed to be a little ranker 
in the south sag. The northwest sag is planted with the Beers’ Smock. 
The south sag is planted with trees purchased for Salway, but which seemed 
to me identical with Beers’ Smock. The northwest sag contained no disease 
trees in 1887 and only one appeared in 1888, that one being on the outer edge. 
In the south sag, in 1887, which was the first year of attack, I found eleven 
trees badly diseased by yellows, and eleven months later, when the orchard 
was re-examined, I found ten additional cases in that sag and on the dry ground 
immediately surrounding it. Most of the Crawfords which became diseased 
in 1888 were also near this bottom. Had the diseased first appeared in the 
northwest sag, I have no doubt the conditions in 1888 would have been reversed 
(see the marked tendency toward grouping exhibited on the maps). The 
general opinion among prominent peach growers, both on the Chesapeake 
and Delaware peninsula and in Michigan, is that the disease is more likely to 


PEACH YELLOWS, M 279 


appear first in bottoms and rich places. This coincides with my observa- 
tions. 

The effect of moist spots, as well as of excessive rains, has been ascribed to 
the dilution of mineral constituents in the earth fluids, whereby the tree 
starves in the midst of plenty. Another explanation is that root-fungi and 
various micro-organisms thrive better in such situations I haye at present no 
theory to offer. 


NEGLECT OF CULTIVATION. 


This was once a favorite explanation of the disease, particularly with writers 
who never went abroad, but evolved truth from their inner consciousness. In 
recent years, however, I have heard it asserted that trees left in sod and other- 
wise maltreated where the only ones free from disease. There is no truth in 
either assertion, or rather each is only a half truth. Many orchards in Mary-. 
land and Delaware are kept entirely free from grass and weeds and are cul- 
tivated more thoroughly than the corn fields; but cultivation from early 
spring to middle summer, or even all the year round, has not been able to- 
prevent the appearance of yellows, or to hold it in check. Many orchards. 
which have received the utmost attention have become badly diseased. On 
the other hand, neglected orchards are by no means free from the disease. I 
have seen it in a number of such orchards; e. g., in 1887, at Still Pond, Md., 
in asmall old orchard owned by J. Frank Wilson. This had been in sod and 
used for a sheep pasture four years, but contained quite a number of recently 
diseased trees. Again, in 1888, on the farm of G. M. Eldridge, near Cecilton, 
Md., I saw many diseased trees in an old orchard used asa pasture. This 
orchard has been plowed only once in six years, and that was some time ago. 
The diseased also occurs frequently on lawns and grass plots never plowed or 
otherwise disturbed, and I have moreover seen it in trees on soil entirely free 
from vegetation and packed hard by the daily tread of many feet. 


NEGLECT OF PRUNING. . 


This was a favorite theory with A. J. Downing. He advised the shorten- 
ing in of the bearing wood one-half every spring. If the trees came from an 
originally healthy stock he believed this would keep them healthy. There is, 
however, no good reason for believing it would. S. H, Wilson, of Baltimore 
county, Md., claims to have tried it faithfully with no success. I can not 
from my own observation furnish any testimony on this point. 


EXCESSIVE USE OF NITROGENOUS MANURES. 


The belief that the spread of yellows is favored by the use of animal 
manures is quite prevalent, and appears to have some basis in fact. One of 
Dr. Henry Ridgely’s orchards which blighted most rapidly with yellows was 
very highly manured. ‘The McDaniel orchard was also twice very heavily 
manured soon after being set. The Price orchards Nos. 2 and 3 of this 
report, have also been freely and repeatedly manured. In particular a nar- 
row strip, of perhaps one-half acre, on the northeast side of No. 2, which 
contains some stones and was believed to be less fertile, received great quan- 
tities of dung, and there I found nearly every tree diseased by yellows. 


280 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


Orchard No. 1, however, has received no manure, except two loads on one 
spot. Moreover, in uninfected localities, I have seen orchards which have 
been heavily manured, and they were healthy. The general tendency of . 
nitrogenous manures is toward the excessive production of wood and foliage. 

Summing up the evidence, I am inclined to think that, in infected dis- 
tricts, nitrogenous manures have a bad influence, but to what this is due I 
am unable to say. 


DEGENERACY DUE TO CONTINUED PROPAGATION BY BUDDING, 


A sufficient answer to this is the statement that yellows affects seedling 
trees no less destructively than budded ones. This I have verified repeat- 
edly. Seedlings are not exempt, and I have not been able to show that our 
oldest varieties are any more subject to this disease than those but recently 
originated. My examinations in over two hundred orchards have led to no 
positive result. All varieties appear to be subject in like degree when all 
other conditions are the same. In some orchards, indeed, certain varieties 
were much worse affected than others; but often the very next orchard would 
furnish contradictory evidence—e. g., in No. 1 of this report, Christiana was 
most badly diseased, while in No. 4 this variety had suffered very little. In 
No. 2, Mountain Rose is badly diseased; in Nos, 4 and 5, this variety is 
scarcely at all affected. In No. 5, Early Rivers suffered much in 1887 and 
previous years; in No. 12, not at all until 1888. 

Even in the same orchard other things than variety control the spread of 
the disease. This is quite different from what occurs in many diseases due to 
fungi, where the limiting effect of variety is very sharply marked. In peach 
yellows, no matter which variety is first diseased, all become affected alike 
in the course of a few years. Neither is it true, as some have asserted, that 
the variety which shows the disease first is always the first to become badly 
affected. In orchard No. 5 yellows first appeared, in 1885, in one tree in the 
Mountain Rose variety. This was removed in the fall, and no more affected 
trees appeared in that variety until 1888—then only three. Other varieties, 
however, were affected in 1886 and 1887, some quite badly. 

Knight, Von Thiimen, and some other European writers have insisted that 
continued propagation by buds, cuttings, etc., leads to degeneracy, and there 
is a very general impression among farmers aud fruit grower that varieties 
‘run out.” This theory is not wholly unreasonable, and yet a vast amount 
of careful experimenting must be done before it can be said to rest on any 
broad basis of well-established facts. Propagation by budding secures the 
continuation of a variety for an indefinite period, but this is tha ordinary 
method of reproduction in some of the lower plants, and is something quite 
different from inbreeding. We know by direct experiment that the latter is 
injurious, but our knowledge of the effect of continued budding propagation 
is largely guess work. It may produce deterioration, but there is no unim- 
peachable evidence that it does. In the higher animals there is a distinct 
individuality, but in some of the lower animals‘and in plants it is difficult to 
decide what constitutes an individual. Strictly speaking, we cannot take an 
anology from the animal world and say that budding perpetuates an individ- 
ual indefinitely, and must therefore lead to superannuation. If we are to use 
this term at all, it would probably be best to restrict it to each new-formed 
bud, in which case there certainly could be no such thing as superannuation. 


Are, ) 


re 


(Delaw 


TREE IN SECOND YEAR OF YELLOWS. 


PEACH YELLOWS. 281 


The other logical extremity is that taken by Prof. Huxley in his discussion 
of the non-sexual reproduction of aphides, etc. According to this view all 
the Crawford’s Early or Old Mixon trees in existence are parts only of one 
individual. These opposing views appear to be about equally absurd. 


PROPAGATION BY MEANS OF IMPERFECT OR DISEASED PITS. 


There is undoubtedly some reason for believing that the disease is propa- 
gated by diseased pits. I cannot state positively that trees grown from pre- 
mature peaches will develop yellows, but I think it likely. There can be no 
doubt that such seeds have an enfeebled vitality, and it is not likely that 
they will give rise to robust trees. How great the danger may be from this 
source I am unable to say. Some experiments of my own lead me to think 
it is overestimated. Hxact experiments to determine this point have not 
been very numerous. 

Some years ago G. H. La Fleur, a well known nurseryman at Mill Grove, 
Mich., made a number of trials to determine this. In his first experiment 
he obtained a few sickly looking seedlings from pits taken from trees having 
the yellows. The growth was not to exceed 10inches. They had the appear- 
ance of unhealthy trees, and were pulled and burned. In his next experiment 
he planted in the fall, without cracking, a peck of pits taken from trees hay- 
ing yellows. None grew. The next season, 1881, he obtained a peck of pits 
selected with great care from fruit showing yellows plainly. These were 
placed in sand in the fall, in the same manner as he treated healthy pits. In 
the spring he cracked them himself, and found only one in a normal condi- 
tion. All the others had turned black or dark colored, and were mostly 
decayed. The one pit which had the appearance of being sound was planted, 
but never came up. 

Premature pits also failed to grow for Mr. H. HE. Bidwell and Dr. J.C. 
Arthur. 

In August, 1887, on the farm of T. J. Shallcross, Locust Grove, Md., I saw 
about thirty seedlings planted by themselves in a garden and said to have 
grown from premature peaches. Mr. Shallcross himself gathered and planted 
the pits. The trees were: somewhat smaller and seemed of a lighter green 
than those in the nursery rows, but were apparently healthy. The under size 
was thought to be accounted for by the fact of a late spring planting, pits 
being usually put out in the fall. Part of these seedlings were inoculated in 
my presence with diseased buds, part with healthy buds and the rest were 
left unbudded. In the spring of 1888 some of each sort were sent to me at 
Hubbardston, Mich., along with several hundred other trees, and set upon 
my father’s place. The packing was admirably done, and all the trees were 
in excellent condition, except those which grew from the diseased pits. 
These did not appear to have suffered in transit, but were, nevertheless, in a 
very feeble condition, haying not wintered well. Twenty-three of these trees 
were received, and 19 were carefully set under my own direction, but when 
examined in June all of them were dead. Three were not considered 
promising enough to set. Of the other trees set at this time only an exceed- 
ingly small per cent. had died. 

From field examinations I am algo reasonably confident that seedlings some- 
times grow from premature peaches, haying seen them under diseased trees 

o6 


282 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


so many times as to make it improbable that all of them grew from chance 
healthy pits. 

Nevertheless, from my own experiments, I think it is certain that a great 
part of the premature fruit will not produce seedlings. In the autumn of 
1887 I carefully selected the pits of 2,070 premature peaches. Thomas J. 
Shallcross, of Locust Grove, Md., and Smith & Brother, of McAllisteryille, 
Pa., also collected for me, making a total of 3,104. These pits were sent in 
small lots to trustworthy persons to determine what per cent. would develop 
into diseased trees. Most of these pits were planted out in the fall, as in ~ 
ordinary nursery culture. 

Prof. Smith gives in tabular form the result of experiments with these pits, 
sent to fifteen persons in Maryland, PennsyJvania and Delaware. In one case 
only 5 out of 357 grew; in another, 8 out of 175; in a third, 2 out of 525, all 
of these 15 producing apparently healthy young trees. In each of the other 
eleven cases not a single pit germinated. 

Mr. Smith resumes: 

My own collections and transmissions were made with the utmost care, so 
that no mistake might occur. None but premature, red-spotted peaches were 
gathered, and in most instances these were of normal size, and from trees 
which manifested no symptoms of disease till 1887. The collections by Mr. 
Shallcross and Smith & Brother were from young trees recently diseased, and 
were made, I believe, very carefully. It seemed, therefore, that these pits 
must be in the best condition for growing. The results show that only about 
five-tenths of 1 per cent grew. Of my own collecting only two grew, 7%. @., 
less than 1in 1,000. Judging from these experiments a majority of prema- 
ture peach pits will not grow. I also infer this from the fact that many which 
I have cracked and examined, especially those from trees diseased more than 
one season, either contained no kernel, or one with a dead embryo. If this - 
holds good for all localities and seasons, then one supposed source of danger 
is greatly lessened. However, it will not do to base a sweeping conclusion on 
the experiments of a single year. They should be repeated several seasons on 
a large scale. 

It is also possible that enfeebled seedlings may grow from peaches borne on 
the yet apparently undiseased portions of affected trees. No experiments 
have been made to determine this point, but in the present state of our 
knowledge it is certainly wisdom to procure pits from uninfected districts or 
at least from orchards containing no diseased trees. In this way one possible 
source of danger will be avoided. Many nurserymen now procure seed for 
nursery stock from infected districts. In such cases there is always a lability 
of getting pits from diseased trees, even when the greatest care is used, and 
this liability is largely increased when the seed is bought indiscriminately 
from dry-houses and canning establishments, with no previous inspection of 
the fruit. There can, I think, be little doubt that a majority of the diseased ~ 
orchards in New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware were budded on seedlings 
grown from pits collected in districts where yellows prevailed. I know this 
to be true of many orchards. A portion of even the so-called “ natural ”’ 
or “ Tennessee” seed is grown on the Delaware and Chesapeake Peninsula 
and fraudulently sold to nurserymen for the genuine article. Sometimes this 
spurious seed is shipped to Tennessee and then reshipped to points farther 
north ; sometimes it never gets any farther south than Philadelphia or Balti- 
more. I have this information from several reliable sources. I do not know 


PEACH YELLOWS. 283 


how one can be certain of procuring genuine Southern pits from unbudded 
trees unless he collects them himself, or deals directly with Southern men of 
well established character. Moreover, in recent years, the demand for this 
kind of seed has probably exceeded the entire available product of the small 
unbudded orchards of Tennessee and other Southern States. In the South 
as well as in the North the large orchards are of choice budded fruit. Finally, 
granting that some pits are genuine and come from Tennessee, there is in 
this fact no absolute guaranty of safety, because yellows probably occurs to 
some extent in that State, and is nowhere restricted to budded fruit. Nursery- 
men will probably do best by personally inspecting orchards in fruit season 
and selecting pits from such as are entirely healthy. If these orchards are 
in regions where yellows has not appeared, so much the better. Nurserymen 
have received much harsh criticism, but ag a rule I believe them to be an 
enlightened and honorable class of men, ready to adopt any methods likely 
to be for the interest of their patrons. Quite often I haye found them better 
informed on horticultural questions, yellows included, than any other persons 
in the community. 


DISEASED BUDS. 


Can yellows be transmitted by budding? This question has an important 
bearing on the xtiology of the disease. If it can be answered in the affirma- 
tive, I do not see how it is possible to avoid the conclusion that yellows is a 
contagious disease. 

So far as I know, William Prince was the first to assert that peach yellows 
can be spread in this way. That was in 1828. He states explicitly that a 
healthy tree when inoculated from a diseased one becomes itself diseased, but 
he does not state when, where, or by whom this was observed. 

_ In the spring of 1831 Noyes Darling, a most careful observer, inoculated a 
healthy young tree with a bud from a diseased one. The bud died and the 
stock remained healthy. The evidence in this case is simply negative. 

In 1841 Robert Sinclair, another careful observer, states that on one occa- 
sion, before he had a nursery, he inserted into healthy peach stocks twelve 
buds from a favorite, early purple peach, which he suspected of yellows but 
desired to preserve. The buds were taken from the healthiest branch, but 
_ when they had grown about three feet they showed the disease so plainly that 
they were pulled and burned. 

In 1842 or 1843, discussing yellows in his ‘‘ Catalogue,”’ A. J. Downing 
states that it may be transmitted from infected trees by grafting or budding, 
but we are not told whether this statement was a result of his own observa- 
tion. Mr. Downing often appropriated and digested the statements of other 
men without credit, and this may have been an instance of that kind. 

In December, 1844, Noyes Darling, who had been making additional 
observations and experiments since 1831, reported again as follows: 


If a bud from a diseased tree is inoculated into a healthy stock, whether peach, apri- 
cot, or almond, the stock will become diseased and die. * * * Itook some buds 
from a tree having symptoms of yellows, and inserted part into peach, part into apricot, 
and part intoalmond stocks, Some of the inoculations took well, but all showed marks 
of disease next season, The peach and almond stocks with their buds died the second 
winter after inoculation. One apricot stock lived five years, but its peach top grew in 
that time to be only about three feet high. 


It is to be regretted that some account of the symptoms which preceded 


284 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


the death of these trees was not given. This would have made a more com- 
plete case. 

Two or three years later a writer in [he Farmer and Mechanic states that 
from his own observation and experience he is led to believe that the disease 
has been aggravated and spread by budding from trees containing incipient 
seeds of the disease not yet externally developed. A bud may be taken from 
a tree which is apparently sound but not really, and after a time both trees 
will become affected. 

In 1849, S. W. Cole, an unusually careful writer, states that ‘‘ healthy 
trees, inoculated with buds from diseased trees, soon become affected also.’’ 
He speaks guardedly on most points, but dogmatically on this one—says it is 
a “ well-established fact.” 

In 1853, J. J. Thomas, another careful writer, says of peach yellows, “It 
is quickly induced by inserting the bud from an affected tree into a healthy 
stock.” 

Dr. F. 8. Dunlap states that from experiments in his garden and on his 

farms, principally between 1865 and 1886, he is perfectly sure that yellows 
can be transmitted by budding. He has inoculated from twenty-five to thirty 
trees in different years, ‘with buds taken from yellows trees with the result, 
invariably, of giving yellows to the tree budded.” The inoculated trees grew 
from pits of “natural” fruit procured in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee 
and Kentucky. 
f Dr. Henry Ridgley is also authority for the statement that yellows may be 
produced by budding. Many years ago, when not so well acquainted with 
yellows, he inoculated quite a large number of seedlings with buds procured 
from a tree which bore choice looking prematures. All these trees died of 
yellows within a few years. None lived long enough to bear fruit. 

Hon. T. T. Lyon also states that when yellows was first introduced into 
Michigan it was budded into seedling trees and distributed in this way. At 
Benton Harbor, an early Crawford tree, imported from New Jersey, ripenéd 
its fruit in advance of the usual season of that variety. ‘‘In ignorance of 
such disease this was treated as a sport, and the tree was literally cut in 
pieces to supply buds for propagation.” 

In 1882, G. H. La Fleur, of Millgrove, Mich., undertook to settle the in- 
fectious nature of yellows by experiment. Concerning his experiments he 
writes as follows, under date of September 30, 1887: 


The following August (1882) I budded thirty-two sound stocks to buds taken from a 
tree showing yellows in the fruit but not in the tree itself. Eight of the buds started 
the following spring. Four only started one-half inch to one inch, and then failed to 
grow and soon died; one bud grew three inches; one a little over four inches; two buds 
grew eight and ten inches high; all turned yellow and looked sickly. In August of the 
same year I pulled up the trees and burned them. After doing this it occurred to me 
that the stocks should have been left in the ground to grow, to test the question as to 
whether yellows could be communicated to healthy stocks by inserting diseased buds. 
I hope you will test thoroughly this last point, as that is of great importance to know. 
If the disease can be communicated to healthy stocks by inserting diseased buds, that 
fact would prove yellows to be a contagious disease and not the result of starvation or 
any lack of elements in the soil. 


In this case an opportunity was certainly lost. Had Mr. La Fleur left the 
trees for a few years, he would have learned beyond question whether yellows 
can be communicated to the stock by the insertion of diseased buds. This 
is the very gist of the inquiry. A diseased bud could not be expected to make 
avery healthy growth, and yet it might not transmit disease to the stock. 


ARE Maa 4: ha 


PEACH YELLOWS.—RESULT OF INOCULATIONS. 


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PEACH YELLOWS. 285 


If it did, it would, as Mr. La Fleur states, be good proof of the contagious 
nature of yellows. 

I have presented as strong an array of testimony in favor of this belief as 
I could find, yet, in a scientific sense, it must be confessed to be stronger by 
virtue of the names cited than by the circumstantial nature of the state- 
ments. In studying these statements critically it seemed to me there were 
broken links in the chain of evidence, and chances for error. Most of the 
statements left much to be desired in the matter of detail, as to when, 
where, and under just what circumstances these results were obtained. I 
was the more inclined to doubt some of these statements from the well known 
fact that errors often pass current from writer to writer, unchallenged for 
decades, especially when first expressed dogmatically by some strong man. 


My own experiments were begun with a view to throwing light on some of 
the uncertain points, especially on the question of whether the disease could 
be transmitted from inserted buds to healthy stocks. I had no well estab- 
lished belief that the inoculations would succeed, but had a strong desire to 
confirm or invalidate the statements already made. Every precaution was 
taken to avoid sources of error. I collected the buds myself from the trees 
which bore premature red spotted peaches and the characteristic diseased 
shoots; carried them to the nurseries; watched the gperation of budding; 
and staked off and recorded the location of the trees. The nurserymen on 
whose grounds these trees were budded also made proper entries in their 
books so that when the trees were removed there could be no possible mis- 
take. ‘The examinations in 1888 were made by myself unless otherwise 
stated. 

‘Lhe inoculations were made in August and Septenber, 1887, in Maryland 
and Delaware. Nearly one thousand healthy trees, five or six months old, 
were inoculated with the diseased buds as in ordinary budding, and five 
hundred similar trees were reserved unbudded for comparison. In the spring 
of 1888 part of these trees were sent to experiment stations or private indi- 
viduals, and the rest were left in the nursery rows. 

When examined in June, 1888, lot III gave evidence of disease, but owing 
to the fact that all of the trees were badly dried in transit and had made but 
a feeble growth, I did not feel like using this lot as the basis for argument, 
unless further developments should fully warrant me in doing so. Not hay- 
ing seen these trees since June, I am unable to report exactly their present 
condition. The same remark applies to lots IV and VI, which I have not 
seen since they were budded. 

Neglecting, therefore, all trees which were unfortunately dried in transit, 
or were not personally examined, or in which the disease may have been 
derived from the stock, we have left for special consideration in this connec- 
tion lots Land II. These give unequivocal results. 

Lot I, inoculated with buds from characteristic shoots of robust young trees 
in the first year of the disease, was left in the nursery where budded. The 
trees were budded in August, 1887, and were examined in August and Novem- 
ber, 1888. Most of the inserted buds ‘‘ took,” but only about one-fourth of 
them grew. Some of these buds developed into shoots which appear to be 
healthy, and some into diseased shoots. In a few cases the inserted bud 
developed in a normal way, but the stock became diseased. This was also 
the case with some stocks on which the inserted bud “took” but did not 
grow. ‘The infection, whatever it may be, was transmitted from the bud to 


286 | STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


the stock in about forty per cent of the inoculations, 7. e., the previously 
healthy stocks contracted the disease from the inserted buds and sent out 
feeble, wiry growths, often at a distance of some inches from the inserted 
bud. This was the point I most desired to establish, because, as already 
stated, I thought it likely that the inserted buds might grow into diseased 
shoots and the stock still remain healthy. The evidence of this infection of 
the stocks could be seen in July, was clear in August, and still plainer in 
November, when nearly all the winter buds on some of the stock shoots were 
just pushing under the influence of the disease. Even as early as August 26 
per cent of the infected stocks were dead, and others, then languishing, were 
dead in November. 

Of the entire lot of two hundred trees, only thirty-nine appeared to be 
entirely healthy in November. From the foregoing table it will be observed 
that even in August a very unusual number of the trees were dead, and in 
Noyember the condition of the trees was still worse, less being healthy and 
more being dead. Early in the season many of these dead trees had put out 
feeble shoots from the inserted bud or the stock, but these grew only from 
one-half an inch to three inches and then died. A June examination would 
have shown fewer dead trees and a much larger number of apparently healthy 
ones. Even in Augugt the trees marked doubtful and diseased showed a 
green and thrifty top, and at a distance gave no more indication of disease 
than do older trees in the first stage of yellows. As a rule, however, their 
growth was not as robust as that of trees in the adjoining rows. These neigh- 
boring trees are of the same age and stock, and were budded at the same 
time, but from-healthy scions. The contrast was very striking, and the com- 
parison left no doubt whatever that in this case the disease was due entirely 
to the insertion of the unhealthy buds. 

Lot II, inoculated with buds apparently healthy, but taken from a tree on 
which were some limbs in the first stage of the disease, was sent to a locality 
free from yellows. Up to the last of June only one tree showed any sugges- 
tion of disease and this was doubtful. Unfortunately, these trees were not 
examined in the autumn, and their present condition is not known. It is 
quite possible that they have already developed yellows, or that they will do 
so after some years. No nurseryman would ever use such diseased and imper- 
fect buds as I inserted into lot I, but the buds inserted into lot II appeared to 
be well developed and perfectly healthy, and might have been selected for 
ordinary budding by a careless or unscrupulous man. ‘The future of these 
trees will therefore be watched with the greatest interest, since it may throw 
additional light upon the manner in which the disease is distributed. A 
point very interesting in connection with this discussion is whether trees of the 
same age and same variety, and from the same nursery, are entirely healthy 
in one locality and badly diseased in another. I have made some observa- 
tions on this point, but not enough to be able to speak positively. The 
evidence, however, favors the belief that such trees are often healthy in one 
locality and diseased in another, and if further inquiry substantiates this 
conclusion, it will be an additional reason for thinking that yellows is not 
always to be attributed to the nursery, but may also spread in other ways. 
My own view at present is that the first affected tree in any district is always 
an introduced one, but that when once introduced the disease spreads from 
orchard to orchard irrespective of the origin of the stocks or buds. 


PEACH TREE.—SET TWO YEARS. 
Stunted by Root Aphides. 
(Maryland. ) 


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PEACH YELLOWS, 287 
SPREAD OF THE DISEASE BY INFECTED PRUNING KNIVES OR SAWS. 


Many persons have asserted that the disease may be propagated in this way. 
I have no positive evidence on this point; and no experiments have yet been 
undertaken to settle it, owing to the great amount of work involved in the 
other examinations and experiments here set forth. 

This experiment should be tried carefully on registered limbs in an unin- 
fected district, or if in an infected one then in a larger number of trees and 
in as healthy an orchard as can be found. 


NURSERIES NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THE OUTBREAKS. 


On other grounds than those already set forth, I am confident that neither — 
sound stocks nor healthy buds will entirely protect from yellows. The disease 
does not all come from the nursery. It must have some other means of dis- 
semination. ‘The following are my reasons for this belief : 

1. In the infected districts I could not satisfy myself that the trees of one 
nurseryman were more subject to yellows than those of another, although I 
took great pains in many instances to trace the history of the trees, especially 
if they were young ones. 

2. Some experiments with stocks and buds of a known character seem to 
show this quite conclusively. In orchard No. 11 of this report special pains 
was taken to secure healthy trees. This orchard was budded and planted by 
Walter Morris, cashier of the Farmers’ Bank, Dover, Del. He procured the: 
seed from a load of healthy natural fruit, brought into Dover and sold to Mr. 
Richardson in a year when there was a great scarcity of peaches. They were 
budded next year, Mr. Morris selecting the scions himself from a healthy 
orchard which hung very full of fruit. The yellows first appeared in this 
orchard about four years ago, 7. e., four years after budding, and spread very 
rapidly in 1886 and 1887. I came across a similar case on the farm of 8. H. 
Derby, near Woodside, Del. Mr. Derby selected the pits himself from a very 
thrifty-bearing orchard, free from yellows, and cut the buds from healthy 
trees in an orchard where yellows was unknown and where it did not appear 
until recently, 7. ¢., within the last three or four years. This orchard contains 
about 10 acres and is nine years old from the bud. The first premature 
peaches appeared in 1886, 7. e., six years after budding and several years after 
the orchard had fruited. In 1887 I saw many diseased trees in this orchard, 
and there were new cases in 1888. 

3. The fact that orchards frequently make a vigorous early growth and 
then bear peaches for fifteen or twenty years, often in enormous quantities, 
before showing symptoms of yellows. 

It seems almost impossible to believe that trees, which are the picture of 
health when young, and which continue to appear vigorous for three or four 
years, contain within themselves, in a dormant state, all the elements of 
disease, yet such is the case, if the yellows is propagated only by diseased stocks 
and buds. For the sake of argument, in the absence of direct proof to the 
contrary, it may be admitted that trees which premature their first fruit have 
in every instance been diseased from the beginning, no matter how healthy 
they appeared tobe. But what shall we say of trees which succumb after hay- 
ing borne several crops of healthy peaches? It is extremely doubtful whether 
such trees contracted the disease in the nursery. Finally, it passes the bounds 


288 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


of probability that a germ or anything of kindred nature should remain dor- 
mant in a tree fifteen or twenty years, that tree meanwhile being taxed to its 
utmost in the production of fruit, and often exhausted and injured by over 
production. 

There can be no reasonable doubt that in orchards over five years old the 
disease is due to some unknown local influence, and not to anything on or in 
the trees when procured from the nursery. I am the more inclined to this 
view from the fact that when symptoms of yellows are once manifest in any 
branch the whole tree becomes involved in a comparatively short time; 7. e. 
within one or two years. In other words, the disease is virulent, and does 
not remain dormant in one branch very long after it has appeard in another. 


INJURIES BY MEN OR QUADRUPEDS. 


A belief, current in some parts of the country, attributes yellows to any 
severe injury of trunk or roots, such as might be made by careless cultivation, 
or by rabbits, mics, etc. This belief arose, no doubt, from confounding a 
yellow appearance of the foliage with genuine yellows. These injurigs are 
all on a par with those inflicted by the peach tree borer, and what I shail gay 
about the latter will apply to these also. 


INJURY BY BORERS. 


Tho laryee of “geria devour the inner bark of the peach, usually at or just 
beneath the earth’s surface, often entirely girdling the tree. This insect is 
much more common than Scolytus, which I have not observed upon healthy 
trees, and is the only one worth mentioning in this connection. 

Borers are s0 common and so destructive to the peach tree, and have so 
frequently been aecueed of causing yellows, that, while I had no faith what- 
ever, I nevertheless gaye particular attention to this theory both in 1887 and 
1888. My observations show clearly that while they kill or seriously injure 
many trees, especially on sandy soil, they have nothing whatever to do with 
the yellows. Some of my reasons for this conclusion are as follows: 

1. Borers have been prevalent for many years, and often very destructive 
in localities where yellows has never appeared; e. g., Washtenaw county, 
Mich. ; Accomac county, Va.; Sussex county, Del. 

2. Borers are much more prevalent on sandy soil than on heavy loam or 
clay. But yellows is equally destructive on the latter. I observed this fact 
repeatedly in Maryland and Delaware. Those owning orchards on sand are 
obliged to search for borers once or twice each year. ‘Those whose orchards 
are on Clay often neglect to ‘‘ worm’’ their trees for several years together 
without evil results. 

3. In 1887, in orchard No. 6 of this report, I’ found the collars and crowns 
of many trees had never been injured in the least either by borers or by 
bruises of any sort; yet these trees were suffering from yellows. ‘The earth 
had been dug away from about one thousand trunks on the east side of the 
orchard, preparatory to the annual search for borers, but so few were found, 
that it was not thought worth while to examine further. Almost the only 
injuries I saw were small hacks made in removing the earth. Moreover, the 
foliage of the orchard nowhere gave any evidence of borers, and I was in- 
formed thut this insect had never been troublesome. Notwithstanding this 


PEACH YELLOWS. 289 


fact, three hundred and fourteen trees became diseased by yellows in 1887, 
and an additional three hundred in 1888. 

4, In 1887, in orchard No. 7 of this report, I very carefully examined the 
collar and trunk roots of seventeen trees which were suffering from yellows. 
Six had been severely injured, by borers or bruises; nine had been slightly 
injured ; and two had never received bark injuries of any sort. Healthy 
trees in the same orchard were also found to be injured by borers and bruises ; 
while those diseased by yellows did not seem to be affected proportionately to 
the extent of the injury. 

5. According to Mr. William Hudson, orchard No. 8 of this report was 
never much injured by borers. 

6. In 1887, in orchard No. 12 of this report, I found seven trees unmis- 
takably diseased by yellows which had no borers and never had any, and had 
never received injuries of any sort on the trunk, collar, or trunk roots. 

7. In 1887, in the southwest corner of orchard No. 14 of this report, six 
healthy and six diseased trees were very carefully examined for borers and 
bruises. Four of the diseased trees were entirely free; two were slightly in- 
jured. Fourof the healthy trees were entirely free ; two were slightly injured. 
In 1888, three of the six healthy trees became diseased. These were three of 
the four trees which had never been injured. The entire orchard appeared 
to be very free from injury by borers. The trees were “wormed” in August, 
1884, 1885, and 1886, but not many borers were found. None have been 
allowed to remain in the trees. 

8. The two old orchards of Charles Wright, Seaford, Del., have suffered 
severely from borers for years, but yellows has never appeared. He now 
examines his trees twice a year, and says he would lose them if he did not. 
This year out of some trees he took as many as twenty borers. 

At E. B. Emory’s, in Spaniards’ Neck, Queen Anne county, Md., a region 
yet almost entirely free from yellows, I saw a few trees which might throw 
doubt on the relation of borers to yellows were it not for the facts already 
cited. 

In a block of five hundred trees, first examined in 1887, I found two or 
three hundred which were more or less dwarfed and sickly looking. Several 
of these trees were suspicious, but I saw no premature peaches, and could not 
say positively that any were suffering from yellows. ‘The remainder of the 
block looked healthy, as did all the rest of the orchard, and all the other or- 
chards on that farm and on all the farms in the Neck. Some of the trees 
had suffered from borers, but after examining sixty I came to the conclusion 
that only a very small percentage had been seriously injured. In forty-two 
I found no indications of borers; but in this case my examination was not 
exhaustive, and I may have overlooked some. These trees may also have 
suffered from root aphides, as they came from a region where the nurseries 
were badly injured by this insect some years ago. Anyway this block, in the 
middle of an otherwise healthy orchard, presented a very striking contrast. 
The trees on each side were of the same age, but procured from other 
localities. 

In the fall of 1887 or spring of 1888, hints or more of the worst of these 
trees were cut back so that nothing remained save the trunk and the stubs of 
the main limbs. When examined in the summer of 1888, [ found some healthy; 
some dead ; and some diseased in the following way: The stubs of the limbs 
of twelve trees were covered with a pale, yellowish green much branched 


37 


290 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


dwarfed growth. Six of the most badly affected trees were dug out and 
examined very carefully. They were all much dwarfed, the trunks at the 
collar being only about 3 inches in diameter, although four years old (five 
years from bud). I saw no root aphides, but each of ‘these six trees was very 
badly infested by borers. From one trunk I removed seven, and from none — 
did I take less than two. Three of the trees were entirely girdled; two were 
very nearly girdled; and the other had sound bark on less than one-third of 
its trunk circumference at the collar. 

This is the only instance discovered where a growth strikingly like yellows, | 
if not identically the same, seemed to be closely associated with borers. The 
evidence in this case is, of course, not conclusive. JI had my doubts about 
some of these trees in 1887, and revisited the orchard to settle them. More- 
over, in 1888, in this block I found undoubted yellows in one tree, a small 
Mountain Rose replant of 1887, or possibly 1886. This bore spotted, prema- 
ture peaches but healthy spring foliage and no diseased shoots. I also saw 
yellows in another young orchard in that vicinity which I know to have been 
free in 1887. 

INJURIES BY ROOT APHIDES. 


An aphis corresponding nearly to Koch’s figures and description of Aphis 
Chrysanthemi is frequently found upon the roots of peach trees, especially in 
New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware. It is, I think, identical with a form 
occurring upon the shoots and young foliage. This, however, I have found 
only twice in two years, and then but sparingly, and not in the perfect state. 
No one appears to have collected the winged insect, and it is possible it may 
prove a distinct species. 

This insect has been known to New Jersey peach growers more than fifty 
years, and has been on the Delaware and Chesapeake peninsula fully as long. 
It was at Chestertown, Md., in 1860, and destroyed thousands of trees in 
. various parts of Kent county between that date and 1875. 

James S. Harris, of Still Pond, states that he has been familiar with this 
insect for many years, and until recently has lost more trees by it than by 
yellows. 

At Chestertown in the orchard of Colonel Wilkins it was particularly des- 

tructive in 1874 and 1875. In 1875 an orchard of 15,000 Early Beatrice 
bardly 300 of the original trees remained, there having been successive plant- 
ings to the number of nearly 20,000 on account of injury by aphides. 
* This aphis was also very abundant at Denton, Md., in 1874 and 1875 and 
at Bridgeville, Del., about the same time. Thousands of young trees were 
killed or badly injured. Probably it was destructive in many other parts of 
the Peninsula at this time. 

This aphis has also proved a great pest to orchards and nurseries in yarious 
parts of New Jersey. But I have heard no complaint from western New 
York or Michigan. 

As already noted stunting is one of the marked symptoms of the presence 
of this aphis. If trees are much dwarfed, and there are no injuries by borers, 
aphides are almost certain to be found upon the roots. It is not uncommon 
to find trees which are only one-half or one-third the size of their fellows 
solely because their roots are infested by this aphis. Sometimes the second 
or even the third year after planting they are but little larger than when set. 
As a rule young trees suffer more than old ones. In some instances, especial- 


PEACH YELLOWS. 291 


ly in trees which have begun to bear, I have found no dwarfing, and yet have 
discovered aphides on the roots, but only in small numbers. 

On the young and tender roots they settle in colonies, heads together and 
beaks thrust into the soft tissues, from which they abstract the juice. This 
constant sucking renders the root extremities flabby, and death ensues, where- 
upon the colony migrates to another root, or, what is more likely, is carried 
there by the yellow ant (Lasius claviger, Rogers), which is a constant atten- 
dant. This pumping of root juices, with the consequent destruction of thous- 
ands of root extremities, acts somewhat like severe root pruning. If too 
many roots are removed the tree dies; if not so many, it is dwarfed. 

The foliage of such trees is greatly dwarfed. It also presents miserable red - 
dish or yellowish-green aspect, with more or less rolling and curling, and 
purple-spotting of the edges of the leaf. This appearance is known as 
“‘Frenching,’’ and.is quite constant on young trees, although I have known 
instances in which it did not occur. Ordinarily, from the appearance of the 
parts of the tree above ground, one is very safe in diagnosing root aphides, 
as I know from repeated trials. 

When I first began field work I was surprised and puzzled by occasional 
reports of ‘dead spots’’ in orchards, 7. ¢., places where peach trees will not 
grow. Afterwards, I examined many such spots and satisfied myself that the 
trouble is due to root aphides, at least in Maryland and Delaware. I have 
seen spots of soil, not noticeably different from the rest of the orchard, on 
which the second and even the third planting languished and finally died 
with symptoms such as I have detailed. This languishing is frequently con- 
founded with yellows, but it is entirely different. Sometimes by repeated 
trials healthy trees have been grown in such places. 

I believe the aphides are retained in such spots or transported to other 
localities by the yellow ant which I have found constantly associated with it, 
and which appears to be the only species taking any interest in this aphis. I 
haye frequently found the eggs, larve and pupe of this ant in sandy soil 
under peach trees; and have seen the ants take the aphides very tenderly in 
their jaws and remove them to places of safety. In one instance, while 
digging in orchard No. 16, I placed a small root containing a colony of about 
thirty aphides on the ground at some distance from the tree, intending to 
put them into alcohol. Before I discovered what they were doing, yellow 
ants had carried away all but four or five, and were still carrying. Isaw one 
ant come and go three times, each time taking away an aphis in its jaws, and 
each time very tenderly. Undoubtedly this aphis is carried from root to root 
and tree to tree by these yellow ants. 

What makes this subject interesting in connection with peach yellows is 
the theory that that disease is due to the depradations of this insect. In view 
of the ravages of Phyllozera in vineyards, it is certainly an attractive theory 
and one to which I have given much thought. 

Some time after I began my field work, I found them in a number of 
orchards on roots of trees suffering from yellows. At first I was much per- 
plexed, thinking I might have overlooked their presence on many roots 
previously examined. This discovery led me to make many exhaustive and 
very tedious underground examinations, in some cases 50 to 75 cubic feet of 
earth being turned over under a single tree, all the roots and rootlets therein 
being examined yery minutely, often with a triplet. These examinations 
somewhat restored my confidence in previous work. In a number of orchards 


292 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


I found trees in various stages of yellows, on the roots of which the most 
patient and prolonged search revealed no aphides. The yellow ants were also: 
absent from the soil. This, however, is not conclusive, for it is well known 
that the Phylloxera generally abandons the roots of badly diseased vines for 
healthy ones, and the same might be true of this aphis. Although the roots 
gaye no positive indication of the previous presence of these insects, I could 
not deny that they might at some time have been present and have deserted 
these roots for those of other trees, which would in turn fall a prey to yel- 
lows, to be in turn deserted. While this could not be denied, it nevertheles: 
seemed improbable, because on the roots of large trees I never in any instance 
found them in numbers sufficient todo much injury. Only one experiment 
looking toward the settlement of-this point was undertaken. In 1887, in the 
southwest part of orchard No. 14 of this report, the roots of twelve trees were 
very systematically examined, an entire day being spent in the digging. ~ Six 
of these trees had become diseased by yellows in 1887, and six were entirely 
healthy. I found aphides in small numbers on a few of the roots of 1, 3, 4, 
5, 6, 7,9, 10, and 12. In the earth under the other trees (two diseased and 
one healthy) I saw no yellow ants, and found no aphides on their roots. In 
August, 1888, these trees were re-examined; 4, 8, and 9 had become dis- 
eased, while 5, 6, and 7 continued to be healthy: 7. ¢, No. 8, on which no 
aphides were found in August, 1887, had become diseased, and Nos. 5, 6, and 
7, on which they were found, had not become diseased. So far as it goes, 
this result is opposed to the aphis theory. 

A much stronger objection is the well-established fact that trees whose 
roots have been seriously infested with aphides often recover or linger on for 
years, with none of the symptoms of yellows. Young trees the first or second 
year out from the nursery often suffer severely from this root aphis and after- 
wards recover, making healthy orchards. I have seen a number of such 
orchards. 

Another serious objection is that at Denton, Caroline county, Md., and at 
Bridgeville, Sussex county, Del., this root aphis has been more or less de- 
structive since 1870, at times very destructive, while so far as known no 
trouble from yellows has ever been experienced at either place, both locali- 
ties now being free, or nearly free, from that disease. This insect has also 
seriously injured trees at Seaford, Del., in the orchards of Colonel Martin, 
without having caused yellows. Some of the trees recovered, others died. 

One point remains to be discuesed—that is, whether under any circum- 
stances the root aphis may give rise to symptoms resembling yellows. The 
symptoms already detailed are the common ones. I have heard it asserted 
that the aphis causes peaches to ripen prematurely, and the well-known fact 
that such ripening may be brought about by severe root-pruning lends some ~ 
countenance to the belief. My examinations, however, developed no proofs. 
I have seen green, healthy peaches on trees badly infested by root aphides, 
and when I have found this insect on the roots of trees bearing premature 
peaches it has never been under such circumstances as to render it certain, or 
even probable, that it was the real cause of the disease. The only point 
about which I have any doubt is: whether such growths as that shown in 
Photo. VI can ever result from attacks of the aphis. This photograph was 
made in autumn from a tree set in spring, and the top shown is the only 
growth it made during the entire season. ‘The roots were infested by this 
aphis, and seemingly to an extent fully sufficient to cause the symptoms ob- 


DISEASED SHOOTS FROM AN APRICOT. 
(Delaware. ) 


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PEACH YELLOWS. 293 
served. The question is, Were they the cause of the diseased top, or was 
the tree suffering from two distinct evils? In orchard No. 11 of this report 
(same farm) all the replants of 1887 showed the same diseased appearance as 
this tree, and in four out of five trees which were examined I found root 
aphides in considerable numbers, and had reason to think that they had been 
present on the roots of the other tree. _These insects were also found upon 
the roots of older trees in the same orchard. 

In an orchard owned by John Stokes, Still Pond, Md., and containing trees 
diseased by yellows, I also saw two resets of 1887, with tops of identical 
appearance. On the roots of one I found aphides, and on the roots of the 
other some indications of their former presence. 

On the other hand, on the farm of Henry Krusen, Still Pond, Md , out of 
two thousand trees set in 1887, I saw about thirty that had the same appear- 
ance. Hight of the worst ones were examined very carefully for aphides and 
the yellow ants, but neither were found. ‘Two of the trees had been injured 
by borers, but the rest were free from bark injury. 

The only difference which I could detect between the wiry, branched, de- 
pauperate growth on these trees and that found on robust older trees, bearing 
premature peaches, was in the lesser tendency toward autumn growth, and I 
‘cannot say that even this is a constant difference. When placed side by side 
with growths from older trees, it was not always easy to distinguish one from 
the other. Iam inclined to believe that where aphides were on the roots the 
unfortunate trees were suffering from two distinct evils; but some additional 
observations ought to be made. 


INJURIES BY FUNGI. 


The peach, like other plants, is subject to the attacks of parasitic fungi; 
but whether yellows is caused by a fungus or a bacterium remains to be deter- 
mined. It certainly does not arise from any easily distinguishable cause of 
this kind. 

In the regions affected by peach yellows, I have observed the following 
species of fungi on the parts above ground : 

Taphrina deformans, 'Tul., on leaves and young shoots, producing the dis- 
tortion and enlargement known as ‘‘curl;’’ Sphaerotheca panosa, Lév., a 
white felt-like mildew on leaves and young shoots, causing atrophy and death ; 
Puccinia Pruni-spinose, P., producing rust-spots and causing the premature 
fall of the leaves; Oidiwm fructigenwm, Kze. and Schw., causing ‘‘rot”’ in the 
fruit and ‘‘ blight ”’ in the twigs; Cladosporium carpophyllum, vy. Thiim., a 
surface-growing fungus on leaves and fruit, producing roundish black spots, 
which are especially frequent on Smock and other late peaches; Cercospora 
Persice, Sacc., producing faint frosted patches on the under surface of the 
leaves, and indistinct yellow spots above; Cercospora (?), producing numerous 
leaf-spots having a dead center and a more or less brightly colored rim of 
red or purple; Capnodiwm elongatum, B. and Desm., an imperfect form, 
probably referable to this species, producing black patches on the epidermis, 
and occurring also in the gum; Polyporus versicolor, Fr., on trunk and limbs, 
principally or wholly on dead or dying wood, and not restricted to trees suf- 
fering from yellows or even to the peach. 

Some of these fungi are genuine parasites; others are what De Bary styles 
faculative parasites ; and others are pure saprophytes. None of them stand 


294 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


in any casual relation to yellows, but all are likely to be found wherever the 
peach is grown in the United States. Those which show any special prefer- 
ence for diseased trees—e. g., Cercospora (?)—are not confined to trees suf- 
fering from yellows, but occur equally on all trees of low vitality, and are 
clearly a consequence of impaired vitality rather than a cause. 

On the parts underground I have found no species of Agaricus, and have 
almost never observed any growing in orchards. 

Altogether, I have more or less fully examined the root system of fifty-two 
good sized trees, all of which were unquestionably diseased by yellows. In 
every instance the main roots, and all their ramifications down to those smaller 
than a goose quill, were perfectly sound. The bark was bright colored and 
sound throughout, and the wood was free from black spots, rottenness, or 
signs of decay. Certainly it was not disorganized by mycelial threads of any ~ 
sort, nor were these commonly present on the surface of the smooth bark. 
My own observations agree in this respect with the greater part of those here- 
tofore reported. All the larger roots are healthy. 

I have, however, sometimes observed a delicate cobweb fungus on the 
smaller roots and on the rootlets of diseased trees, and have in almost every 
instance found a large portion of these rootlets dry and dead, even where no 
fungus could be detected by the naked eye or by the use of a triplet. If 
peach yellows is in any sense a root disease, I predict it will be found con- 
nected in some way with the destruction of the feeding fibers or root hairs of 
the tree. However, the dead rootlets may be a consequence of the disease 
rather than a cause, and such a view seems more in harmony with the results 
of some of the inoculations. I do not feel like pronouncing very decid- 
edly on the matter until the inoculated trees have stood another year, 
and until I have made the most prolonged and painstaking underground 
explorations, accompanied by careful microscopic examinations. An additional 
season in the field and a year of laboratory work would throw much light on 
the question. Concerning the supposed relation of bacteria to this disease, 
not enough microscopic examinations or culture experiments haye been made 
to venture any conclusion. On or in the diseased tissues I have occasionally 
observed a bacillus much resembling that found by Prof. T. J. Burrill and 
Dr. Manly Miles; but he would be a very rash man who, on the strength of 
the occasional and perhaps entirely accidental presence of these all abound- 
ing micro-organisms, should assert their casual connection with this disease. 
Opinions of any value cannot be given until after an exhaustive study of the 
diseased tissues. No one has yet undertaken this, and no one is now com- 
petent to speak with authority. 

The rapid spread of the disease in certain years, together with various. 
other facts in its history, lead me to believe that it is due to a parasite of some 
sort. I have observed mueh that is very suggestive, and nothing that is in- 
consistent with such a belief. Even the fact that the disease has existed in 
some localities for many years without becoming widely destructive is not 
opposed to this view, but could be paralleled by many references to animal 
and plant diseases now well known to be of parasitic origin. Certain external 
or internal conditions of the host plant, or animal, or peculiarities of locality, 
not yet well understood, are almost always necessary to the rapid dissemina- 
tion of a parasitic disease. If these are wanting, the disease will be confined 
to limited areas or to isolated cases. 

If yellows is due to some root fungus or other underground parasite, it 


DISEASED TUFT FROM A MAIN LIMB. 
(Delaware. ) 


PEACH YELLOWS. 295 


seems to me it could be entirely prevented by budding the peach upon the 
roots of trees not subject to this disease, ¢. g., the plum. If, on the contrary, 
it is due to some parasite living above ground and attacking the tree through 
its branches, trunk, foliage, or flowers, then trees budded on plum roots 
should be as much subject to it as any others. 

I have seen some statements to the effect that budding on plum stocks is 
no protection against yellows; but, having found many errors in the litera- 
ture of yellows, I am inclined to take all statements with a grain of allow- 
ance. ‘he first person to make this statement appears to have been William 
Prince. He declares that while peach trees budded on plum and almond 
are less affected by borers, they are equally subject to yellows. 

The most explicit statement is that made by Noyes Darling. He says that 
in 1842 Benjamin Sillman, jr., of New Haven, ‘‘ procured from Liverpool a 
considerable number of young peach and nectarine trees budded on plum 
stocks. Some of them were put for standards, and others walled upon a 
board fence. There had been no peach trees for twenty years on the ground 
where these were planted. ‘They grew well the first season and appeared in 
perfect health. The second season some of the peach trees showed symptoms 
of yellows, and died the third season. At the present time [four years after 
they were set] no one of the trees, either nectarine or peach, is free from dis- 
ease. In the garden adjoining that of Mr. Sillman there were diseased 
trees standing at the time the imported trees were planted out.” 

I believe Mr. Darling’s own observations to be perfectly trustworthy. The 
only points here in doubt would appear to be (1) the nature of the inserted 
buds, presumably unexceptional, because from England, where yellows is said 
to be unknown; and (2) the nature of the stocks, presumably plum, as stated, 
from the fact that in England the peach is very commonly budded on the 
plum. 

Charles Downing also states that many years ago one of his friends im- 
ported 100 peach trees from France. ‘‘In two years one-third had the yel- 
lows, and the remainder died with it the third or fourth year.’? ‘These trees 
were probably on plum stocks, but no date is given and no name, and it is 
possible that Mr. Downing hai in mind the trees imported by Mr. Sillman., 

I have found one or two additional references to the occurrence of yellows 
in peaches budded on plum stocks. The most important is a statement in 
the Annual Report of the Secretary of the Michigan State Pomological 
Society, 1874, page 26, to the effect that ‘‘in the orchard of John T. Edwards 
diseased peach trees grafted on plum stocks were entirely destroyed by the 
yellows without injuring the root at all; below the graft the live healthy root 
sent out strong plum stocks.’’ I have tried to discover Mr. Edwards and 
hunt down this statement, but have not been able to do so. 

An eastern Maryland correspondent of The American Farmer, 1875, page 
25, also states that plums, when grafted on peach roots, remain free from dis- 
ease, although standing within a foot of peach trees which die of yellows. 

Peach trees where | have traveled are budded almost exclusively upon 
peach stocks, and I have not been able to confirm any of these statements. 
One thousand plum stocks have, however, been inoculated with healthy peach 
buds in a district now free from yellows, and these will be set in same of the 
badly-diseased orchards in Maryland and Delaware and the results carefully 
recorded. The trees from which the buds were taken have also been marked, 
and will be kept under observation for a number of years, so that if any of 


- 


296 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


them develop yellows this fact may be recorded and given its due weight in 
estimating final results. If these trees from which the scions were taken re- 
main healthy, while those budded on the plum stocks contract yellows, then 
underground parasites are excluded, and, if yellows is a parasitic disease at 
all, the cause must act through the parts above ground. Such aresult would 
also show that the insertion of diseased buds is not a necessary factor in the 
production of yellows. 

From the fact that the disease first appears in the fruit, and occasionally 
only in one or two peaches, it has been thought that yellows might be due in 
some way to diseased pollen or to bacteria which find an entrance through 
the moist unprotected stigma. On this theory the contagium is supposed to 
enter the tree in the spring of the same year that the disease appears. If this 
is so, one ought to be able to cut out the disease, at least in some instances. 
Practically, the cells and vessels of the living parts of the tree are all closed 
cavities; 7. e., there are no capillary tubes large enough and at the same time 
long enough to easily permit the passage of micro-organisms from one part of 
the tree to another, if, indeed, there are any bacteria small enough to pass at 
all in this way without destruction of the tissues. On such a theory it must 
therefore take considerable time for a germ to penetrate to all parts: of the 
tree, since there is no breaking down and decay of tissues such as occurs in 
pear blight and other plant diseases known to be due to bacteria. The only 
destruction of tissues I have observed was due to ‘‘gummosis.”’ In the wood 
of diseased shoots I have found closed gum-cavities, due to the metamorpho- 
sis of fibers and vessels, but | do not yet know how constant a symptom this 
may be, or just what relation it may bear to the disease. Gammosis is known 
to occur in plums and cherries, which are not subject to yellows. 

The almost universal statement of the books is that yellows can not be cut 
out of a tree, no matter how slightly affected. At first I was disposed to ac- 
cept this statement as true beyond question; but having heard counter state- 
ments, and haying seen in Delaware one perfectly healthy tree from ‘which 
the disease is said to have been removed three years ago by a severe excision, 
and having seen in another orchard some indication of recovery after similar 
excisions, | determined to repeat this experiment. ‘Two trees were selected 
in orchard No. 12, eighteen in orchard No. 14, and three in the orchard from 
which Photo. X was taken, that tree, however, not being one of the three. 
The excisions were made in September, 1887, with the utmost care. The 
trees were all young and yigorous, and were only slightly diseased; 7. e., 
they bore premature peaches on one limb only, or on a few small branches, 
the rest of the tree bearing healthy peaches and full grown dark green foliage. 
In most cases the diseased limbs also bore spring foliage of normal size and 
color, and had not yet sent out many of the characteristic shoots; in some in- 
stances not any. In every case I removed not only the diseased branches, but 
also the large sound limbs which bore the affected parts, taking away from 
one-third to one-half the tree. These trees were previously selected with great 
care, as being those in which such an experiment was most likely to succeed. 
After the excisions each one was again carefully scrutinized in all parts, so 
that by no possibility should any portion be left which bore external mani- 
festations of the disease. I did not use a disinfected saw, but the stumps 
were carefully painted with red lead, and this was rubbed in, especially in 
the vicinity of the cambium. 

In August, 1888, these trees were re-examined. All of them bore prema- 


PEACH YELLOWS. 297 


ture peaches, and most of them also showed the diseased shoots. Moreover, 
they were so badly diseased—z. ¢., bore the shoots or premature peaches on 
so many branches—that a new or secondary infection in 1888 seemed entirely 
out of the question. This also seemed improbable from the condition of 
other trees in the orchards. On the theory of a new infection in 1888, 100 
per cent of these trees became re-infected in one year, whereas in the 
orchards as a whole the new cases did not much exceed 10 per cent. 

Fearing I might not have cut early enougn in the season, I repeated this 
experiment in 1888, in August, in several orchards, particularly in orchard 
No. 6. This time my incisions were still more severe. Many large limbs, 
clothed with healthy foliage and bearing a great many sound peaches, were 
removed for the sake of getting rid of small diseased limbs and making 
assurance doubly sure. In most cases I removed from one-half to two-thirds 
of each tree, that part remaining, as well as a large per cent of what was re- 
moved, appearing to be perfectly healthy. The results of these experiments 
will be awaited with interest. If they agree with those already detailed, it 
may be conceded as reasonably certain that the disease cannot be cut out, 
and it may also be concluded that the trees are not infected through the 
blossoms, at least not the same year that the premature peaches appear. 

Another way of testing the validity of this theory would be to remove all 
the blossom buds from healthy trees in infected orchards and note the results 
for a series of years. This experiment ought to be undertaken in the spring 
of 1889 in several orchards and in a sufficient number of trees to give 
unequivocal results. 


WHAT MAY BE HOPED. 


In discussing this question I shall assume that peach yellows is a communi- 
cable disease. The evidence in favor of such an assumption is stronger than 
that which has sufficed to hang many a man, and in the absence of direct proof 
to the contrary is certainly strong enough to warrant legislative action. In 
all such cases the public have a right to claim the benefit of the doubt. Even 
in the present inexact state of our knowledge it is justifiable on the part of 
State legislatures to make statutes compelling the immediate removal and 
destruction of all affected trees. 

In peach growing states now free from the disease it would be wise to pro- 
hibit the introduction of all trees from infected areas. Certainly, if yellows 
does not now occur in California (and by diligent inquiry I have failed to 
ascertain that it does), the greatest care should be taken to prevent its intro- 
duction, even to the extent of legislation strictly prohibiting the importation 
of peach trees from the eastern United States. Unless such steps are taken 
the appearance of yellows in orchards on the Pacific coast is only a matter of 
time. To what a great extent California is interested in maintaining her 
present freedom from this disease may be known from the fact that in 1886 
the peach orchards of that state contained 3,617,973 trees, while the nectar- 
ine, almond, and apricot orchards contained about one-half as many more. 

The principle objection to such laws is that valuable property will be 
destroyed. But it is sometimes necessary to destroy property for the preser- 
vation of surrounding property, or for other reasons. Moreover, it may be 
urged against this objection (1) that premature peaches are of an inferior 
quality, generally unfit to eat, and are not eaten to any extent where they are 


298 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


grown, and ought not to be palmed off on an unsuspecting public to the 
possible injury of health and to the certain injury of markets and the discredit. 
of good fruit; (2) that diseased trees speedily become unfruitful and worth- 
less, and consequently have from the start only asmall money value. Neither 
of these propositions can be disputed, and together they meet and fully 
answer this objection, which, moreover, is of small weight in comparison 
with the reasons assigned for action. 

In my judgment the prompt destruction of affected trees by fire, if 
practiced throughout a community, will greatly hinder the progress of the 
disease. With the utmost care cases will appear from time to time, more 
some years than others, but there will be no outbreak comparable to an epi- 
demic. At least such has been the experience in communities which haye 
practiced this method from the first appearance of the disease. Whether a. 
locality which has once suffered disastrously can again become a profitable 
region by the strict enforcement of this method remains to be seen. ‘The 
results at Benton Harbor and Saint Joseph, Mich., where this is being tried,. 
will be watched during the next few years with the greatest interest. 
According to R. Morrill, of Benton Harbor, 300,000 peach tress have been 
set in the vicinity of that place during the past three years, and no yellows 
has yet appeared. 

It will not, however, be of much permanent benefit, I conceive, for one 
man or a few men to remove their trees while the rest of the community 
neglect todo so. Inthe union of all fruit growers there is strength and 
safety. If this method of restriction is to be given a fair trial it must be 
supported by a strong public sentiment, backed by a suitable law. 

Where it is not possible to make a law apply to an entire State, on account 
of sectional opposition, it might at first be made to apply only to the regions. 
least affected, as in case of the Michigan law of 1875. 


CONCLUSIONS AS TO THE CAUSE OF YELLOWS. 
HYPOTHESES RULED OUT, 


From what precedes we are reasonably safe in concluding that yellows is. 
not due to climatic influences. Frosts, floods, and drouths may be modify- 
ing influences, but are nothing more. Injuries by men, quadrupeds, and 
borers may also be included in the list of disproved theories. They stand in 
no casual relation to this disease. ‘To the same category may be added 
excessive cultivation, neglect of cultivation, and neglect of pruning. So also 
injury to tap-roots, propagation by buds rather than by seeds, defective 
drainage, use of animal manures, etc. Some of these things may favor the 
development of peach yellows, but I think none of them can cause it. The 
evidence here set forth seems to establish this beyond reasonable doubt. 
Probably most of my readers will be ready to admit that soil exhaustion is 
also an unsatisfactory explanation. As the case now stands, this theory 
must be set aside as untenable. At least, we need give no further attention 
until more and stronger evidence is adduced in its favor. I write this with 
regret, for I hoped to be able to confirm this view, as it would have offered 
an ¢asy and practical solution of the whole difficulty. 


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(Delaware.') 


TREE CUT BACK TO REMOVE YELLOWS. 


PEACH YELLOWS. 299 
: HYPOTHESES PROBABLY RULED OUT. 


Among supposed causes deserving further inquiry I should place root- 
aphides and root-fungi. I am inclined to believe that neither one is at the 
bottom of the trouble; yet another summer in the field would enable me to 
speak more positively. 


REMAINING PROBABLE HYPOTHESES. 


What then remains? The larger fungi are out of the question, and I can 
think of nothing else but micro-organisms. ‘The spread of yellows from dis- 
eased buds to healthy stocks, which I have carefully verified, points strongly 
to some contagium vivwm as the cause of the disease. If a micro-organism 
be really the cause, it probably occurs quite constantly in some part of each 
diseased tree, and this must be established beyond question; it must also be 
clearly distinguished from similar organisms not related to the disease; and, 
finally, it must be isolated by cultivation in suitable nutritive media and be 
able to produce the disease when inserted into healthy trees. If, from a pure 
culture of some micro-organism peach yellows can be induced in healthy 
trees, then the case is closed and there can be but one verdict. I write this 
paragraph with ease, but the work itself is full of difficulties. Nature does 
not yield her secrets upon the mere asking. Only those engaged in similar 
inquiries can have any adequate conception of the labor involved or of the 
perplexities which beset one at every step. Moreover, in such an inquiry 
nothing can be promised in advance. ‘I'he investigator and the public alike 
must take their chances on the results). However, as I have elsewhere stated, 
there seems to be every encouragement for the renewed and persistent prose- 
cution of this inquiry. By such effort sources of error will be discovered, 
difficulties overcome, and the truth finally established. 

The remainder of Prof. Smith’s work embraces Appendix A, chemical 
analyses of both healthy and diseased leaves, trunks, branches and fruit, of 
the peach, showing considerable variation of constituents between the state 
of disease and that of health. Appendix B, legal enactments of several 
States, Michigan haying been the first to pass a law for the restriction of yel- 
lows; several maps of orchards, showing hight of land, position as to water, 
etc., and distribution of infected trees; a map of the United States and one 
of the Philadelphia region, showing infected portions, degree of infection, 
and territory wholly free of yellows; and thirty-seven plates, some in colors, 
showing healthy and diseased orchards, trees, limbs, leaves and fruit, both 
as to yellows and borers. It is matter for regret that the means of this society 
do not permit reproduction of some of them in this volume. 

While but little appears in the way of revelation of the cause of yellows, 
or as to its prevention or cure, it must be borne in mind that the report is a 
preliminary one and the investigation only just begun. In this light the 
report must be regarded as of very great value. It has certainly been made 
with thorough and intelligent research and with a carefulness as to detail 
that causes strong hope of excellent results of Mr. Smith’s future work. 


PRESIDENT LYON’S REPORT 


RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS 
AND THEIR 


ADAPTATION TO COLD REGIONS IN THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES, 


A report on Russian fruits and their adaptability to those portions of the 
United States subject to great extremes of cold was made by President T. T. 
Lyon, of this society, during 1888, he having been detailed to the work by 
Prof. H. E. Van Deman, chief of the division of pomology in the U. S. De- 
partment of Agriculture. It was made after personal inspection of many of 
the orchards of Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and more eastern states, where 
- Russian fruits have been growing for many years. 

The region considered is that of the northern border of the United States 
eastward from the Rocky mountains to the Atlantic ocean, but more espe- 
cially those states and territories commonly spoken of as the Northwest. 
Says Mr. Lyon: ‘‘Of the fruits more or less perfectly adapted to successful 
cultivation in the region under consideration it will only be necessary to 
consider those which are, or promise to be, of value either commercially or 
for domestic or culinary purposes. Among these, named as nearly as practi- 
cable in the order of their maturity, will be found the strawberry, raspberry, 
dwarf juneberry (serviceberry), cherry, currant, gooseberry, blueberry (in- 
cluding the huckleberry), blackberry (including the dewberry), mulberry, 
cranberry, apricot, plum, peach, apple, quince, and several nuts.” 

As the strawberry is said to be indigenous as far north as Behring straits, 
nothing more is desirable in the way of hardiness, and henc3 the varieties of 
this fruit common elsewhere in this country are not only sufficient on this 
score but are in general cultivation. The same is true of both the red and 
the black raspberries, except that their range northward is not so great and 
in some parts winter protection is necessary to both, the black especially. 
These, with casual reference to our native dwarf juneberry (serviceberry), 
takes the writer on in his list to the cherry, of which he speaks thus: 


THE CHERRY. 


Our improved varieties of the cherry are reputed to have sprung from a 
wild species, botanically known as Prunus aviwm, which is supposed to have 


RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS, 301 


‘been the parent of our modern Heart, Bigarreau, and Duke varieties, and 
from Prunus cerasus, from which are supposed to have originated the 
Morellos. 

The former cannot be considered hardy, either north or west of southern 
New England and New York, and only partially so in southern Michigan ; 
while from one cause or another the entire class utterly fails further west- 
ward and northward. 

The Morellos, which in average seasons haye been at least partially suc- 
cessful in the latitude of northern Illinois and central Iowa and to some 
extent even further north, were sadly injured during recent trying winters, 
compelling the conviction that for the regions northward and westward their 
failure may fairly be deemed a foregone conclusion, except, perchance, in 
specially favorable localities. 

Within comparatively a few years several varieties, among which may be: 
named Leib, Ostheim, Wragg, and perhaps others, have been put forward as 
having successfully withstood these trying paroxysms, and for this reason 
haye attracted much attention. Upon inquiry, several, if not all, of these 
are reputed to have been incidental importations from central or eastern 
Europe, and to have inherited their hardiness from the typical varieties of 
those regions. 

Under these circumstances the Iowa Agricultural College, through J. h. 
Budd, its professor of horticulture, made a careful study of the cherries of 
central and eastern Europe during the summer of 1882, together with com- 
parisons of the climate with that of lowa and the adjacent regions. 

Becoming assured that certain of the typical cherries of Silesia, Poland, and 
southern Russia were superior in quality to those heretofore successfully grown 
in Iowa, and, moreover, that the similarity of climatic conditions warranted 
the hope that they would also prove successful here, during the spring of 1884 
about forty varieties of cherries were successfully imported from those regions, 
planted in orchard at the college, and their propagation comenced for the 
purpose of distribution and trial in the northwest. 

It is by no means warrantable to assume, in advance of thorough trial, that 
these novelties are to be relied on to supply the existing need, although a. 
very recent examination, not only of the original trees planted in the orchard 
at the college, but also of those now in nursery there, made since the extreme 
heat and drought of the past summer (1887), shows their growth to have been 
strong, while the rich, glossy foliage was as healthy and perfect as could be 
desired, thus pretty thoroughly demonstrating the fact of their sufficient 
hardiness in this latitude, together with their ability to resist the depletory 
influences of extreme aridity. Mf 

The effect of the change of ten or fifteen degrees of latitude upon their 
productiveness, and possibly even upon the quality of the fruit, can only be 
certainly determined by their actual fruitage through perhaps a series of years. 

Uncertain as the result of this experiment must, so far, be considered, it 
seems to offer the chief apparent prospect for a home supply of this desirable. 
fruit for the extreme north and northwest east of the continental divide. 

Of the varieties thus imported and on trial on the college grounds, Profes- 
sor Budd lists and describes Vladimir, Bessarabian, Lutovka, Nos. 23, 24, 26, 
and 27, Orel; the varieties given by numbers being of the Bessarabian race. 

Another class of varieties, which are designated as the Ostheim Weichsel 
family, includes Strauss Weichsel, Frauendorfer Weichsel, Susse Frith Weich- 


302 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


sel, Spiite Amarelle,Griotte Précoce, Griotte Douce Précoce,Griotte de Ostheim, 
and Cerise de Ostheim. 

He also describes the following as being of mixed race: Briisseler Braune, 
Shatten Amarelle, Kénigliche Amarelle, Vilna Sweet, Doube Natte, Amarelle 
Bunte, Fouché Morello, Herozog’s May, Herzformige Weichsel, Lithauer’s 
Weichsel, Sklanka, Red May, Red Muscateller, June Amarelle, Amarelle 
Bouquet, Griotte du Nord, Grosse Lange, Double Yellow Spanish, Glaskirche 
Kurzstielige. 

While the professor deems it probable that several of these may not succeed 
above the latitude of southern lowa and northern Illinois, he is yet of the 
opinion that others will prove hardy enough for central and even northern 
Wisconsin, Minnesota and Dakota—a region in which the only indigenous 
representatives of this fruit are the worthless Sand or Mountain cherry 
(Prunus pumila) and the Choke cherry (P. Virginiana). 

The most successful variations of this fruit in the settled portions of the 
Northwest, as indicated by the reports of societies and the preferences of 
planters, are indicated by the numbers attached to names of varieties, as fol- 
lows: 

Early Richmond, 11; English Morello, 9; Wragg, 5; Ostheim, 5; Late 
Richmond 3; Montmorency, 3; Vladimir, |. 


Dr. T. H. Hoskins, of northern Vermont, in the American Garden, says: 


‘* The Kentish cherries, early and late, with several of the Dukes and Griottes (Maz- 
zards) endure even our bard winters, and sometimes become quite large trees, yet 
rarely produce a full crop of fruit. * * * Weare hoping much from the recently 
imported Russian, Polish and north German cherries and plums; but in order to get 
high quality, in addition to hardiness of tree and bud, the same work of crossing may 
be necessary as in the cases of the pears and apples. That good results can be realized 
in a reasonably short time in such experiments has been frequently proved; and a 
great field is open for those rightly situated, who will enter upon the work seriously 
and follow it up perseveringly.” 


THE CURRANT. 


Both the Black currant (Ries nigrum)—a native of northern Europe and 
Asia—and the Red currant (Ribes rubrum)—a native of northern America— 
will doubtless be found abundantly hardy at the extreme north; at least when 
given a shady location, and assisted by irrigation in regions in which moisture 
is deficient. Both are of extreme northern origin, and will doubtless be 
found proof against injury from low temperatures. 

The Missouri currant (Rides awrewm) is valued chiefly for ornamental pur- 
poses. It is found wild in Kansas, and also as far north as Dakota, and if 
not indigenous, it must have been introduced there at a very early period. 

The white currants are considered to be mere varieties of the red currant. 

Naming them in order of their apparent popularity, numbers are attached 
to indicate the relative values, as indicated by reports and discussions: 

Red Dutch, 13; Fay, 12; White Datch, 9; White Grape, 9; Victoria, 9; 
Cherry, 7; Long bunched Holland, 6; Black Naples, 5; Stewart (a local seed- 
ling), 2; Lee (black), 1. 

THE GOOSEBERRY. 


This fruit, also known botanically as Ades, is essentially American and 
northern in its habitat; appearing on this continent under several forms. 


f RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS. 303 


The single English species, Rides reva-crispa, so generally grown in England 
as a garden fruit, is believed to be the only species of European nativity.’ It 
proves unable to withstand the heat and aridity of our American climate. In 
the cool, moist climate of England it has sported into a great number of vari- 
eties, some of which are of very large size. 

Comparatively slight improvement has, so far, been effected with those in- 
digenous to America, Among the improved varieties from this source are 
Houghton and Mountain seedlings. Downing and Smith are more recent 
originations, of larger size, which give indications of a possible hybridization 
with the European species. 

Industry is a very recent introduction to American growers. It is an alleged 
seedling of the European species; but it is said to be so much less liable to 
mildew, as to warrant the hope that it may prove adapted to this climate. Its 
permanent exception is, however, still a matter of doubt. ] 

Kven the purely native Houghton occasionally, under unfavorable condi- 
tions, is found to suffer from mildew; which is the chief obstacle to the suc- 
cese of the European species here. ; 

The improyed natives, including Downing and Smith, are abundantly 
hardy in central Minnesota; although at Minneapolis the Downing, for some 
cause not understood, has shown a lack of productiveness, There can, how- 
ever, be little doubt of the success of the American varieties at the north and 
west, if grown in shaded situations, with the requisite conditions of coolness 
and moisture. Houghton, Downing and Smith are the varieties which seem 
to be more generally popular. The gooseberry is now, however, extensively 
grown in the northwest. 


THE BLUEBERRY. 


The Blueberry ( Vaccinium) (which formerly included the Huckleberry, 
now Gaylussacia), is so peculiarly exacting as to soils and surroundings, that 
but rare, and generally ineffectual, attempts have been made to subject it to 
cultivation and improvement; although few of the smaller fruits are more 
highly valued where it is known and accessible. It is essentially a northern 
plant, and the fruitis abundantly produced in the region of the great lakes, 
and eastward to the seaboard. : 

Some, at least, of the various species occur further west, in localities in 
which suitable soils and other needful conditions occur. 


THE BLACKBERRY. 


The Blackberry (Rudus villosus) and its near relative, the Dewberry, 
(Rubus canadensis) are indigenous throughout the northern States gener- 
ally in partially sheltered locations, or in tracts of land but recently burned 
over. 

From such localities immense quantities of this fruit annually find sale in 
the markets of large cities and towns. The fruit thus so produced has been 
so abundant that, until recently, little attempt has been made to improve it, 
and this little mainly by selection of choice seedlings. A few of those most 
likely to prove hardy enough for the North and West are Snyder, Taylor, 
Stone, Wallace, Western Triumph, Ancient Briton, and perhaps a few 
others. 


304 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


The habit of the plant is to produce its fruit buds for the ensuing crop 
near the top, where the injury in winter is most likely to occur, with the 
frequent result of a partial, or possibly of an entire, loss of the crop of fruit. 
Even the so-called hardy varieties are by no means entirely exempt from 
such loss when fully exposed during winter. In fact, when it is recollected 
that the blackberry is naturally an undergrowth, we may be allowed to doubt 
if, with the habit of fruiting already mentioned, there is ground for hope 
that a variety capable of withstanding a full exposure during occasional 
crucial winters is even among the possibilities. 

If in the more moist and equable climate of the region of the great lakes. 
it is found practicable and profitable to protect the fruiting canes in winter, 
there must doubtless be increased occasion for such practice in the drier 
atmosphere and severer winter temperatures further west and north, where 
quite probably, even with the hardiest varieties, the plants may require to be 
well covered with snow, mulch, or earth, to avoid the alternative of a loss of 
the crop of fruit. The low spreading habit of the Taylor, Stone, and per- 
haps others, is advantageous for such purpose; while the stout upright 
growth of many others increases the liability to break the canes in the pro- 
cess of laying down. 

The trailing habit of the dewberry would, in a snowy region, insure an 
ample covering; while, if needful, they may be easily covered with earth or 
mulch. 

There are several varieties before the public; but of those disseminated 
and fully tested, the Lucretia is the only one that has received general and 
satisfactory indorsement. 

The following varieties are more or less grown in the northwest; the num- 
bers indicating their relative popularity: 

Blackberries—Snyder, 21; Ancient Briton, 11; Stone, 7; Taylor, 2; 
Thornless (?), 2; Kittatinny, 1; Wallace, 1. 

Dewberries.—Lucretia, 4, and a local seedling yet unnamed, discovered by 
Dewain Cook, of Windom, Minn. (this variety has recently been named 
Windom), 1; also one recommended at Sparta, Wis., as productive and 
excellent, 1. 


THE MULBERRY. 


The black mulberry (Morus nigra), said to have originated in central Asia, 
and to haye been introduced into southern Europe more than a thousand 
years ago, is reputed to be the parent of what is now known as the Russian 
mulberry, which is the only species requiring notice in this connection. 

Haying been introduced into the west by the Mennonites who emigrated 
from Russia, it has manifested a degree of hardiness superior to that of any 
other mulberry, Its limit northward on this continent can not yet be said to 
have been determined. 

The fruit can not be said to possess any special present value, and its pros- 
pective importance must depend upon the chance of improvement by new 
originations from seed. ven in this direction the probability of improve 
ment is apparently very remote. 


RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS. 305 
THE CRANBERRY. 


The Cranberry ( Vacciniwm macrocarpon) belongs exclusively to the north, 
where it assumes much importance as a commercial fruit. It is largely grown 
for market from New Jersey northward to and including the British proy- 
inces. The business in New Jersey and Massachusetts is mainly confined to 
the sea-coast. 

Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota possess superior natural advantages of 
both soil and climate for the purpose; and, although in these States the in- 
terest is less fully developed, the production of this fruit here is being rapidly 
increased. 

Many marshes throughout both peninsulas of Michigan were naturally 
well stocked with the cranberry; and, although during the settlement and 
develypment of the state many of these have been drained and converted 
into arable land, large tracts are still in their pristine condition. In Berrien 
and Ottawa counties, and probably elsewhere, considerable tracts have been 
prepared and stocked with the vines with profitable results, and the business 
seems likely to increase. 

Probably the most extensive plantations are to be found in Wisconsin. It 
is estimated that in four counties in the central part of this state there are 
fully 50,0°'0 acres of marsh adapted to the growth of this fruit, much of which 
is already in process of improvement for this purpose. The usual> process 
here seems to be to clear the ground of brush, and by partial drainage to 
enable the plints to take possession of the soil, which they are said to do 
within a comparatively short period, thus avoiding the expense of preparing 
and planting the ground and cultivating till the plants have covered the sur- 
face. 

A tract of 1,080 acres, owned by accompany who haye already invested a 
considerable sum thereon, is being improv.d upon the following plan: At 
the upper side of the marsh a reservoir of ample capacity is created by digging 
a ditch across the slope (which is very slight), throwing the earth upon the 
lower side, thus constructing an embankment or dam, with sluices and flood- 
gales ai convenient points, by mvans of which the water may be accumulated 
and turned upon the space below at pleasure. 

B-low. and at right angles with the embankment already spoken of, a ditch 
is dug nearly centrally through the marsh, of suflicient capacity to receive the 
waste and su plus water. The earth from this ditch is used to construct an 
embankment upon each side thereof; and the water therein is maintained at 
adep h and width sufficient to float a small flat-boat, which is employed for 
transporting material, as well as for collecting the fruit when picked. The 
lower eud extends to and within a building, which serves as a storage and 
packing room for the fruit when picked and awaiting transportation. 

The marsh below the reservoir is cut up by side and cross ditches into blocks 
of five or more acres, each of which is capable of being separately fl»oded from 
the reservoir and ditches above by means of sluices, as already described. 

When a new block has been prepared the sluices entering it are left open, 
and it is kept flooded during the growing season, with the result that the trees, 
shrubs, and bushes growing thereon are killed. The sluices are then closed, 
the trevs and brush, if any, removed; and the cranberries that may be already 
thereon lef: to take full possession. In case of a block not sufficiently stocked 
with natural plants for the purpose, the ground is carefully fitted as for a 


39 


306 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


farm crop; a lot of rooted plants are cut into sections, which are sowed and 
harrowed in, in the usual manner of farm-sowed crops; usually with a fayor- 
able result. 

Little seems to be known respecting the status of cranberry culture in Min- 
nesota, beyond the fact that the fruit is indigenous and aburdant in its wild 
state, and that a very considerable amount is supplied to commerce. 

That it is less abundant in the wild state in Dakota and Montana can 
scarcely be chargeable to unfavorable climate, but rather to a lack of the 
peculiar conditions of soil and moisture indispensable to the growth and pros- 
perity of the plant. 

Mr. E. Reeves, of Waverly, Iowa, in a report to the State Horticultural 
Society for 1886, page 152, says, ‘‘The Highland cranberry ( Viburnum opulws) 
is not grown as much as it should be. It is a native of our part of the state 
and is perfectly hardy. It does best on a moist soil, is readily grown from 
cuttings, and bears good crops of fruit, nearly equal to that found in the 
markets.” 

The plant is indigenous as far north as British America, but is usually 
accounted but a poor substitute for that already described. This fruit, how- 
ever, seems quite unlikely to become a competitor of the ordinary cranberry. 


THE APRICOT. 


The apricot (Prunws Armeniaca), is reputed to be anative of Armenia, and 
to have been brought into southern Europe in the time of Alexander the 
Great. 

Seeds of a species (or variety?) differing, at least in hardiness, f:om the 
varieties of southern Europe were brought to this country from southern 
Russia by the Mennonites some years since. These have been generally repro- 
duced in this country, and considerably disseminated as seedlings, which are 
found to vary greatly in quality. More recently some western nurserymen 
have made selections from the best of these and haye undertaken their propa- 

ation. ; 
s The apricot has hitherto proved to be so uncertain a fruit at the north, 
that a variety of even tolerable quality, that shall prove successful north of 
the middle states, will no doubt be welcomed as an acquisition. It must, how- 
ever, be admitted that the question of the value of this new introduction any- 
where in this country, or for any purpose, is yet to be decided; while it can 
scarcely be hoped that it will succeed north of central Iowa, and possibly some 
portion of southern Michigan, where in favorable situations the more common 
varieties of this fruit tail more especially on account of very early blooming. 

Professor budd, of lowa(who is by some persons thought to be occasionally 
excessively enthusiastic respecting the prospective value of Russian fruits), 
says in a bulletin of 1885: 


We find not in Russia, however, any varieties of the apricot equal to their best plums. 
We believe the best apricots of the world, for our climate, are to be found in north 
Bokhara ind northwest China, fadding] We are sending out for trial plants of a variety 
from the hill country northwest of Pekin, China, which seems specially promising for 
the parts of the west, south of the forty-first parallel. 


Among those thus named, propagated, and catalogued are the following six 
varieties introduced by Carpenter & Gage, of Nebraska: Alexander, Alexis, 
Budd, Catharine, Gibb, and Nicholas. 


RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS, 307 


The following additional varieties are believed to have been selected and 
introduced by A. H. Griesa, of Kansas, viz: Byram, Evatt, Preib, Remer, 
and Smith. 

Although these have ostensibly been selected for propagation as stated, little 
is yet known of them beyond what is stated by their introducers, Their real 
value must depend almost wholly upon the results of extensive trial over an 
extended region. 


THE PLUM. 


The cultivated plum of the northern states (Prunus domesticx), which, ac- 
cording to Dr. Gray, is supposed to have sprung from the Sloe, is an introduc- 
tion from Europe. It proves hardy and successful from New England west- 
ward to and including the lower peninsula of Michigan, although almost uni- 
versally attacked by the curculio, which usually ruins the fruit, unless efficient 
means are employed to save it. 

The fruit is also, in many localities, attacked by what is known as ‘‘the rot,” 
which appears to be either accompanied or caused by fungus, which manifests 
itself in connection with the decay, which usually occurs just prior to the 
season of maturity, often ruining nearly or quite the entire crop of fruit. 

The foliage is also frequently attacked, toward the end of sammer, by a 
malady which causes the premature ripening and dropping of the leaves, leay- 
ing the fruit but partially grown and the wood yet immature, in which case 
the tree is often either injured or killed by the cold of the following winter. 
By some persons this malady also is attributed to the attacks of a minute or 
microscopic fungus, although no sufficient examination is known to have been 
made to determine the question. 

The branches, and occasionally even the trunk, of the tree are also liable 
to be attacked by a fungus known as black knot, and botanically as Spheria 
morbosa, which occasions unsightly protuberances, and, if neglected, is quite 
sure to ruin the tree, but which may generally be overcome by the prompt cut- 
ting away and burning of the diseased parts, to prevent the dissemination of 
the spores. 

These various maladies have proved so serious, that in many localities once 
considered favorable, the growing of this species of plums has been nearly or 
quite abandoned; although in the northern portions of lower Michigan, in 
portions of the more easterly states, as well as in Canada eastward of the 
great lakes, either from more favorable climatic influences or because the 
inducing causes have not yet reached them, this fruit is still abundantly suc- 
cessful; becoming in such localities not infrequently a very considerable 
source of revenue. 

Farther westward, either from lower extremes of temperature or a more 
arid climate, or possibly from a combination of the two, this species of plum 
fails almost wholly. 

The native plum of the south (Prunus chicasa), grows in the wild state in 
Kentucky and southwestward ; and in those regions seedlings of this, among 
which may be named several known by the common title Wild Goose, have 
been found productive and profitable under cultivation. ‘These have been 
tested at the north and found abundantly hardy; but, although they often 
bloom freely there, either from imperfection of the bloom or from other and 
unknown cause, they almost invariably prove obstinately unproductive, and 


308 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


hence worthless, unless. as some have been led to hope, this defect can be 
remedied by the adjacent planting of other pollen-producing varieties—a 
hope which as yet lacks the confirmation of actual authentic experience. 

The native plum of the north (Prunus Americana ) is indigenous from 
about latitude 38° northward, far beyond the limits of the United States. It 
is quite at home in the lowest lands and along the margins of streams where 
the lowest range of the thermometer is known to occur. It is always abund- 
antly, if not excessively, productive; and even in the regions in which the 
domestica varieties are most liable to the attacks of the curculio, this species 
mainly escapes; while in the specimens which bear the mark of the “Little 
Turk,” the larve very generally fail to develop. 

D. B. Wier, of Illinois, advances the hypothesis, which he insists is borne 
out by his own experience in the growing of this fruit, that while the curcu- 
lio freely punctures this class of plums, the larvae very rarely develop; and 
upoo this circumstance he bases the conclusion that the growing of our 
native species would probably result in the extermination of tne Little Turk. 

Although this species in its wild state can not be said to be of high quality, 
its productiveness, hardiness, and freedom from disease, seem to have direc- 
ted attention to it as a possible source of improved varieties. So far as is 
known, the only improvement as yet has been by selection. Even by this 
mode several desirable varieties have already been discovered; some of them, at 
least, possessing qualities which in value nearly approach the popular varieties 
of the domestica species. Among these may be mentioned De Sota, Wolf, Roll- 
ingstone, and Wyant, which are on trial and being dissemimated by the lowa 
Agricultural College; also Miner, Bassett, Climax, Forest Garden, Rockford, 
and other promising newer sorts in process of propagation and introduction. 
To the foregoing may be added Weaver, introduced several years since, and 
Pottawatomie, now just introduced. The last two are said to be productive 
in Iowa, where they originated. In Michigan, with but a limited trial, Wea- 
ver shows a lack of productiveness. 

There is little occasion to doubt the success of plums of this Americana 
species throughout the northwest, at least eastward of the Rockies, except, 
possibly, where the failure shall arise from a lack of the needful moisture in 
the soil. 

In his General Notes on Foreign Plums, in bulletin of 1882, Professor Budd 
says: 

The varieties of really good plums, for dessert and culinary purposes, grown in Rus- 
sia will be.a matter of surprise to visitors. Even as far north as Moscow and Kazan 
plums of fine size and quality are grown in great abundance. We have introduced a 
number of fine sorts which we are propagating and sending out for trial. Their suc- 
cess with us will not hinge on their hardiness or tendancy to produce fruit, but on their 
relative exemption from attacks of the curculio. We have much reason to believe 
that such sorts as the ked and Yellow Arab, Moldavka, Hungarian, Long Blue, Long 
Red, Long Yellow, and Skorospelka will not be injured by the Little Turk to a greater 
extent than our native sorts, as, like them, they start the fruit late, and it is developed 
with great rapidity. In no line of our experimental work do we expect more useful 
results than in our trial of the best Russian plums, 

Although the foregoing was published more than two years since, it is not 
known that any of these plums have even yet fruited in this country. The 
effect, therefore, if any, of so wide a departure in longitude, and the probably 
more marked result of a transfer southward of 14° of latitude, are yet to be 
determined ; and since the professor fails to clearly indicate the premises up- 
on which hisexpectations have been based, there is no apparent alternative 


RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS, 309 


but to wait and hope for the desirable results which he seems so confidently 
to anticipate. 

In the transactions of the Iowa Horticultural Society for 1886 the professor 
says: 

Of the Russian plums which I am testing I can say but little as yet; some of them are 
of the Lombard type in appearance. Our native varieties seem to do well such as Bas- 
sett, De Sota, Climax, Forest Garden, and Weaver. ‘The last named does not seem 
very productive. The Robinson and Marianna I have not tried long enough to speak 
intelligently about. 

In the same volume, at page 437, Mr. Burton advances the idea that— 

The Miner plum [why not others also—WRITER] ripens its pollen before the stamen 
is ready to receive it This difficulty could be obviated by planting another plum adja- 
cent, which ripens its pollen at just the right time. 

Some indications of the varieties of plum under cultivation in this region 
may be gathered from the following list. Their apparent relative popuiarity 
is indicated by the numbers attached : 

De Soto, 29; Forest Garden, 17; Miner, 15; Weaver, 9; Wolf, 7; Wild 
Goose 7; Rolling-stone, 5; Maquoketa, 4; Cheney (the earliest, 2; New- 
man, 2; Speer, 2; Marianna, 1; Robinson, 1; Harrison’s Peach, 1; Moore’s 
Arctic, 1; Van Buren, 1; Winnebago, 1; Rockwell, 1; Shaffer, 1; Lombard, 
1; Shipper’s Pride, 1; Clemmons, 1; Oglesby, 1. Several of these are 
recent introductions, and not generally known and tested. 


THE PEACH. 


The Peach (Amygdalus Persica) is reputed to be a native of Persia, and to 
have originated from the almond. The Nectarine is usually considered to be 
merely a variety of the peach with a smooth skin. It is known, in fact, that 
within a recent period certain existing varieties of the nectarine have been 
originated from seed of the peach. 

The limit northward of the peach growing region proper at the east may 
be said to be about latitude 42°; although near the sea-coast, and also in 
‘New York and in portions of Ontario, the ameliorating influence of the ocean 
and of Lake Ontario carry it somewhat above 43°. Further west, in Michi- 
gan it extends yet further north; within the more immediate influence of 
Lakes Michigan and Huron, even as far as latitude 45° 30”. Further west, and 
away from the influence of the Great Lakes, the limits of the profitable culti- 
vation of this fruit occurs much further south, probably even below 40°, or in 
southern Illinois and northern Missouri. 

At the northwestward of Lake Michigan the peach, therefor, can only be 
grown as ap exotic. There have been various efforts to devise some cheap 
and effective process for the protection of the tree against the extremes of 
cold during winter, which occasionally ruin the fruit buds and even the 
trees. So far, however, nothing effective has been devised short of actually 
laying down the trees and covering them with earth during the winter. 

Prof. J. L. Budd, in the course of his experiments with hardy European 
fruits, has imported from eastern Asia what he hopes may prove a hardier 
type of this fruit. In a college bulletin issued in 1885 he says: 

The peach does not vary as much in hardiness of varieties as the other orchard fruits 
of the temperate zone, In our experiments we have used the Wager and Hill’s Chili 
as a standard of hardiness of the old varieties, coming originally from Persia. 


Four years ago we imported plants of eleven varieties of the peach from Pekin, China, 
they having been procured for our use from the hill country northwest of Pekin. They 


310 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


have larger, thicker leaves than our common sorts, ripen their wood earlier in fall, ana 
have proven 30 per cent. hardier than our old sorts. Plants we have sent out for trial 
have stood well in south Iowa, north Missouri and Kansas. Some of them will prove 
valuable on the northern borders of the peach belt. 

Two years ago we received pits of the peach from Riga, Russia, said to have been 
brought from central Asia. The plants are now two years o)d, and show marked varia- 
tion in leaf, bud, glands of leaf, and habit of early ripening of wood, from the old 
varieties originally from Persia. 

We are now trying to secure pits from north Bokara, in Asia. the most extreme climate, 
so far as I know, where the peach is grown. The most we expect to do in thisline is to 
make peach growing possible on the northern borders of the present peach belt. 


A peach, said to be a native of China,and known as Tong- Pa, is reported to 
have been a couple of years on trial in Iowa county, in eastern Iowa; but 
with so short experience, no conclusion has yet been reached respecting its 
probable value for that locality. 

Peter M. Gideon, of Excelsior, Minn., has a small plantation of bearing 
peach trees, planted with reference to laying down and covering with earth in 
winter. In August, 1887, these were in thrifty condition, and carrying some 
fruit; having apparently been three or four years planted, and from 8 to 10 
feet in height. 


THE GRAPE. 


The grape (Vifis) is represented in Europe only by the single species 
vinifera, although since the advent of the phylloxera in the grape growing 
regions of that country importations of American species have been freely 
made, with the hope that, by their more robust habit, they may prove better 
able to resist the attacks of this new enemy. This species proves obstinately 
unsuccessful throughout the eastern United States. A very considerable 
number of our improved American varieties have nevertheless become tainted 
with this strain by hybridization and many of these seem to have derived 
desirable qualities from this source; although generally, if not always, with 
increased tendency to suffer from mildew—the chief enemy of the vinifera 
class in this country. 

Of our American species, Vitis cordifvlia—the northern frost grape—is in- 
digenous far northward of the United States. Ry modern botanists this is 
blended with or included in riparia. 

Vitis labrusca—the indigenous wild grape of New England—becomes more 
rare as we proceed westward, occurring very rarely in western New York and 
Michigan ; and, it is believed, wholly disappearing, as an indigenous growth 
further west. 

Vitis estivalis can only be said to be indigenous south of the region under 
consideration; though occasionally extending sporadically into its southern 
portions. 

Within the past thirty or forty years, in the process of improving our 
native grapes by reproduction and bringing them under cultivation, while 
there yet remain many varieties which clearly represent the original species, 
these species have in many cases become so blended by hybridization, that 
frequently nothing short of an authentic history of a variety would suffice to 
assign it its correct specific position. 

As the result of this blending and improvement, the resultant varieties have 
come to be planted indiscriminately throughout the region under consideration ; 
reference being mainly had to their probable ability to mature their fruit 


RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS. 31} 


within the season, and resort being had to protection in winter in regions in 
which very low temperatures are to be anticipated. 

Vitus vulpina (rotundifolia). which includes the Scuppernong, also candi- 
cans, cinerea, monticola, Novo Mexicana, and rupestris, are southern species, 
generally lacking hardiness at the north; few if any of them having produced 
varieties of value for northern planting. The fact that Catawba and Isabella 
grapes, perfectly ripened in the open air at Excelsior, Minn., on the banks of 
Lake Minnetonka, were awarded a premium at the New Orleans Exposition, 
was a surprise to very many, since the former especially is not, with ordinary 
surroundings, considered sure to ripen fully north of latitude 39° or 40°. 

That these varieties can be fully matured in the open air five or six degrees 
further north, would indicate that the summers there are especially favorable 
for the purpose. A visit this year to the vineyard which supplied the speci- 
mens in question showed that it is favorably situated on dry, warm soil, slop- 
ing rapidly to the east and south, and that the cultivation and pruning were 
of the best and most effective kind, rendering the laying down and covering 
of the plants (which is indispensable here) easy and effective. Under only 
ordinary circumstances, however, many varieties were in an advanced stage 
of ripeness, and ‘‘Minnetonka grapes’’ were freely offered in the markets of 
Minneapolis and Saint Paul as early as the 18th of August. 

That there is little difference between this region and those further east, 

so far as choice of varieties may be concerned, is clearly indicated by the fol- 
lowing list, the relative popularity of each variety being indicated by the 
numbers attached to each, and the varieties being those recommended in the 
discussions of societies and the reports of committees: 
_ Concord, 33; Moore, 27; Worden, 27; Delaware, 12; Pocklington, 12; Martha, 
12; Janesville, 12; Agawam. 9; Lady, 9; Cottage, 8; Brighton, 7; Salem, 6; 
Telegraph, 6; Elvira, 6; Niagara, 5; Ives, 5; Dracut Amber, 5; Lady 
Washington, 5; Empire State, 4; Wilder, 3; Woodruff Red, 3; Coe, 2; 
Karly Victor, 2; Perkins, 2; Vergennes, 2, Eumelan, 1; Barry, 1; Massasoit, 1; 
Lindley,1; Champion, 1; Jessica, 1; Florence, 1; Hartford, 1; Crevelling, 1; New 
Haven, 1; Wyoming Red, 1; Northern Muscadine, 1; Clinton, 1; Marion, 
1; Bacchus,1; Black Hawk, 1; Black Eagle, 1; Beauty,1; Red Fox, 1; El 
Dorado, 1; Jefferson, 1; Duchess, 1; Iona, 1; Rogers No. 33, 1. 

The impolicy of the very common pactice among the originators and intro- 
ducers of new varieties of sending them out under numbers is strikingly 
manifest in the almost universal custom in the northwest, in the discussions 
and reports of horticultural gatherings, to continue the use of the original 
numbers, sometimes coupled with the name, but quite frequently without 
such accompaniment, not only greatly to the inconvenience of the hearer or 
the reader of areport, but algo witha greatly increased liability to error conse- 
quent upon the use of figures. 

It would, beyond doubt, inure greatly to the convenience of all con- 
cerned, if all societies could be induced, in cases in which names exist, to 
resolutely exclude the numbers from their discussions, and especially from 
the reports of their transactions. 


THE PEAR, 


The pear of Europe and America (Pyrus communis) is indigenous in 
Europe and Asia. It bal early been subjected to cultivation in Syria, Egypt, 


312 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


and Greece, and thence introduced into Italy during the early days of Rome. 
From this species comes the great mass of our modern varieties, although 
there are other species, among which are the Aurelian (Pyrus salvifolia), a 
native of France; the Snowy pear (Pyrws nivalis), a native of Australia, 
neither of which are represented among our cultivated varieties, and the Sand 
pear (Pyrus sinensis), a native of China and Cochin-China, from which, by 
hybridization with P. communis, the modern Le Conte, Kieffer, and others 
are supposed to have originated. 

Between March, 1879, and some time in 1884, Proffessor Budd, as the 
representative of the lowa Agricultural College, made no less than twelve 
importations of pear trees or scions from different localities in Russia 
(including Poland) and Germany; also an importation from northwestern 
China. ' 

The varieties included in these importations number sixty-three, although 
an uncertain number will probably prove to be duplicates. In publishing 
lists of the varieties thus introduced the professor remarks: ’ 

Our experiments with the pear mainly date from the time of our visit to east Europe, 
in 1882, 

With some of the varieties of central and east Russia our progress has been slow, as 
the scions had not been packed properly for so long a journey. Yet we now have 
specimen plants of most of the varieties specially attracting our attention as likely to 
prove valuable for culinary or dessert uses, and we have sent out for trial many plants 
of the most promising sorts. 

Our soil is not favorable for the pear; hence we used our first planted trees in arough 
way, by taking off all the new wood each year for scions. This treatment, combined 


with thesevere weather of the last two winters, has given us correct notions as to the 
relative hardiness of varieties. 


At the annual meeting of the Iowa Horticultural Society in January, 1887, 
Hon. C. L. Watrous, reporting for the vicinity of Des Moines, Iowa, says: 
Of pears there are not enough trees to count. Young trees of Seedless seem healthy 


and free from blight. Whether they will bear fruit, or what may be its quality, we 
know not, but live in hopes. 


Andrew Peterson, of Carver county, southern Minnesota, during the sum- 
mer of 1886, had several varieties of Russian pear and apple from his native 
country, Sweden; but, judging from appearances, he deemed those from Rus- 
sia the most promising tor Minnesota. In January, 1887, he reported the 
Russian pear trees as showing no injury up to that date; while of sixty varie- 
ties imported from Sweden one only is sufficiently hardy for Minnesota. 

Professor Porter, of the Minnesota Agricultural College, reports a few Rus- 
sian pears as On trial at that institution, near Minneapolis, where they give 
promise of much value. 

The seedless pear (Bessemianka) is also reported to be on trial at Ramsey, 
McCook county, Dakota. 

A few pear trees grown from seeds brought from Russia by the Mennonites, 
are said to be growing in southwestern Minnesota. 

Professor Budd, in January, 1887, said: 

I believed six years ago, and am stronger in the belief now, that east Europe has 
‘many sorts of pear, cherry, and plum which would give perfect satisfaction in the north 
half of Iowa, and some in Minnesota and the north half of Dakota. 

It is feared by many that the transplacing of Russian fruits to the much 
lower latitude of Iowa may greatly affect their season of maturity, and that 
it may even injuriously affect their quality, and, by possibility, their hardi- 
1.es3; but the season of ripening may be deemed less important with this fruit 


RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS. 313 


‘than with the apple. These influences will therefore be more fully considered 
in connection with that fruit. 

In advance of athorough trial, Professor Budd expresses the conviction that 
a very considerable number of the varieties imported will prove hardy as far 
north as central lowa, while a few of them, among which he names Seedless, 
Gakovsk, and others are considered to be adapted to a wider, though yet in- 
definite, range northward. Careful and extended experiment, such as he is 
understood to have already in progress, can only surely determine the correct- 
ness of these suppositions. Meantime he suggests a resort to the artificial 
crossing of the best and hardiest of the older and well-known varieties upon 
the most promising of these foreigners, with the hope of improvement possibly 
in both quality and hardiness. 

Speaking with reference to southwestern Iowa, he remarks: 

With regard to Chinese pears, those who have condemned them get their trees from 
New Jersey or about Philadelphia, From such experience we are all inclined to con- 
-demn Chinese pears. On the college grounds they came through allright. 1 do not 
mean the Sand pear, but the Snow pear. Some of them I can recommend for this part. 
of the state. 

We have Snow pear tre2s from northwest of Pekin. Eugene Simons sent fifteen 
varieties of Snow pear from Chinato Metz, France. I was there when these were bear- 
ing and the pears ripe. Some of them are hardy enough for this part of Lowa; and I 
-do not know how much further north they will endure the climate. 


The Professor, on another occasion, says: 


“Our pear, coming from southern Europe, is subject to blight here, but not there; 
which shows that they are not adapted to our country. We can start from seedlings 
-and work up our pears. But even this is not necessary. We have a sadly misused 
pear tree on the college farm that made during the past year, from 3 to 5 feet of growth, 
which is entirely hardy and an abundant bearer. This pear has stood everywhere, 
without any blight, im northern Dakota, near the Rocky mountains and all over the 
northwest. We also have other pears which are hardy and fruitful. 


In the Prairie Farmer of September 17, 1887, the professor says: 

On general principles, I can say that Bezi de la Motte, St. Ghislain, and Flemish 
Beauty will be likely to do as well as any of the oldsorts, Of the newer pears from 
Russia, the Seedless and Gakovsk are as promising as any for home use or market. 

It is understood that the last two varieties have not yet fruited in this 
country. If so, it must be inferred that the foregoing conclusion, involving 
their productiveness and the quality of the fruit, as well as the vigor and 
hardiness of the trees, is based mainly upon his knowledge of their perform- 
ances in their original locality. Except upon a statement of the reasons for 
such conclusion, in such case it must be assumed to be rather suppositional 
than conclusive. 

A society report from southwestern Iowa, made in 1886, says the pear crop 
there is a failure, most of the trees being nearly dead. 

Mr. Denlinger, of Dubuque county, is reported as having on trial the 
Arctic pear, a Russian variety, which in 1885 made a growth of 3 feet. He 
also had the Keiffer on trial. 

In 1886 the Dubuque society recommended the Longworth pear (a variety 
very little known) as worthy of trial, also the Seedless and Gakoysk, two of 
Professor Budd’s importations from Russia. 

Circumstances would indicate that these recommendations were probably 
made rather on account of the apparent hardiness of the trees than from a 
‘definite knowledge of the quality of the fruit as produced in this country. 

An additional indication of the uncertainty of the more common yarieties 


314 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


of this fruit even in eastern Iowa, occurs in a paper by John Evens, read 
before the Union Horticultural Society in 1886, as follows: 

I have planted many pear trees, mostly standards, but have not fruited very many- 
Could get them to grow well for a few years, or until they were old enough to bear, 
and then the blight would take them. I have had the best success with Bartlett, 
Flemish Beauty, Sheldon, Tyson, Buffum, Seckel, White Doyenne, Anguoleme, and 
Lawrence. 

Secretary Hammond, of the Illinois State Horticultural Society, names 
Flemish Beauty, Anjou, and Tyson as haying proved hardy in the northern 
portion of that State. 

Dr. T. H. Uoskins, of northern Vermont in the American Garden for 
September, 1887, says of the new Russian pears: 

Whatever may be the individual or class merit of these pears as dessert fruit (and we 
are not likely to find many, if any, equal to the best of our old varieties among them), 
they are yet remarkably interesting as a class, not only for the superior hardiness 
against cold and drouth, but also from the fact that they introduce a distinctly new 
strain of blood, so to speak, and one which, by crossing upon those we already have, is 
likely to give us some superivr varieties. The firm, glossy foliage, not so thick and firm 
as that of the Chinese, but yet tending that way, indicates a strong resistant power, 
not only against heat and dryness, but also against insects and fungi. In the many 
years I have been trying in vain to discover one pear which I could grow successfully 
in northeastern Vermont, one of the most. discouraging things I have noted about all 
of them (except Keiffer and Le Conte) has been the defective character of the leafage. 
Indeed I think that if it were not for this insurmountable difficulty we already have 
pears hardy enough to grow much farther north than they are with success. Without 
healthy leaves there cannot be thoroughly matured wood; and it is the weakness con- 
sequent upon this which I think has prevented my success with such ‘‘almost hardy” 
pears as Onondaga, Clapp’s Favorite, Jackson, Flemish Beauty, and Grand Isle. They 
endure, as it is, all but our severest winters, and therefore it seems to me that if we 
could give them a better leaf we could grow them successfully. Now it happens that 
some of the Russian pears reported to pe best in quality are also the hardiest and have 
the best foliage. A cross of Seedless, Sapreganka, Dula, Tonkovietka, or Pasovka upon 
our hardiest sorts named above might confer upon the seed!ings that better leaf which 
is so greatly needed. I trust that some enthusiastic pear-growers may be sufticiently 
interested in the matter to be willing to make these crosses and grow the resulting seed- 
lings to fruitage. This can only be done by those so situated as to be able to grow and. 
fruit both kinds, which we of the ‘“‘cold North” are unable to do. 


This last conclusion is but partially true, since even at the ‘‘cold north”’ 
these new iron-clads may be grown to fruituge and the bloom fertilized with 
pollen from milder climes. 

flow far north the pear may be successfully grown in America is a problem 
the solution of which can only be fully accomplished in the remote future. 
Although there is a popular notion that a plant may be gradually brought to 
endure a climate more exacting than that to which it was originally adapted, 
experience has long since shown that the capacity for such variation, so far 
as varieties are concerned, lies within very narrow limits. The process 
through which important results of this character are to be accomplished 
must rather be the more tardy one or reproduction and selection, either arti- 
ficial or natural, through which all the wide adaptations of both animal and 
vegetable life have been wrought. 

By the light of science, aided by intelligent manipulation, the otherwise 
tardy process of natural selection—the survival of the fittest—may, beyond a. 
question, be greatly hastened. !’oubtless, mainly through natural processes, 
these Russian fruits haye been brought to an adaptation to that climate not 
originally inherent in thespecies: and their introduction to the trying climate 
of our central prairie region thus affords to us a vantage-ground—an ad vanced 
starting-point—from which results desirable to us may ‘perchance be sooner 


RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS. : 315 


reached, since it may be fairly assumed that their surroundings here of cli- 
mate and soil can not be completely identical with those whence they were 
taken; and, if so, that new characteristics, only to be acquired through repro- 
duction and selection, are likely to bz found needful for their proper adap- 
tation to the new surroundings. 

Viewedeven in this light, the labors of Messrs. Budd and Gibb must be 
deemed to be of great value to the pomology of the north, since even should 
these introductions fail to realize the sanguine hopes of the introducers, they 
will surely afford the foundation, otherwise wanting, upon which the more 
certainly and rapidly to build a satisfactory superstructure in a nearer future. 


THE APPLE. 


The apple of Europe and America (Pyrus malus) was introduced in North 
America from Europe by the early settlers. It is believed to have sprung 
from the wild crab of Europe, and was extensively cultivated by the Romans, 
who are supposed to have introduced it into England, whence it was brought 
to this country. The Siberian crab (Pyrus baccata), in various improved 
- forms, is more or less common in this country, especially in regions in which 
superior hardiness ig requisite. A kindred species, known botanically as 
Pyrus prunifola, is also a native of Siberia. China also has an allied 
species, known as Pyrus spectabilis. 

Our wild and uneatable native crab (Pyrus coronaria) is common in the 
northern United States, and a species known as Pyrus rivularis occurs west 
of the Rocky Mountains. The dwarf, or Paradise apple, used mainly as a. 
stock for dwarfing the apple, is considered to be a avariety of the common 
apple. 

1. In treating the subject with more especial reference to the apple, it 
appears more convenient to consider the region in question as divided into 
districts. In so doing it seems proper to commence at the east, designating 
northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maiue as the northeast- 
ern district. 

While the Champlain valley is found to be more congenial to fruit culture 
that most other regions in that latitude and vicinity, the favored location is 
of but limited extent. Throughout northern New York, Vermont, and New 
Hampshire generally the climate is quite too severe for the great mass of 
popular apples, fameuse here being one of the most satisfactory of such, 
although even this is by no means exempt from occasional injury in winter, 
while its tendency to scab and crack is a serious drawback upon its useful- 
ness. There is in this northern region an apparent improvement in the 
texture and glossiness of its foliage, which may be supposed to the more per- 
fectly adapt it to a dry climate, as well as to increase its ability to fully mature 
its wood in preparation for the occasionally exceptional severity of winter. 
Even with such preparation, however, it occasionally fails to withstand the 
trials of a crucial winter, and for these reasons there is here as elsewhere an 
anxious casting about for a hoped-for substitute. 

Several recent varieties have been tested by Dr..T. H. Hoskins, of New- 
port, Vermont, and others, among which Scott’s Winter, at present, is 
thought to be the most promising, at least for the region in question. 

The importations by the Agricultural Department at Washington, and 
the more recent ones by the Agricultural College of Iowa, have been we tched 


316 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


with great interest here, and many of the varieties have been or are being 
tested. Mr. Charles Gibb, of Abbotsford, Quebec, was the associate of Profes- 
sor Budd in his expedition to central and eastern Europe for the purpose of 
studying varieties and climates, and it is understood that he has since made 
a second visit to that region upon the same business. 

For the purpose of. as far as practicable, adapting the, to us, unpronounce- 
able pomological nomenclature of Russia to the needs of English-speaking 
people, the American Pomological Society, at its meeting at Grand Rapids, 
Michigan, in 1885, constituted Mr. Gibb a committee of one to revise and, 
when needful, to Anglicize the names of these introduced varieties; an 
onerous and perplexing task, which he has now completed; his final report 
having been made at the recent meeting of that society at Boston. 

The pomology of the sea-board portion of the state of Main is so affected 
by oceanic influences that it does not differ very widely from that of southern 
New England. The more northern interior is yet a new and comparatively 
unimproved region, in which fruit culture is yet in a comparatively crude 
state. It is understood, upon the authority of Dr. Hoskins, that there exists 
there an extensive tract of lake country well adapted to the cultivation of 
the apple—it being moderately elevated, with convenient access by river navi- 
gation to the sea-board. Its pomology, when developed, may be expected to 
assimilate somewhat closely with that of the adjacent inland province of 
Quebec, which does not differ very widely from that of the extreme northern 
portions of western New England. 

2. The district of the Great Lakes includes central and western New York, 
and thence westward to and including the lower peninsula of Michigan. 

So varied are the local influences of the great lakes westward of eastern New 
York and thence to Wisconsin and Minnesota, modified as such influences 
are by the direction of prevailing winds, that a climatic division of this region 
upon parallels of latitude become impracticable. 

In central and western New York, and equally in the lower peninsula of 
Michigan, these influences are so far equivalent to the oceanic influences 
which modify the climate of southern and eastern New England, that their 
pomology is practically indentical, and may therefore be considered as mainly 
without the scope of the subject under consideration. 

3. The Wisconsin lake district includes a comparatively limited region in 
Wisconsin, lying along the western shore of Lake Michigan, which derives a 
very perceptible climatic advantage from such proximity, which would doubt- 
less be fully the equivalent of that realized upon the eastern shore, but for 
the fact that the prevailing winds of that region are westerly, bringing an in- 
creased tendency to drought and to paroxysms of cold in winter which reach 
the region without the mellowing influences of the open waters of Lake Michi- 
gan; thus creating a climate intermediate between that of the Upper Missis- 
sippi valley and that of the lake region proper. 

4. The Lake Superior district, including the upper peninsula of Michigan, 
together with a strip of northern Wisconsin along the south shore of Lake 
Superior. Although extending northward beyond the parallel of 47°, this 
district is yet so favorably affected in climate by the surrounding lakes, that 
it escapes some of the severity of the climate of regions upon that parallel 
further west. 

Although fruit culture has so far received but slight attention there, the 
experience already had indicates, as may have bee. inferred from its la ustrine 


RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS. 317 


surroundings and the direction of prevailing winds, especially in winter, that 
the climate becomes less desirable for such purpose as we proceed westward 
until we pass beyond the lake influence, and come within the typical climate 
of the western plains. | 

C. D. Lawton, of Lawton, Mich., who has spent much time in the upper 
peninsula of Michigan, states that fair apples are grown there, and that there 
are many fine trees which sometimes bear well. There is abundance of pluma, 
when frosts do not catch the bloom in spring. They are mostly wild red 
plums, although the cultivated varieties seem equally successful where tried. 

Pears do pretty well also; at least he has seen trees loaded with excellent 
fruit, which matured nicely. 

He never elsewhere saw Karly Richmond cherry trees more heavily loaded 
with fruit than there, wherever they have been planted. The branches needed 
to be propped up to prevent breaking under the loads of fruit. Currants, 
goos berries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries abound. 

Although this is a cold country, it has much good soil well adapted to root 
crops, as well as to many of the hardy fruits, which will doubtless be success- 
fully grown as soon as agriculture shall become a staple industry. 

At the Chippewa county fair in 1880 a fine display of apples was made, 
grown from trees of hardy varieties obtained from a Minnesota nursery. In 
Delta county the last stat» census reports a ten acre orchard of bearing peach 
trees. Marinette, the half-breed granddaughter of an Indian chief, is said to 
have planted the first apple orchard in Menominee county, which is stil! in 
bearing. C. D Lawton has seen, at L’Anse, Baraga county, fine apples of 
Fameuse, and some of Russian and other hardy varieties, as well as an abun- 
dance of other hardy fruits. Trees from the head of Lake Superior, includ- 
ing Oldenburg, Wealthy, Siberian crab, and others were planted in this 
county in 1862, which are yet doing well and producing fair crops of fruit. 
Mr. Lawton also reports hardy apples and other fruits successful in Ontonagon 
county. The state census of 1884 reports 94 acres of apple orcharding in the 
upper peninsula. 

Owing doubtless to the influence of the surrounding waters, the orchards 
of the peninsula are exempt from,blight, or at least so nearly so that the 
malady attracts no attention. 

5. Since westward of the districts heretofore described there are few if any 
local influences which essentially modify the climate, the southern prairie 
district will consist of northern Illinois, and the south two-thirds of Iowa, all 
of Nebraska, and the south half of Wyoming. 

6. The intermediate prairie district will include the south half of Wiscon- 
sin (westward of the Lake district), the north one-third of Iowa, the south 
one-third of Minnesota and Dakota, with the north half of Wyoming. 

7. The northern prairie district incudes northern Wisconsin, (omitting the 
Lake Superior region), the north two-thirds of Minnesota’and Dakota, and 
all of Montana. 


BLIGHT AND LACK OF ABILITY TO WITHSTAND THE HOT DRY AIR OF THE 
SUMMERS OF THE WEST AND NORTH. 


In the earlier days of apple culture in the northern United States, what is 
now known as blight seems to have been unknown, or if known, to have been 
confined to the pear. Even at the present day apple-tree blight, where 


318 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


known at all from Michigan eastward, has not proved specially troublesome. 
Only further west, under ; greater extremes of heat, cold, and aridity, has the 
malady proved serious and even fatal. 

A singular, and to some at least an unexpected, circumstance is, that it 
becomes even more virulent and fatal as we go northward. Practically 
unknown in Europe, it in many cases proves fatal to varieties introduced from 
that country in our interior American climate. 

Apparently akin to the blight so often fatal to the pear, like that insidious 
malady, it has so far eluded the discovery of either the cause or cure; 
although the comparative exemption of the east and the Lake region of the 
west including the cold but moist region of upper Michigan together with 
the observed fact its outward manifestation usually occurs during the heat of 
the day, strongly indicate that both heat and aridity may be essential to its 
effective existence. It may also be reasonably inferred that a lack of hardi- 
ness in winter may not infrequently be due to the lack of maturity conse- 
quent upon loss of foliage from blight in summer. 


HARDINESS IN WINTER. 


Just what peculiarities of composition and structure go to constitute the 
quality of wood-growth, known as hardiness, seems yet to be an unsolved 
problem. It is nevertheless quite well understood that in the case of the 
apple tree, now under consideration, it becomes necessary that the season’s 
growth shall have been thoroughly perfected; that the maturing processes 
shall have been completed, and that the whole be done well in advance of 
winter; in other words, that a hardy tree must be one whose growth is quite 
sure to be thoroughly ripened well within the proper season. 

Aiming to secure results of this character for his state, as well as for the 
north generally, Peter M. Gideon, of Excelsior, Minn., some twenty-three 
years since commenced the process of reproduction and selection, using the 
Siberian crab as the basis of his operations. ‘The following is extracted from 
his report to the Minnesota State Horticultural Society in January, 1887, as 
superintendent of the State Experimental Fruit Farm, which, although per- 


_ haps over enthusiastic, yet gives a correct idea of the processes employed:. 

It is with pleasure that 1 comply with your request to give my views on Russian and 
seedling apples. The seedling has been my hobby for the last sixteen years, and the 
success attained gives me hope that not far in the future the cold northwest will be one 
of the leading apple growing districts of North America. 

Twenty-three years ago | planted a few cherry-crab seeds, obtained of Albert Emer- 
son, Bangor, Me., and from those seeds I grew the Wealthy apple; in seven years it 
fruited, and that fruit convinced me that the true road to success was in crossing the 
Siberian crab with the common apple, and on that line I have operated ever since, with 
results surpassing My most sanguine expectations. I did not suppose that in the short 
space of sixteen years, the time since the Wealthy first fruited, that 1 should have 
more than twenty first-class apples, as good as the world can produce, in succession 
from the Ist of August to March, and in hardiness of tree surpassing all known varieties 
of the common large apple. But it is done, and in the doing, the problem is solved as 
to what to do and how to do it, with the material at hand with which to attain yet 
greater results. At the outset it was test and try; but now that the problem is solved, 
it is onward, with great results certain. 

When I say we have twenty first-class apples, that does not include all that are worthy 
of cultivation by any means. And now, with such results and only a few thousand 
trees fruited at the end of sixteen years, what may we not expect at the end of the 
next sixteen years with 20,000 or 30,000 choice selected trees from the very best of seed 
which are not yet fruited, and the seed of over 100 bushels of choice apples planted this 
fall, all to fruit in a few years. Then on planting the seed of the best each year, soon 


s 


RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS. 319 


the choice varieties will count into the hundreds, and the great northwest will be the 
fruit paradise of America. 

To get the desired cross we plant the selected varieties in close proximity, so that the 
natural flow of pollen will the more surely do the desired fertilizing, and the seed thus 
produced is planted, the most promising of the seedlings selected and set in orchards 
for fruiting, and after fruiting the best in tree and fruit is selected from which to grow 
seeds to try again, and so on; at each repetition I find there isagain. The young trees 
that fruited this year for the first gave a larger percentage of first-class than any lot 
ever fruited before. 

By crossing and judicious selection we retain the hardiness of the crab in the tree 
without the crab thorns, and on top grow large apples without the astringericy of the 
parent crab. And yet by the commingling of the two natures we get an exquisite 
flavor not found in any other class of apples, especially so when made into sauce. But 
our triumph is not yet completed. We must—we can, fill up the balance of the year 
with a continued succession of luscious apples. There is no question as to the certainty 
of such aresult. The past is a guaranty that it can be done. 

But the proper cross can not be got in Minnesota—a fact clearly demonstrated in the 

extensive and expensive trials that have been made in the last nine years in the state 
orchard. And here let me state that the seedling is inclined to ripen its fruit at or 
near the time the parent apple did from which the seed was taken; hence the need of 
seed from long keepers to grow thesame. There are no long keepers of the best quality 
yet found that are hardy enough to fruit in Minnesota; but we can take our best hardy 
seedling farther south, where the long keepers can be grown and there get the cross, 
and then bring our seed here to grow, and test the hardiness of the tree and the quality 
-of fruit. We want first-class apples, and to get them we must use first-class parentage, 
and even then scullions will be numerous, from the fact that all varieties of apples are 
mongrels of many degrees of crossing, and the various relations will crop out in a 
multitude of forms. But past successis a guaranty for the future, that out of the many 
some will be good. Our seedlings will average in quality with Hyslop and | rans- 
cendent; but those of first-class, such as we propagate, stand about one to five hundred, 
as hardy as Duchess and Wealthy, and of the extreme hardiest about one to fifteen 
hundred. 

Two years ago this winter was the first time the Duchess and Wealthy were seriously 
hurt, and a like fate befell all the Russians on our grounds, so that not a Russian set 
an apple on our grounds the next year, whilst alongside of them our seedlings carried 
a fair crop, some of them profuse, and this year all bore heavy crops;showing beyond a 
question that the crab infusion is to be the foundation of successful fruit culture in the 
northwest. Tite state orchard yielded about 100 bushels of apples this year, all of 
which being off our own seedlings; all else of value failed two years ago this winter. 
This fall we planted the seed of over 100 bushels of choice apples, to grow for experi- 
mental purposes. 


Among the numerous varieties thus originated by Mr. Gideon he nanes 
Lou, August, Florence, Cherry Red, Excelsior, September, Martha, Octob-r, 
Wealthy, Gideon, Peter, and January as especially desirable, and as supplying 
a succession from the Ist of August to March. 

Feeling the importance of being able at the earliest possible moment to 
supply an ample assortment of varieties adapted to the climate, not only are 
prominent fruit growers watching carefully such local seedlings as come to 
their knowledge, but horticultural societies also are aiding the work by the 
appointing of committees and in various other ways. 

At the annual meeting of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, in 
January, 1887, a black-list, consisting of semi-hardy varieties ‘“‘that it may be 
considered especially dangerous to recommend for planting in large quanti- 
ties,” was adopted, as follows: Mann, Bethel, Walbridge, Fall Queen ( Haas), 
Pewaukee, Alexander, Borsdorf, Northern Spy, Salome, Utter’s Red, Fameuse, 
Wolf River. 

At present many are probably looking earnestly to the newly-imported Rus- 
sian apples to supply the deficiency; but wha’ever shall bz the measure of 
their success, actual trial alone can demonstrate their ability to meet and sup- 
ply 80 extreme a want. 


320 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


The Iowa Agricultural College, from the outset, seems to have made an. 
earnest effort for the development of the horticulture, and especially the pom- 
ology of the state. An early step in this direction was the planting of an ex- 
tensive orchard, comprising the varieties at the time considered hardy in the 
state. ‘The increased severity of subsequent winters began to tell upon it,. 
and when it began to show serious signs of failure, another plantation was 
made of iron-clads, to be top grafted with such varieties as were reputed to 
be specially hardy. Among these were a considerable number of local seed- 
lings, which had acquired special reputation for hardiness. These were in- 
terspersed with some selected Russian varieties, thus affording a comparative 
trial of the two. In the summer and fall of 1887 many of these last were 
bearing fine crops, while, as stated by Professor Budd, the recent exceptional. 
winters had almost wholly swept away the supposed hardy natives interspers- 
ed among them, whilethe remains of the older orchard were being dug out 
and burned. 

Doubtless, under the influence of discouragements akin to those already 
described, Mr. A. G. Tuttle,of Baraboo, Wis., imported scions of Russian 
apples probably as early as 1866 or 1867, which he proceeded to propagate, 
test, and disseminate. To these he subsequently added varieties from other 
and later importations, so that he now has a very considerable orchard exclu- 
sively of Russian varieties in full bearing. 

A visit to this orchard in August last found several of the earliest varieties 
already past season, while others were ripe or rapidly approaching maturity, 
affording apparent ground for the claim that, owing to change of latitude, 
or other cause, there isamong them a d-ficiency of long keepers. However- 
this may be, the trees which had withstood. the trials of the recent severe win-- 
ters were almost universally sound and healthy, excepting that a very consid- 
erable number of them gave evidence of the effect of blight upon the younger 
branches during the past summer. 

The healthy condition of this orchard (and the same is true of at least 
another in the vicinity) was in strong contrast with that of other trees upon 
the same premises, except of such of our native varieties as have usually 
been considered very hardy, such as Fameuse, Willow, Ben Davis, Grime’s 
Golden, and others, many of which showed serious, if not even fatal, injury, 
doubtless the effect of the trying winters already referred t». 

The U. S. Department of Agriculture also, in 1870, made an importation 
of scious from Russia, of which a list of numbered varieties is published. and 
the scions widely distributed for trial. The Russian names were so difficult 
of pronunciation,that even yet they are very commonly referred to by numbors. 

An early test of a very considerable number of these, including perhaps: 
some of their own importations, was made by Ellwanger & Barry, of Rochester, 
N. Y., by the planting and fruiting of them in their trial grounds. 

An examination of these in fruit, in company with W. C. Barry, early in 
September, 1883, showed nearly all these, even then, fully ripe or already 
over-ripe; and the quality, without exception, proved to be so low, that the 
general conviction was that their chief yalne must be supposed to consi-t in 
their ability to transmit their probable hardiness to a progeny of new origina- 
tions of higher quality. 

In 1878 or 1879 the authorities of the Iowa State Agricultural College 
deputed Prof. J. L. Budd to arrange for the importation of trees, plants, and) 
scions from localities in central and eastern Europe in which, from similarity 


RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS. 321 


of soil, climate, etc., he might hope to obtain varieties adapted to the conditions 
occurring in Iowa and other portions of the northwest. 

In pursuance of this purpose, the professor, in company with Mr. Charles 
Gibb, of Abbotsford, Quebec, made a lengthened visit to central and eastern 
Europe, extending their trip as far as the valley of the upper Volga, where, 
in most essential particulars, the climate is nearly akin to that of the valleys 
of the upper Mississippi and Missouri. As the result of such visit and exam- 
inations, beesides other fruits, shrubbery, forest, and ornamental trees, no 
less than nineteen importatigns of apples were made between May, 1879, and 
January, 1885, from various localities in Russia, Portland, Germany, and 
Austria. 

These, together with those secured from the importations of others, have 
been extensively propagated at the college, and the product widely dissemi- 
nated, at a nominal charge, for trial throughout the northwest, so far as 
their success seemed probable, but under an arrangement providing for care- 
ful reports of results. 

Complaint is made by President C. G. Patten, of the Iowa State Horti- 
cultural Society, and by others as well, that some of the Russian apples are 
slow growers—a peculiarity which may with some of them prove to be consti- 
tutional, having, as they had, their origin at the extreme north, where, 
doubtless owing to the shortness of the growing season, together with the 
unusually arid climate, the tree under continued propagation from seed 
assumed a permanently dwarfish condition, not likely to become changed by 
the transmission of the variety to a different climate—a fact likely to prove 
equally true so far as hardiness also is concerned; although it must be con- 
ceded that in this particular there may be, at least, apparent exceptions, since 
at Des Moines, on the grounds of Hon. C. L. Watrous, were found a con- 
siderable number of what are considered to be among the hardiest and most 
desirable of the Russian apples, trees of which, four or five years planted, 
when cut through, were found to be more or less black-hearted, and many 
of them quite past the possibility of successful growth and permanent useful- 
ness. Similar cases of obvious winter killing in the cases of older bearing 
trees of Russian apples were also seen upon the grounds of A. W. Sias, of 
Rochester, Minn., ag well as in another extensive orchard in that vicinity, 
and also upon the grounds of President Patten. 

A change of latitude, accompanied, as it must necessarily be, by a change 
of climate, and especially in going southward, by lengthening of the growing 
season, must necessarily change the season of ripening, at least in the case of 
a winter fruit. This is a well known result of such migration of our native 
fruits, which must prove equally true of these importations, although the 
extent of such variation can only be surmised in advance of actual trial. 

There is also in America, and doubtless likewise in Europe, an unmistak- 
able modification of the character of fruits, doubtless due to modified 
climate, when transferred inland, even without change of latitude; but just 
how much of such change may be due to greater aridity, higher or lower 
average temperature, more violent extremes, deficient moisture in the soil, or 
to variations of soil, is a problem too complex for satisfactory solution under 
these varying circumstances; while a change in the season of maturity and 
possibly the variation of the quality of fruit may be anticipated, and the 
probable direction of such variation foreseen, its amount, whether in season 
or quality, can only be determined by actual trial. 


41 


322 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


While, therefore, there are in many minds grave doubts as to the sound- 
ness of the opinions put forth by Professor Budd and others respecting the 
sufficiency of the Russian apples to meet and supply the present lack, such 
doubts seem mainly to turn upon the question, whether, wnder so extended a 
transplacing, they are likely to sufficiently retain their original long-keeping 
qualities. In this connection it is perhaps due to the professor to state that, 
while he does not deny the objectionable modification of the earlier importa- 
tions of Russian apples as to the season of ripening, he urges that these were 
west Russian or sea-board varieties; and that the varieties from the interior, 
where the climate is more nearly that of the prairie regions, have been but 
recently imported, and that they yet lack time to show results. He insists 
that among these there is good reason to anticipate a sufficient supply of long 
keepers. 

Since these experiments are being conducted at the south (latitude 42°), 
the objection of pre-maturity may be expected to become less and less as we 
go northward, where the chief question becomes that of sufficient hardiness. 

The blight of the apple tree, if not wholly unknown in New England and 
New York, is at least so little known as scarcely to excite remark; while in 
Michigan it rarely attacks a tree below the growth of the current year, and 
not even that to such extent as to effect serious injury. As we go westward 
the malady becomes increasingly troublesome beyond Lake Michigan, increas- 
ing in virulence westward, and especially northward. At 20 miles from the 
lake, in Wisconsin, it occasions more or less injury; while at Baraboo, mid- 
way across the state, it becomes increasingly troublesome, occasional trees 
being nearly or quite ruined by it. In northern Iowa and southern Minne- 
sota it is quite as prevalent and injurious. Still further north, at Excelsior, 
Peter M. Gideon finds it very troublesome upon crab seedlings, while his 
orchard of Russian apples has been utterly ruined by it. 

From all the circumstances it seems highly probable that there may at 
least be a climatic predisposing cause. If so, there would probably be 
between the apparently similar climates of central North America and east- 
ern Europe some occult difference which has so far eluded observation, since 
this malady, so prevalent and destructive in the former, is said to be practi- 
cally unknown in the latter. 

The number of varieties included in these several importations of apples 
can not be less than 350. If, among these, a dozen, or even a half dozen, 
satisfactory long keepers shall occur, in addition to to the earlier ones already 
tested, the undertaking will doubtless be felt to be amply justified, to say 
nothing of the means acquired for the origination of a better, because hardier 
race of fruit in the future. 

Mr. Lyon here gives a tabulated list of about 400 Russian apples, as re- 
ported by Chas. Gibb to the American Pomological Society, indicating the 
degree of their success in the several districts, and continues: 

It is quite generally conceded that these Russian importations have yielded 
several early varieties of apple fully equal, if not in some respects superior, to 
any of our older native varieties of similar season, and that these are hence 
likely to prove valuable eyen in regions in which their superior hardiness is 
not specially important. 

The most serious complaint respecting these importations as a whole is 
found in the fact that in the latitude of southern central Iowa, to which they 
come mainly from a region lying from 8° to 12° further north, the transfer 


RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS. 323 


to a more southern and longer summer so hastens the maturity of their fruit, 
that the most of them become late summer and autumn fruits, failing parti- 
ally, if not wholly, of a winter supply, which would be more specially desir- 
able. 

Although the full import of such change can only be determined upon the 
general distribution and fruiting of these introductions, which must yet re- 
quire several years, this claim (which receives more or less confirmation from 
the fruiting of some of the earlier introductions) finds much support from 
the behavior of our native varieties, when thus transferred, even for short 
distances, within our own country. 

It is urged, on the other hand, that while southern lowa and Nebraska can 
depend with more or less certainty upon their ability to produce a supply of 
this fruit from some of the hardiest of our American varieties, further north 
these utterly fail, and that in such localities, even including whole states and 
territories, the question, practically is, apples or no apples, while with their 
shorter seasons the objection of pre-maturity partially or wholly disappears. 

It is also very forcibly urged that the objections are being made upon results 
from the earlier importations, which mainly came from near the sea-coast, 
where the climate differs widely from that of the steppes, whence the later 
and mainly untested importations haye come; also that the alleged pre- 
maturity can not be properly estimated by degrees of latitude, but rather by 
isotherms; and that from this standpoint, if we trace the lines of equal sum- 
mer temperature (as a guide to determine the relative seasons of ripening), 
the season of central Iowa will be found to correspond with that of the region 
in southeastern Russia, 10° or 20° further north, whence the mass of these 
later importations came. 

In urging this consideration, Professor Budd insists that ‘‘so far as the 
winter apples of south central Russia have yet fruited in Iowa, they prove as 
good keepers as in their native home. In like manner, our samples of fruits 
and our reports from our many trial stations north show that the apples from 
provinces in Russia farther north than Saratoy mature almost exactly in 
accordance with the lines of summer heat traced by Professor Dove across the 
two continents.’ 

Should the conclusion be accepted that the season of maturity is depend- 
ent rather upon thermal lines than upon parallels of latitude, it appears 
equally probable that variations of flavor or quality are similarly affected. 
Although this may lack the authority of a determinate conclusion, it may be 
supposed to warrant the inference that the recognized deficiency of quality 
in the sea-coast varieties first imported was the result of causes not to be pred- 
icted of those more recently introduced, which may, in such case, be 
expected to more nearly retain their pristine characteristics. For these 
reasons, if for no others, it would seem wise to give to these the benefit of a 
full and fair trial before sitting in judgment upon them. 

Here follow several pages of quotations from growers throughout the 
Northern States, giving their experience with Russian and our own hardier 
varieties of apple. 


THE QUINCE. 


The common quince (Cydonia vulgaris) is indigenous in southern Europe 


* and eastern Asia. It is said to have first attracted attention in the island of 


Crete, from the ancient name of which its botanical title is derived. It issuc- 


324 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


cessful in New England, and westward to and including Michigan; but even 
within the influence of the great lakes it is not successful to any cousiderable 
distance north of latitude 43°, while it succeeds but indifferently, if at all, 
west of Lake Michigan. 

The Japan quince (Cydonia Japonica) is similarly hardy, and is grown 
chiefly for its brilliant flowers, which appear very early in spring. ‘There 
are several varieties, differing slightly in color; some of which, when of 
mature age fruit freely. The ripe fruit may be used like that of the common 
quince. 


THE BLACK WALNUT. 


The black walnut (Julgans nigra) is one of the largest of northern forest 
trees. Its limit northward is probably not much, if any, beyond latitude 
44°, although it is being planted for timber and shelter even farther north. 
Reports from northern Wisconsin, Minnesota and Dakota indicate that, in 
those regions, its permanent success must be regarded as problematical; 
dependent, possibly, upon a judicious selection of soil and aspect. 

It is successful in southwestern Iowa; while in central Wisconsin it has 
been found to grow well for a few years and then fail. It is said to grow and 
fruit well in southern Minnesota, as well as in other portions of Dakota. It 
is found to be more satisfactory at the extreme north, when grown from 
northern seed, a fact that is believed to be true of plants generally. 

The English walnut* (Juglans regia) is grown largely and with profit in 
some of the Pacific states, but fails at the east and is too tender for the 
extreme north. 


THE BUTTERNUT. 


The butternut (Juglans cinerea) has a somewhat more extended range 
northward than the black walnut. It is perfectly at home, if not actually 
indigenous, in Michigan up to latitude 45°, and is abundant as a forest tree 
in portions of southern Minnesota in that latitude. Although not supposed 
to be indigenous, it is successfully grown in portions of lowa, and there 
seems good reason for the hope that it may be found successful as far north 
as the national boundary, possibly even further. 


THE HICKORY-NUT. 


The genus Carya consists of several species, of which Carya alba is very 
widely distributed, and may be considered to be the northern hickory-nut 
proper. 

Carya sulcata, the western shell-bark hickory, has a nut of large size, with 
a very hard, thick shell. It is indigenous from Pennsylvania to Illinois and 
Kentucky. In Michigan its extreme northern limit is reached in the third 
tier of counties in the lower peninsula. 

Carya oliveformis, the pecan is said to be indigenous along the Mississippi 


river as far north ag southern Iowa, which is believed to be its extreme limit 
northward. 


*The proper name of this nut is Madeira nut, because it came originally from the island of 
Madeira, in Portugal, and is in no sense English.—H. E. VAN DEMAN. 


RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS. 325 


Besides the foregoing, carya tomentosa the mocker-nut or white-heart 
hickory; Carya glabra, the pig-nut or broom hickory, and Carya amara, the 
bitter-nut or swamp hickory, are indigenous and more or less common, 
although of little value save as useful timber. Their limit northward can 
not be said to be determined, save that Messrs. Wheeler and Smith, in their 
Michigan Flora, remark that ‘‘ No member of this family gets much north of 
latitude 43°.” 

In southern Minnesota, however, near the latitude of Saint Paul (45°), the 
hickory (Carya alba) and bitter-nut (Carya amara) are reported to be suc- 
cessful, probably as artificially planted trees. 


THE CHESTNUT. 


The American chestnut (Castanea vesca) finds its northern limit in Michi- 
gan at about latitude 43°, although it is apparently hardy much further 
north, probably throughout the lower and possibly in some portions of the 
upper peninsula. 

West of Lake Michigan this tree is not known to exist as an indigenous 
growth, although when planted on suitable soils it proves hardy and success- 
ful. 

Chinquapin (Castanea pwmiia) is a native of southern Pennsylvania and 
Ohio, and on south, and is only known further north as an introduced 
curiosity. 

The European or Spanish chestnut (Castanea vulgaris) bears a much larger 
nut, though less sweet than the American. The tree is tender at the north 
and west, except in specially favored localities. 

The Japanese chestnut is a comparatively recent introduction, apparently 
quite similar to the Spanish, although it is claimed to be an earlier bearer, 
with even larger fruit. It will no doubt prove tender, at least north of lati- 
tude 43°, 


PROMISING NEW CHERRIES. 


BY PROF. J. L. BUDD, OF IOWA. 
In Bulletin No. 2 of the Iowa Experiment Station, 1888. 


In the summer of 1882 the writer had a fine opportunity for studying the 
character of tree and fruit of the European cherries from the valley of the 
Moselle in east France, eastward to the Volga in Russia. 

In the spring of 1883 we imported one-year-old trees of the varieties which 
we decided to be most promising for trial on the prairies of the northwest. 

These trees were set in orchards and have had hard usage, as they have 
been exposed to the recent test summers and winters, that have killed out 
the trees, young and old, of the grade of hardiness of the Early Richmond 
and English Morello, and in addition they have been cut mercilessly for 
scions in autumn and buds in summer. 

A better opportunity for determing the relative hardiness of trees and per- 
fection of foliage has not been given in the history of prairie settlement. 

With this severe trial we are now pleased to report that many of the vari- 
eties have endured the tests as perfectly as our native plums, such as De Soto 
and Wolf, and have proven quite as hardy in fruit buds. 

During the season of blossoming the past spring we had severe frosts, yet 
twenty or more sorts fruited, some of them very heavily. 

We are also pleased to report that the fruit so far has come up to our 
European estimate in quality and color, but not in size on account of the 
strong growth of new wood induced by heavy scion cutting in autumn. 

Spate Amarelle-—Much grown for dessert and culinary use in east Poland 
and north Silesia, where it is noted for its regular and bountiful crops. Tree 
smaller than English Morello, with pendulous habit. Our trees from five to 
six feet in height were bending with the weight of the fruit this season. 
Fruit medium to large, color dark purple when ripe. Flesh and juice 
colored. When first colored red the fruit has a bitter taste. At this stage 
of growth it is excellent for canning, and when fully mature it is desirable 
for dessert use. Season about the 20th of July. 

Schattan Amarelle.—The word ‘‘schattan” is said to mean shadow. Hence 
we shall send it out as Shadow Amarelle. The name comes from the mirror 
like reflection from the shining skin. Much like the above variety in size, 
shape, quality and season of fruit. Trees were laden this ‘‘off” cherry year. 

Gros Lang Loth.—We have sent this out as ‘“‘Large long late.” A small 
growing variety coming into bearing in the nursery. It is known in Poland 
and Silesia as ‘Double Shadow Amarelle” but is not identical with Brusseler 
Braune as stated by Leroy. Fruit, large, roundish, truncate at stem end, 
nearly black when ripe. Juice colored. Pleasant sub-acid flavor when ripe. 
Season of English Morello. 


PROMISING NEW CHERRIES, 327 


King’s Amarelle.—Tree larger than the above and less pendent in habit. 
Fruit round, truncate at both ends. Flesh white, soft, juicy, but when fully 
ripe the juice is slightly red. Pit verysmall. Ripens with Karly Richmond. 

Amarelle Bouquet.—A small growing tree with fruit much like Richmond in 
season and quality but with more grape sugar. 

Cerise De Ostheim.—Tree some larger than the above, with pendulous shoots 
even when young. It fruits early and is hardier in tree than what is known 
as Minnesota Ostheim, and bears larger, better, and earlier fruit, pit small, 
flesh and juice red, tender, juicy, and when ripe pleasantly sub-acid. 

Orel.—We have given this name to a dwarf variety, from Orel, Russia. It 
belongs to the Vladimir race, with small leaves and close habit. It comes in- 
to bearing when from three to four feetin height Fruit larger than Mont- 
morency, nearly black when ripe and very mildly sub-acid in flavor. Promi- 
ses to be very valuable for the north. 

Shubianca.—Another variety of the Vladimir family with small leaves and 
close habit. Fruit smaller and later than the above, black, and excellent in 
quality. 

23 Orel.—As yet we are not certain as to the propername. A neat, round- 
topped tree with firm, thick leaves. It comes into bearing early and seems. 
very hardy in fruit bud. Fruit much like Richmond in color, season, and. 
quality. 

Doppelte Natte.—Tree of larger size than the above with more upright 
habit. It has not held its leaves this season better than Montmorency but it 
is ordinarily good in foliage. It has stood the recent winter perfectly. The 
fruit this year was perfect and agrees with Dr. Hogg’s description. Fruit 
large for its class; skin dark brown or brownish black. Flesh very red and 
juicy, and when fully ripe of rich, aromatic flavor. This late year it ripened 
July 20th. 

Griotte Imperial.—A small tree and an early bearer. Foliage better than 
Richmond but this year not perfect. Fruit large, dark red, inclined to coni- 
cal, flesh and juice red. Flavor pure and free from bitter even when imma- 
ture. Mildly sub-acid when ripe. 

Brusseler Braune.—A variety much prized on the sandy plains of East Pol- 
and. <A larger grower than Richmond, with good foliage. Fruit large, 
nearly round; purplish red in color, juice slightly red, flavor pure and quite 
acid. As it contains much grape sugar it is valuable for canning and drying. 
Later I think than English Morello. 

LInutovka.—A fine, round-topped grower with strong shoots and good foliage. 
Much grow in Poland, north Silesia, and south Russia, for making ‘‘Kirsch- 
wasser.”’ Fruit large, yellowish red when ripe, flavor pure and sprightly; 
season late. Will be valuable for dessert and culinary use. 

Bessarabian.—Our favorable report of this variety of 1885 we are glad to 
repeat. It will endure more abuse of tree than most of our forest trees. Our 
original tree has been cut for buds and scions for five years taking off all the 
new growth. Yetthetreeissound to-day. Fruit large, dark red, firm fleshed, 
and when ripe very mildly sub-acid. It promises to make a long-lived tree of 
considerable size, and to prove a regular bearer of choice fruit. 

Sklanka.—A handsome, round-topped tree with pendent branches and best 
of foliage. Our trees standing on rich, dlack soil, where the Richmond utterly 
failed even prior to our recent test winters, are as perfect as box elders. Fruit 
large, skin yellow and red. Flesh yellow, firm, very mildly and refreshingly 
sub-acid. Pit very small, season of the Montmorency. 


328 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


Frauendorfer Weichsel.—A strong-growing tree with weeping shoots. Tree 
very hardy and foliage good. It is described by the leading horticultural 
writers of west Europe, and it seems strange that it was not previously intro- 
duced. Much grown in Poland and north Silesia. Fruit large, dark red, 
truncate. Flesh tender, juicy, sub-acid, and good for any use. 

Strauss Weichsel.—Another fine tree with good leaves. Fruit large and 
nearly black when ripe. Flesh juicy, refreshing, and nearly sweet. Season 
a few days later than Richmond, very promising. 

Lithiur Weichsel.—Much grown in Livonia in southwest Russia, for drying 
and cheiry wine. A good, hardy, strong-growing tree. Fruit smaller than 
Richmond, but with smaller pit, and thicker flesh. Skin nearly black, flesh 
quite acid, colored dark red, and with much grape sugar. Most valuable 
for culinary use. 

Griotte Du Nord.—As introduced from North Silesia this is not identical 
with ‘‘Ronald’s Large Morello” as stated by Downing. <A good tree with 
very good foliage. Fruit large, nearly black, flesh firm. Matures about the 
20th. of July In East Europe it is grown on north walls fur very late use. 

Juniat Amarelle.—A neat, round topped tree of the Griotte type. Fruit 
much like Richmond in size, color, and season, but firmer in flesh, and better 
in quality. 

» 24 Orel.—The name is not yet known on account of loss of invoice when 
the one-year-old trees were imported. A fine grower with large, thick leaves, 
strong buds, and large shoots. Fruit about the size of the English Morello, 
dark red, firm, colored flesh, mildly acid, season of the late Richmond. 

27 Orel.—Another strong-growing, hardy sort of great promise. The few 
first specimens indicate a late season, but they were taken before they were 
ripe enough for testing. 

26 Orel.—This is the “Lianzkaja Black” of east Europe which we will . 
send out in the future as ‘‘Orel Sweet.” {t appears to be hardy in tree and 
fruit bud, but may not do well as far north as some of the preceding. The 
single original tree has been sadly abused by continued scion cutting, in 
summer for buds, and in autumn for grafting, yet it is in good condition with 
pefect foliage. Fruit medium in size, black, with very small pit. Flesh 
dark colored, and decidedly sweet. Very promising as the hardiest sweet 
cherry in our collection. 

25 Orel.—This was spoken of in the Bulletin of 1885 as one of the Valdi- 
mar varieties. But it proves to be a Griotte much like 23 Orel, but some 
later in fruit and larger in size of tree. 

Heart-Shaped Weichsel.—This is given in eastern European catalogues as 
“Herzformige Weichsel.’’ It isan evident cross between the sweet cherries 
of the east and the dukes. It is admitted as a lawn tree in east Kurope on 
account of its symmetrical habit of growth and handsome, striped leaves. 
The first impression is that the tree is not in perfect health on account of its 
remarkable foliage. Fruit large, heart-shaped, purplish black in color, and 
nearly sweet. Highly prized for dessert use in east Russia, where most of 
the sweet cherries do well. It may not succeed well north of the 42d parallel. 

George Glass.—Under this name we have acherry from Marshal county, 
Iowa, where it was introduced from northeast Germany. In leaf and habit 
of growth it much resembles Bessarabian. Its fruit also shows a near rela- 
tionship to that variety. Very promising. 

The following varieties are hardier with us than Early Richmond, and the 


PROMISING NEW CHERRIES. 329 


foliage is quite as perfect as any of the above noted sorts. But on our trying 
grounds they have shown in the stem some slight indications of winter injury, 
and cannot be recommended for trial north of the 41st parallel. The descrip- 
tions of fruit are from our European notes, mainly. 

Abbesse De Oigmies.—Of the Red Duke family, grown in east Russia, on 
favorable soils in north Silesia, and southeast Russia. In no case have we 
known the leaves injured by rust or mildew. Even the present unfavorable 
seasons the foliage of our buddeéd trees is perfect. Fruit large, round, dark 
red. When ripe mildly sub-acid. 

Red Oranien.—This is given by Hogg and Leroy as a synonym of Carna- 
tion. But as we have it from north Silesia it is of the Red Duke family, and 
very unlike the Carnation in leaf, habit of growth or fruit. As it endures the 
spring frosts in north Silesia, and east Poland, its promising for trial in 
south Iowa. Fruit in season and quality much like the preceding. 

Amarelle Bunt.—Another variety of the Red Dukes much prized in north 
Silesia for dessert use and cooking. A fine grower in orchard and nursery 
and far hardier in tree on our grounds than Richmond or English Morello, 
mainly, I think, on account of its more perfect foliage. The fruit is highly 
prized in the markets of Warsaw, Poland. 

Duchess De Angouleme.—Of Red Duke family. Foliage perfect and a fine 
grower. A heart-shaped fruit of large size and excellent quality. od 

Gros Gobet.—This has been classed with the Montmorencies, and even 
with the Kentish, but it is plainly crossed with the east Europe Dukes. 
Fruit large, red. Flesh white, quite acid, and best for canning. Ripens 
about the 2 th of July with us. 

Red Muscateller.—A cross with the Red Dukes, with neat habit and good 
foliage. Common in north Silesia on dry soil. Fruit large and said to be 
of good quality for dessert and other uses. 

Double Glass.—First seen in north Silesia. A fine grower with perfect 
leaf. A large fruited variety of the Red Dukes likely to prove valuable south 
of Des Moines. 

Vilne Sweet.—A variety sent us from Vilne in southwest Russia. As tested 
at Vilne the fruit was large, early and sweet. A good round topped grower 
with best foliage. We regard it very promising for trial in south Iowa. 


GENERAL NOTES. 


Deep Setting.—It is general conceded that dry ridge soil with porous sub- 
soil is best for the cherry. On such soil the trees set in orchard should be 
put down from four to six inches deeper than they stood in the nursery. 
Eastern trees are always budded on tender roots and we are compelled to 
root graft on the Mazzard roots, or bud on the Mahaleb. By setting deep, 
roots will be thrown out from the scions, or above the bud, in two or three 
years. Indeed, the Russian and East German sorts often throw out roots from 
the scions the first year after setting the root grafts in nursery. When 
rooted from the scion in the nursery the seedling root can be cut away, and 
the tree put in the orchard on its own roots, permitting rapid multiplication 
by sprouts and root cuttings. 

Heading Low.—LEyen in west Europe low cordon and bush training of the 
cherry is becoming common in many parts. In east Europe, in sections 
remote from large bodies of water, all stone fruit trees are headed low. In 


330 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


the Volga region the cherry is grown in bush form, with several stems like the 
currant or gooseberry. Experience has also favored the very low stems, or 
even bush form in all the prairie states. Often the stems are fatally injured 
when the twigs show no discoloration. Fortunately, many of the east Europe 
varieties favor the shading of stems by their pendent habit of growth. 
But even with these it is best to have low stems, the lower the better. 


YOUNG TREES IN THE ORCHARD. 


As arule we find that parties receiving the one-year-old cherry trees sent 
out from the college for trial, put them in nursery rows with view to setting 
them in the orchard when they attain the proper size. A little thought will 
exhibit the fact that it is far better to set them where wanted in orchard. The 
little trees have all the fibrous roots, and can be rapidly and safely trans- 
planted. By raising the bark at several points, on the part of the little stem 
above the point of union with the stock, the emission of roots from the 
scions is fayored, and the height of the stem and the form of top can be 
established with little trouble. If growing where wanted, specimen fruits 
can be secured on many sorts on trees which our friends think are about the 
groper size for transplanting. 


NURSERY PROPAGATION. 


As we are compelled to use tender seedlings for cherry propagation, we 
are anxious to impress the fact that root grafting the cherry is far better for 
the planter than propagation by budding. The roots grafts are set down to 
the top bud of the scion, thus placing the tender root considerably below the 
surface, and favoring the emission of roots from the scion. When set still 
deeper in the orchard such trees are not liable to root killing. As root graft- 
ing the cherry does not seem to be generally practiced, the mode of procedure 
that has given us an almost perfect stand with forty varieties all on Mazzard 
root, this season, may be useful. The scions were cut before severe cold 
weather last fall and packed in dry forest leaves in a box in the cellar. If 
packed in sand, earth, or moss, we find they absorb too much water. The 
scion is put in the Mazzard seedling at the crown by the mode known as 
“side grafting,” the main requisite being to make the wedge on the scion 
only slightly, if at all, thickest on the outside. The usual instruction in 
regard to making wedge thickest on the outside is overdone. The whole 
pressure coming on the bark and the cambium layer gives no room for the 
young cell growth that favors union of stock and graft. We pack the graft, 
after tying and waxing in earth, sand or moss, taking care to leave the main 
part of the scion exposed to the cellar air. A dirt-covered cave is best for 
storing the grafts and it must be kept cold. The temperature is regulated 
by opening the cave in the early part of the evening, when cold, and keeping 
it tightly closed during the day. Light freezing does no harm, but if warm 
enough to start the buds before they go in the nursery they rarely make a 
profitable stand. Keeping the buds dormant is the main essential to perfect 
success. With started buds, the change of temperature, and moisture of the 
earth, when planted out in the early spring, will rot the buds of the scion. 


PROMISING NEW CHERRIES. d3L 
LATE GRAFTING OF THE CHERRY. 


All writings upon the subject favor very early grafting of the cherry in 
the open air, and the use of strictly dormant buds in grafting under cover. 
These instructions are well founded, but they hinge on the principle that the 
cell structure of the wood of the stock and scion must be in the same condi- 
tion. If root and scion ve started about equally they will unite quite as well 
as has been stated by Mr. Henry Avery and others. ‘To illustrate: Last 
spring, late in April, it became necessary to take up several valuable cherry 
trees loaded with fruit buds. We cut off all the scions down to the two-year- 
old wood, and set them on Mazzard seedling roots in the graft room. The 
grafts were put in the nursery a few days later and over ninety per cent. of 
them have made strong growth. In this case the buds were started, on one 
variety, so as to exhibit the points of the embryo leaves, yet the roots taken 
from the cellar had started fully as much. If the seedling had been kept 
dormant in the ice house I do not think a single scion would have united 
with them. This principle applies to all top-working in the open air of 
apple, pear, cheery, plum, etc. If the work is deferred until the buds on the 
stocks are well started, the scions should be about equally advanced. In late 
spring grafting we have failed almost completely with the scions kept dor- 
mant, and have succeeded perfectly with those cut as needed in the open air. 


MIXED PLANTING. 


Observations in Kurope and this country favor the belief that alternating 
varieties in the cherry or plum orchard favors regular and continued fruitage. 
A variety that might prove to be a very poor bearer when depending on its 
own pollen supply, may be found regularly fruitful when intermingled with 
other sorts. In our climate, if the weather during the blossoming period is 
hot and windy, a variety may mature and waste its pollen before the stigmas 
are ready to receive it. In such the pollen of adjoining sorts may perform 
the needed work with the aid of the insects or the breeze. 


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THREE FRIENDS TO HORTICULTURE, 


BEING BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES OF | 


HON. EDWIN WILLITS, 


ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF AGRICUPTURE, WASHINGTON, D. C. 


ROBERT, CC.) KEDZIE, M:; A. Mo Ds 


PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTY, AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, MICH. 


ALBERTS} COOK. Mase 


PROF, OF ZOOLOGY AND ENTOMOLOGY, AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, MICH. 


THREE FRIENDS OF HORTICULTURE. 


EDWIN WILLITS, M. A. 


That Michigan should furnish the first Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, 
under the new status of the national department of agriculture, was gratify- 
ing in great degree; but that Edwin Willits should be chosen and our Agricul- 
tural College deprived of his valued services detracted not a little from the 
satisfaction engendered by state pride and knowledge that a deserving man 
had received his deserts. What concerned horticulturists still further was the 
loss from the college of an official who had been their friend and recognized 
their interests more fully than his predecessors. ! 

If Michigan horticulture owes much to the Agricultural College, and there 
can be no doubt that it does, it owes much also to Mr. Willits, for he was its 
friend when friends were few. From 1860 to 1873 he was a member of the 
state board of education, and during his first year succeeded in changing the 
policy that body pursued toward the college, and submitted the plan adoption 
of which caused the formation of the state board of agriculture and the re- 
organization of the Agricultural College upon a basis of independent existence. 
Says one of his biographers, upon this point, ‘‘He foresaw and was among 
the first to advocate the necessity of the change, and it seems like a curicus 
instance of that compensation which time sometimes brings about, that, after 
the lapse of more than a quarter of a century, he should be placed at the 
head of the institution whose true policy he did so much to shape in its early 
days.” It was largely by the aid of President Willits that the department of 
horticulture was advanced to its due relative position at the college, and 
furnished with needed accessories and encouragement. It was consideration 
of these things, as well as the marked wisdom and success of his adminstration 
of college affairs in other respects, that led the Michigan State Horticultural 
Society, at its meeting in March, 1889, to pass resolutions warmly eulogistic 
of Mr. Willits and his work and congratulatory to President Harrison upon 
his selection for assistant secretary of agriculture. 

Born at Otto, Cattaraugus county, New York, April 24, 1830, Mr. Willits 
has had a varied career, one embracing several different occupations, but 
nearly all inthe line of educational work. His early life was spent in the 
county of Washtenaw, where he prepared himself in the public schools and by 
private study for entrance to Michigan University, whence he graduated from 
the literary department in 1855, subsequently receiving from the University 
the degree of M. A. Study of the law with Isaac P. Christiancy, at Monroe, 
provided for Mr. Willit’s admission to the bar in 1857, and he followed the 
practice of law for several years, but ere long followed the bent of his genius 
and won high repute both as a teacher and a superintendent in the schools of 


336 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Adrian and Monroe. For thirteen years, from 1860, he was a member of the» 
state board of education, and from the first was prominent in its work. His 
activity in politics was by no means slight, nor the public positions he occupied 
few. He was successively prosecuting attorney of Monroe county, postmaster 
at Monroe city, and member of the state constitutional commission. He was 
also three times elected member of congress from the second district, receiy- 
ing large majorities each time and running ‘‘ahead of his ticket.” In national 
legislation he was as prudent and industrious as in other matters, several times 
distinguishing himself both in debate and origin of legislative measures. 
During his terms in congress he was favored by many for the office of 
United States senator and received yotes for that office in two or three con- 
tests in the state legislature. These two were given him entirely without his 
seeking. The profession of journalism also is proud to number Mr. Willits 
among its membership, he having for several years, with marked ability, con- 
ducted the Monroe Commercial. He was not long allowed to rest from public 
duties after close of his six years’ service in congress, for in 1882 he was called 
by the state board of education to the charge of the Michigan State Normal 
School, which position he resigned only to accept the presidency of the Agri- 
cultural’ Collega, which office he assumed upon the 19th of August 1885. 

Soon after the beginning of his administration, President Harrison appointed 
Mr. Willits assistant secretary of agriculture, the selection having been 
first suggested by the scientists of the department, who were so impressed by 
Mr. Willits, when in Washington the preceding year, on College business, 
that they united in requesting his appointment. Under such exceptional con- 
ditions, only acceptance was natural or possible, and Mr. Willits resigned 
his presidency, and in April, 1889, assumed in Washington his new duties. 
He was at once, by an order of Secretary Rusk, dated April 26, 1889, 
assigned much of the most important work of the department, being 
placed in charge of the botanical division and section of vegetable pathol- 
ogy, the pomological division, the Microscopical division, the chemical 
division, the ornithological division, the forestry division, the entomological 
division and the silk section, and the office of experiment stations, having of 
all these the general control and direction of their scientific policy, the whole 
involving an annual expenditure of more thana million dollars and inyoly- 
ing great responsibilities. 

That all this important labor will be well performed there is abundant 
warrant in the many successes of Mr. Willits life, the result of natural quali- 
ties and acquired knowledge and experience which have stamped him as one 
of the strong men of the nation. 


ROBERT C. KEDZIE. M. A., M. D. 


What farmer or fruit grower in Michigan does not recognize in the portrait of 
Dr. Kedzie the face of a friend as well as that of a genial, frank, and courteous 
man, keen in thought, industrious in research, tireless in action, the whole 
realm of his activities controlled by rare intelligence and a great fund of that 
which is given charity to most men—common sense? ‘There are those, of 
course (and more’s the pity) who do not know Mr. Kedzie asa personal friend, 
but surely there is not one man among all the kinds of tillers of soil, at all 
conversant with the lore of his calling, but recognizes him as a distinguished 
benefactor. Of all the men who have done grand work at our Agricultural 


THREE FRIENDS OF HORTICULTURE, 337 


College, probably no other one is better known or held in higher regard than 
is Dr. Kedzie by the farmers of Michigan. We well recall the first series of 
farmers’ institutes held in Michigan, of which valuable system of schools for 
farmers he was the originator, in which Dr. Kedzie’s invaluable lecture on 
manures was only equaled by that on lightning rods, in which, after exhaustive 
scientific treatment of the subject and careful instruction how to make the 
very best possible lightning rod, his final advice was like the scriptural pas- 
sage which enumerates a tantalizing variety of oaths but summarizes with the 
injunction, “swear not at all.”” In various ways have Mr. Kedzie’s labors as 
professor of chemisty been beneficial to farmers, and scarcely less to fruit 
growers, but notable instances are his analyses of manures, soils, forage plants, 
as well as his several contributons on peach yellows, to the reports of this 
society, (some of which were the very earliest information obtainable on the 
subject to Michigan fruit growers) and those on other horticultu ral subjects. 
Laterly his experiments with the growth of plants upon the northern pine 
plains have been useful in the same direction. 

Dr. Kedzie’s labors at the Agricultural College have been nearly co-extensive 
with the college itself, all but the first ten of its more than 400 graduates 
having been in his classes. He has seen the college grow from two inferior 
buildings to its present fine proportions, and helped mightily to secure its firm 
establishment from an almost hopeless beginning. ‘The whole faculty has 
changed during his quarter of a century of service, but he remains, aged in- 
deed, but in full vigor still, like the great oaks beneath whose shade his years 
have clustered no faster then his honors. 

But Mr. Kedzie has other fame than that of aschoolman. Obtaining from 
Oberlin College, at the age of twenty-four years, his degree of Master of Arts, 
he two years later graduated in medicine at Michigan University, and in 1850 
established himself in practice at Kalamazoo, going thence, soon after, to 
Vermontville, where he remained as a physician until the opening of the war 
of the Rebellion, when he became surgeon of the Twelfth Michigan Infantry. 
In 1867 he became a member of the Michigan legislature. 

His distinguishments in the medical profession comprise membership in the 
Michigan State Medical Society, of which he was president in 1874; of the 
American Medical Association of whose section on State medicine and public 
hygiene he was chairman in 1876; and a member of the American Che mical 
Society. He was president of the Michigan State Board of Health fora 
number of years, until he declined renomination; also president of the 
American Public Health Association in 1882. He has issued, for popular use, 
many papers on public and household hygiene, whose great value is proved 
by their extensive reproduction and circulation, some of them having been 
translated into European languages. He also originated the scheme of sani- 
tary conventions, on the same plan of his farmers’ institutes, which is now 
annually in operation with highly satisfactory results. 

Last year Prof. Kedzie was elected president of the American Association 
for the advancement of scientific agriculture, a deserved recognition of his 
service in this direction. The practical value of his knowledge of chemistry 
as applicable to agriculture, was illustrated one day last spring, within the 
observation of the writer. An Ottawa county vineyardist said to him, ‘Prof. 
Kedzie, do I need to buy ground bone for my grape vines, having at hand 
plenty of wood ashes?’’ A full explanation of the properties of both fertili- 
zers Was promptly and cordially given, and the grape grower remarked after- 


- 43 


338 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


ward, ‘‘That one answer will save me fifty dollars per year.”” Such examples 
of the value of Dr. Kedzie’s services to the horticulturists and farmers of this 
State could be cited almost without end; and not the least of their virtues 
lies in the ungrudging, familiar, and intelligible way in which his invaluable 
advice is given. 

The close of his work will necessarily come not a great many years hence; 
but in his present vigor of both mind and body, and his cheerful, genial, 
inspiring presence, a3 well as his willing and ceaseless industry, the whole 
people of Michigan have cause for thankfulness. 


A PEN SKETCH OF PROF. A. J. COOK. 
BY DR. F. W. GODING. 


How frequently, when tracing the genealogical records for information 
concerning some noted character, we find the statement, ‘‘His father was a 
farmer.” Such is recorded of Washington, Lincoln, Webster, and a host of 
others, and the same must be said of the subject of this sketch. 

At an early day the elder Cook settled near what is now Owosso, Michigan, 
in a heavily timbered country, where by hard labor and wise management he 
created from, the prim2val forest, one of the finest farms in the state 

There August 30, 1842, Albert J. was born, there he passed his childhood, 
and there, too, was laid the foundation of his education, while attending the 
schools in the vicinity. Being very fond of flowers and animals, (as was his 
mother), while yet a boy he made a collection of the plants and insects of 
that vicinity, taking great delight in studying and arranging them. 

In 1859 he began a full courseof study at the Michigan Agricultural Col- 
lege, where, after four years’ careful preparation, he was graduated, in 1862, 
receiving the degree of B. 8., the records showing an almost perfect rank in 
mathematics and the sciences. 

After completing his studies, he turned his face westward, reaching Cal- 
ifornia the following year, where he was soon engaged in teaching. Remain- 
ing in this work until 1866, he returned to Michigan, soon after being called 
to the assistance of his alma mater, where he has been continuously up to 
the present time, more than twenty-two years, occupying the chair of Ento- 
mology and director of the Entomological laboratory. 

Prof. Cook was drawn toward the study of Entomology through his love of 
nature, and being of a practical turn of mind the economic side of all questions 
relating to the sciences was always uppermost in his thoughts, the study of 
bees being particularly interesting to him. His published writings on this 
subject alone are of sufficient importance to place his name among the most 
eminent of naturalists, while as an economic entomologist he stands second 
to none. 

Michigan, unlike her sister State of Illinois, has never fully realized the 
benefits that would accrue to the agricultural and horticultural interests of 
the commonwealth, by the establishment of the office of state entomologist, 
though the subject has been agitated for several years by members of this 
society. Had such an office been created, in all probability Prof. Cook would 
have been called to fill it. Though receiving no official appointment, he has 
been the acting State entomologist for many years, baing entomologist 


THREE FRIENDS OF HORTICULTURE, 339 


to your society since its organization. ach year are to be found in your ~ 
transactions, and those of the State Board of Agriculture, valuable illustrated 
papers on practical entomology, from his pen, which will bear a favorable 
comparison with the official reports of most of our salaried State Entomolo- 
ists. 

; Since being connected with the college, Prof. Cook has taken special 
courses of study under Drs. Louis Agassiz, H. A. Hagen, and O. W. Holmes, 
after which he received the degree of M. S., from his alma mater. 

Prof. Cook has been a voluminous writer, his articles being extensively 
copied and well received. They are to be found principally in Rural New 
Yorker, New York Tribune, Country Gentlman, Prairie Farmer, Colman’s 
Rural World, and the various bee journals. Valuable articles on bees and 
economic entomology were published in the ‘‘People’s Cyclopedia,’’ and the 
articles and lectures referred to before, as haying appeared in the Michigan 
State report, are too well known to require more than mere mention at this 
time. But tho crowning effort of his pen was his ‘‘Manual of the Apiary, 
or Bee Keeper’s Guide,’’ of which the unprecedented number of over 14,600 
copies have been sold since 1876. ‘The encomiums bestowed upon it by the 
press and qualified apiarists have been of such a character as to place the work 
among the classics. 

Prof. Cook was married, June 30, 1870, to Mary H. Baldwin, of Dayton, 
Ohio, two children blessing their union—Bo>rtie and Katie. Tne children 
have made fine collections in odlogy and entomology, and Clarence Weed, 
arising young entomologist, has seen fit to acknowledge assistance from them. 
Here is an illustration of a peculiar taste being transmitted through three 
generations. 

The life of a College professor is not one to be envied, the duties bsing so 
manifold and of such an exacting character as to permit of little time for 
- special work; yet Prof. Cook has, for more than twenty years, continuously 
advanced his reputation as a teacher, and found time to prosecute his favorite 
studies successfully. 

[ Besides the writings referred to by Dr. Goding, Prof. Cook has published 
“Maple Sugar and the Sugar Bush,” a very complete and fully illustrated trea- 
tise, the only one on this subject ever published. Five thousand copies have 
been issued. His well known work, ‘‘Iajurious Insects of Michigan,”’ of 
which 3,000 copies have been published, is now being revised and enlarged 
and will soon appear. His little work, ‘Silo and Silage,” the result of his 
own work and experience, was scarce issued before 2,500 of the 3,000 
edition was sold, and a new edition will very soon be issued. But there 
are still more of Prof. Cook’s good works, and not the least of them, 
in behalf of Michigan pomology, which deserve mention here. He was 
the first to prove the efficacy and safety of the use of arsenites for the 
codlin moth: to recommend the kerosene and soap mixture, so valuable 
as an insecticide; and the soap and carbolic acid, now recognized as the best 
specific against borers and bark lice. All this would seem to be sufficient of 
benefaction to his fellow men, for one man to confer; but it is not in Prof. 
Cook’s nature to rust out the latter part of a life, the pure, strong metal of 
which has been kept so bright, and there is little doubt but that his 
greatest work is yet to be done.—H. C. R.] 


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REPORTS OF LOCAL SOCLETIES, 


FOR 1888, 


TING WITH THE 


MICHIGAN STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


ee eee 


GRAND RIVER VALLEY HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY 


REPORTED BY W. N. COOK, SECRETARY. 


OFFICERS 1889. 


President—Charles W. Garfield, Grand Rapids. 
Vice President—Joseph A. Pearce, Grand Rapids. 
Secretary—Thomas L. Brown, Grandville. 
Treasurer—E, Chase Phillips, Grand Rapids. 
S. S. Bailey, East Paris, ; 
__ J W.N. Cook, Grand Rapids, 
ear” J. Sailor, Grand Rapids, 
|W. L. Calkins, Grand Rapids. 


The society has convened eleven times during thejyear, at the homes of its 
members, suiting the dates to the condition of fruits and the wishes of those 
entertaining the society. The attendance has averaged over one hundred at 
euch session. Papers of interest have been read at the various sessions, and 
the social feature of the meetings has been wonderfully attractive. President 
Garfield, owing to disability, was absent from a number of the meetings, but 
his chair was acceptably filled by Vice President Pearce. 

A paper by Asa W. Slayton given at the October meeting, at Cedar Springs, 
is appended hereto, also the president’s annual address. 

The annual meeting convened at Burton Farm, the home of the president, 
and was an exceptionally fine meeting. Admirable addresses wefe given by 
S. S. Bailey, Col. P. V. Fox, Mrs. Lucy Brown, E. L. Briggs, Thos. L. 
Brown, and others. It was decided to continue the plan of holding meetings 
at the rural homes, during 1889, and the following scheme was adopted by 
the executive board: 

February meeting, at residence of John Graham. 

March meeting, at Wyoming Grange Hall. 

April meeting, at residence of Henry Smith. 

May meeting, at residence of H. C. Hogadone, 

June meeting, at residence of E. Manley. 

July meeting, at residence of C. W. Garfield. 

August meetiny, at residence of EK. U. Knapp. 

September me. ting, at Western Michigan Fair, 

October meeting, at Talmadge Grange Hall. 

November meeting, at Harrington Grange Hall, 

December meeting, in city of Grand Rapids. 


344 ’ STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


The society continues its allegiance to the State society, and proposes to 
acquiesce with any arrangement the parent society may organize for the con- 
tinued progress of the horticultural interests of the state. 


PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. 


In conforming to the regular custom of presenting a formal address at the 

annual meeting, I shall not follow any beaten pathway, neither shall I be 
very dignified or systematic in my method; but rather shall chat familiarly, as 
hag been my custom from month to month, of some matters that seem to me 
of importance in connection with our organization—jog your memories, as it 
were, upon some things that in the multiplicity of cares you may have for- 
gotten. 
” We are pretty easy with regard to our annual fees. We do not wish to 
keep any one away who does not feel able to contribute the small amount of 
his share toward aiding the society machinery, and keeping it in good work- 
ing order; but possibly we may have been lax in gathering what justly be- 
longs to us. One thing is certain, we have no fund in the treasury, the 
interest upon which will enrich our officer in charge, and we do not desire to 
have more than we need for actual expenses. But experience has taught us 
that we need to use about what a dollar a year from each family will aggre- 
gate; and my suggestion is that this money be gathered at the opening of 
the year. Possibly it might be a good scheme to give the secretary a per- 
centage of the dues collected, in lieu of all other compensation, and thus 
furnish an additional incentive to securing promptly the settlement of the 
membership fees. 

The financial affairs of our society may be conducted in a very simple man- 
ner, for there are not many transactions to be recorded. But because the 
receipts are exceedingly limited, and the disbursements light, is no excuse for 
a lack of method in management. Would it not be well to have all money 
received paid into the treasurer’s hands, and give him no discretion in dis- 
bursement, except upon written order of some authorized officer of the 
society? In this manner the treasurer will, at the close of the year, hold 
vouchers for every dollar he has paid out, and an auditing committee will 
have little to do in settling for the year’s transactions. 

It occurs to me we have adopted the most sensible plan of holding meetings 
yet devised for an organization of this kind, and I thing it will be continued. 
There are many fine thingsconnected with the ownership of an attractive hall 
in which to hold meetings and exhibits. It would be a very satisfactory con- 
dition of affairs to have gathered sufficient funds to endow our society so that 
it need not beg for memberships or ‘‘farm out’’ its meetings; if we were rich, 
had a fine hall of our own, a large income, and all the requisites for carrying 
on the society upon a broad scale, we could not get more actual comfort out 
of our monthly gatherings than we now do, and it is really a question whether 
the net outcome would be so attractive as it is now, with our cares at mini- 
mum, and no responsibility of property. We may not be able to have our 
names in Bradstreet’s reporter, but for those who are identified with the 
society for the comfort there isin it, this sort of notoriety has no charms. 

I take it the mission of our society is to bring those who love the art of 
horticulture near to each other, that they may enjoy the association without 
adding to their responsibilities. We meet to have a good time and recreate 


f 
GRAND RIVER VALLEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 345 


in the presence of Flora and Pomona without the accompaniment of sacrifices 
or unnecessary pomp and show. Avoiding any stiff formalities, we shake 
hands and exchange experience. We act upon the plan that we are in this 
world to help one another and reap as large a measure of satisfaction as pos- 
sible from our environment. “Liye and let live’ is our motto, and if there 
is any horticultural good that comes toany one of us, it becomes the property 
of the whole. In carrying out this idea, we can not afford to have jealousies, 
or invidious comparisons, and our society should be perfectly free from them. 
The promotion of kind feeling and aiding each other in securing the largest 
reward from the soil and the most wholesome satisfaction from the prosecution 
of our employment, should be the aim of our society. 

We are all experimenting, but ina disjointed way, and often our results are 
misleading. In order toreap the highest benefit from any line of experiments 
made by the state experiment station, I have arranged to make a test of any 
varieties desired by the station, upon Burton Farm, the tests to be made in 
the name and for the benefit of our society. I want the society to take sufficient 
interest in this work to suggest desirable tests to ‘be made, and to counsel 
with regard to the management of the trialsin hand. We still owe allegiance 
to our parent, the State Horticultural Society, and should not fail to do our 
part inits support. We need the valuable annual reports for our members 
and should be prompt in our contributions toward maintaining the high charac- 
ter of these documents. Our secretary should be authorized to prepare an 
abstract of our proceedings, that we may appear upon the pages of the forth- 
coming volume as an aid to the society that has done so much in promoting 
Michigan’s horticulture. 

Although we have suffered from the change of occupation of Mr. Skeels, 
who was selected as our official reporter, still we cannot lay any blame at his 
door. I trust the society will continue to fill this office with some person 
fitted for the work, to whom the newspapers can go with confidence for ac- 
counts of our proceedings, and through whom we can hope to be correctly 
interpreted by the press. 

The future success of our society depends upon economy of management, 
simplicity in our arrangements, and interesting the young people in the 
objects at which we are aiming. A society like ours cannot exist long if 
there is a continuous struggle to make both ends meet. By spending little 
we can gather enough funds without extra effort to carry us along, and the mat- 
ter of finance may be dropped outof our minds. But the question of expense 
is often little thought of in the management, and money is voted for various 
purposes that could well be subserved in some other way. If by convening 
at our own houses hall rent is saved, and we have just as good times, why 
spend money fora hall? If by dividing the labor of caring for the details 
of management we can avoid paying any money for the work, and it is just 
as well done, why not economize in this way? But the success of all this lies 
in such simplicity of arrangement as to make the labor light. In meeting 
at the homes of our friends we should expect to take care of ourselves, and 
reduce the labor and trouble we make to the least amount possible. It is 
only by this means that our scheme can be made to work for years without 
becoming irksome to some. And by all means, to ensure permanence to our 
work, and a constantly increasing interest, we must secure the codperation of 
those whose hair is not silvered and on whose faces we can look without 
noting the care lines. It is legitimate for us to keep young, and absorb cheer- 


346 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


fulness by associating with the young, and interesting ourselves in their 
matters. It is far better to do this than to expect them to enter enthusi- 
astically into matters that naturally command the attention and thought of 
the older ones. In the arrangements for another year let this thought be 
given prominence. And finally shall we not, from the outset of the new 
year, plan to attend these monthly meetings and enter heartily into the exer- 
cises? The recreation will aid digestion, beget enthusiasm in horticulture, 
and add zest to our lives. The value of life in this world lies in what we can 
get out of it; and these meetings, if we can enjoy them without too much 
sacrifice in other directions, are ayenues, the traversing of which can but add 
to our measure of enjoyment, and thus enable us to absorb more fully the 
intention of the power that makes for happinees as well as righteousness. 


PROPAGATION AND CULTURE OF THE PEAR, 


As the membirs of this society are little, if any, engaged in the nursery 
business, but much in producing fruits, I shall have very little to say about 
propagating the pear. I have grafted the pear on both the common apple 
and crab apple roots, and by setting them deep, so as to root from the pear 
scion, they have made productive and durable trees. 

In the spring of 1857 I set a pear orchard of 200 trees, on my farm in Grat- 
tan, Kent county, an experiment then considered somewhat hazardous. There 
were 30 Bartlett, 30 White Doyenne,20 Flemish Beauty, 20 Louise Bonne, 
dwarfs; ard lessof others, to make up 16 varieties. Two-thirds of the land 
was a heavy loam, the remainder, sandy, and there I set the Flemish Beauty. 
The land had borne but three previous crops. It was well plowed and 
thoroughly harrowed. 

I had a man dig good, liberal holes, another careful, patient man to set the 
trees, while [ trimmed roots and topsand distributed. The after culture was 
an annual pruning in the spring, just as the buds were swelling, as much 
hoeing and clean cultivating as I would give a hill of prize corn, and a good 
washing with soap suds once or twice each year. In 1859 many of the trees 
blossomed, and in 1860 the fruit was allowed to mature on several of them. 
One tree, an Onondaga, produced 80 pears, measuring a full bushel. Another, 
a dwarf Bartlett, not larger in diameter than my forefinger, was so heavily 
laden that, one morning, I found the top resting with its burthen on the 
ground, and thereafter it was supported by astout stake. Such loaded trees! 
they were beautiful sights, truly; but what did they cost? Well, none of the 
trees allowed to so overbear came into full bearing again until the fifth year 
alter. 

In the fall of 1860 I took first premium at the Kent county fair for varieties 
of pear, exhibiting thirteen kinds. I had had no blight, and was enthusiastic, 
confidently asserting that I could take the naked ground and produce a 
hundred bushels of pears much sooner thana hundred bushels of apples could 
be grown. 

On my return from the war, it was found that the dark clouds had settled 
somewhat on my pear orchard, many trees showing the browned and black- 
ened leaves of the pear blight. I went at them in midsummer, with knife 
and saw, cutting off and burning all to below the dricd leaves and shriveled. 
bark. Some recovered and are alive and productive now, while some died 
for good. I remember that of one tree, an Onondaga, the whole top, nearly, 


GRAND RIVER VALLEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 547 


was affected so that I had to cut it square off just above the lowest limbs; but it 
recovered and made a good tree. As in a flock of sheep, or among people, 
all are not destined to reach maturity, so in a pear orchard, some of the trees. 
will die of foot-rot, or measles, or mumps; while others, with just the same 
care, will reach prolific old age. 

Besides picking pears at from $1.50 to $3 per bushel, these are some of the 
lessons which I have harvested: I can buy good pear trees, delivered by the 
tree agents, at seventy-five cents, one dollar, or one dollar and a half, accord- 
ing to size; or Ican buy equaily as good trees direct from the nursery at 
twenty-five, thirty, and thi ty-five cents each, and tranrportation is cheap. 
I say not a word against agents. If you employ one you pay him. 

A loamy or stiff loamy soil, not wet, is best; quite sandy soil does not favor: 
longevity in the pear. 


INGHAM COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


PREPARED BY JAMES SATTERLEER., 


The programme of this society was, for the first half of 1888 as follows: 


Saturday, January 14--Gardening for women in doors and out. Mrs. A. Wise. 
: Saturday, February 11—The ornamentation of Lansing streets. Led by James Satter- 
ee. 

This is a live topic to the people of Lansing, and should command general attention. 
gaa March 10—A talk on insects injurious to ornamental plants. Professor 

ook 

Saturday, April 14—Discussion on strawberries. Led by W. E. West and R. H Holmes. 

Saturday, May 12—The flora of Lansing and vicinity. Professor Beal. 

Saturday, June 9—The annual flower show, detailed announcement of which will be 
made at the proper time. 

The meetings are held at 2 P. M., standard time, on the second Saturday of each 
month, in the pioneer room in the state capitol. The room is reached by the elevator. 
Everyone interested is invited to be present and to take part freely in the discussion, 


«whether a member or not. 
L. H. BAILEY, President. 

JAMES SATTERLEE, Secretary. 

The June flower show was quite a success, calling out a large collection of 
cultivated plants and bouquets of wild flowers. 

The meetings of the latter part of the year were discontinued on account 
of the absence of the secretary and resignation of the president. 

At the annual meeting for 1889, Prof. L. R. Taft was elected président; 
Mrs. 8. R. Leete, vice president; R. F. Holmes, treasurer, and J. Satterlee, 
secretary. A programme for the first half year has been adopted, and the 
interest in the meetings is good. 

The number of members for 1888 was nineteen, and $9.50 has been sent to 
the state society. 


GARDENING FOR WOMEN IN-DOORS AND OUT. 


PAPER BY MRS. A. WISE, READ AT JANUARY MEETING OF INGHAM COUNTY 
SOCIETY. 


To speak of the advantages of gardening as an occupation for women, in 
these times, when flowers are so universally cultivated, and when almost every 
residence lot has its little garden plot and every house its window garden, 
seems almost a needless effort. It is one of the most hopeful indications of 


INGHAM COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. B49 


growing refinement and good taste among our people, that love for the beauti- 
ful is constantly increasing. We look back and recall the desolate surround- 
ings of only a few years ago, the rough log cabin, the wild, untamed 
natural shrubbery, the stretch of dreary woodland, and the still more unat- 
tractive aspect of stumps and weeds which greeted the eye on every hand. 
Out of all this barrenness haye come the beautiful, tree-embowered avenues, 
the green, sloping lawns, and the flowers which are everywhere to be seen. 
Truly, the wilderness of Michigan has blossomed as the rose. And with the 
growing opportunity for the cultivation of the beautiful in every department, 
the desire to possess and enjoy flowers has become an almost inseparable 
characteristic of every home loying woman and girl. 

The advantages of flower gardening as an occupation for women, are almost 
too obvious to require mention. Nothing can be more. conducive to good 
health, and to the development of that sunshiny spirit which makes the glad- 
ness of every home. ‘The labor of the garden affords a degree of invigorating 
exercise which is exactly adapted to counterbalance the confinement of house- 
hold duties, and to furnish a much needed antidote to the excitement of 
social pleasure. An hour or two every day spent in work among the flowers, 
would save countless doctor’s bills, and bring health to many a complaining 
invalid. 

It would be strange if we did not value flowers, because they are capable of 
adding so much to the beauty and attractiveness of home. ‘The neatly kept 
flower beds, resplendent with brilliant colors, the cottage embowered in 
climbing vines, the delicate perfume of rose and lilac, the constantly chang- 
ing picture of brightness, warmth, and color, are attractions to every one. 
It should be the ambition of every woman to make her home the most lovely 
spot on earth, and nothing will help to do this more than flowers. Boys and 
girls alike will learn to appreciate and value them; and when the winter 
comes and desolation reigns without, the good house-wife knows how to keep 
it summer still within by gathering into nook and corner the relics of the 
summer’s glory. 

In attempting to beautify the external surroundings, the first requisite is a 
well graded lawn, kept in a neat and flourishing condition. This, like the 
background of the artist’s picture, is the foundation for all future effort. It 
should not be, as is so often the case, crowded with trees, neither should it 
be too much cut up by flower-beds; but, although we need to avoid too great 
disturbance of the lawn, there is nothing more beautiful than beds of flowers 
or foliage plants cut out of its surface. It seems strange that so easy a 
method of gardening should be so little in vogue among us. Many a broad 
expanse of green which presents the finest opportunity for a brilliant display 
of flowers or foliage, is left untouched, while a heterogeneous collection is 
huddled together in a shapeless mass near the house. All who have visited 
the Agricultural College grounds, within the last two or three years, must 
have admired the skillful arrangement of form and color which makes their 
gardens so beautiful. It is not expensive to plant such beds. Many seed- 
lings, such as verbenas, petunias, etc., may be utilized at a trifling expense. 
Geraniums afford a beautiful variety for this kind of planting, but the most 
useful plants for this purpose are coleus, alternantheras, centaureas, and 
sedums. A special advantage of this is that they are never troubled by in- 
sects of any kind. A few plants may be taken up in the autumn, before 
chilled by frosts, and kept in some warm place until spring, and from these 
you can readily propagate, if you do not wish to buy them of the florist 


350 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Climbing vines may be used to great advantage, not only to cover unsightly 
objects, but to relieve the garden from stiffness. We cannot find a more 
graceful and beautiful vine than the clematis, of which some of the choicest 
varieties are perfectly hardy. The wisteria is equally hardy and very 
desirable. 


But time would fail me to speak of all the hundred different ways in which. 


flowers may be made to beautify the grounds. Belts of shrubbery may be 
planted in suitable places, with good effect, and a constant succession of 
bloom may be had during the season, with but little labor. The spireas, 
deutzias, and weigelia are among the best of this class. ‘The hybrid perpetual 
roses will dazzle the eye in June and July, and there is scarcely a month dur- 
ing the summ»r that you cannot find a supply of blossoms. ‘There is no diffi- 
culty in keeping them through the winter, if in the fall you band down the 
branches and place a piece of sod on them; then cover with straw and the 
plants will grow stronger every year. 

Too much cannot be said in favor of the monthly rose. No flower is so 
interesting. It is continually in bloom, and its fragrance is unsurpassed. 
The pansy also is a flower we cannot dispense with. It exceeds all others in 
its great variety. No class of flowers has been so improved by careful fer- 
tilization. Plants put out in April will bloom all the summer, but they re- 
quire fertilizing and a plentiful supply of water to produce large flowers. 

The first requisite for succes3 in gardening is a love for the work; the 
second is common sense, and the third untiring watchfulness. Of course 
the plants must be fed well or they will dwindle and grow sickly. Many 
persons leave plants in the same ground year after year, and then wonder 
why they do not bloom more. Frequent top-dressings of well decayed 
manure, are necessary, or some of the artificial fertilizers that are prepared 
for the purpose may be used to good advantage. 

A very important point is to keep the garden well sprinkled or watered in 
some way, and to keep a healthy growth. Then you will not be much 
troubled by insects of any kind. The rose slug is sometimes troublesome, 
and a good plan is to syringe the bushes with whale-oil soap early in the 
season, when the leaves are just opening. I have also found hellebore very 
good. 

When the field of labor is transferred from the garden to the house, 
greater watchfulness is necessary. One of the greatest obstacles to success 
with house plants is the dry and overheated atmosphere of our living rooms; 
but light sprinkling every day will help very much. The number of plants 
that will give good satisfaction in the house is small. Geraniums are always 
valuable and easy to manage. Roses require great care, but will repay the 
trouble. Abutilons are always in bloom, and there are also fuchsias that will 
give good returns. The calla lily must not be forgotten, for when well- 
grown it is one of the most noble looking plants we have, and very little 
trouble. Rich soil and plenty of water are necessary, and then they will 
bloom freely. The eriphyllum is a very good winter bloomer, and a great 
many begonias bloom all the winter. Among the best of the latter are 
rubra, robusta, Saundersonii, and multiflora. In early winter the chrysanthe- 
mums cannot be surpassed and are worthy of great attention. Later in the 
winter we have the bulbous-rooted plants, producing their lovely and fragrant 
flowers. Among the most desirable for early bloom is the freezia, and a 
litule later the narcissus, hyacmth, and many others. 


i 


INGHAM, COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 351 


The novice in floriculture should be careful not to undertake too much at 
the beginning. It is far better at first to cultivate a few ouly, and these of 
the easily grown sorts, than to make more extensive efforts. Occasional 
reverses must not be allowed to discourage, for failures are necessary to tne 
acquirement of that experience which alone can bring success. Patient 
effort and care will never fail to produce their reward. 


SOUTH HAVEN AND CASOO POMOLOGICAL 
SOCIETY. 


OFFICERS FOR YEAR 1888. 


President—C. J. Monroe. 

Vice President—A. H. Cook. 

Secretary—Wm. H. Payne. 

Treasurer—R. W. Linderman. 

This society keep up weekly meetings except during the busy season from 
July to November; but during that time, usually in August, it has been 
customary to hold three or four out-door meetings, gathering at the home of 
some fruit-grower, going systematically through his orchards and criticising 
his modes of planting, care, trimming, and culture, then gathering at the 
house to listen to the report of the ‘‘ viewing” committee; and in the dis- 
cussion which follows, the grower has a chance to defend his modes and give 
his reasons. Then the baskets are brought out and a late good dinner ends. 
the day. The society numbers this year over one hundred members, and 
when they are all out with their wives and invited guests, we have pretty 
much all that is known here of practical fruit-growing. 

The season opened briskly for us, in making preparations for the State 
Farmers’ Institute, held here Jan. 23-25, and the annual dinner of the local 
society to be held at the same time. The institute was a success in all points 
—the attendance was large, the interest intense, and a great impetus was- 
given to the study of pomology and the best modes of culture, handling, and 
marketing of fruit. The meetings of the society immediately following this 
event were devoted to discussion of papers read before the institute. The 
first was ‘“‘The Ideal Apple for Market,’’ by J. G. Ramsdell, when it was 
agreed that forty feet each way was the proper distance to set apple trees;. 
five or six of the best varieties are enough; then, with good cultivation, prup- 
ing, manuring and spraying to destroy the codling moth, the orchard would 
be both productive and profitable; that while the ideal apple was not yet 
in sight, the best six varieties for this section would be Baldwin, Red 
Astrachan, Northern Spy, Oldenburgh, Wagner, and Maiden’s Blush. 

At the next meeting was discussed the paper on “The Ideal Peach for 
Market,” by A. S. Dyckman. After a vigorous discussion, each one was: 
called upon to present alist of the best eight varieties, with this result: 
Hale’s Early, Jaques, Hill’s Chili,and Smock received a unanimous vote. 
Then, in their order, came Barnard, Snow’s Orange, Gold Drop, Lewis’ Seed-. 
ling, and Switzerland. Several more had a few votes each and strong recom- 
mendations, but the others were tried and true. It was also recommended 
that the Hale’s Early be planted only on high and dry ground, as it is them 


SOUTH HAVEN AND CASCO POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 353 


less liable to rot, and it matures before the dry weather sets in; that the 
Crawfords could not be raised on low or moist ground, and if planted at all 
it must be on high, dry ground; that peaches would do better on sandy soil, 
as it is quicker and moister in adrouth, but that most varieties would do 
well on clay ground thoroughly drained and tiled. 

The next meeting discussed a paper on “ The Ideal Pear for Market,” by 
J. Lannin, during which the following points were brought out: That the 
pear, while one of our finest fruits, was subject to blight, but on the whole 
pear culture was as profitable as peach raising; that the pear prefers a strong, 
dry, heavy soil; the ground should be well drained or tiled, heavily manured 
and cultivated, or, if left in grass, heavily mulched; but trees will blight in 
either condition. The codling moth is partial to the Flemish Beauty, while 
Clapp’s Favorite rots at the core if not gathered at the proper time, which is, 
as with all other pears, when it will part readily from the twig when gently 
lifted. This pear should be placed in a dark room to mature. As the ex- 
perience of many members, in growing pears, was limited, there was a wide 
difference of opinion as to best varieties. All admired the Bartlett, but as 
other varieties were wanted they were recommended in this order: Bartlett, 
Flemish Beauty, Seckel, Sheldon, Anjou, Clapp’s Favorite, Bosc, Louise, 
Howell, and Vicar; and for three varieties of dwarfs, Duchess, Louise, and 
Howell. 

The next discussion was on a paper by C. T. Bryant, on ‘“The Ideal Plum 
for Market.”” Whether owing to soil, location, moisture in the air, mildew, 
fungi, or circulio, the experience of members was that they could get a crop 
only once in four or five years, and it would not do to plant plums for 
market with the expectation of making them profitable; but if a person 
wished to take the chances of occasionally having some, or for his own use, 
he should plant on high and dry ground, first Bradshaw, then Damson and 
Union Purple. 

The next meeting discussed the paper on ‘“The Ideal Grape for Market,”’ 
by O. Beebe. Most members thought grape vines were set too closely, and 
8x10, 10x20 and 16x16 feet were recommended. It was shown that grapes 
were profitable for market but to get the best results they should be set on 
high, dry soil, and trained up and pruned so as to get the best effect of cir- 
culation of air and sunlight among the fruit. It was recommended by many 
that all grapes be laid down during the winter, because it pays to do so. 
The trellis system found the most favor, although many used stakes. The 
best of care will be amply repaid in dollars and cents. The Concord, Worden, 
Niagara, and Brighton were the favorites. 

The next meeting discussed a paper by A. G. Gulley on ‘“‘The Ideal Straw- 
berry for Market.”” That there is money in strawberry culture was unani- 
mously agreed, but the amount per acre was dependant somewhat on prices 
obtained, but more on the care and attention bestowed upon them. Straw- 
berries are valuable, in the succession df fruit, as bringing in the earliest 
returns and a little muney when most needed. Strawberries can worked and 
marketed before the peach season commences, and will grow on land not 
adapted to the peach. They should be mulched just as soon as the ground 
freezes. Like all other fruits, if fed liberally they will produce liberally. 
After the second or third crop, turn under just as soon as berries are picked, 
set out a new bed each year and turn under one each year. The favorites 
were the Cumberland, Wilson, Crescent, Sharpless, Bidwell and Miner, while 


45 


304 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Jag. Vick, Jessie, and Jewel were well spoken of but not so well tested. 
The fruit should be picked by reaching below the berry with thumb and 
finger and cutting the stem with the thumb-nail. On the next meeting the 
topic of “English Sparrows and How to Destroy Them” was taken up and 
discussed. It was claimed the sparrows were driving off the birds that de- 
stroyed the worms and insects, and refused to do their work, so that these 
insect pests were increasing, and it was resolved to take prompt measures to 
destroy the sparrows by shooting, trapping, and by placing poisoned seeds 
where they congregate, but out of the way of domestic fowls. 

During the year discussions were held on the merits of high and low prun- 
ing, the evidence going to show that the trees should be pruned high enough 
for the horse to pass under, and the top open enough so that the sun could 
enter and color and flavor the fruit. On pruning black berries and raspberries, 
there was some difference of opinion. More inclined to think they should be 
pinched back at from two to three feet high and the laterals cut back in the 
spring to within six inches of the stem. Currants and gooseberries should be 
trimmed so as to make a good shaped bush, open to the air and sunlight. 
Grapes, if stocky, leave four buds; if slender, two. Do not let too many 
limbs grow, and pinch back to give stockiness and better fruit. Cut suckers 
when they start, unless to renew the old vine. In setting trees, prepare the 
ground in the fall. In the spring, just as soon as the ground is dry and warm 
enough, set the trees 20x20 feet, if peaches or pears, and twice that distance 
if apples. A peach tree should be trimmed up like a whipstalk, and all the 
broken or bruised roots cut with a sharp knife, leaving the smooth cut on 
the under side of the root, for the sprouts to strike downward, as little root- 
lets will spring from the bark all along the cut. Plant eight or ten inches 
deep, or two inches lower than in nursery rows. If set too deeply they will 
not do well, as the roots need light and air. Take good care for the first two 
years. Do not cultivate later than middle or last of August, as the stimulant 
will cause late growth and winter killing. Trees should be cared for about 
the same as corn. 

On the 30th of April, Professor Erwin Smith of Michigan University, who 
had been gathering statistics and studying yellows in Maryland and New 
Jersey, met with us and we had a discussion about yellows. He stated that 
he had visited hundreds of orchards where yellows was prevalent, at the east,and 
exhibited photographs and drawings which were recognized as just the same as 
the Michigan yellows. Healso stated that they held that there were two kinds 
of yellows, and that poverty of soil wasa prime cause; and he wished to obtain 
the opinions of the experienced growers of this section. The consension of opin- 
ions, of those present, was that what caused yellows, or how communicated, no 
one yet knew; that in its modes of spreading it was a law unto itself; that rich- 
ness or poverty of soil, new or old, made no difference; that all varieties were 
alike subject to it, and that the only remedy yet devised was the axe. Out 
the infected trees, pile the branches around the stump, and in the spring, when 
removed, plant another tree in the same place, if you like, and it will not be 
affected. Donot draw loads of green branches from the affected trees through 
the orchard. Bees appear to carry the contagion tothe blossoms. Yellows is 
gradually dying out in this vicinity, and is reported less and less each year. 
There will be no relapse, for the cure is radical. 

On the 4th of June the first notice was given of the appearance of the straw- 
berry midge in this vicinity. It is described as a very small insect, about the 


, SOUTH HAVEN AND CASCO POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 355 


size of a flea, and quite as lively. They are first of a yellow color, which changes 
later to brown. They work in the blossom. Some of the strawberry beds 
had one-third of the fruit destroyed. Some had used soap suds and a kero- 
sene emulsion, without effect, and had not dared to use poisons for fear of 
leaving some on the fruit. A committee was appointed to study the habits 
of this midge, with magnifying glasses, and note the result and report. They 
seem to be spreading, but how seriously they will be felt remains to be seen. 

The discussion of the results of spraying was continued, and the society 
recommended procuring spraying pumps for neighborhood use, to spray 
apple trees, and to try the effect on peach and plum trees. 

The discussion of the best modes of packing, shipping, and marketing fruit, 
and the problem of transportation, which has occupied the society ad interim, 
all the year, seems likely to end in some kind of fruit growers’ union for 
mutual protection, and more so as the crop this year was enormous, and poor 
in size and quality, on account of dry weather, with corresponding poor prices 
and loss to growers. Still the year has shown marked improvements in 
many respects, and as our motto stands high, the next year will show further 
advancement. 


ALLEGAN COUNTY POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 


OFFICERS FOR 1888. 


President—Wm. Peet. 

Vice President—Chas. Manwaring. 
Secretary—G. H. LaFleur. 
Treasurer—Allen Wood. 


This society held monthly meetings during the past year, but no regular 
programme for the year was adopted. We have considered such topics as to 
the season and the localityin which the several meetings were held seemed best 
adapted. 

The society meets in different towns in the eastern part of the county. 
The social manner in which the forenoon is usually passed, and the picnic 
dinners are among the pleasant features of these gatherings. 

In accordance with an invitation from the fruit growers of the town of 
Otsego, the Allegan county pomological society met at the grange hall in that 
township. There was a good local attendance. Preparations had been made 
to serve a bountiful dinner to a crowd of hungry grangers and fruit growers. 
Great credit is due the ladies who contributed to the dinner, and by their 
presence added largely to the interest of the meeting. 

The meeting was not called to order until dinner had been served. 
In the absence of both president and vice president, Brother Hart, master of 
the grange, occupied the chair with an ease and ability which demonstrated 
the educational influence of the grange. The pomological society is under 
great obligation to the grangers of surrounding towns for the interest they 
have manifested in our success, and for courtesies extended to us by way of 
invitations to hold union meetings in their halls. These meetings have 
always been instructive and enjoyable. 

A. T. Stark delivered the following unique address of welcome: 

When God placed man in the garden of Eden, the perfection of the divine 
bill of fare included nothing but fruits. History tells of the vast improve- 
ments made in the quality of all kinds by culture and by the propagation of 
new varieties. In his natural condition, man, it seems, did not need flesh or 
cereal to support his health aad strength. The changed condition of arti- 
ficial living seems to demand them. ‘The cultivation of fruits requires con- 
tinued residence in one locality, hence the cultivation of those habits of in- 
dustry and economy conducive to the highest state of thrift and cultivation. 
Descend one step in the scale of civilization, fruits drop out of the bill of 
fare. Their place is imperfectly supplied by the cereals, and those vege- 
tables most easily grown. Descend still lower, cereals and flesh make the 
food; another step, flesh alone supports the Esquimaux, the Tartar, and the 


_ ALLEGAN COUNTY POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 307 


Indian. ‘‘Hog and hominy”’ formed the tissue of men who could perpetrate 
the crimes of Libby and Andersonville, whose purple stain time can not erase 
from the page of our history. Let us look at it this other way, and say that 
man ran wild as a savage; that of necessity he is at first a hunter; then a 
herdsman; that deprived by circumstances of his natural diet, fruit, his 
appetite becomes depraved and he craves alcoholic stimulants and tobacco for 
a relish or to quiet a craving for something not within his reach. Occasion- 
ally we see relics of barbarism in the persons of men otherwise civilized. 
Offer them a fine peach or a bunch of grapes, they will look away and say in 
a; kind of disgusted manner, ‘‘Thank ye, I have just taken a chaw of 
terbacker.”’ 

But to return to our hunter transformed into a herder. The country rap- 
idly fills with settlers. He can not occupy land enough to support a hundred 
families. He finds in spite of himself that he must abandon his business or 
raise less but better stock in a smaller compass. . His ideas enlarge by con- 
tact with his neighbors, and by the addition of grain and vegetables to his 
diet. He joins the grange; he is induced to cultivate fruits by a member of 
a pomological society. His mind expands, his morals improve, he becomes 
a teetotaler. His children eat fruit and so do not crave tobacco; he grows 
more and more civilized; he is converted to Christianity; he joins the 
church ; he finally becomes an accepted contributor to the Andover Review. 
What a wonderous change! Fruit, the leading factor in civilizing and 
Christianizing the world! How devoutly should we wish to support its cul- 
vation and use. 

As a society for promoting its culture, how sincerely does Otsego grange 
welcome you! ‘The tendency of our time seems to be toward the division of 
production, whether agricultural or manufacturing, into single lines. With- 
in the memory of some of your members, everything that was needed in the 
family, that possibly could be, was raised, prepared and manufactured on 
the farm. Every family was a manufactory. This state of affairs necessarily 
caused an immense amount of labor. Man worked, worked hard from sun 
to sun, while woman’s work was never done. The new condition of things 
makes it possible for one to accomplish as much as ten did formerly, and 
with comparatively little exercise of muscle. A hard day’s work reaped an 
acre of grain. Now an easy day’s work puts ten in better condition than the 
one. Ten yards of cloth are woven, ten pairs of socks knit, easier and 
quicker than one was then. A farmer raised hogs, cattle, sheep and horses; 
he kept bees, and made his own sugar; he grew wheat for himself and to 
sell; his wife made butter and cheese for sale and for home use; his only 
vehicle was the farm wagon, and in it could be easily loaded all the tools and 
implements deemed necessary to run an 80-acre farm. The virgin soil re- 
sponded freely to his efforts at cultivation. His few trees comprising his 
first orchard, surprised him by the loads of luscious apples, peaches, and all 
other fruits of this Jatitude. Sheltered as they were by the surrounding 
forests they thrived and produced abundantly with but little care where now 
even the trees themselves would not live, to say nothing of bearing fruit. 

Now ali is changed. The successful farmer, from this time on, will be a 
specialist. ‘The reasons for this are many and obvious to all careful obsery- 
ers. ‘The changed condition of soil, climate, and markets, price of labor, etc., 
make it necessary to use the most improved machinery and tools. ‘To raise 
half a dozen kinds of produce on an ordinary farm, and leave a net profit, one 


358 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


must have a half dozen lines of tools. Many a manisa bankrupt from trying 
to do this. A specialty makes it possible for everyone to own a complete line 
of tools, to successfully carry on his branch of business. The specialist’s 
hogs do not eat his lambs, his colts do not get on a barbed-wire fence, his 
cows do not browse his apple trees. The specialist gets a better price for his 
products, for he knows the demands of the markets and meets them. He 
produces a better article than his neighbor, the mixed farmer. The specialist’s 
pigs grow large in bone and muscle, in comfortable quarters, during the 
winter; they increase in weight at slight expense on clover in the summer; 
they are topped off with old corn, ground and cooked, and in August, at the 
top of the market, they bring the highest price, in a lump, so it can be felt. 
and the money goes to pay off the mortgage or to lengthen the bank account. 
The specialist’s Hambletonian colt brings him $1,000, while his neighbor’s 
brings $250. The specialist’s potatoes are a mine of gold, while the bugs and 
the drought make buyers of the mixed farmers. Curculio and borer and 
yellows and moths and worms and bacteria, sting and bore and kill and de- 
your and annihilate the trees, and the fruit and foliage thereof, belonging to 
the mixed farmer, while the specialist wears diamonds, as do his sisters and 
his cousins and his aunts. 

This being very desirable, we welcome you as a society seeking to bring 
about this state of affairs among us. It is becoming proverbial that the 
pomologists and their wives and daughters are the best dressed of all our 
citizens. They well know that fruit is the cause of this and they rejoice 
and are proud of the knowledge; but did it ever occur to them that fruit is 
the cause of all of us and all our ancestors wearing any clothes at all? 
George Coleman has the authority of the holy scriptures for saying that 


Adam and Eve were, at the world’s beginning, 
Ashamed of nothing till they took to sinning, 
But after Adam’s step (the first was Eve’s) 

With sorrow big they sought the fig, 

To cool their blushes with its hanging leaves— 
Whereby we find that when all things were recent, 
Till folks grew naughty they were barely decent. 
This dress may date its origin from sin, 

Which proves beyond a shadow of dispute 

How many owe their livelihoods to fruit; 

For fruit caused sin and sin brought shame, 

And all through shame our dresses came. 

Now had not woman worked our fall, 

How many who have trades and avocations 
Would shut up shop in these our polished nations 
And have no business to transact at all ? 


Thus we find, on looking the matter over, that about all there is in or 
about us that is good is caused by fruit. Therefore, asa society having for its 
object the culture of luscious, health-giving fruits, we bid you thrice wel- 
come. 

This was followed by a paper by Mr. LaFleur concerning fruit growing in 
general. 


ALLEGAN COUNTY POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 359 


The society was organized for the mutual benefit of all the members. The 
design is that it may become a school in which all may receive instruction in 
all the branches pertaining to fruit culture. The method adopted to receive 
and impart instruction is that each member give the result of his experience 
and observation with the various kinds of fruit grown by himself or his 
neighbors. ‘To become successful in growing fruit it is as important that we 
learn some of the fundamental principles upon which success depends, as 
it is to become versed in any trade or general business. The larger part of 
fruit growers are already in possession of the land upon which they 
arenow or expect to be engaged in growing fruit. The first thing 
to consider is what kind of fruit is best adapted to his particular 
farm or ground to be occupied. This can be learned by the exparience 
of others who have tested these things. Having settled this question, 
then select that kind of fruit which is most likely to be grown with 
profit. This understood at the outset will saye a vast amount of labor, 
time, money and disappointment. Whatever you conclude to plant, 
the next thing to consider is what particular varieties are best to plant. 
Those who have had personal experience or large observation are the safest. 
counselors. Such persons are usually among the men who attend and help. 
to maintain pomological and horticultural societies, and will gladly give you 
the benefit of their knowledge. The best methods of cultivation and manage- 
ment, or in other words such methods as have proved the most successful, 
with experienced cultivators, will be explained and recommended and here. 
the beginner may learn more in a meeting like this than he can learn by 
experiment in many years, and at a great deal less cost. 

When one has become satisfied upon these points, other questions will come 
up to be settled. First, are your surroundings such as will enable you to 
place your fruit upon the market without too much risk or expense? Is the 
quality such that the public will buy it? Hardiness, productiveness, and 
quality are the three essential points; color, size, and keeping qualities are. 
next to be considered. Another matter of very great importance is the present 
and probable future demand. There is one thing more that should not 
be overlooked. Can the fruit under consideration be grown universally 
throughout a large portion of the country, or is the area limited upon 
which it can be produced? After having examined and satisfied yourself 
that your fruit combines all the good points necessary for success, there 
still remains another question, one which is of as much importance as any 
or all the others. Are you composed of the right material to become a success- 
ful fruit grower? Have you the taste, the energy, and gumption to carry 
you by and tide you over difficulties and disappointments and conquer success 
if within the possibilities? Ifso you have a rare combination of conditions 
that cannot fail of reaching great and good results if you attend and support 
your nearest horticultural or pomological society and take an active part in 
its discussions. A citizen of Michigan may well be pardoned if he claims that 
the Peninsular state combines as many favorable conditions for the growing 
of as great a variety of fruits as any state in the Union. This will give large 
latitude for the selection of whatever may suit his individual tastes or his judg- 
ment of what may be the most profitable to grow. Thecry of overproduction 
dates back to atime prior to my recollection, and may still be heard, and in 
all probability will continue to be sounded in the ears of enterprising fruit 
growers for generations to come. ‘I'he man who has made himself familiar 


360 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


with the history of fruit growing from the time the early settlers planted the 
seeds brought with them from their former homes, has seen these small begin- 
ners increase steadily from year to year, until the amount of fruit grown and 
shipped is now almost beyond our comprehension. Almost every farm has 
an orchard, small fruit garden, or vineyard. Something of an idea may be 
gathered from the report of the shipments of fruit from along the west part 
of the state. 

The vast territory west of the Mississippi that is being settled upon and 
improved for agricultural purposes, will soon treble the present number of 
inhabitants, and within a life time will be the home of more people than the 
entire population of the United States now is; and each year will add to their 
financial ability to purchase the vast amount of fruit which will be grown 
within this State. He who would raise the cry of overproduction is evidently 
near-sighted and can only see the condition of things within a limited space, 
a very small part of this wonderfuliy great and growing country. He should 
go to Chicago, thence to St. Paul, and continue his journeyings west and 
south, over that immense tract of prairie country, until he is almost lost in 
amazement at the magnitude of the great northwest. After comprehending 
something of what is to be—that this great tract will be covered with cities 
and towns and the entire land densely populated as the eastern country now 
is—then let him remember that over that great country, teeming with wealth 
and agricultural productions, the merciless blizzard with icy hand annually 
sweeps, rendering fruit growing so impossible that even the Russian ironclad 
apple trees go down before its fury, refusing to yield fruit or blossoms. The 
millions who are to inhabit that country will grow rich out of the agricultural 
products adapted to the soil and climate there. Does it seem reasonable that 
the limited area upon which fruit can be profitably grown will produce such 
vast amounts as to more than supply the millions of the northwest, until it 
shall be a drug upon the market? The probability is that millions of people 
there will long for the luscious fruit which they cannot buy. 

I am often asked what kind of fruit will pay the best in this part of the 
State. It is well to remember that the larger part of the fruit to be sold in 
the future must necessarily be shipped long distances to reach the markets 
of the far west. The apple is probably one of the fruits that can be shipped 
to the extent of this western land. The apple is king of fruits and can be 
converted into more kinds of food than any other. The chances are that 
there will be more money made from apples than any other kind of fruit 
grown in Michigan. It is a universal favorite with the people. Its con- 
sumption is only limited by the supply and the ability of the people to buy, 
both of which will increase as the years go by. Where we now have one acre 
planted to apples, twenty acres will be needed to meet the demand. 
He who will plant an apple orchard of good varieties and leave 
it to his boy, will leave him something that will be a source 
of revenue for a lifetime. There is also a growing demand for 
American apples in Europe. [Statistics to prove this were read. | 
I have more faith in the apple orchards of Michigan than I have in any 
other orchard fruit. Pears may also be grown with success, and if of the 
right varieties and handled properly, they can be shipped long distances and 
usually bring good prices. While the apple is a staple production for food, 
the pear is a luxury and may be dispensed with. Where peaches can be 
grown to advantage they are very profitable, and sell for fabulous prices 


ALLEGAN COUNTY POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 361 


sometimes. The fruit cannot stand long shipment, and must be consumed 
as soon as ripe; yet its excellence insures its ready sale and consumption 
within the distance of its shipping limit. Should the supply of peaches be 
largely increased, shipping facilities will be improved, which will insure their 
shipment to more distant markets. Plums and quinces are grown to ad- 
vantage upon ground adapted to them, and large sums of money are received 
annually by those who grow them to any extent. 

A. D. Botsford: I read the reports of these meetings. I see that the 
fruit growers are not all agreed upon the best varieties of apple for market. 
Most of the kinds named were good but some of them certainly could not be 
grown with profit as market apples. The location, soil, and taste of the person 
all may have some influence in the statements made by these different persons. 

Mr. Phelps: In my experience the Baldwin is among the best. The R. I. 
Greening is one of the best of the long and well known varieties in quality, 
and where the conditions are right with proper management can be made 
reasonably productive. 

The Jonathan has many good points. The tree is a fair grower and hardy 
and certainly productive; for family use it isamong the best. Apples should 
be hand picked when ripe or ready to gather, and placed where they can be 
kept dry and cool. Later on they should be sorted carefully, placing sound 
apples in barrels which are to be kept late into the winter and until even late 
in spring. By this careful method of sorting and packing late in the season 
one may have apples the year round. Apples for last of winter and spring 
use should be kept in cellar as near the freezing point as possible. In this 
way one can have fresh, crisp apples till late spring. 

Samuel Webster: The Baldwin is a good bearer, but the quality is not the 
best, and it is sometimes affected with dry rot. Red Canada is of excellent 
quality and keeps well and bears about as heavily as most varieties. Any 
apple which will retain its freshness and flavor for a long time has one good 
point in its favor. 

M. N. Hart once had some apples which were packed in barrels badly 
frozen. He placed them ina cool cellar and let them thaw slowly. They 
came out allright. Buyers complain that apples often rot on their hands 
before they can dispose of them, consequently they dare not pay high prices 
for them. I think from my experience that very much of this isthe result of 
dishonest packing or ignorance of what constitutes a good merchantable 
apple. The grower, the commission man, and the consumer all suffer loss 
through improper packing. If we grow good varieties of apple and put them 
on the market in good sound condition, well graded, we are almost certain of 
good paying prices. I will name four good apples which have done well with 
me: Baldwin, Northern Spy, Jonathan, Red Canada. 

John Keniston: I think the Baldwin one of the best. The Northern Spy 
is a good apple, but it takes a long time to come to bearing. 
Mr. Phelps: Is there any method by which we can secure a crop of apples 
annually from same trees? Had heard one man say that he could secure a 

crop of apples every year. 

J. F. Brest: I have observed that in a given number of apple trees of the 
same variety standing on ground of like quality and location, part of the 
trees bear much more regularly than the others. I have found this to be 
so in many other orchards besides my own. By taking scions from the best 
bearers and grafting into other trees, found that the result was to secure more 


362 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


uniformity in bearing. I have grafted trees with scions taken from both 
good bearers and poor bearers of the variety, and find that each maintains 
the character of the parent tree. I have grafted with what is termed water 
sprouts and find that it will take a much longer time to come into bearing 
than when scions were taken from bearing trees. 

Mr. Strait: I understand that nurserymen use scions taken from young 
trees in the nursery row. Perhaps the nonbearing condition of apple 
orchards might be partly from such practice. 

Arthur Stark: I have trees topgrafted from scions taken from other trees. 
They commenced bearing the third year and have been bearing since. The 
trees were 25 years old when grafted. If one has trees of inferior kinds, and 
they are in sound condition, they can be topgrafted to some good variety. If 
the work is well done and the trees are properly cared for, and all the old 
tops trimmed off in proper time, you can change the tops to good varie- 
ties that will come into bearing soon. 

A. D. Botsford. <A principal advanced and susceptible of proof should be 
pushed to a termination which would place it beyond question, especially if it 
involves truths of importance that the public should understand. This idea 
advanced here today in relation to the use of scions from bearing or partial 
bearing trees, as well as the use of scions cut from the nursery row either for 
topgrafting or rootgrafting—if based upon facts should be thoroughly tested 
and settled. Upon this may depend much of success of fruit growers of Mich- 
igan. 

Mr. Stuck: I have used water sprouts or suckers in top grafting apple 
trees for an experiment. They were eight years coming to bearing. 

I expect to plant some apple trees in the spring. How can I secure trees 
true to name that will be abundant bearers. Shall I buy nursery trees of the 
varieties I want or should I get hardy stock and have them topgrafted to the 
varieties I desire to have in my orchard. 

J. F. Brest: I should select good, strong growing trees from the nursery 
row. Should not ask the nurseryman what kind they were, as I have no 
confidence in what they might tell me. Should select scions from bearing 
trees and topgraft them. 

A. D. Botsford: There are some honest nurserymen, as honest as the 
average of men in other business matters. 

Samuel Webster: When I buy trees of nurserymen near home have been 
fortunate in securing good trees and usually true to name. Sometimes mis- 
takes will occur, but I don’t think they are intentional on the part of our 
home nurserymen at least. I had rather trust them than traveling agents 
who are strangers to me. 

Arthur Stark: I don’t think all the mistakes made in varieties can be 
charged to nurserymen. In large nursery grounds there are a large number 
of men employed to perform the work. These men were liable to make 
mistakes. The proprietor could not oversee everything. I think we are more 
certain of obtaining varieties true to name when we patronize small home 
nurseries. 

Mr. Phelps: Will Mr. LaFleur name some of the best varieties of winter 
apple for market? 

G. H. LaFleur: I suppose you mean by best varieties the kinds that pay 
best to grow for market. I willconfine my list to well known and thoroughly 
tested varieties, which have come under my observation for this part of 


ALLEGAN COUNTY POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 363 


Michigan. As we are more interested to know what varieties are best 
adapted to our own immediate section, I will name: Baldwin, Stark, Hub- 
bardston, Northern Spy, Jonathan, Red Canada. I have named these kinds 
as being adapted to this section and safe to plant out for an orchard. There 
are several other valuable kinds, which are fairly successful, but having some 
weak points. 

A voice: Why leave out the Ben. Davis? 

The Ben. Davis tree is hardy, fairly productive, and a good keeper, but the 
fruit has one very weak point which when the public find out they will refuse 
to buy it. It is inferior in quality as grown in Michigan. 


MEETING AT HAMILTON. 


Accepting an invitation to meet at Hamilton, a dozen or more members of 
the Allegan county society were on hand at an early hour, Aug. 16, but were 
not met by as many people of the locality as they had hoped to see. The pur- 
pose of the meeting was to give information about cultivation of small fruits 
to a number of persons who are about to begin in the business, as lands there- 
about are well suited to that purpose. There was a fair attendance in the 
afternoon, and after entertainment at dinner of most of the visitors, in the 
homes of some of the most hospitable villagers, President Peet called to order 
and introduced the first speaker. 

A. J. Warner: Small fruit growing is a subject of large magnitude, and 
while my experience leads me to practices which might not be invariably best - 
for others, yet in a general way the principles are well established. Cultiva- 
tion of fruit is profitable as to finance and beneficial as to the health of the 
cultivator. The country about Hamilton is favorable to small fruits, espec- 
ially grapes, while berries would do well, and pearsalso. Fruit growing pays 
in combination with general farming. Fruit brings money easier and the 
pleasure of its culture is much greater. I have 300 or 400 vines bearing 
grapes this year. Will they be profitable? Well, I find well grown fruit 
always salable and always yielding profit in greater or less degree. As to 
varieties, grow what the public demands. You cannot form and control the 
public taste. Gluts sometimes occur, and we must expect them and bear the 
consequences; but on the whole there is money in fruit growing. 

Pres. Walter Phillips of the West Michigan Fruit Grower’s Association: 
Overproduction exists only as to poor fruit. The market is always good for 
the best fruit of every kind. Allegan county, by soil, climate and location, 
is peerless in the whole north and west as a fruit region. ‘There is money in 
the larger fruits in all parts of the county, but here there is money in small 
fruits also, especially grapes. I have in my vineyard forty-one varieties of 
American grape, but would recommend only three or four of them for general 
cultivation. Six points are to be considered—hardiness, earliness, abundant 
bearing, popularity—showiness, keeping and vigor of vine—capacity to re- 
sist insects, mildew, cold, etc. I would choose Worden and Moore’s Karly 
for black—the latter is a shy bearer but always sells high, and Worden is a 
long keeper; for red, Brighton, and for white, Niagara only. The Niagara 
bears abundantly (five to six tons per acre have been yielded successively, on 
heavy soil, and it does proportionately well on lighter soil). It bears early— 
the third year. I have seen, in the vineyard of H. H. Hayes, in Ottawa 
county, fourteen tons hanging on the vines of two and one-half acres, and 


364 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


not an imperfect bunch in the whole—that is, no loose bunches. The 
Niagara is at the head of the list for profit. 

A. J. Warner commended the Niagara for fruitfulness, compactness, and 

rofit. 

ri Mr. Phillips, replying to a question as to cultivation: I prefer the Kniffin 
system. It is best to set the vines in October. Draw the earth up well about 
them and mulch, pulling off the latter in spring. After growth of three 
inches or so has been made, pull off all shoots but one, and train it to a stake; 
when this is four or five feet high, nip off its tip, also removing all laterals; 
cut back, for next year’s growth, to three or four buds and repeat this pro- 
cess for the third year, keeping off all laterals but one to run on lower wire. 
The vines should be nine feet apart each way and the trellis have two wires, 
the first two and one-fourth feet from the ground, the second the same distance 
further up. Cut back the laterals to five buds—that is enough for the first 
crop. In the fourth and succeeding years seven or eight buds may be left. 
Don’t let the vines run to wood—it saps the vitality of the roots. 

Mr. Phillips lately explained that after the above process had madeso much ~ 
wood that the laterals met or passed one another on the trellises, the grower 
should begin back again with some of the new branches that start each year. 

A. J. Warner: I cut back to four or five buds and get forty pounds per 
vine. 

H. A. Sears: I have heard from Lawton complaints that the Niagara is 
tender and must be laid down in winter. 

Mr. Phillips: I can not say that is untrue at Lawton; but it is certainly 
untrue here and in.Ottawa county. 

M. T. Smith: I wish to make a plea for the Concord. It will yield as 
many pounds per acre {I had eight tons last year) as any other; yet the 
Niagara seems to be the more profitableand in demand. ‘Take care of fruits, 
grapes especially, and they will take care of you. Care should be taken in 
setting. Trim the roots back to live wood—say to afoot in length. My 
method is to train a cane to a stout stake, cutting off at the hight of about 
five feet. By continuous cutting back the vines will stand like trees, as 
mine do now that were planted in 1870. New wood is thrown out each year for 
fruit, and this I cut back to three or four buds each year, occasionally going 
back to some axillary bud when the branches become too long. Pinch back 
all bearing vines to one leaf beyond the fruit, doing this just as the fruit is 
setting. The remaining leaves grow very large and become suflicient for 
development of the fruit. Delaware grapes do not pay. I grow them only 
for myself, and let them run, ‘They do not bear pruning. 

G. H. LaFleur: The Niagara is reasonably hardy. Where it does not 
seem 80, some other cause than the natural vitality of the vine will be found 
to make the trouble. There is no question of its hardiness in this section, 
under proper treatment. Wood ashes are the best manure for grapes. 

Chas. Manwaring sketched the beginning of fruit growing around Allegan 
and told how he went to Kansas to find a better fruit region, but found they 
could there raise only Early Richmond cherries and strawberries. He too 
late discovered Michigan to be vastly preferable. arly tests were made here 
with Delaware and Concord. They proved good then, but Niagara must dis- 
place them for profit. Moore’s Early he would plant only for private use. 
Scarcely too much ashes can be applied to grapes, but barnyard manure tends 
to produce too much wood. Five to ten shovels full of ashes may be given 
each vine each year. 


ALLEGAN COUNTY POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 365 


W. Phillips: Ashes are not equaled by any other manure. They make 
sound wood and perfect fruit. 

M. T. Smith: Ihad thought there was such a thing as overproduction ; 
but upon going to market and seeing the quality of what causes glut, I fully 
understood the truth of the saying, ‘Good fruit always sells well.” There 
is more monev in grapes at 24 cents per pound than in wheat at $2 per bushel. 
[Here! here!] People are learning to eat more grapes than formerly, so 
there is a larger demand each year. 

Discussion of pears was taken up, and W. Bb. Andruss, who had twenty 
varieties on exhibition, was called for and talked familiarly of their merits. 

Clapp’s Favorite is just right to pick now. Put the fruit on a floor, cover 
with blankets, and in a few days it will color and ‘ripen better than if on the 
tree. Anjou is one of the best—keeps till February. Bartlett is well enough 
for a late pear, but there is more money in Clapp’s Favorite. The best three 
for profit are Bartlett, Clapp’s Favorite, and Bosc—on clay loam. 

Mr. Phillips: On sand I would include Flemish Beauty. 

Mr. Andruss: It will crack in dry weather. 

Mr. LaFleur: These are all good sorts, though Clapp’s Favorite is not a 
good keeper. The conviction is growing that the later we can have good fruit 
the more money we can make from it. Anjou and Lawrence are for this 
reason desirable sorts. 

Mr. Andruss: I meant summer pears. For later I would include Anjou. 

Mr. LaFleur: In their order, I consider these the best pears for general 
planting: Clapp’s, Bartlett, Flemish Beauty, Anjou, Nelis, and Lawrence. 

Mr. Phillips: What about Sheldon? 

Mr. LaFleur: An excellent pear. On sand the Sheldon, Clapp’s Favorite, 
Anjou, and Flemish Beauty are good. 

Mr. Andruss: Vicar of Wakefield on gravelly loam, makes an excellent 
winter pear. 

Mr. Warner was called out on strawberries and said:, From a patch of 
Crescent, three rods by sixteen, I sold $15 worth of berries this season and a 
large supply for family use. Such small plats of berries, well cared for, 
yield handsome profits, while for family supply they are invaluable. So with 
raspberries and other small fruits. They take some labor but the result 
justifies it. 

Mr. Phillips: For profit I prefer Wilson in hills and Crescent in the 
matted row. Of black-cap raspberries, Mammoth Cluster and Gregg are 
best; and of reds, the Cuthbert. Tyler and Souhegan are good black-caps 
for early crops. 

Mr. Andruss: I like Marlboro (red) for light soil but Cuthbert is pre- 
ferable for heavy land. I grow of blackberies the two Wilsons, Lawton, 
Kittatinny, and Missouri Mammoth, but like the Lawton best. It is not 
ripe when first it turns black, and usually is picked too soon. 

Mr. LaFleur: Practical men will differ according to their preferences 
and results on their several soils, but their advice is of more value than that 
of all peddlers and non-residents. Be careful not to make mistakes, as it 
takes years to correct them. Better wait a season or two, ask, observe, 
learn; read intelligently and investigate always. Here at Hamilton you who 
contemplate beginning in pomology should form a society and meet for dis- 
cussion, or join the Allegan society, get the State society’s annual report, 
and subscribe fur and take the best horticultural papers. 


366 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Answering to a call, G. H. Siple of Hamilton said his brother and himself 
had 3,000 bearing peach trees, and this season a full crop. Some hardy sorts, 
such as Amsden, Waterloo, and Chili, bear every year, but for most kinds he 
thought the region unfavorable. 

Mr. LaFleur: If peaches do not succeed here with such cultivation as the 
Messrs. Siple give, it isevident that they can not now be raised. But the 
blackberry (Snyder especially) will do well, as will other small fruits, includ- 
ing currants and gooseberries. Probably, too, the Russian apricot will suc- 
ceed (I shallset 400 next spring), as it is hardy inthe extreme temperatures 
of the west. Grapes will be profitable, certainly, for they have already been 
tested by Mr. Taylor. Several good sorts have been mentioned, the Niagara 
especially. A Milwaukee commission man said he could have sold tons of 
them last fall at a shilling per pound had they been obtainable. They can be 
kept three months and then placed on the market. Apples, also, will pay, 
and must not be neglected. I would rather have ten acres of Baldwin apples 
than ten acres of peaches, for profit year by year, and they will last longer. 
The Baldwin will do well on light soil. Do not plant too many kinds. I 
would not set more than six sorts of apple if I were required to cover the 
whole county, and then only three for the most part. My preferred sorts are 
Baldwin, Stark (none betterthan this), Spy, Jonathan. I would set as stocks 
upon which to graft these, Talman Sweet, Astrachan, Spy, Duchess, and Ben 
Davis. 

Mr. Andruss: Astrachan is the best stock I ever grafted into. 

Mr. LaFleur: Ido not dispute you. At the east men pay $1,000 per 
acre for land upon which to grow grapes, because it is near good markets. 
Here we are close to the best of markets, and all this cheap land will produce 
some sort of fruit at a profit. 

Several speakers, in course of their remarks, commended very highly the 
Allegan Gazette as a horticultural paper of most excellent quality, Mr. Phil- 
lips going so far as to declare it the best one in the whole country, for 
Michigan fruit growers, because it contains the experience, opinions, and 
practice of Michigan pomologists, which necessarily are peculiar to them- 
selyes and obtainable in no other publication. 


LENAWEE COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


OFFICERS FOR 1889. 


President—H. C. Bradish, 
Vice President—Peter Coller, 
Secretary—D. G. Edmiston, 
Treasurer—B. I. Laing. 


( J. W. Helene, 
| A. Sigler, 
| Executive Committee— a ae ee 


f Mrs. M. S. Trine, 
Mrs. Nancy Harvey. 


The year 1888 has been one of prosperity to the horticulturists of Lenawee 
county. We held a meeting each month during the year, three of which 
were held in the supervisor’s room of the court house, two in Dean’s opera 
house, Adrian, one in the city hall, and the remaining six at the homes of 
members. 

The meetings have been well attended, usually having from eighty to one 
hundred present. It is customary to hold two sessions and the ladies serve a 
picnic dinner, when a general social time is enjoyed. 

For a number of meetings at the first of the year the ladies held a session 
in an adjoining room to discuss household topics, which plan was finally aban- 
doned and the ladies’ session is now held in connection with the general meet- 
ing. The question box has been an important aid in bringing out many 
timely suggestions. 

In connection with the March meeting was held the thirty-seventh anniver- 
gary, with exercises appropriate to the occasion. June was devoted to the 
strawberry and rose. A fine display was made and premiums awarded. The 
afternoon hours of the August meeting were givenup to the children. The 
society was highly entertained with recitations and songs. It was decided 
the December meeting should consist principally of a flower and fruit display, 
and with that object in view the members assembled, bringing the best from 
orchard, vine, and conservatory. Five tables were laden with fruits, and 
two with flowers, making a display that any county might be proud of. 
There were on exhibition twenty-two varieties of grape; Mr. Sigler had ten 
varieties of foreign grape grown under glass; and there were on display sixty- 
three plates of apples, also a fine assortment of winter pears. On this dis- 
play premiums were awarded. 

Subjoined are several papers read at the annual meeting. 

Mary C. Axis, Secretary. 


‘ 


368 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


OUR SUCCESS. 


If we stop to consider for a moment, and contrast the present with the 
past, we will be surprised at the strides made in horticulture and its per- 
tainings in thirty-seven years. At that time but little was known of the 
curculio or its habits. Now we pretty well understand his movements, and 
have him fairly well under our control. The black knot, a great barrier to 
plum growing, we have learned (with a little diligence and a sharp knife) 
can be kept under subjection. The codlin moth, though holding sway for 
many years, can in a great measure be made to succumb, while numberless 
insects, which infest plant and tree, are kept in check with proper applica- 
tions. We have also become quite successful in battling against bacteria, 
grape rot, mildew, and rust and many other enemies to the pursuit of horti- 
culture. 

Great success has been attained in the last few years in the production of 
new varieties. Munson of Texas claims he can, with a good deal of certainty, 
give the result of the cross when made. 

This society, when first organized, flourished finely for a few years, then 
settled back into dullness or stupidity, oscillating, as it were, between life 
and oblivion, and perhaps from several causes, among which were the death 
of several of its active workers, and removal of others to distant lands. The 
destruction of many of our finer fruits by the cold winters was another 
source of discouragement. But for all obstacles strewn in its pathway, the 
society is now stronger and more successful than ever. 

PETER COLLER. 


EARLY INFLUENCE OF LENAWEE COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


In those early days of *51 and later, the influence for good of such men as were 
to the front in our society could not but be felt. Without stopping to allude to 
any who are yet alive and with us, I think I may be pardoned for naming some 
of those who have passed beyond the river, such as Dr. D. K. Underwood, 
Samuel Lothrop, Asa Cornell, B. F. Strang, Jesup Scott and Mr. Linnell, 
also two or three now living at other places, as Judge T. M. Cooley, William 
and Frank Scott. As already intimated, the energy aud devotion to horti- 
culture of such men as these (and others, both men and women that I 
have not space to mention) could not be otherwise than helpful to all con- 
cerned. Old members who are still living can testify that the knowledge dis- 
seminated and the good work done was truly wonderful. Tree planting of 
all kinds, both fruit an ornamental, was stimulated to a degree beyond all 
former experience, and a general desire was soon manifest for a better 
knowledge of all sorts of fruit. The merits and demerits of the different 
kinds of apple, pear, cherry, peach, plum and quince, were discussed as 
never before; grapes, currants and the different berries received equal atten- 
tion, and flowering plants, shrubs, roses and shade trees also came in for 
their share. Even the desirability of a fine park was most seriously dis- 
cussed. It has been said that the influence of a good word or deed is never 
lost. Most certainly is this true of horticulture, and especially so in the 
case under consideration, as the grand results of the energy and enthusiasm 
shown in those early days are still seen on all sides in the profusion of the 
finest fruits and flowers, in the almost endless rows of flourishing street and 


LENAWEE COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 369 


roadside trees, in our beautiful cemetery; but best of all, perhaps, in the 
society as we find it at this day, a vigorous and healthy child, inheriting 
many, if not all, of the good traits of one of the best of parents. 

If time permitted I should be glad to mention some other matters not con- 
templated in the original plans of the organization. People of all stations 
in life were brought together—high and low, rich and poor, educated or not, 
so that some of us who were somewhat sharp-cornered, it may have been, 
were no doubt smoothed down a little and helped by contact with those of 
better opportunities. 

And so, in closing, my desire is that we of this later day, who have such 
a splendid inheritance from the fathers and mothers of our society, may 
profit by their example and go on and up, not only willing to be benefited our- 
selves, but ever ready to impart to those who for various reasons, cannot 
join with us, as I fully believe there are but few open doors that offer better 
opportunities of benefitting our fellows than the pursuit of horticulture. So 
may our society not only be one of the oldest, but also one of the best and 


most useful in the State. 
B. H. STEER. 


A HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY. 


A short time ago I was asked by the chairman of your executive board 
to prepare a short history of this society, and although he did not positively 
limit me to six minutes of time in which to give you its history of thirty- 
seven years, yet he hinted very plainly that only about that time could profit- 
ably be devoted to that subject; and as I always think it better to take a 
hint in preference to anything worse, this history must be very concise. 

Thirty-seven years ago tomorrow (the 15th of March, 1851,) a few gentle- 
men interested in horticulture met at the office of R. H. Whitney, and after 
canvassing the question at considerable length, of the culture of fruits, 
flowers, and vegetables, which at that time was attracting considerable at- 
tention, it was proposed to form a horticultural society, and Langford G. Berry 
was called to the chair, and F. R. Stebbins was chosen secretary pro tem. 
Dr. Underwood, R. H. Whitney, B. F. Strang, Langford G. Berry, and 
George W. Merrick were made a committee to draft a constitution, and re- 
port at the sawe place in one week, which duty they performed; and then 
and there, on the 22d of March, 1851, the Adrian Horticultural Society had 
its birth—and I always feel like honoring the men and women who, in that 
early day, could look forward and see the good that necessarily must follow a 
combined effort to introduce and propagate new and valuable fruits, flowers, 
and vegetables. I would like to give the names of all who in its early days 
gave aid and encouragement, by their attendance and exhibits of the best 
products of their gardens. 

Foremost among the active members are the names of Strang, Cornell, 
Steere, Underwood, Lathrop, Scott, Smith—‘‘ but hold!” names roll up be- 
fore me, too numerous for mention. Yet I cannot withhold such familiar 
names connected with this society as Mrs. A. J. Comstock, the Misses Dean, 
and Ormsby, Mrs. Cooley, and Mrs. Dr. Webb. Others, perhaps equally 
active and interested, occur to my mind, who added largely to the society by 
their presence and exhibits of fruits, flowers and vegetables. 


47 


370 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


As the society progressed in interest from year to year, and new members 
were added to our ranks, a good deal of emulation occurred among us, and 
each one tried to excel the other in the laudable effort to raise the earliest, 
the largest, and if possible the best of its kind, and many made specialties of 
some fruit or vegetable, to see to what perfection of size or earliness it could 
be made to attain with extra care, nursing and fertilization. 

About 1853, or may be the year before, the Victoria pieplant was introduced 
here, largest of the rhubarb family then grown. As it was found to respond 
quickly to high culture and nursing, many members took the craze, and pie- 
plant was raised in large quantities and of mammoth size. In the summer of 
1855 stalks were on exhibition by D. K. Underwood weighing two pounds 
and 12 ounces; and the same by B. F. Strang, and several others, about the 
same weight. But Judge Barber took the pie ou July 20, with a stalk weighing 
three pounds and thirteen ounces. Then the rest of us dropped out. While 
I am on specialties I must tell alittle note of the well-remembered and valued 
friend of this society, Samuel Lothrop. Mr. Lothrop always had a nice gar- 
den. It was the pride of his heart, and it always did him good to be a little 
ahead of others with his fruits and vegetables, and he usually got about the 
first on the exhibition tables. One spring about this time, the 15th of March, 
Mr. Lothrop decided in his own mind that he must have the first green peas 
this year if care and nursing would doit. He dug shallow trenches, fertilized 
high,and planted his peas with great care. He then procured strips of “factory” 
cloth to cover over them cold days and nights, and took special care of them 
during the entire spring. His German neighbor, the other side of the fence, 
who was a good gardener, watched the trench digging with some interest ; 
and, being puzzled to know the meaning of it, called out one morning over” 
the fence, “O! Mister Lothrop, what for you doing mit dem ditches?” Mr. 
Lothrop explained to his neighbor his intentions. The German shook his 
head and said, ‘‘We don’t grow peas till May, Mister Lothrop;” and, as Mr. 
Lothrop told us afterward, his German neighbor planted on the 2d day of 
May and had green peas within two days as soon as he did, and he wanted us 
to answer the question, did it pay? We thought the experiment answered the 
question. 

For several years during the fifties this society was noted for placing on 
her exhibition tables the best collection of cherries of any place in the state; 
but the trees proved too tender, as a rule, and soon succumbed to severe win- 
ters or other climatic influences, and are, with many other good things, out- 
side of profitable culture in this latitude. Among the varieties then grown 
here, which gave us much satisfaction, were Black Tartarian, Black Eagle, 
Black Heart, Elton, Sparhawk’s Honey, May Duke, Napotian, Bigarroux, 
Gov. Wood, Ohio Beauty, and many other choice varieties could be men- 
tioned, which found a place during their season upon the tables. 

Peaches were at the time very plentiful and were considered a valuable crop 
at a dollar per bushel. The failure to have an annual crop was the exception, 
not the rule as now, and there were some fine specimens exhibited from time - 
to time. I will mention a few to show what was grown here then. Luther 
Bradish presented a Crawford’s Early, weight 11 ounces, measuring 103 
inches; James A. Johnson, a seedling, weight 114 ounces; A. M. Baker, 
Crawford’s Late, 11 ounces, and Israel Perrington of Macon, with a basket’ 
of such beauties that we wished we lived in the corner of his orchard, or held 
our meetings there. 


LENAWEE COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 371 


Strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, grapes, plums, pears, quinces, and 
about every kind of fruit worth growing here, had their special friends; and 
last, though not least, vegetables of every name were brought toa high degree 
of perfection in the hands of members of this society. 

In 1875 the State Horticultural Society accepted an invitation to hold their 
June meting in this city, as the guests of this society, which meeting was held 
in the opera house, on the 231, 24th, and 25th of the month. At the close of the 
last session a very flattering vote of thanks was tendered this society for the 
very efficient assistance rendered by us to the state society. 

But I must hasten to a close, or the gavel will drop before I have a chance 
to mention two important changes which occured later in the history of the 
society. On January 19, 1881, the following resolution was adopted: ‘‘That 
this society become auxiliary to the State Horticultural Society, and the con- 
stitution of the Adrian Horticultural society be amended to conform thereto, 
with the proviso to withdraw at any time by a majority vote of this society.” 
By this action persons joining this society and paying one dollar become at 
the same time members of the state society and entitled to all it privileges. 
On April 14, 1884, the following resolution was adopted: ‘‘ Resolved, That 
the name of the Adrian Horticultural Society be changed to the Lenawee 
County Horticultural Society,’’ with headquarters in the city of Adrian, and 
that the annual meeting, and all special meetings for business, be held in the 
city of Adrian. 

I cannot close this short history without a word of tribute to the men anc 
women who early began this work, and whose influence is still largely felt in 
every department of horticulture. The majority have passed on over the 
river, and for aught I know are to-day basking in the sunshine on its flowery 
banks; but their labor here is not lost, as the interest still taken in this 
society fully demonstrates. 

Dr. W. OWEN. 


WASHTENAW COUNTY POMOLOGICAL 
SOCIETY. 


OFFICERS FOR 1889. 


President—J. D. Baldwin. 
f J. J. Parshall. 
Vice Presidents— + Wm. McKreery. 
J. D. Allison. 

Secretary—Jacob Ganzhorn. 
Corresponding Secretary—Emil Baur. 
Treasurer—John Almand. 

(Wan bird: 
Executive Committee— | s I a 


| B. C. Nichols. 


Climatologist—Prof. W. M. Harrington. 
Ornithologist and Entomologist—Prof. J. B. Steere. 
Hygienist—Dr. A. B. Prescot. 


Botanist—Prof. Volney Spaulding of Michigan University. 

The society kept up regular monthly meetings, besides a number of extra 
sessions. During the winter we were favored with an interesting paper on 
the effects of forests on the climate and rainfall, whether or not effected by 
forests, etc. The paper was ordered to be sent to Secretary Garfield for pub- 
lication, with report of the forestry convention held at Grand Rapids last 
winter. Prof. V. Spaulding interested the society with a paper on vegetable 
pathology. Mr. Erwin Smith of the department of agriculture, Washing- 
ton, gave his researches on peach yellows, its early history, where first found, 
its spread and devastations it caused up to the present time, its appearances 
in the different parts of the country, etc. Mr. Smith illustrated his subject 
with photographic views of diseased peach trees, and the different stages of 
yellows. We have no yellows in our county as yet, and we do not look for 
any to come. ' 

The spring and summer meetings were largely devoted to transportation of 
fruits by freight, including berries, shipping by express haying proved in- 
adequate, too expensive, and further made undesirable by a lack of proper 
handling in loading on board of cars. So far our shipments by freight have 
been confined from Ann Arbor to Detroit. A fruit car was fitted up for this 
special purpose, with shelving. ‘The car was ready for loading during all the 
day, and such a privilege is highly appreciated by the fruit men. 

We have a standing committee on transportation to attend to anything 
coming up incident to this business. The society has also spent much time 


WASHTENAW COUNTY POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 373 


in considering the feasibility of organizing a fruit exchange, but the matter 
has not yet taken shape. 

Reports on the fruit prospects in the spring were very flattering. Results, 
however, did not justify the expectations. Young peach trees failed to set 
the fruit. Rains failed to come in raspberry time, though this crop was 
fair. The blackberry suffered more. There never was such a fall drouth 
known in the history of the State before. The want of rains left peaches 
very small, thus cutting a small crop smaller. Cherry and pear crops were 
light. The grape crop was good, though some vineyards suffered con- 
siderably from rot. The fall weather proved too cold for making grapes 
sweet, and therefore this fruit sold very slowly in the markets. The apple 
crop was good in quantity but ruined by the collin moth. The bulk of this 
crop had to go to the evaporators and cider mills. 

With the exception of the apple, all the fruits grown here will be consider- 
ably planted in this county in the coming spring. The peach will likely take 
the lead. 

At our last county fair, there was a grand display of grapes, overshadowing 
all other fruits in appearance. It elicited more praise than any other fruit, 
the Niagara and Woodruff Red shining out supreme. Theexhibit of pears was 
good. As high as twenty varieties were shown by single exhibitors. There 
were many entries of apples, and the specimens fair, but too wormy to be con- 
sidered first-class as an exhibit. Our fruit men must not falter in a struggle 
with the codlin moth, or the excellence of the apple will be lost to us. There 
is another important subject that confronts us in this connection. It is the 
giving out of the favorite old varieties. We must either learn how to restore 
these to former perfection, or experiment with newer sorts. Probably the 
better course to pursue is to do both. 

Exhibits of fruits in season at our meetings continue to be a pleasing feature 
to attendants. We also aften have flowers. Our meetings are now and then 
enlivened with reports by members on their visits to distant states, relating 
observations on fruits, etc. 

JACOB GANZHORN, Secretary. 


CLIMATAL EFFECTS OF FORESTS. 


The problem of the effects of forests on climate and weather is not a new 
one; it has been discussed for upward of 300 years* yet in this long interval 
no universal agreement has been reached on the subject. The Germans are 
indeed entirely positive that in their country the effects of forests are very 
evident, and Herr von Bebber in 1877 formulated the unmistakable effects 
into sixteen propositions. +These propositions are: 

I. The forest lessens the extremes of heat and cold without making any 
notable change in the mean temperature. 

II. The forest air is always relatively damp, and hence the presence 
of the forest tends to the preservation, and somewhat to the increase, of the 
humidity of the air. 

III. The tendency to precipitation, and hence the probability of rain, is 
increased by the presence of the forest. 


* The oldest reference known to me is the order for forest police of Salzburg in 1524. See Giinther, 
Grundztizi der Geophysik, II., 242. 
+ As above, p. 246. 


374 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


IV. The rainfall is increased, especially in forest-covered mountains. 

VY. The evaporation is decreased and especially when the ground beneath 
is covered by dead foliage it is very much decreased. 

VI. The covering of leaves tends to prevent the rapid flowing off of water. 

VII. Forests protect and preserve the natural springs of a territory. 

VIII. The ground water held by the forests fills the soil beneath. 

IX. The forest protects from floods and prevents the formation of new 
stream beds. 

X. With extensive disforesting weather extremes become sharper. 

XI. Disforesting brings with it increased dryness and summer drouths. 

XII. The frequency of rainfall, especially in the summer, decreases with 
removal of forests. 

XIII. Removal of forests decreases the wetness of the soil and the abund- 
ance of springs. 

XIV. The removal of the dead leaves causes too rapid evaporation. 

XV. The removal of the dead leaves promotes overflow of adjacent cul- 
tivated lands and this is still worse when leaves and trees are both taken. 

XVI. The amount of water in streams becomes more and more irregular 
as forests are removed. 

So much for Germany. In France, where the subject has also received 
very much attention, a similar list could be made out with one or two 
additional specifications. France is especially subject to destructive thunder 
and hail storms, and it frequently happens that well cultivated vineyards and 
fruit farms, which have been brought to a high state of perfection at the ex- 
pense of much labor and money, are, at the very time they are about ready to 
furnish an abundant harvest, utterly beaten down and destroyed by a sudden, 
severe, local storm. The owner sees, in utter helplessness, the work of years 
and the support of his family swept out of existence, and perhaps five min- 
utes will suffice to do the work of destruction. Hail-storms have naturally 
received very much attention in France and, though much that is of impor- 
tance has been learned about them, the only thing so far that will help the 
cultivator of the soil is this rule that destructive hail-storms are much 
less common in forests. 

By some writers the effects of forests are given still more importance. 
Marsh, in his Man and Nature, and in his wake many others have tried to 
show that disforesting may change the climate of a country completely, aller- 
ing it from a fertile region capable of supporting a large population to a 
desert waste. As they read history, Palestine is undergoing this change and 
has almost completed it. According to some of them the change has already 
been completed in northern Africa. Carthage, they say, was in a fertile 
region. ‘l'unis is now largely desert. The Syrtes were once good harbors to 
a fertile inland; the desert now comes down to the coast and its drifting sands 
shallow the waters of the Mediterranean far to the seaward. 

But agreement on the subject is by no means uniform. ‘lhe idea that dis- 
foresting may make a general and permanent change in the climate is hotly 
contested inch by inch, and the victory now inclines strongly toward those who 
believe either that no such change has occurred as a matter of history, or 
that if it has occurred, it is due to other causes than disforesting. The 
meteorologists of India are remarkably active, and they claim that in that 
country the results of disforesting are entirely local and subordinate. The 
Scandinavians have always been meteorologists, s0 much so that the ancient 


WASHTENAW COUNTY POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 375 


climate of their peninsula could almost be reconstructed from their myths. 
This interest in the weather there continues unabated, and some of the most 
eminent living students of the subject are to be found there. They claim 
that the results of disforesting are there entirely unnoteworthy. America is 
so new that it is not so much a question here as to what has happened as 
what will result from disforesting and reforesting. The subject has, how- 
ever, already been much studied, but the conclusions seem various. Dr. 
Hinrich, the eminent meteorologist of Iowa, finds unmistakable evidence 
that in his State rainfall lines and forest ou'lines go together. It has been fre- 
quently claimed and almost as frequently denied that with the extension of 
settlement, and with it tree planting on the plains, increased rainfall and 
amelioration of climate have resulted. The question is not yet settled, but. 
the balance tends to turn to the side of amelioration. Recently Mr. Henry 
Gauvett has attempted to show that no change of rainfall can be expected 
from change in forests. 

I have stated as clearly as practicable the variations in conclusions in order 
to point out that the disagreements are more apparent than real, and that 
they result from not making a proper distinction—a distinction which I 
think we have only lately been in a condition to point out. This distinction 
is to be found in the three different elements of weather or climate. 

One part of our climate or weather is of a general character, due to the 
inclination of the earth’s axis, to the general character of the atmosphere, 
and, to a less degree, to the general distribution of land and water, 
mountain and plain over the surface of the earth. A second part of our 
climate and weather is the periodic, and more especially the daily variation 
of barometer, of thermometer, of relative moisture, of wind, and of cloudi- 
ness and precipitation. The source of these changes is to be found in quite 
as general conditions as the former, but the quantity of the changes is much 
more dependent on local conditions. The temperature on the average is 
warmest with us at 2 or 3 P. M., and coldest about 6 A. M., but the range of 
the change will be very different for different parts of Michigan, and even 
for different parts of Washtenaw county or of Ann Arbor. 

The third element of our climate is to be found in purely local conditions. 
Elevation here plays a very important part. The weather of the east side of 
a mountain range may be very different from that of the west side. The 
weather of the deep valley may be quite different from that of its limiting 
ridges. Ona still cold day in winter the temperature may change consider- 
ably with slight changes of elevation. In such weather the thermometer al- 
ways stand higher at the observatory than in any other part of the city and 
between the observatory and the Huron river, half a mile north but perhaps 
100 feet lower, we have frequently noted a difference of 12° or 15°. 

Now of these three elements which would be affected most by local forest- 
ing or disforesting? Evidently not the general element. Our general weather 
is made up largely of large storm areas or cyclones followed by large quiet, 
clear areas or anti-cyclones, all traveling eastward with more or less regularity. 
These areas a'e usually first seen in the Rocky mountains or to the east of 
these mountains. Sometimes they come from the Pacific ocean or from 
Alaska. Very rarely they appear to originate nearer home. Their cause of 
origin and exact source are unknown but we are positive that they depend on 
general conditions, conditions of the whole earth or of very large areas. For 
instance two large areas of low barometer usually occupy, one the north 


376 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


Atlantic, the other the vicinity of Behring’s sea, and the cyclones often come 
from them. Again a large anti-cyclone usually lies over the central north 
tropical Atlantic just east of the African coast, and another varies in position 
from Mexico to our southern states, and the paths taken by our cyclones seems 
to depend much on these anti-cyclones. The positions, activity and motions 
of the great northern cyclones, the position and motions of the great semi- 
tropical anti-cyclones are undoubtedly due to general conditions, relative to 
the earth as a whole or to its general features of distribution of land and water. 
They cause the large features of weather and it is evident that they are be- 
yond the reach of the comparatively small changes caused by man. Whether 
Michigan were covered with forest, or entirely cleared, would probably make 
no difference with them; their general features for Michigan would be the 
same. Indeed we may doubt if the foresting or disforesting of the entire 
United States or the presence or absence of the great lakes would make much 
difference with these general features. 

There is however one element of a storm area which seems much dependent 
on the character of the territory passed over, and that is its intensity. A 
cyclone, in the limited scientific sense, is an atmospheric condition favorable 
to rainfall, but whether rain falls or there is only cloudiness without rainfall 
depends on the intensity of action in the cyclone and this intensity changes 
from region to region. Not even a cyclone can squeeze rain out of atmos- 
phere in which sufficient moisture does not exist. Now it is a matter of 
scientific observation and of practical experience that forests are relatively 
moist, both because the roots and dead leaves tend to hold the water, pre- 
venting it from flowing away, and because the tree is a natural evaporating 
machine, through the thousands of mouths of which moisture is constantly 
pouring into an atmosphere not already too dry. Hence the cyclone finds in 
forest air the moisture it needs, and that of its functions which is most ir- 
regular and uncertain, viz.: that of precipitating moisture, is more probable 
over forests than over plains, and more probable over grassy plains than over 
deserts. This entirely agrees with Von Bebber’s empirical conclusions III., 
IV., XI. and XII. In this too we also find one reason for the conclusions 
which relate the greater frequency of floods in regions which are disforested 
(conclusions IX., XV. and XVI). The rainfall being more frequent in 
forest areas is less likely to be so severe as to cause floods. 

But it is especially in the perodic and local features of climate that the 
forest plays a valuable part. By the covering which it gives the soil the ex- 
tremes of temperature are much reduced. Just as in the Artic regions they 
wear clothing to protect from the cold and in the tropics to protect from the 
heat, the clothing of forests limits that direct exposure to the radiation of the 
sun which gives us our hottest days and that re-radiation of heat into space 
which gives us our coldest nights. 

Again the forest serves as a sort of break water to protect the residents in 
or near it from the action of high winds, and they serve as another sort of 
protector in a much more important sense. ‘They protect and hold the water 
which reaches them, the shade of the trees protect from evaporation and it 
occurs but slowly except as this occurs through the leaves. Besides, the 
covering layer of dead leaves serves as a sponge to soak up and keep the water 
which reaches it, and still more to keep the water which passes into the soil 
beneath. Hence the conservation of moisture and that of springs in or near 
woods, and as they let this water escape only slowly and gradually, hence, 


WASHTENAW COUNTY POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 377 


also, the uniformity and p2rsistence of forest streams, No one can under- 
stand what the latter means unless he has stood on the banks of a stream on 
the plains or in the treeless part of the Rocky Mountains during a rain 
higher up the valley. The bed of the stream is dry; a rushing sound causes 
the observer to look up the stream; the rain which has just fallen is coming 
down with a rush; it passes rapidly and in a few hours or at most a few days 
the stream is againdry. Compare this with the perennial streams of our own 
woodlands which fed by springs protected by trees, continue almost unchanged 
from season to season andfrom year to year. Moreover this sudden rush of 
water brings with it, in a region recently disforested where the ground is not 
yet protected by sod, an immense amount of silt, sand, gravel, and rock, 
which. spread over and ruin the cultivated fields further down. These are the 
most familiar parts played by forests and are known to all thoughtful men. 
I mention them here to point out that they are features of local rather than 
general character, but that they are local does not render them limited in area 
or unimportant in character. 

But the next feature to which I wish to call your attention is less familiar 
to the general public, and also, unfortunately, less completely worked out 
by professed students of the subject. The features of weather and climate, 
especially those of summer weather which most interest and affect those who 
draw their support directly from the soil, are due more to what are called ‘‘ local 
storms,’’ than to general storms. A good illustration of these storms is the 
sharp, quick summer thunderstorm, and the no less sharp and quick, but 
much more destructive first cousin of the thunderstorm, the tornado. These 
phenomena are not integral parts of a cyclone or storm area, but are only 
indirectly connected with it. They are generally connected with some un- 
symmetrical feature of a cyclone,* such as an arm put out to southward, or a 
brood of small secondary whirls like a hen with her brood of chicks. To these 
local storms the most of our summer rains are due, and in some parts of the 
world all rainfall comes from them. These are the phenomena too, which 
the weather-preaicter in his central bureau at Washington or Toronto or 
London is least able to foresee. These storms generally run low and are, 
therefore, especially sensitive to local conditions. The hail comes from them, 
and thus we find in France the fact that hail storms are somewhat guided by 
the outlines of forests, as they lie low they will be more likely to be influenced 
by moisture preserved by forests, and the increased rainfall in or near forests 
is probably much more due to them than to an increase in intensity in the 
general cyclone. 

But the action of forests on these local storms is by no means clear, and it is 
here that there is an opportunity for profitable study for every intelligent 
observer of nature. It seems that some kinds of local storms may be in- 
creased in intensity by the presence of forests. So far as that increase is 
rainfall it is favorable for Michigan, for a cloudburst in a forest need not re- 
sult in a flood in the adjacent streams as it would necessarily result in open 
land. And may I be pardoned for calling attention to this line of study of 
local storms and local influences? The study of the general weather is cared 
for by the general government and by professed meteorologists. The local 
conditions are however of the greatest importance, and this should be cared 


* The cyclone is an area of general low Baremeien and its name is due to the circulation of wind 
init. Its individual character may vary from so slight an intensity that itis barely recognized by 
instruments and not at all by the senses, to as great an intensity as that of the West Indian hurri- 
cane. The tornado is a small whirlwind of great intensity, but is not a cyclone, 


378 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


for by the state governments. Hence the propriety of our local weather 
service, and in their work they require the assistance of, and can be aided 
by, every intelligent person. It is only by supplementing more general 
studies, by study in small regions, that we can now expect to make much 
advance in the knowledge of local storms, and these are of paramount im- ° 
portance to our farmers. 

We can now perhaps see why there is such a general disagreement as to 
the influence of forests on climate. The chief effects being local in character 
they would be most appreciable when the local conditions are most favorable. 
For instance when the conditions were such that abundant moisture is gen- 
erally present, the play of the forests would be subordinate. This is the condi- 
tion of things on the Scandinavian peninsula, surrounded as it is on nearly 
all sides, and nowhere distant from large bodies of water. The clearing of the 
entire peninsula of forests would make but little difference in the supply of 
moisture. But in the continental position of Germany, especially more in- 
land, the supply of moisture is less abundant, the change of temperature 
more excessive, and the conservative action of forests is more important. 
Again, the action of the forests would differ with latitude. In the tropics 
generally the greater uniformity of weather and the more extensive character 
of weather changes would make the covering of the soil of only very local 
importance, while in high latitudes, the slight variation in moisture and the 
general protection of the ground with snow would also tend to lessen the 
distinctive effects of forests. 

It is only in middle latitudes that the effects would be important, and it is. 
in continental positions that they would become most conspicuous. Michi- 
gan is in middle latitude, and she is well in the interior of a great continent. 
We may expect that she will prove to be quite as sensitive to the removal of 
her forest clothing as is Germany; and there is another feature of Michigan 
which may make us look forward with anxiety to her total disforesting. 
Considerable parts of central Michigan have a sandy soil; they are the so- 
called “pine barrens.” They have the reputation of not being valuable for 
cultivation. What will they be when timber growth has been removed which 
now holds the sands together and protects them from the direct drying rays of 
the sun? There is some occasion for fear that their value may then become. 
less than zero; that while they are now not without use, they may then 
become a menace. 

Mark W. HARRINGTON. 

Feb. 4, 1888, 


PRUE CATALOGUE FOR TSS9-00. 


Ags 


rRULT CATALOGUE OF THE MICHIGAN SLATE 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR 1889-90. 


PREFATORY REMARKS. 


In submitting the fifth revision of the Society’s Catalogue of fruits, we 
take occasion to remark— 

That several of the varieties included in the earlier revisions have so fallen 
into disuse that their longer retention, even associated with unfavorable 
notices, seems unnecessary. Several of these are therefore dropped from the 
lists, and, as a safeguard against their re-introduction, they are appended as 
a rejected list, without description or other characterization. 

The chairman is again compelled to state that, with the exception of a 
report from Mr. D. G. Edmiston of Adrian, and the discussion of grapes and 
small fruits atthe June meeting at Benton Harbor, he has been compelled to 
act from his personal knowledge of the distribution and success of varieties ; 
a circumstance greatly to be regretted, since there is little room for doubt 
that full reports from the several districts would have supplied facts of great 
value to those who may have occasion to make selections from the catalogue. 

The following persons are members of the committee to collect material 
for use in the next revision, to either of whom information may at any time 
be communicated : 

1st District—H. W. Davis, Lapeer, Lapeer county. 

2d «  —Evart H. Scott, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw county. 
3d ‘¢ —D.G. Edmiston, Adrian, Lenawee county. 

4th <‘* —W. A. Brown, Benton Harbor, Berrien county. 
5th ‘¢ —Geo. C. McClatchie, Ludington, Mason county. 

Each member is local chairman for his district, and is required to appoint 
three or more associates as aids in the collection of material for the next 
revision. 

Such appointments should be promptly made, so that the collections may 
be commenced, and the desired information when obtained should be promptly 
transmitted to the general chairman. 

TL. YON, 
Chairman of Com. on Revision of Catalogue. 

South Haven, January, 1889. 


382 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


e PLAN OF THE CATALOGUE. 


The varieties are numbered at the extreme left, and also at the left of the 
page occupied by the column of remarks, to avoid confusion in tracing the 
connection. Synonyms are introduced in a few cases only, and dtalicized. 
In the case of names deemed objectionable, under the Rules of the American 
Pomological Society, to avoid the possibility of ambiguity, the objectionable 
portion of the name, when needful, is placed in brackets. In the column 
devoted to descriptions, the distinguishing peculiarities of the fruit, with its 
season and origin, are more or less fully given by the use of abbreviations; 
those applicable to the entire catalogue appearing at its commencement, and 
those applying locally at the heads of the sections to which they appertain. 
In each of the sub-columns headed use and value, the figures 1 to 10 express 
the gradations of value, for the purpose to which the column is devoted; the 
first two sub-columns (devoted respectively to Dessert and Cooking fryits), 
having reference, strictly, to the quality of the fruit separately considered ; 
and the third or market column, to all the qualities, whether of tree or fruit, 
that affect the question of profitableness. Under the head of locality, a sub- 
column is assigned to each of the five districts into which the lower penin- 
sula of the State is divided, such divisions being as follows, viz.: 1st district, 
the eastern tier of counties, from the southern bound-ery of the State north- 
ward as far as its capacity for fruit culture is known; 2d district, the mass of 
interior counties, omitting the tier along the southern*boundary, and those 
adjoining Lake Michigan ; 3d district, the southern tier of counties, omitting 
Monroe on the east and Berrien on the west; 4th district, the lake shore 
counties from the south line of Berrien northward to and including Muskegon 
County; 5th district, the counties adjacent to Lake Michigan and its bays, 
from the north line of Muskegon County, as far northward as their capacity 
for fruit culture is known. In these columns a * indicates that the variety 
which it represents is known to succeed in the district; ** that it is especially 
valuable, and a + that it is on trial and found promising. With the settle- 
ment of northern Michigan, and consequently increased knowledge of its 
horticultural capacities, at least three additional districts will be required; 
one extending from Bay County northward, along the westerly shore of Lake 
Huron; the second embracing the northerly portion of the present second or 
interior district, and the third including the upper peninsula; which, more- 
over, may, very probably, require a farther division into eastern and western 
districts. 

In the column headed Use and Value, the gradations are arrived at by 
comparing fruits of a similar character with each other, as sweet apples with 
sweet apples; also fruits of a given season with others of the same class and 
season. Many kinds of very little value are added, for the purpose of show- 
ing by the low values given them, and by remarks in the column for that 
purpose that, though more or less grown in the State, their farther cultivation 
is not intended to be encouraged. The leading advantage to the fruit cultur- 
ists of the State, sought in this Catalogue, is to supply all who may wish to 
plant with a distinct purpose in view, the means of selecting wisely, with 
reference to such purpose, from the varieties which have been properly tested 
in the State, and found best adapted to the special purpose they shall have 
in view. 


FRUIT CATALOGUE, 383 
NOMENCLATURE, 


The nomenclature adopted is that of ‘‘ Downing’s Fruits and Fruit Trees 
of America ’’—latest edition; modified in compliance with the catalogue of 
the American Pomological Society, and its Rules of Pomology. 

We have, in very many cases, in which redundant terms are retained by 
the revisers of the American Society’s Catalogue, and in which present 
popular practice already indicates a tendency toward their elision, included 
the redundant or objectionable words in brackets, hoping thus to encourage 
the popular tendency in what may be considered a safe and proper direction. 


SEASON OF MATURITY. 


The season of maturity given is, as nearly as practicable, that of the second 
and third tiers of counties, reckoning from the south line of the State. 


384 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOUIETY., 


FRUIT CATALOGUE FOR 1889 AND 1890. 


ABBREVIATIONS, APPLICABLE THROUGHOUT THE CATALOGUE. 


Size. Quality. Adhesion, 
l. large. b. best. ce. cling. 
een Te eety. a, 
Vv. very. 
SECTION I.—APPLES, 
ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 
Form, 
c. sonia aes opiate or obtuse. 
tf a ee oblique. a ; rad gos 
Description, 
Names. 
ue > : : 
Zz n .) eg n ° 
ih) AAlexand Of 2222. \s2-0-5 Sss2cd 55-2 vil we gyr g | Oct.Dec.} Rus 
2} American Beauty............-... 1 re ydr vg | Dec. Apl.| Mass. 
3 | American Golden.......:.......- m1j| robe yb vg |Nov. Feb.| Am 
4 | American Golden Russett---..-. 8 r ov yru b | Oct. Jan. Am 
5 | American Pippin, Grindstone.--| m ob grb g Dec. Dec.| .Am 
6 | American Summer.............-- m Oo yr b Sept. Am 
7a\pAnelo American s...-c-.~.--2cuc- m ob yr vg |Aug. Sept.} Can. 
Bi) eAunt) Hannah -o2i0.22-c-e esse m | rob yru g | Dec. Feb.| Mass 
O3| PATCH SWAT] 2-2 22-te sees nae 1 LG oyru | vg Sept. Am 
10 | Autumn Sweet Swaar...-...---- m ¢ ob yt veg Oct. | Am 
die CAutiomn Bough: s-225 <2 2cssees= m ca y vg | Aug. Oct. | Am. 
121) Bailey Sweet=:-..-.--.2---- /-2222 1 re ydr | vg | Nov, Mar.| N. Y.? 
IGmIP OIG WANs 2 e2-8e eee eee 1 rc ycero | vg |Nov.Mar.} Mass 
NAS SB ares ote we. ton eo ceeetseeeree 1 r yrru | vg Sept. Riek 
ib | (Beauty of) Kent.2.2-.2 52... .o..23 1 ef ch| eS yap Oct. Nov.| Eng. 
163) Belle et: Bonne:.-:-=-.--22-asne2e Vall xiob y Oct. Mar. | Conn 
fid| MESOLNONG 2 Sen econo ene eee es m rfc yv vg |Nov.Mar.| Penn 
18h eBen* Davis. o.- 525 otic 5 sot ee cee m1 rc yr g |Dec. May.; Ken.? 
LOU V3.0) 10) 9) oe eee ms | robe ydec vg !Aug. Sept.| Mass 
| Bentley's Sweet. -.<<.-2--sneueece m rfl yer vg |Jan. May.| Vir.? 
o1)|\ Black Gilliftower.- <2... <2sc2.eue m oc gdr Nov. Feb.| Am 
22 | Blenheim (Pippin)j...............- if robe, yodr Oct. Dec. Eng. 
23)\| Blue Pearmain ._- 222.0: 5 -ee---- 1 re dpr Oct. Feb. | Am.? 
2% | Bottle Greening............------ m obc | gycr | vg | Jan. Feb. Ver 
AD)! MOPOMO WEIN ou okt ocuso a sseasawee m obe yb vg | Nov. Feb.| Ohio 
70 VSUCKIN STEIN oct 55a eee ml] obc | gycr | vg_|Nov.Feb.| Vir.? 


Use and 
\Sealel to10, 
a 
£/ 2/2 
2/23 
ALO | sa 
| 2110] 6 
7| 5| 6 
7 | eee 
| 9) eq ea 
1| 6] 2 
10} 5] 5 
ees 
6| 6] 6 
ay fe 
| 5] B| 2 
| s| 5] 2 
6) 7| «4 
6] 95) a6 
71 4| 6 
5| s| 7 
| 2! 8] 6 
19! 6] 7 
3/1 5| 9 
7 |; Blas 
4/6] & 
4 | 30 
| 5| 9| 8 
6] 5] 5 
"| view 
6) Yew 


FRUIT CATALOGUE. 385 


FRUIT CATALOGUE FOR 1889 AND 1890. 


ABBREVIATIONS, APPLICABLE THROUGHOUT THE CATALOGUE, 


Season. Origin. 
The usual ab- b. beginning. The usual ab- h. hybrid. 
breviations e. end. breviations ? doubtful. 
for months. m. middle. for countries. 
SECTION I.—APPLES. 
ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 
Color. 
b. brown. o. orange. v. vermilion. 
ce. carmine. p. purplish. w. whitish. 
er. crimson. Yr. red. y- yellow. 
d. dark. ru. russet, 
g. green. s. scarlet. 
. 4A 
Locality. 
sla o Remarks. 
ih 5/65 
s | . |gulsa 
Bleial|s losis 
2\a|8|3\7s\"s 
1| *| *| *| *| *| Tree vigorous, spreading, productive; very beautiful. For cooking, su- 
perior. 
2| *| *| * | *)___.| Vigorous, productive, annual bearing tree. Sometimes small and scabby 
from overbearing. 
38) *| *| * |....|_...| Anold sort. Superior to many that are better known 
4); *| */| *) * |___.| Better farther south. Tree upright. Fruit often scabby and worthless. 
5); *| */] *| *) * | Keepsayear. Cooks well, but otherwise scarcely eatable. 
6| *| *| *| *]| * | Slow grower, hardy. Fruit, when perfect, mild, rich, excellent. Very 
beautiful. J 
7 | * |.__.|_._.|_...|.---| Tree vigorous, productive. Sweetapples are little wanted at this season. 
8 | *|___.|....|..-.]...-| Tree aslow grower. Fruit not specially attractive. 
9; *| */,+| *| _..| Hardy, vigorous, spreading. Excellent, but not productive enough for 
the market. 
10} * )__..|_--.|.-. |----| Tree and fruit desirable, but coming in with the bulk of the fall fruits 
| | lessens its value. 
ll | eseal eee) Sete | ee One of the best dessert sweet apples of the season. 
aera et) |e | Oe | For vigor, productiveness, size, beauty, and quality combined, this has 
few if any superiors. : ; 
13 | ** | *#* | ** | ** | * | Tree lacks hardiness. Fruit drops badly. Bitter rot in large specimens. 
Stands first on light soils in southern Michigan. ‘ 
JEN |) hee So a a ee oge enough in tree and fruit, but has to compete with the mass of fall 
ruits. 
1) *| *;|} *| *!| * | Anold culinary fruit,—now nearly superseded. 
16 |} * |___.|....|....|.-..| A vigorous and productive old New England apple. Little known here, 
and not valued where known. é 
17 | *; **| *| * | * | Fruit often defective in this climate. Best for home markets. Suits the 
popular taste. 
18} */; *| *| *| *| Vigorous, hardy, prolific. Fruit beautiful and handles well, but very poor 
in quality. Sells well in the market. 
19; *| *| *j| *| *| Tree upright, vigorous, very productive. Fruit too small on old trees. 
ZaD LP a2" (Rae) | (ee a Tree grows and bears moderately. Notgenerally known or highly valued. 
2L{; *| *| */| *)| *| Very mild flavor. Soon gets dry and mealy. Prized by a very few per- 
sons. 
22); *| *| */| *|____| In vigor and productiveness, also character of fruit, this is very desirable 
for m rket and cooking. ; 
23 | *| */| */ *| *| Beautiful; but lacks both productiveness and quality. 
24 | */|._..)....; * |....| Vigorous, spreading. Little grown in this State. 
ea | a tea 5a he RE 3 Vigorous. hardy, spreading, irregular, productive. A desirable sweet 
Orth ease ll ee ae Little ona here. More popular farther south. 


386 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


SECTION I.--APPLES—ConrTINvuED. 


#8 2 8 8 2 SS ¥ N | Number. 


Description. 
Names. | | 

Buffington (Early) --.-..-..--..-- m ob ywrivg Aug. 
Burr's) Sweeb cies ete so- eee) hana, ||Pobic yr vg | Nov. Mar. 
Cabashea, 20-0z. Pippin--.-...-..-. vlj|robe yr g | Dec. Feb. 
Canada Reinette--.-....-.....--.- 1 obcf| gyb ve | Dec. Apr. 
Carona June. --. 5. s25- Loe. sane = s ove dr vg Aug. 
@HENANGO: <2 <s0.ccccekscewou scenes ml oc we vg | Sept. Oct. 
@hronicalsse2. =5.- oboe. hee. ne m re gyr g | Dec. Dec. 
Clyde | (Beanty) 252-255 a 5s-es 1 rca gr g | Oct. Jan. 
Wogawellt- 36. is tse mol | sriop yr b_ | Dec. Mar. 
Cole’s'Quincess-2--2=----c-2 2 1 rab gyr vg | Oct. Dec. 
Wolvortiseno ee ee 1 obec gyr g | Oct. Nov. 
WOODED ie os csee -ecte tees ctecateeee 1 rob gyr g | Oct. Dec. 
@ooper’s' Market! .-22)-- 2-2. m obe yre g | Dec. May. 
Cornell) (Wancy)=52:.2-----.------ m oc ye vg | Oct. Nov. 
Cranberry (Pippin): >. :.222:2..--- m rob ys g Nov. Mar. 
Cumberland (Spice) .......----.-. m | re yr g Dec. Mar. 
10 Wah (2) Dee ake) Vo m oc gycr } vg | Sept. Oct. 
DAN VELA SWeOls 2 ents cece se s8! m ro yo vg | Nov. Apr. 
Detroit Blackesce-s 2 ee eee. m1] ref dcr | g | Oct. Feb. 
DptrolGRed-- sees wos soe eae m re dcr g | Oct. Noy. 
DOMIne Veee ots ee eee m rob gyr vg | Dec. Apr. 
Ley alia hay dens APSE ad SOS ie 1 rob y g | Aug. Oct. 
Dyer, Ponime Royals. 22-25 ---~- m Ve gyr b_ | Sept. Oct. 
WariveHarvest. so. este cere. m rob yw b | July Aug. 
MATEY dd 06s os= Sanat cone ee nee 8 obe yr | b “Aug. Sept. 
Harly Strawberry -=-.----.-..--.- BA ore yr Vg | July Aug. | 
English Wusset.oso2i 2 sls o tessa sm re gyru g | Jan. May | 
Esopus (Spitzenburg)--.....-.--- l oc yr b | Dee. Apr. 
evening PALLY 2: 2.52 ~-senemeceee sm]} ob wer g Dec. Mar. 
Wallawater 2. 252.552. Se ee vl rc yer | g | Nov. Mar. | 
Hell Sonetbinig sss. 35.2. sseaseees 1 obe gyr g | Sept. Oct. 
Wall\Ordn ge: ss. sa.0°.. 5 eee 1 D yr g | Oct. Nov. 
WAIL PAD DIN &= esas ce cae eeneeonon vl rit yeb b Oct. Dec. 
Pall Wine oo fe 2s ee m rob ry b |Sept. Nov. 
Hamense, ‘Qni0w-652.- 22 set m rob gyr veg | Oct. Nov. 
Flower (of Genesee).-........--... 1 r Nov. 


yew | g | Oct. 


Conn. 
Maine. 
IN. Yee 
Am.? 
Am.? 
Penn. 
N= YA 


¢| Fle 
eee Bel a 
7| Tks 
6.) Tie 
1*) 2a 
8 | yl ae 
| Bes 
9] 4] 8 
2/38) 4 
6) Fes 
8) 7h se 
6] Sia 
ae ol ae 
4/61 7% 
4\ 8h 
716 96 
5 ee 
6} 5| 7 
CM Mae hg 
9 MBI hed 
6.) 2 |e 
4. See 
6|/ 6| 8 
5 | Bt oe 
10; 8| 4 
9| 9] 5 
10)| :Oa) oe 
S|} 16a 
4| 5] 6 
9/10] 4 
8} 4] 2 
4) 4)°% 
5| 4] 4 
4) 8028 
9/10| 7 
8! 6 1 
9| 4] 6 
4/4] 6 


| 
| 


Number. 


62 


Locality. 


Kast. 


Southern 
Lake Shore. 
Northern 
Lake Shore. 


FRUIT CATALOGUE, 387 


SECTION I.—APPLES—ConriNnNvugED. 


Remarks. 


A desirable dessert apple. Not as generally known as it deserves to be. 


Good grower, early bearer, productive. But little known. ¢ 

Tree vigorous, tender; thin bearer; drops badly. Poor quality. Subject 
to bitter rot. 

An old and often excellent apple; but now little called for. 


Often small, scabby, and imperfect; quality excellent. Ripens in succes- 
sion. Better farther south. 

Tree vigorous, spreading, productive. Fruit of very delicate texture. 
Popular wherever known. 

Negative in quality ; will keep two years; moderate annual bearer. 


Tree vigorous, upright, very productive. A desirable market apple. 
The tree and fruit are both satisfactory, whether for the home or market. 


Upright, spreading, productive. A desirable family fruit with a quince 
aroma. 

Tree vigorous, hardy, prolific. Fruit large, showy, but not of high quality. 
Popular with the masses. Sells well in market. 

Tree very vigorous, upright, spreading. Fruit even sized, very attractive. 


Hardy, vigorous, upright, productive. Profitable. 
Vigorous, productive. A desirable fruit for general purposes. 


Tree a good grower, productive. Fruit much like the Maiden’s Blush. 
Even more beautiful. Worthless at the extreme north. 

Tree a good grower and great bearer. Its color and season are against it 
for the market. 

Very peculiar in growth of tree, as well as color and flavor of fruit. Is 
better than it looks. 

Strong grower and very productive. Deserves more attention. 


Vaprea achive. showy, valueless. This is probably the Detroit Red of 

owning. 

There are probably several varieties grown under this name. None of 
them valuable. 

Tree has long, stout, spreading branches, which are very liable to be 
broken by the heavy crops of fruit. Scabs on old trees. 

Tree straggling, moderate grower, unproductive. Very little known. 


One of the very finest dessert apples. A poor grower. Unprofitable as a 
market fruit. D ‘ 
Tardy, irregular bearer. Fruit often imperfect. Valued mainly for its 

earliness. Fails on old trees. 
For the garden. With high culture the fruit is beautiful and excellent. 


One of the most attractive dessert apples of its season. Ripens in succes- 
sion. By some considered profitable. : 

Strong, upright, very productive, tender. Fruit very even sized, often 
small. eeps easily a year. Poor quality. 

Tree lacks vigor. Fruit much called for in the market, but rarely offered. 
Best on rich, warm soils. f 

Much like Rambo in tree and fruit. Very little disseminated. 


Grows and produces well. Too poorinquality. Size its chief recommen- 
dation. Always sells well. 

Tree Vigorous, spreading, productive. Its season and color detract from 
its value. 

The apple grown in this State under this name proves to be the one grown 
as “* Newell” in Hillsdale county. : } 

Tree strong, spreading, productive; liable to scab. Often keeps till spring. 
In central district Jacks productiveness. “ 

Grows and bears well. Fruit often scabby. Not extensively grown. 


Fruit scabby and imperfect on old trees. Best on new,rich soils. Good 
atthe north. Profitable where it succeeds. ‘ 
Very productive, fruit always fair; otherwise not desirable. 


388 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


SECTION I.—APPLES—ConriINv_ED. 


ok *-. oO. es ON OPO EF OA Ore OD. YF OX DD NH SYS OI 2N 


Descriptions. rerne 
Scale 1 to 10. 
Names. | 
8 > “| - te = 
Z Th & o o Rn i) A|/o/la 
63 | Flushing (Spitzenburg).....----- m re gyr | g | Nov. Mar.| N. Y.? 6] 6 7 
Gio} MOUN ONS ee et ae Se teaeiscss ml/|robe yer vg |Aug. Sept.| Mass. va We: 6 
6p.) Hourthof July... -t2 = <2. 52-52 ms robe | wyr g July. Ger. 4/| 6 6 
66 | Garden [Comstock’s]--..-.-..---- m | rob wr g |Sept. Oct.| N. Y. 38) 9 5 
OT NGaTdon Oy ale o2 2222-2 = ee ms robe gyr b |Aug. Sept.} Mass. | 10} 5 3 
68 | Garrettson (Early)-..-..-----.---- m | rc y vg Sept. N.J. 8] 8 8 
69 | Genesee [Chief ]..... ....-.--..-- Dea gore wer g Sept. Am. 6| 8 if 
70 | Gilpin, Carthouse= =. 322222 o-2< cane mj} ro ry g | Dec. May. Vir. 5| 4 “i 
ia GloriaiWundic 2. =--.2,.5e-s sone Vili 0p gy g | Oct.Feb. | Eur.? 1} 3 3 
72 | Golden Russet ( W. N.. Y.)_.---.-. ms rob yru vg | Dec. May.| Eng.? 9} 5] 10 
73. \eGoldeni Sweets co. 228 a is-co~c cece 1 r gy g |Aug. Sept.} Conn. 6] 5 
NAP SCLUSCVOTISUGIN seuss scee eee ees =. 1 |roba| yro vg | Sept. Oct. Ger. (ial tie (4 
75 | Green Newtown (Pippin)-------- mS ar g br b | Dec. May.| N. Y. | 10} 8 
16) \'Green Sweets. 2.242, 22. 2--. 2... m | robe £5. g | Dec. Mar.| Mass.? a | 36 
Te WARELMNOGR? |GOld OMS. oes. 26. oa. 5: ra | robe yo vg | Dec. Mar. Va. Oo ae 
78.| Hartford (Sweet))-2---.. 2422 ..:|| 1 Tt yer g |Dec. June.| Conn. Galan 
79 | Harvest Redstreak..-.........--.- 8 rf gyr g July. Penn.? | 2] 8 
80) selaskell (Sweet)! 2--- 2 sees ce == ml ob gyr vege | Sept. Oct. | Mass. 6| 7 
Sli “Hawley. D0wse------=-o-- 2-5 22=-- 1 robe y vg Sept. Now 9] 2 
S21 Gea wthormdenl sio2.o- aces sae arees~ = Le ee wyr g Sept. | Scotch.| 3] 8 
83 | Herefordshire (Pearmain)------. m re ydr vg | Nov. Feb.| Eng. 8| 6 
640) Hightop Sweetatess. co cece ae ms r y vg Aug. Mass. 6| 6 
85 | Hog Island Sweet ...-...--------- m | ob | yre | ve |Sept.Oct.| N.Y. | 61% 
86°) Holland (Pippin). =<; 22222-22 ---- vl | r gyr g | Aug. Nov.| Eur.? 6| 8] 
Oya eelollow. Crowns: . 222.2 eee eee l Ma a g | Nov. Dec.| N.E. 5| 7 
BS al selOnse 22. abe cet ees 1 r yrru g |Aug. Sept. N.C.? | 5 | 6 
205 drab bardstons_soc. seo. see teee ws 1 roc yr b_ | Nov. Feb. Mass. | 10) 5 
O0/ |) unt's Russet:s 522... cet ms|robc]| yrur | vg | Jan. Apr. Mass.? laa 
Oli hebor bute soit ane skeet see m | obca yr g | Oct. Dec. | Conn. 6 (s 
92 | Indiana (Favorite)..............-- m1] rf Ns g |Jan.Apr.| Ind. 5| 5 
08;,| Jabez Sweet....2=---- ccs s2ecee-e- m TG. 7 y g | Dec. Feb. Conn. 6| 7 
O48) 4g) CILOTIN aoe saectaraeese > Case eeeee m | obec ycr vg | Sept. Oct.; Penn. 9} 6 
95 | Jefferson County..........-......] ™ | rob yr g | Oct. Nov. [Leeper | 7 6 
90 | Jersey Sweete- 22 seeeu ican cee m | rove gyr Vg Sept. Nodes | Bure 
97 || Sewettse bests. 2.25.42. sci pees | 1 obr yer vg | Dec. Feb. Ver. | ty We 
88 | Jewettiawvod: .sc2sce.ee eee | m | rob! gwer| g¢g | Nov. Feb.| N.H. | V4 | 6 


FRUIT CATALOGUE, 389 


SECTION I.—APPLES—CONTINUED, 


Locality. 
| al Mees 
|a Rl ak 
g5\85 
a . |Se2isn 
2|2|4 /esigs 
g1/8| 2 \lnalas 
Bigiion| m joe 
| es 
* * eal ok * 
Leal eee ee eae 
= S| ve ea Ae a | ae 
| * 
aa er |----}---- 
Sl) alll Tea eae eae 
| | | 
* | 
| 
* * * * a, 
| 
* * * aryl hee 2 
* * 3 WMS * 
| | 
*E | ak eS lee es 
* * * * * 
| | 
* | 4K * * * 
| 
* * * * * 
* | * * 
| ses 
| 
ell * * * 
| 
ealloce 4 
up eek * x 
Joes 
en ||) ie * set |e 
| 
Be || pcr * * * 
| 
* * | * * 
| 
Aq) 3 ee ptt nae 
| 
* Et] HOME, aed | cea ban a 
| 
| 
a | eas (79 SE, | eee 
* oi | as | aed 
* -- -- --- --- 
% -- —--- -<- -<-- 
* | xk ea Ss se = 
* * * * * 
=| eral |e al] Dee Nees 
BN DIE on | Uae 
* -—- -- --- -<-- 
* * * * * 
Fo (le KOA |e 
* * * *)|| 
* | 
S6a)|2 525] see secs 
* -- -- -- - 


Remarks. 


Strong, reddish brown shoots. Very productive. Sometime scabby. Not 
esteemed valuable, except perhaps at the north. A) 
Moderately vigorous, spreading, productive; desirable in its season. 


Strong, upright. May be valuable for its earliness. 

A fine culinary apple. Cooks well when half grown. 

Moderate grower. Upright roundish. Best dessert apple of its season. 
Vigorous, upright, spreading. Very promising. 

Strong, vigorous. The showy fruit is the chief attraction. 

A good cider appfe, and passable for the table. 


esgeuesy: not productive. Size its only attraction. Worthless every- 

where. 

Hardy, vigorous. Shootsslender. Very productive. Brings a high price 
in late spring, if wintered in close packages. 7 

A hardy, spreading, prolific tree. Very popularin itsseason. Tree tender 
at the extreme north. Often fed to stock. 

A fine culinary fruit. Tree a fine grower and hardy; lacks productive- 
ness. Bears better at the north. 

A weak, siender grower. Fails generally atthe west. Unprofitable. Best 
on * opening”? soils. 

Tree vigorous, productive. Desirable. More than one variety grown 
under this name. 

Tree spreading, vigorous, hardy, prolific. Fruit beautiful. Flavor fine, 
peculiar. 

Moderate grower, hardy, productive. A good baking sweet apple. 


Tree overbears and fruit becomes small. Flesh. tender, acid. Unworthy. 
Vigorous, productive. One of the finest of sweet apples. 


Annual bearer. Fruit beautiful and good, but soon decays. A dessert 
fruit. A better keeper north. 

Tree vigorous, spreading. Productive alternate years. A beautiful cul- 
inary market fruit. 

Tree vigorous. Fruit excellent in flavor, but generally imperfect. Very 
unprofitable. 


Tree upright, vigorous. Very productive. Fruit very beautiful and good. 
Vigorous, prolific. Desirable, but very little known. Beautiful. 

Like fall Pippin, except in quality and season; but not as good. Very lit- 
rite. planted: There are other and worthier varieties of the same season. 
Should give place to others of better quality for this climate. 

Panes in every orchard. A very good market variety. Of the highest 
Distinct from Golden Russett of N. Y., and the west. Not as valuable. 
ery productive: Fruit fair, but not very attractive. Little dissemi- 
Both tree and fruit adapted for market. Very little known. 

Highly prized in Monroe county. Not widely disseminated. 

A very productive and desirable dessert fruit for early autumn. 
Vigorous, hardy, prolific. Is but little known. 

ee of the richest early sweet apples. Tree tender in central 
Tree spreading. Does not keep long enough for profit. Little known. 


Moderate grower. Downing says—requires high culture. Little known. 


390 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


SECTION I.—APPLES—CONTINUED. 


Names. 


Size. 


MORAN ATC eet. atee sea se aces 
Kaighn (Spitzenburg) 
Keswick Codlin 
PGE W oblast ae Eg fed ee 
Urs hia Gea) a2) oo Eee eee el 


Madyis \Sweet-4-2-622o5 3453.28) 


Late Strawberry..<<<2.,-2-.2.-4-: 


hed gaiSweet.-=:+.32-. 2.53.3 .0823 
Timiber!Dwiee. 2 3555435 some 


London 


Marston’s (Red)... =-....---.--- 
May (Seeknofurther) 
McA fee (Nonesuch)---..--------. 


Meliellan sso sosds sue. ce ee 


Melon ss22455 is ee eect 


MGTIO DIGN Ys) oe seca eee 


Minister 


Monmouth (Pippin) 
Red Cheek Pippin. 

Morris uned) sot s- 5 4of ee se 
Steele's Red erroneously. 

ie r11(:) eee eee ee ere tee 


Munson: Sweet.22<- 2:2... sensed. 
Newtown (Spitzenburg).----- ---. 


Vandevere of N. Y. 
Nickajack 


Northern Spy: iss: 42424 ee 
Oakland (Seeknofurther)...-.... 
Oconee (Greening).........-.-.--. 


OliowNonpariél:..b23--2 pe 


Oldenburg iies:t sc case 


m 1 


m 1 


Descriptions. ee 4 
Seale 1 to 10. 

8 16 2 6 lalsé a 
yr | vg | Nov. Feb.| N.Y. | ON) Zeer 
wyr g |Nov.Jan.| N. J. 5] 6 6 
Siar: g |Sept.Oct.| Eng. | 2] 10 8 
gyr |vg|Aug.Oct.| Penn 1) toes 
yr v g |Dec. May. Fr. 8) a) ae 
pif vg | Dec. May.| N. Y. CRAP: t 
wr vg | Oct. Dee. | N. Y. 8] 4 | dD 
wyt | g |Dec.Mar.{| N.H. | 5] 5] 5& 
yr, Jan. Apr.| N.C.? 5] 7 8 
yr: Nov. Feb.| Eng. Si | 6 
gy vg | Sept. Oct.| Penn.?| 7] 7 8 
Lyir. g |Sept. Nov.| Mass Tt) <3 5 
yr g Dec. Jan. | Maine 6) 4 5 
yrer g |Sept.Oct.| N. J. 6] 8] 10 
ybr vee Jan. Apr.| N. Y 6) Val eh 
yr v g |Aug. Sept.| Mass. tel en | Ae 
wyrcr| vg | Dec. Mar.| N.H. Sila 6 
gyr g |Feb.June| Am | eee 
yr |vg'| Oct.Feb.| Ken. | 6| 7| 7 
yr |vg _|Dec.Mar.| Conn 9), Ble 
yere b | Nov. Mar.| N. Y 10 | 8 | 7 
cerry b | Sept. Oct.| Conn 10\) (68 ies 
gr g |Dec.Mar.;| Am. | 5/ 6 5 
y1 vg | Oct. Nov.) NYe?" | eG | 8 
gyr g | Oct. Feb.| Mass 6 | 6 5 
yr vg|Nov. Mar.) N. J. | 6] 7] & 
rru | vg _|Jan. Apr.| Conn.?| 8| 8| 7 
yr | b |Nov.Feb.| Mass. | 7| 6| 7 
yr |vg|Sept. Feb} Mass? | 6| 7| 7 
yre.| b | Oct. Meb.!| NX: | 9) ee 
Wir g | Dec. Apr. ss 4) 2 6 
gyr b | Dec. Apr.| N. Y. | 10 9! 10 
yr vg | Nov. Mar.| Mich.? | 8 - & 
yb | Nov. Dec.| Ga. 6) Oe 
yr v g | Nov. Dec.| Ohio? | 8| 9 9 
yr g | Sept. Rus. | 5 | 9 9 


FRUIT CATALOGUE, 39] 


~ 


SECTION I,—APPLES—ContINuED. 


Locality. 
alas Remarks. 
: 5 S15 
5 Ps) Sn\Sz 
gi.-|2|4 l28\s2 
B(/2/8| 2 aslas 
Zz <3] iS) val = =! 
og | wt | #k | * |) * | ** | Good bearer alternate years. Fruit small, very beautiful, and good. 
Popular. 
100 | *| *| *| *|....| Tree vigorous, straggling, productive. Old. Now little grown. 
101; *| *| *| *{| * | Cooks well, even when but half grown. Very early bearer. Very hardy 
| and prolific. ie , , 
TO Tee ___|..-.| Downing commends it asa promising market apple. This remains to be 
shown. 
103 | *| *| *] *| */] A beautiful little fancy apple. Brings large prices in market in eastern 
cities. Jittle known west. Sometimes scabs. eae 
1o4| *| ** | *| * | *! A fair baking apple. Desirable asa long keeper. Retains its juice and. 
: flavor. 
105 | *| *| *| * | * | Regular, early bearer. Chenango is often grown under this name. 
106 | *|__. |___ |....|....] Vigorous, productive, regular bearer. But little known. 
107 | *| *| *| *| * | Popular west and south asa long keeper. Distinct from Willow Twig. 
TOS Biles |e ...| Little known, with little to specially recommend it. 
109; *| *!| * | ** | ** | Strong grower, bears heavily in alternate years. Popular. Profitable. 
DLO Ney | aes * | __.|_...| Generally fair. Tree vigorous, upright, spreading. Not largely planted. 
111 rar el eee _|..-.| Annual bearer. But little known, and not likely to command special 
attention. 
112 | * | ** | * 1 ** | ** | Spreading, vigorous, prolific. The most popular early autumn market 
apple. Rather acid for dessert. : 1 
113 | *| *|] *{| *| */| Hardy, upright, annual bearer. Not much disseminated. A long keeper. 
TEN Pe ne ...| Vigorous, productive. Fruit excellent. Worthy of increased attention. 
TUS 9A| ote AM peak PR | Moderate growey. A beautiful and excellent fruit. Unproductive. 
116; *| *| *j| *|___.| Vigorous. Known in Eastern Michigan as Romanite. Only valued as a 
| long keeper. ; : f ; : ere 
TUT eS |) eS IRE ac Se | NG old Southern variety. Not widely disseminated in Michigan. Un- 
worthy. 
ASI eS) SEEN eK * |___.| Thrifty, upright, productive. An excellent variety for home and market. 
Bears alternate years. 
119 | *)|**!| * | * |...) One of the very best dessert apples. Tree hardy, with short, wiry shoots. 
‘ Very productive alternate years. 
20 n Aa CE AI\e Ft _..| Moderate grower, hardy, productive. One of the finest of dessert apples. 
TALS |e eda (2 ae * | A hardy and somewhat popular apple farther west. Notcommon in Mich- 
igan. 
1227 |e Ie * |____|__..| Vigorous, productive. A promising fruit for market and general purposes. 
1223 | *| *| *| */___.| Moderately vigorous, very productive. Not widely disseminated. 
124} *| *| *| *|___.| Vigorous, upright, productive. Isa good market variety. 
P1555] Vers ss ee | (eee ead Vigorous, stocky; leaves large. Buds prominent. May be an old variety. 
Also known in fulton Co., Ohio. ) 
126 | * | ** |] *| * |___.| Productive. An excellent dessert apple. Deserves more attention. 
TEP | eal NSE le Hee spreading, vigorous, prolific. Fruit very perfect, even sized, and 
| eautiful. 
128) *| *| *| * |____| Requires warm soils. Sometimes scabs or cracks. One of the best apples. 
| | when perfect. iS ; : , 
On| eevee |e he ER | A southern variety. Hardy, vigorous. Not profitable in this latitude. 
SON eae | AR) AR) Ack | Strong, upright, hardy. Tardy bearer. Fruit sometimes uneven and im- 
| perfect. Requires good culture and careful handling. 
Ist). | ae * | =| Popular in Oakland county. Less disseminated elsewhere. 
182 | * |__..]_...|.-..|----; A vigorous, hardy, southern apple. Does well in Eastern Michigan. 
13838 | * | ** | * | *) ** | Very vigorous, productive. One of the most valuable late autumn apples. 
184.) ** | #e | * | ** | HF | Hardy, vigorous, very productive. Of little value except for cooking and 
market. Sells well: but soon decays. 


392 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


SECTION I.—APPLES—COonrtTINUED. 


Descriptions. 
Names. | 
; : 2 =a 
n = 1S) Se R 
Orance (Pippip))4-2<.c— eee eee | m r ob or g | Sept. Oct. | 
Ortley, White Detroit ...... 5xit-s ; m | robe gyr vg | Nov. Feb. 
baw PAaweclemoicone.c<-n5 ote ae) Ot ro yr vg |Dec. June.) 
Peach Pond Sweet. ---.-.- Pe m ob yr vg |Sept. Nov.| 
Pecks Pleasant.2.. 2.5 scse-- ee.) aol re gyr vg | Nov. Mar. | 
OnunOGKsc: essa sone ste noe oe eee 1 Died ry Noy. Mar. 
Perry RUSSObs eo eee a | rie | yiruw'b Nov. Dec. | 
Pittsburgh (Pippin) ---..2_.-2-..- 1 ob yr vg | Nov. Apr. | 
Pommie'Grins 30a eee eee see s obr rur b_ | Dec. Mar. 
IPGELOL Ace ne oe ee m | oc yr veg Sept. 
Pound Royal [Winter]._..........| 1 LIC | ye wet g | Dec. Apr. | 
Primater 5. eee yo AERA m |robc| gwer | vg | Aug. Oct. 
Pumpkin Sweet, Pound Sweet.... v1 r wey Sept. Dec. 
Quarrenden (Devonshire)... -- ms) r 1 dcr g |Aug. Sept. 
1a PU ee ote aa geet ah ves A CL | m rob yw r ve |} Oct. Feb. 
Ramsdell’s Sweet, English Sweet m 1 oc dr vg | Oct. Feb. 
Rawile'sJaneb.---- s>-5 2. ---.| m1) ‘obre, || yricr Feb. ee) 
REDECCAsos.- nc ccno nea ee ose ek m ob wycr Sept. 
Med Astrachans. ss.) = cee eae, ‘m1 Le gycr |.¢g Aug. 
Red Canada, Old Nonsuch..-..--. | jam, | Tobie | yrer vg |Dec. June. 
PURO Mr wUBSCU. = oes soo toseee sence te | m 1 rec yrru | vg | Jan. Apr. 
Mipston (Pippin). -- 22, -2---.S222.- m re yrru | vg | Nov. Apr. 
Rhode Island (Greening)_-.-...-- ] rob EYr vg'| Nov. Apr. 
RCHAPOSON ~~. 55) 2saces fos nee 1 re r g |Aug. Sept. 
ROMAN SLOM 2. noses sees neo "a Yr ybru | vg |Nov. Mar. 
Rome, (Beauty) o.02..-oo eee ee 1 rie yr g | Nov. Feb. 
Rose Red, Autumn Rose.....----| m | robe yr ve | Nov. Jan. 
Roxbury Russet... 2-2neeo secs ml}roba/; yrur | vg |Jan. June. 
Scarlet Pearmain.-.............-- } m c cry vg | Aug. Oct. 
Shiawassee (Beauty) --.-...--.-.-- m ob wr vg | Oct. Jan. ! 
Sine Quai Non...) = ese aee m rc gy ve | Aug. | 
Slingerland (Pippin) -.-....-..... m | rl yr gz | Dec. Mar. | 
Bmiths Older ..2.-.- 4 e-swantenns ml |robe yr g | Dec. Mar. 
Smokenouse’..4-.0-. Sesee sen eeseee ml| rob yer g | Sept. Feb. 
SOPHO) WANG) 2.2225 act. cases eee m r yr g |Aug. Sept. 
Spiced Sweet..-......-.-2-c.-. -- m | FAS y g |Aug. Sept.| 


N. J. 
Mich. 
No 
R. I.? 
Penn. 
ING it 
Penn. 


Eur.? 


| Mass. 


Fr.? 
IN-oYe? 


Conn.? 


R. 1.2 
Mass 
ING. 
Ohio. 
N. W.2 
Mass. 
Eng. 
Mich. 
Nake 
We. 
Penn. 
Penn. 


Eur. 


Use and 
Scale lt 10. 
=| i 
a ee | 
z\8|s 
71 65) #8 
7\'41 3 
9/ 5| 6 
6| 6] 6 
9; 8| 9 
1.) 7 eee 
6| 6| 6 
8/8] 9 
10} 6] 5 
8] 7| ‘8 
6| 6] 
10| 5| 6 
2/28 | md 
6| 6] 2 
8| 5! 5 
6| 9| 4 
8/1] 4% 
7 |b eee 
5/ 9| 10 
8| 5| 10 
8| 7| 6 
7) cl 4 
9/10| 9 
6| 6| & 
7 7 4 
6 | Tage 
6| 7), 
6| 9| 7 
9/8) 5 
10| 6| 8 
g| 5| 4 
6] 7] 6 
51 4] 7 
5| 7]. 8 
£)eeae 
6} Bi) 2 


) 


FRUIT CATALOGUE. 393 


SECTION I,—APPLES—ConrTINUED. 


Locality. 
aflaf’ Remarks. 
54\58 
e . ani sa 
. 2 a go 0}; oO 
ml] als |exiss 
$/8| 3 /"a/7s 
See ---| * |----| An annual bearer. Good for either dessert or market. 
|) ESN REMY ett Lat peel ees vigorous, upright, productive. Fruit frequently scabby and 
worthless. 
*| *| * | * |__| Hardy, moderate grower, regular bearer. Must have suitable soil and 
good culture. : ‘ 
*| *| * | * | * | Tree vigorous, spreading, productive. A beautiful and desirable sweet 
apple. 
*| * | * | * | * | Habit of tree like R. I. Greening, but less vigorous. Generally and desery- 
edly popular. Fruit beautiful and excellent. : 
*| * | * | * | * | Sometimes profitable to ship south. Poor flavor. Very subject to bitter 
| rot. 
*| * |) *| * | * | Distinct from Golden Russet. Anearly, abundant bearer. More than one 
variety is probably grown under this name. 
= |S tae Mls i Spreading. Very productive. A very promising variety. But little known. 
=|) GSP a alte | * | Moderate, upright grower. Good early bearer. An exceeding fine dessert 
| apple. Less successful on light soils. 
* | ** | * | * | * | Usually very fair. Valuable for market as well as dessert. 
see et ee ..|.---| Spreading grower. Must have high culture. Little known. 
* | | * | * | * | Oneof the best dessert apples. Subject to water core and other defects. 
Ripens in succession. , 
* | * | * |) * | * | Tree strong, upright, spreading. Fruit often water cored. Culinary. 
* |__| ___| _..|_...| Tree spreading, productive. Flavor fine, but fruit often imperfect or 
scabby ; beautiful. ; 
* | %  * | * | ___| A vigorous but tender tree. Overbears and produces sma}l fruit. A very 
| i common farmer’s apple. : 
ef) BS * | * | Very vigorous, and productive. Best sweet apple of its season for cooking 
| and market. 
*| * | * |) * | * | Hardy, vigorous, spreading. Better farther south. Blossoms late. 
*|____| ...|....].---| Upright, spreading, productive. A nice dessert apple. Little known here. 
cl ea | ** | ** | Strong grower; early bearer; hardy. Fruit beautiful; showy ; profitable; 
| too sour for dessert. 
we | ek | ok | ok | oe | Very popular for market where fully proved. Tree not vigorous. Should 
be top-grafted in all cases. Best on strong soils. 
* |__| ___|____|____| Tree much like Baldwin. The same true of fruit except the russet, and 
higher flavor. 
x | * | * | «| * | Tree a good grower, productive. High, sharp flavor. Succeeds at the north. 
* | xx | * | ek | ok | Tree spreading, vigorous; generally productive on strong soils ; best at lake 
shore, One of the old favorites. 
* ) ___| ...|....|....| Comes in with the summer and autumn fruits. Little known. 
| 
* | * | */ | * | Moderately vigorous, spreading. Very productive. Not very much known 
in this State. 
* | * | * | * | * | Moderate grower, productive. Inclined to overbear on old trees. 
= Meee * |____|____| Tree spreading, productive. Desirable when fair. Often scabby and 
i worthless. J 
*| * | * | * | #*| Very liable to attacks of the coddling moth. Tree strong, spreading, pro- 
ductive, tender. Not profitable on light soils. 
* |__| _..| _._|....| Moderate grower. One of the finest and most beautiful dessert apples of 
| its season. 
*| *| *  *] ___| Tree hardy, vigorous, upright, spreading, productive. Like Fameuse, but 
superior to it. 
eae eal ee Slow, Seo Prolific. A desirable dessert apple. Always perfect and 
| even sized. 
See SPE | pa Ee Tice vigordus, spreading, productive. Little known. Not especially desir- 
able. 
eal VEZ | * |____| Very productive, vigorous, straggling. Valued for market purposes. 
oy CS ae eo ee Vigorous, spreading, productive. Culinary, market. 
E> || a Mfce | lie til (ualita tll i a vigorous, upright, productive. Widely disseminated, but not valu- 
able. 
*| *| */| * | * | Fruit generally scabby. Going out of cultivation. 


394 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


SECTION I.—APPLES—COonrTINUED. 


Descriptions. oe 

Scale 1 to 10. 
Names. | 

L : ‘ : | wo s 

Z a|e& Sa, e 6 |Als]s 
171 | Stark We tk Ma ] LG gyr g |Jan.May.| Ohio.? 6) 6 8 
Gen Suman War ye ooo oo ce ese s re yr g |July, Aug.| N. Y- x fa Va 2 
1738 | St oaiwrence ei - es acon 2-5 a 2-- l obe yc vg | Sept. Oct.| Can.? 8/ 8 9 
174 | Striped Belflower --....---------- a! Oe. ig WE g | Oct. Jan. | Ohio.? | 2 | 5. | ae 
175 | Summer Hagloe.....-.-..-------- | 1 rob | wyr | vg |Aug. Sept.| N.J.2 | 5| 7] fF 
176 Summoer-Pippine =. -....<.43-2.-2 | ml/ rod yer vg |Aug. Sept.) N. Y.? 8} 8 $ 

| _ Champlain, Nyack. | 

177 | Summer Pound Royal... --.------ eu Sierobic gw g | Aug. Sept.) Am 6) 8 i! 
178 | Summer QUGER cena see | 1 rie yr g Aug. Sept.) N. Y.? 6: %G 6 
179 Summer Rambo, Rambour --.-.- l ob gyr g | Sept. Fr. 6:1) *Silaeaee 
180 Summer Rambo [Mich.].......-. m| rf | wyr|vg| Sept. | Ina. ‘| 9| 7] 4 
161) ‘Summer! Rose < -.2-2/2-<<-.=--< 21 s r yr b Aug. N. J 10) | pe 5. 
182 | Summer Sweet (Paradise)---.--- | 1 mt |; Sc. ve ‘Aug. Sept.| Penn 9 | 7 4 
183 | Sweet and Sour..-......---------- ea ob | gy g | Dec. Feb. 2 4 | as 
SAREE SR oc ae ee ee ee ] rob | yob b | Dec. Apr.| N. Y 10. 6 4 
185 | SWeer BOMEN 2222. ccs -ternccten.- fi gal GOV |e TVs Aug. Am 841 7 6 
186 | ed od iva eeeneree tas | m obe | rier vg |Nov.Mar.| Penn 6| 9 7 
187 | eee en ads Sep eae m rob | yr g Oct. Dec. | Penn? | 2/ 5 }---- 

188 | Sweet Vandevere .-....-.....----| m | rob yr g | Nov. Mar. | Am s Gules 
~189 | Talman Sweet--..---------------- m re wyr vg | Nov. Apr. Rae 6| 8 6 
1% | Tetofsky........-....---.-----.---- /m | robe you g | Aug. | Rus YP ef) = 5 = 
191 | Tewksbury (Winter) -.-....--- ee aris ob Wr vg | Jan. July. | N.J ian) ev 5 
192i) Lompkins, King..2:-=.07.22222cc2 be ri ca,|) yrer | ve | Dec. Mar,| N. J? Lela 7 
ISS Nooletsmn dian 2s ee ye l re gyr g | Sept. Oct.) Am Ca Peso 
HO4) | Dovrnsend..a2 2-0 2- Barat e tees m obe yr g |Aug. Sept.| Penn 6} 6 ff 
195 | Trenton (Early) ?.....-..-..-.---- | ml| roy Vz g Aug. Am.? | 6) 6; 8 
agGs Vlwenty, Ounce. 2. 2. aus esos vl r gyr g Oct. Jan. | Conn Ly Wf 9 
so nce gaa m| ob | yr | g-|Nov.Mar.| Del | 6] 8| 9 
198 WVASONOCT g2- ce wot aot aba wemee m § rob yer vg | Nov.Mar.| N.Y. 0 
ROU QUDOLG co te Ueob a caawaewen fae m r vir vg |Aug. Sept.| Mass. | 7| 5 2 
200 | Washington [Royal]. .-.....-...- mlj}| rob | yer vg Dec. June. Mass. if 6 3 
201 | Washington (Strawberry].-.-.-..- 1 riot | yr vg | Sept. Oct.| N. Y. 7 7 8 
PANS NUNVOLOD Giese tact a- Serie sa dante dee m re wycr | vg | Oct. Dec. |} Penn. 8| 6 7 
POS) NV CRMs nope. Sanity. danas m | rob yer | vg | Autumn.| Minn. | 8| 6| & 
204 Wiestern Spy. 2-ts. 52. m1 rob yer g |Nov.June.| Ohio. 5| 8] 6 
205 | Westfield (Seeknofurther)..-..-- m1 re grru b | Oct. Mar. | Conn.? 9 | 3 7 
206 | Wetherell’s (White) Sweet.......| m MiGas| yet ve | Sept. Oct.| N.J. 7 | Ook ee 


FRUIT CATALOGUE. 395 


SECTION I.—APPLES—COoOnNTINUED. 


Locality. 
FI £ g £ Remarks. 
5 :| . |eulan 
ai/#2/2/] 2 /8sisg 
[=| 
ees Verba | alos 
171! *| *| *{| */| */| Tree vigorous, hardy, productive. Fruit good enough tosell. Valued asa 
market fruit. 
172 | * |___..|.-..| * |_...| Tree upright, productive. Little known. Not desirable compared with 
others in season. 
173 | ** | *e | * | ke | HF | Tree very vigorous, productive. Highly and justly valued. Sometimes 
cracks and scabs. 
174) *| *| * | *!| +) Known at Adrian as Fall or Striped Gilliflower. Large and showy but not 
profitable or valuable. 
175 | * |_._.|-...|__._|.-..] Wigorous, productive. An old and useful culinary variety. 
176 | *| *| *{| *'|__..| Tree vigorous; forms a round head, productive. A valuable variety. 
77 | *| */| +*;)| +* |_...| Very vigorous. Productive. <A profitable market apple for its season 
178) *| *| *| *!| *! Liable toscab. One of the best cooking apples. Popular. 
179| *| *| *| *|__..| A large, vigorous tree, moderately productive. Rarely planted. Profit- 
ableness doubtful. 
180; *)| *| * |____|....| Tree similar to Rambo. Also the fruit with similar tendency to overbear. 
Superior flavor. 
TEST |) E31 ae eg Tree moderately vigorous, productive. One of the finest dessert fruits of 
its season. 
182 *| *| *| * |____| Tree spreading, drooping, moderate, regular bearer. Very desirable among 
sweet apples. 
1838 | *| *| *| *| * | Much ribbed; the ribs sub-acid, the hollows sweetish. A curiosity. 
194 | */| *| *| *{| * | Can only be recommended as an amateur fruit. Tree lacks hardness. 
Fruit often imperfect. Requires rich, warm, dry soil. 
185 | *|**}] *| *| */| Tree Be titule tender, and lacks productiveness. The most popular early 
sweet apple. 
186 | * |___.|....| * |_...| Recommended as successful and profitable at Lawton and in Wayne Co. 
TEP) § Sse) aS eee ee anes hee vigorous, upright, a tardy bearer. Little known. Of doubtful value 
ere. 
TESTS Dal [Pee So Fae eel (i ae tee TECE/ 8 crooked grower, productive. Not disseminated. Too many com- 
petitors. 
189 | *| *| ** | * | **; Best winter baking apple. The most popular and profitable sweet market 
apple. 
199; *| *| *| *| *| Of little value, except where great hardiness is required. 
OTe OF |) ose * | Tree vigorous, upright, productive. A fine, long-keeping table fruit. 
OZ Meese Fe ey Apt a blow down. A good early winter dessert fruit. Improves at the 
north. 
193 | *| *| * | *)___.| Tree vigorous, upright, moderately productive. A showy, attractive, and 
profitable market fruit. 
UGX | Fe eee ea RR | ee ea Tree YISUEONS: upright, spreading, productive. Little known; almost 
very good. 
OD m ape ee | RY dree moderately vigorous, productive, hardy. A fine, profitable, orchard 
ruit. 
196 | *| *| *| *| *| Fruit sometimes imperfect in Lenawee county. Very profitable for market. 
joy | *| *| *| *| * | Distinct from N. Y. Vandevere. This variety is widely planted. Valuable. 
198 | * | #* | * | #* | *k | Very early bearer; ruining the tree unless thinned and highly cultivated. 
Fine dessert apple. Sells well in market. 
199 | *|.__.|__. |____|....] Tree of moderate vigor. Comes in the season of the snmmer fruits. Hence 
less valued. 
200 | * |____)_.. |.-..|....| Tree vigorous, prolific. Fruit quite variable in size. 
201 | *| *| * | ** |____| Tree vigorous. Bears early and abundantly. A valuable variety for gen- 
eral purposes. 
PA 2 11 ki et i * |____| Tree vigorous, upright. Blooms late. A fine, mild, dessert apple. Not 
widely known. 
203 | * |__..|_...|__..| * | Originated with Peter M. Gideon. Valuable at the north. Very hardy. 
DEN 6) RE eee Naren eee eee cares vigorous; productive. Wood soft, spongy. Of very doubtful 
value. 
205 | *| *| *| *{| * | Popular old variety for home use. Somewhat lacking in productiveness, 
and hence unprofitable. 
206 | * |._._|_...|-.-.|--..| Introduced into Wayne county as Honey Sweet. 


396 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


SECTION I.—APPLES —CONTINUED. 


Descriptions. Varies 
Scale 1 to 10. 
Names. 

: 3 a & =| : cs E | Z 
Zz a |. & 8 S a 6) aa 
207 | White DOCLOM: 2.0 acceso eeaaes-s 1 rob gy g | Sept. Oct.| Penn. 6| 9 7 
208 White Juneating, Early May.--.| ms rf gyr g July. Eur. 4| 8 4 
209 | White Pippin...........---------- 1 |robl|] gwy | ve |Jan.Apr.| Am? | 6| 7| 5 
210 | White Spanish Reinette- --..-.--- vl rob | ygor | vg | Oct. Jan. | Spain. 9} 16 6 
211 | Williams (Favorite) -.......---.-. m | roc r g |Aug. Sept.| Mass. | 6| 5] 7 
212 | Willow Twig, James River.------| | m TG yr g | Dec. May. Vir. Dsl eee v4 
218 | Wine, Hay’s Winter..---------... ma dry g | Oct.Mar.| Del. Ce 6 
PLLA MUN ADL OSSD sa see cence cesses eee mL Tope!) airy vg Nov. May.) N.J. 6) 6 4 
215 | Winter Pippin [Mich.]..-.....--.| ml} rob gy g | Dec. May.| N. Y. reat et 8 
216 | Winter Sweet (Paradise) ..--...- ml} rob gb vg | Nov. Mar.| Penn. 6] 6 2 
217 | Winthrop (Greening).-------- . 1 ob gyru g Sept. Me. CGAP 6 

“218 | Yellow Belflower-.---..--:------- vl | ‘oe gyr | ve | Des.Mar.| N.J. | 8,| 10) 7 
219 | Yellow Newtown (Eippin)2.----= m | robl yr Db, Dec. May. Ne Yo.45) Oo 3 
SECTION II.—APPLES—CRABS, 

ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 
Form, 
e canted Penn cone 
t Hae ee oblique. ae her te at 
Descriptions. einen 
Scale 1 to 10. 
Names. 
| é 45 || Rul as 
Zz 7) cs is) ec Rn So A|/o]2z 
1 | Byers (Beauty)..........-------- lm |ret| ar | ¢ | Sept | mtn. | 5] 7] 9 
AAU ts fy = (0) On fey i Se 1 r ov dro g |Sept. Nov.| Am. 4| 8 10 
DMMATRO WNOUs- pos asses oe meaeeeaee 1 roy yr g \Sept. Oct. Am. | 4) 6 6 
4 | Large Yellow.......-2------------ 1 | rov | yo | g |Sept.Oct.| Am. | 5; 8| 8 
— 5 | Montreal (Beauty). .-......-...-- 1 rob yr g Sept. Oct. | Am. 4| 7 8 
G: }ied ‘Siberian >!> 225 -5-.-2c84se5. s rob ys g |Sept. Oct. | Eur. 8] 6 4 
Ty) PB OWIATO Ee oo c shone eons see eeas m ob gy g& |Nov. Dec. | Mo. Dh 1 
=~ § | Transcendent........2.255¢..52--- 1 rob y cr g Sept. | Am. 5} 8} 10 
9 Whitney eee so) eet ee 1 rov yr be 4)" Septe 05) ill (day Vea 9 


FRUIT CATALOGUE. 397 


SECTION I.—APPLES—ConrtTINveED. 


Locality. 
aflag Remarks. 
52/55 
5 Pe ga\dan 
Ble/e|3 |ssiss 
2/a|s/a|"si*5 
207 | *| * |....|.---|----| Tree strong and prolific. A showy and profitable culinary and market 
fruit. Little known. 
Oy | ae AN| ete | TO) E ue poor quality. Short lived. Desirable for its extreme earliness 
only 
209; *| *| *| * | */| Tree vigorous, upright, productive. Fruit of the Newtown Pippin class. 
} __ Popular south. 
210) * |___.|.--.|----|---.|'Tree and fruit much like Fall Pippin, but keeps longer. Seldom seen under 
its own name. 
211; *| *| *{| */|_...| Tree a good grower; productive. Valued by some as a market variety. 
eiznes eel oF i ey Herey: vigorous, productive. Fruits vary greatly in size. Keep and sell 
lees) eral eae ees eee Haas, prolific. A fine, though little known, winter fruit. 
La eee eal) eye ce | * | Irregular grower ; good, early bearer. Good for dessert, market or cider— 
| Downing. Valuable in Lenawee county 
215 | * |___.|_-..|.---| * | Strong, upright grower; slender shoots. Drofitable Probably an unrecog- 
nized eastern sort. 
216 | *|....| * |..-.|-.-.| Tree hardy, upright, vigorous: a tardy bearer. Productive. Little grown. 
217 | * |_-_.|---.|.--.|---.| Tree vigorous, upright, spreading. A large showy fruit. Little grown. 
218 | *| *| *| * | *| Needs dry, warm soils. High, rich flavor. Uneven insize. Often unpro- 
ductive. Not,successful at the north. Fruit much in demand. 
219; *| *| * | * |____| Tree and fruit like the Green N. Some doubt their distinctness. 
SECTION II.—APPLES—CRABS. 
ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 
Color, 
b. brown. g. green. ru. russet. 
c. carmine. oO. orange. 8. scarlet. 
cr. crimson. p. purplish. v. vermilion. 
d. dark. Yr. red. y. yellow. 
Locality. 
E g P g Remarks. . 
3 2 |, |galaa 
Aes 2 1eel5s 
z|a|8|3|"S|"4| 
1 |_._.| ** |__._| * | ** | Tree slender, weak grower. A very beautifulcrab. Origin, Van Buren: 
| county. 
2| *| *| *|**| * | An exceedingly rich looking crab. Keeps well. Sells well. 
3| *| *| *| *!| * | A vigorous tree, productive. Has the calyx large and prominent. 
4| *| *| *| *| * | One of the most beautiful and prolific. Kears in alternate years. 
5| *| «| *| *{ * | Unexcelled in beauty of appearance. Said to be less beautiful at the north. 
6| *| *| *| *| * | Sometimes called ‘*small red.” Quite small, beautiful. Often scabby on: 
old trees. 
YN aap ae ae _...| * | * | Of little value except for cider and cooking. Worthless. 
8 | + | ** | ** | ** | ** | One of the largest, most productive, and beautiful of the older crabs. 
0) oe (eee ** |____| Very large, beautiful, and excellent. Tree vigorous, upright, productive. 


398 


© @ 3 @ om oo w% o | Number. 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 
. 
SECTION III.—APRICOTS. 
ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 
Form, Color, 
ec. conical. o. objong. oO. orange. 
co. compressed. ov. oval. r. red. 
d. depressed. r. roundish. y. yellow. 
Use and 
Descriptions. Value. 
Scale | to 10. 
Names. 
> : A £ wo 
Belly ts aes 5 a | 2 abe 
= S iC) fs a = o/6|a4 
na os =) oe Rn ro) A. |\O | a 
IB TEE oie coe saa: oo ee eees m r vg |b. Aug. Eur 7 me 
HarliviGold nse. cet a s r ov 0 vg | m. July. Am 6s 
Hemskinke:22- ees seeecahesesee sat rco or b |e. July Eur. 8-2 oes 
Iatirgees manly 408 She aoe P88 | m 0co (9) b | m. July. Eur 8.22 /2es 
INOOTDA TK setts 2 ee ee he ee 1 r oy b b. Aug. Eur te eee 
GAG hits see nd nee le vl | rdeo yo b. bs Aug. | “Burs! 10) 
RedvMasculine: 2222.22... 8 re yor vg | m. July Eur. 6 8 ee 
EMMA DIOIROL eS eeees: oo ae =e. 1 rco yr b | m. Aug. Eur. 9°). 22) 
RE Wal oy oe ek Vite 8 Be ee Seed m r yo veg |m. Aug. Eur tM fee | be Se 


FRUIT CATALOGUE, 399 


SECTION III.—APRICOTS. 


Apricots are recommended for dessert or amateur purposes, with little reference to actual profit, 
as, owing to occasional loss of the very early bloom, and liability to injury from extreme cold in 
unfavorable localities, together with extreme liability to the depredations of the curculio, little 
pecuniary return can be confidently anticipated from them. Since they are recommended only as 
amateur fruits, they are not quoted for cooking or market. 


Locality. 
g : g Remarks. 
1} *| *{| *!| *{| * | Hardy, productive, excellent. Kernel sweet. 
Ped SAP eS ea a li coal Tree vigorous. Branches long, slender. Freestone. 
3; +! +) +} +1] + | Beautiful, excellent. Stone not perforated. Kernel bitter. 
4| +! +!| +) {| +t | Vigorous. One of the best early varieties. Freestone. Kernel bitter. 
5) *| *| *!| *! +] One ofthe most popular. Stone perforated. Kernel bitter. 
6) *)| * | *| */| * | Considered the finest variety. Stone perforated. Kernel bitter. 
7) +! +} +! t/!] +) Hardy, Productive. Not high flavor. Kernel bitter. 
Seer | +| +| +1 =+ | Earlier than Moorpark. Juicy, sweet, rich. 
tS) +) +) +| |] +) Old. Later than Moorpark. Stone impervious. Kernel sweet. 


400 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 
SECTION IV.—BLACKBERRIES, 
ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 
Form, 
°. shane ea teecancied: 
| Use and 
Descriptions. Value. 
i Scale 1 to 10, 
Names. 

zs - : wo | ©] os 

Zz n = =) o Rn =) Aa;|o|/a 
AA REWAMN @ 228 =. caw o cee das sUshaseeee 1 ro b vg m Am 9 ie 8 
SA eANCIOnt Briton... >---ccs.c seaseiseeece i 0O0V b vg 1 Ark. Sr ay 9 
3 | Barnard.........--.----------------- 1 0 OV b Was Wis.? 8) Se 9 
C3y oa) 25 ag 1b + (0) 1 epee eee a Ot ea 5 ro b vg, ve Am fal bee 3 
5, | Dorehester:.<---2+-----242--2- 22-3. m oc b b m Mass. | 7| 5 if 
Gilsharly Hanvest.=.6.- cess hesesoooe = 8 ro b vg ve Ill. 85] <5 3 
C0 ko) Os Ca en a eS ae a 1 ro b vg m Pa. , 8|--.-1 9% 
248) LLG Ki ec ore 10 0 ee a Oe ee 1 re b b m N. J. | 10 | 10 9 
9 | New Rochelle, Lawton..---.....--- 1 ov b g 1 INS PVs i ee) 8 
NOR MSNVGGri sees wees Cee ot Le m r ov b ve e nd. 9/ 8| 10 
MNS EOHG seo so eee me see SLs Tee ms r b vg e Wis. 9| 9 vé 
Th UES (oy pees See a ae ee 1 eC) b vg < Am 10 | 10 9 
ISW OV ROMUSGbb-- so ccccasetesccntaceqean m 0 OV b vg e Mass Talees 8 
4 BVVeU SEG se Be cee ee ee 1 0 ov b veg m Am Oxia 9 
155] vVestern Triumph: =. .25----<5.-2~2. m Ov b vg m 1 Am 8] 8] -9 
LGM) Wilson 2-3-2565 2525.-% Seuseces2ee 1 0 OV b c) ING’ 7 9 
Uo. Wilson) J Unior 22 252-+ S2s-c-- =e == 1 0 OV b e Ne Je 8| 8 9 

DEWBERRIES. 


These are so closely allied with the Blackberries that they are placed in connection with them 


rather than in alphabetical order. 


Blackberry. 


)-te Bt | Number. 


| 


Names. 


3 

Nn 

= 
BATTS abe cet Seneca a conc ate eed sm 
(QUOTE DIB ate e on als ache eG Adee ees 1 
Mamimothiss .6225...utecotenactueeeewe sm 


Use and 


The columns and abbreviations correspond with those for the 


Descriptions. Value. 
Scale 1 to 10. 
"| get Oa eee 
etal aca F = [8/3/49 
3 S Sa ES) AlS|=s 
b | 2 ve | Am. | Bios) ee 
b v°g ve Va. i Se 7 
b g | ve Am ri eee 2 


FRUIT CATALOGUE, 401 


SECTION I1V.—BLACKBERRIES. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 


Color, 
b. black. 
w. white. 


Locality. 
l 
afles Remarks, 
s SS/S5 
o = 2n\tn 
Sis | 2) 4 /es\se 
2 || Ee aye ne\Z a 
Z2lagloln all sy 
1 |.,-..|.-..]---.| * |--..| Not fully hardy, but productive and fine. 
727'9| | Uae ar * |____| Strong grower and prolific. Well worthy of extended trial. 
Geile ene ae * |__..| Comes from west of Lake Michigan, with a reputation for hardiness. 
El one ee es * |___.| Plant very tender—hence unproductive. 
5| *| *| */] * |___.| An old New England variety. Of superior flavor. .Now nearly out of cul- 
tivation. 
|e et (eae ee * |___.| Brunton has been disseminated under thisname. The genuine is claimed 
| to be hardy. : 
7 j----| *| * | * |..-.| A strong, spreading grower. Productive. 
8 | ** | #* | # | ** | 6 | Too well known to need description. Sometimes rusts or mildews. 
9); *| *| *|** | *)| Plant grows late. Tender. Fruit colors before fully mature. Quality 
best when fully ripe. yee 
10; *| */ *| * | 4* | Not large, but good. Very hardy and prolific. 
Il j_...|..-.|---.| *|---.| Bears heavily. Size rather small. Hardy. In Lenawee county equals 
Snyder for market. 
Tey Ee ik * |___.| Claimed to be as hardy as Snyder. 
Pop esses |ecee * j--2- Hardye Nearly thornless: 
TES) ee Sapa * |__..| Nearly hardy ; vigorous; productive. 
1s) | el * |_...| Hardy, vigorous and prolific. Valuable in Lenawee county. 
16); */| *| */| *| ** | Oneof the largest. Lacks richness. Needs winter protection. 
17 |....|---.|---.| * |----| Much like Wilson in both plant and fruit. 
DEWBERRIES. 
Locality. 
aflas Remarks. 
he O| & 6 
oo 2 oa) 2.4 
2 & Sn\Sn 
g/2/2) 2 \zs\52 
Cea he esis 
1 |--..|---.|-...| * |---.| An uncertain bearer. Fruit often small. 
2 |....|----| * | * |---.| The largest, most productive and best. 
3 |----|---.|----| * |----| Occasionally bears profusely. Often small. 


402 


as raisins. 

: Names. 
zZ 

a) sAmerionn'Heart_s--.-<--2--<- 
ei Banrman’s Maly.--2-.-. s-2-2- 25 
3 | Belle D’Orleans--.---..--..---- 
4 | Bigarreau, Yellow Spanish...- 
DieBl ack Hagley 2c-S 3 ss 
Ui MBIACKH AW Ko cc scse na teo eee 
a aBlack) Heartss 09 tse oe. 
8 | Black Tartarian.--....--.....- 
ONE LON Gates aoe santa <ee 
TlA)p gh ete  S eh ae yee aes ee 
TYTN Gals 069 0): key 01: pees = 
Ara lEVeland t226- foo . esse hose 
13 | Coe’s Transparent--.....-.----- 
1a) GMalicates* ss. 5222 shales 52 
S| PO OCLOR 2a 222 322 cos secre nee=- 
16 | Downer’s (Late). ---.-.-.-.---- 
17 | Downton..... Sate Bee ree 
18.) Marly Purples: - 92) eee 
De aMPM TONGUE ecg se cle aces re ee 
20 | Governor Wood..-.....-...- 
21 | Kirtland’s Mary---.... ..------ 
os) Knight's Marly __.--..-2.2 2222: 
CUA Oops 9 a eh he I aS 
24 | Manning’s Mottled____._-..... 
25 | Mezel, Bigarreau De Mezel.-- 
BOL Mapaleen. ce aod aa 
Ai (Oi. CBGatty) <n - 2. 2 ee 
POMMOBDON Bie cenmat werk es clas seme 
ROWSE ORUE Oso. ait. a co sean vou ses eee 
0!) (Powhattan®-22)-<22.2-. . 22802. 
31 Red DACKOt sos susie e saan eee 
D2. | HROCGEPOP br ux 2c ose Arete 
Bos) MDARN AIR Coe S oot nbc eee ee 
34 | Tecumseh.................-..-. 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


SECTION V._CHERRIES—HEarT AND BIGARREAU. 


' ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 
Form. 


a. angular. 
co. compressed. 


c. conical. 
0. ovate or oval. 


1. 


long 


h. heart shaped. 
The numbers under the head of ‘‘cooking” recommend strictly for canning or drying with sugar 


ob. obtuse. 


r. roundish. 


’ 


obh 
rh 
lh 
rh 
rh 
obh 
obh 
rhco 
obh 
lh 
obh 
rh 
obh 
rco 
obh 
robh 
rh 
obh 


Descriptions. 
Be tele 
So, (acs 
abr g |mJune | 
dr g b June 
wyr)|veg]| bJune 
yer | b, | eJune 
b b July 
pb ve | eJune 
b vg | eJune 
pb vg | m June} 
rb vg | mJune 
wyrivg|eJune | 
r vg | eJune | 
Eh uv | m June 
ar | b | m June 
ayr | b | edune | 
wet veg | b June 
ar Vg | b July 
bryr | vg | eJune 
drp |vgj| bJune 
ybrr| veg | m June 
yr vg | mJune 
yr ve | bduly 
dpb ve ,mJune 
pb veg |,e June 
ar ve e June 
drb g b July 
vr g b July 
r vg |mJune 
dr vg | eJune 
dpr|vg|edJune 
dr ¢ | m July 
ar g b July 
ra b | mJune 
ar | vg|edJune 
rp g e July 


pb 


GB of Be ot bh Bt! ve Se ee gs a BO 
© 
= 
° 


Olass. 


Eo) io: 
ry 
Lar] 
te 


om 
=a 

tH & O 

gd © BP 

La | nm =) 


i=” 


h | Ohio. 
hb | Ohio. 
hb | Ohio. 
hb | Ohio. 

b | Ohio. 


b | Mass. 


hb Ohio. 


Ohio. | 


Scale 1 to 10. 


Use and 
Value. 
¢| File 
A|oOlesa 
ry ee 
57] 22280 ae 
8 8 
10| 9 7 
9/ 8 9 
9/ 6 9 
9 6 9 
97] 78 9 
Sule 7 
Sues 8 
8) 523 ieee 
9| 6 8 
10 | 6 | 5 
10;|2-- 312 
Silas u 
9/ 6]. 10 
a ee 6 
9| 6 6 
OF ay 9 
9| 6 8 
| OB lace 7 
| 8] 6] 6 
Y el be Dd 
1 8 zee ae 
6| 6; 8 
6] 6 8 
Wralee 8 
2 7 
se 8 
Th Fe 9 
TA ve 9 
Dele’ 9 
8] 8 8 
a ee 8 


FRUIT CATALOGUE. 403 


. 


SECTION V.—CHERRIES—HEART AND BIGARREAU. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION, 


Color. Class. 
‘a. amber, er. crimson. w. whitish. b. bigarreau. 
b. black. d. dark. y. yellowish. h. heart. 
br. bright p- purplish. 
ec. carmine. é Ts reds 
Locality. 
o a 
hs aB/a5 Remarks. 
S e| . (Salon 
w| 3 | & lSolzo 
s/8|8| 2 lselca 
zlea|o] a |2al44 
1} *} *| *)| * |__...] Vigorous, spreading, productive ; but variable in quality. 
2) *| *| *) *|__..| One of the earliest and most prolific. Too small and poor in flavor. 
3; *| *| *|] *| *| Largest and best of the very early varieties. Tree vigorous, spreading, 
productive, 
4/ *| *| *| *!| * |) Downingsays: “Largest, most beautiful, and delicious of cherries.’ Often 
, cracks and rots, in wet seasons. 
5/ */ *| *| *| * | Excellent. Requires age before it will bear profusely. 
6| *| *| *| *|____| Fine tree. Fruit much like Bigarreau in its general qualities. 
7| *| *! *! *!| * | Veryold. Treelarge and hardy. The abundant fruit is of fine quality. 
8 | ** | #k | #K | HK] HK] A rapid, erect grower. Prolific. Fruit very large and showy, but not of 
the highest quality. Tree lacks hardiness. Ip 
9| *| *| *| *|____| One of the many fine Ohio varieties of comparatively recent origin. 
10| *| *| *{| *'J|_...| A vigorous tree. Bears early and profusely. 
TOUR hs Foi] el ..--|----| Originated with Mr. Downing at Newburgh, New York. 
12); *| *| *| *|__..| A seedling of the late Dr. Kirtland, of Cleveland, Ohio. Tree thrifty, 
spreading, productive. , 
13; *| *| *) *!| ** | One of the finest and most beautiful of the tender fleshed cherries. 
14} *|_...]....| * |....| Delicate as its name imports. Excellent for home use. 
15| *| *| * | *{|_...| Tree a free spreading grower. Cood cultivation requisite to produce fine 
fruit. At Lawton, not worthy of cultivation. 
16 | ** | ** | * | ** /____| One of the finest and most valuable late cherries. Of New England origin. 
17 | *| *| *| */__..) An English seedling. Supposed to have sprung from the Elton. 
18} *| * |. *| **| * | A moderate grower. One of the best of the very early cherries. Hardy 
fora Mazzard; but tender at the Toren Le ammelee:| 
19| *| **/ *| *{| **! Originated in England in 1806. One of the best of its class and season. 
0) | Ee Say a So aS ea ee of ue late Dr. Kirtland. Every way desirable except for its lia- 
ility to rot. 
21} *| *| *!| */1_._.| Seedling of the late Dr. Kirtland. Desirable for either dessert or market. 
22) *| | *| *!| * | A week earlier than Black Tartarian. Fine quality. Tree spreading. 
on eer eral a|) tee Seedling of the late Dr. Kirtland. Ranks high in quality. But little 
<nown. 
PAN et ee A * |___.| Tree vigorous, prolific. Named fron the mottled appearance of the fruit. 
25 |....| * | * |....;.-..| Supposed to be identical with Great Bigarreau, and Large Red Prool.° 
26| *| *| *| * | ** | Very largeand showy. Very firm. Most-valued for the market. 
27) *| *| *| * | * | Seedling of the late Dr. Kirtland. Productive and valuable. 
COt eae, oF hey he Pease ts of the late Dr. Kirtland. Moderate grower and bearer. Flavor 
excellent. 
29; *|] *|] * | * |____| Seedling of the late Dr. Kirtland. Vigorous, productive. Valnable either 
as a table or market truit. 
30 | 31 Seas al * |____| Seedling of the late Dr. Kirtland. One of the best for market purposes. 
31} *| *{___.| * |_...| Seedling of the late Dr. Kirtland. Vigorous, spreading, productive. Very 
desirable for market. : 

32 | *| *| *| * |____| Seedling of the late Dr. Kirtland. Very highly esteemed. A good bearer. 
83 | *| *| * |] *|____] Origin Massachusetts. Vigorous; productive when trees have acquired 
sufficient age. : 

34} * |] *| * | * |____| Seedling of the late Dr. Kirtland. Moderate grower; productive. Desira- 


ble for its lateness. 


404 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


SECTION VI.—CHERRIES—DUKE AND MORELLO, 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 


Form. Color. 
co. compressed. a. amber. 
h. heartshaped. le bright. 
ob. oblate. d. dark. 
ov. oval. p. purplish. 
r. roundish. r. red. 
y. yellow. 
Use and 
Descriptions. Value. 
Scaie 1 to 10. 
Names. 
8 : : 5 a E Af 2| 2 
Z a is) = al a 5 S |A/o/a& 
Pl hrobankee eso ee 1 | obh | ar | vg/mJuly.| a | Eur | 7| 6]. 7 
2h) -Belle'de, Choisy-_.----.2--2-2e- m r ob yar b |;mJune.| d Fr. 10; 6 3 
3 | Belle Magnifique..-...-...---. 1 rh br vg }|m Aug. | d Fr. ty ee ( 8 
AW CarMa@ulones2cacs a2 os nose s2=0 l r ywr m JULY coseee Fr.? 6| 6 5 
bil sDonna Maria -22.25.-2----s-6-2 m r dr |}mJduly.| m Eur.?; 4/| 6 6 
6} Early Richmond, Kentish--- m Tr ob dr vg |mJune.| m Eur 5| 9] 10 
WU PeNIe a5 eee ee 1 rob dr vg |mJune.| d Eur. | 7} 6 7 
Hy ld fein a eee eee ae m rob br veg |}mJune.| d Eur: || 965156 6 
Dh i BS 7s el Be ee l obh dr vg |mJduly.| d Bare |) 0G 6 
10 | Late Kentish, Common kKed m r ob dr mJuly.| m Eur. | 4| 8 8 
A | Wei bs. zocscces cutee coecsas seca. m r tor July. m Eur.?|. 2<-cces|aene 
12) | ous Phillippe:-5-..2.-c-2-s-- il r dprj)ve}e July.) m Fr. 4/10! 10 
13:)| Mays DUK o2s-0c4 soeeenseeeecee 1 robh dr b |mJunoe.| d Bur. | 8! 80 
14 | Montmorency (Late).--...--..-- 1 r ob dr vg |eJune.| m Eur. ; 5] 8] 10 
Da Morello ja. 224 escuten~eeeeecee l obh dr vg |mJuly.| m Eur. | 5/10] 10 
164) elumeatonet 5. 2... 2-2 ee 1 rh dr g |b Aug.| m Eur 4/10 
17 | Reine Hontense................ vl r ov br ve |mJuly.| d Fr. 6a i 
Stl ereOV al DUKCS <-0-. ooo onan l rob dr g |eJune.| d Eur 6}. 7 ve 


FRUIT CATALOGUE, 405 


SECTION VI.—CHERRIES—DUKE AND MORELLO. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 


Class. 
d. duke. 
m. morello. 
Locality 
aglag Remarks. 
s 63/59 
5 H | . |go/da 
sile#i2isigsiss 
n 
e/8/s8|é [ss 
| 
1| *| *| *| */|_..-| Tree vigorous, upright, hardy, prolific. 
2) *| **) *| *|____| One of the best dessert cherries of any class, but a thin bearer. When on 
sandy soils, or top-grafted on Morello, proves productive. 
3/ *| *| *| *| * | Moderate grower, productive. Good for dessert when fully ripe. 
4) *| *| *| * |__| A beautiful, large, light-red cherry, highly esteemed where known. 
5 | * |----|....] *]|....| A small tree. Very prolific. 
Bolsse |) easel aa aaa a 3 ee ee the most profitable market cherries. Not as good as several of the 
ukes. 
7 |----|----|----| * |.---| A mew French cherry. Anearly and prolific bearer. 
8 | *|_---|.-..| * |.--.| A tree of compact habit and slow growth. A prolific bearer. 
9, *| *| *| *|.__.| Valuable for dessert or cooking. Ripening after Mayduke. 
10; *| *| *{| *'|....| Emphatically the pie cherry of this country. 
| 
eee ei Ef RE | ae newly introduced variety. Claimed to withstand the winters of the 
northwest. Unproductive. 
12 |..--| * | * | *|...., A strong, healthy tree of the Morelloclass. Productive, valuable. 
13 | ** | ** | ** | ** | ** | The type of its class. One of the oldest and most popular cherries. 
14 |.---| * |..-.| * |.---| Larger than Early Richmond and ten days later. 
15| *| *| *| *| * | Highly esteemed for preserving and other culinary purposes. 
16) *| *| *| * | * | One of the best culinary sorts, but a slow grower and a tardy bearer. 
W| *| **| *| *| * | A healthy and beautiful tree. A popular and desirable variety. 
18} *| *| *| *| * | Anupright, compact grower. Later than Mayduke. 


406 


BS oi cd AG cet inte eee | Nombre, 


11 


ee ce eee | Number. 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


SECTION VII.—CURRANTS. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION, 


Value. 


Se er ee oe 


=) 
o oS 


mo cot econ oo | Cooking. 


i 
—) 


onrn @ 


Use and 


| Market, 


————————— TT 


~ 


Form of Bunch, Color, 
l. long. b. black. r. red. 
m. medium. br. bright. w. white. 
s. short. d. dark. 
Descriptions. 
Scale 1 to 10. 
Names. 
$a : : s 
: S 5 8 £ 
mn > oO & n (=) 
Angers, Fertile d’ Angers.-.-.-----.- 1B hae ea r a m July.| Fr. 
Black Na plesss ssh. 5) o-scn ee eae 1 s b am Ee July.| Eur. 
| 
WRETTY ieee sane ee bss oc thon see ke a) 8 va |m July.| Eur 
Wary’si(Prolific)!:. 22202 -222c<c2==4--- 1 Tg bes July.| N.Y 
BS inh. eae ee ee a 1 m dr a La July.| Fr. 
nee siCETOlMfC)e Se cs_s. nese oS 1 8 b am im July.| Eur. 
FReOUDULCH tuts ecence- See oeeacaesae m m dr a bmJ uly Eur. 
WVIGTSAIIISIRO Kae see conse =e 1 8-57 dir m July.| Fr. 
NAO IS) Ce ee a ee ee m 1 ibrar va je July.| Eng. 
AVANT) Des Bake ep Lee Se ee m m Ww a (\bmdJuly.| Eur. 
RWIGe: GT ANG tases a once sock wccne 1 m Ww a bmJuly| Eur. 
; 
SECTION VIII.—GOOSEBERRIES,. 
ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 
Form of Berry 
oy. oval. 
r. round. 
Descriptions. 
Names. 
HE | ete | Nae 
o zo 2 3 ~ te 
=e Pia é 3 5 
DO wii pes ee eee ml] rov we vg Aug. iN FSA 
TOU PHtON S423 deacon 8 r b vg Aug. Mass. 
Mian tad re oe eS fees eee 1 rov r g m Aug. | N.Y. 
ULC ERO senha ae te es ee a m roy r g Aug. Am 
SOIT eet SCs ee at Fes SB eee l ov g a4 Aug. Ver. 


10 


© © a @ om o vw re | Number. 


oer 
a) 


Kast. 


Locality. 


Center. 


South, 


Southern 
: Lake Shore. 


Northern 
Lake Shore. 


FRUIT CATALOGUE, 407 


SECTION VII.—CURRANTS. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 


Flavor, 
As ACIG. \ 
m. musky. 
v. very. 


Remarks. 


* 


*K 


A 


Gry ies ign | Number. 


ig ey ta x | Bast. 


Comparatively little known. 

Good culinary fruit. Much sought in the market by foreigners. 

Its size renders it popular. One of the most acid of currants. 

Long bunch. Large berry. Very productive. 

The best of the less common kinds.—(Steere.) 

Possibly a slight improvement upon Black Naples. 

Has no superior except in size. The best for all purposes. 

By 5016 peeved to be superior to the cherry currant. Others ee them 
Valuable, rather late sort. It seems to be exempt from the attacks of the 
Batter iti quality, and in the habit of the plant, than White Grape. 


Bene ot spreading, straggling growth. Larger, but not as good as White > 
utch. 


SECTION VIII.—GOOSEBERRIES. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 
Color. 


b. brown. r. red. 
g. green. w. whitish. 


Locality. 


Cee mee) aitae. SE | Center. 


a ee ee | South, 


| Southern 
alates ES cea ae Ts Lake Shore. 


Northern 
ake Shore. 


* * * * * | 1 


Remarks. 


Fine, stocky, vigorous plant; quite thorny. The highest quality of fruit. 
Slender and straggling, but vigorous, prolific, and excellent. 

A se pleat. Berry with avery thick skin; and uneven size. Poor 
An old sort of slender but upright growth. 


Some doubt as to the vigor of the plant. An excellent variety. 


‘ 


408 


— 
So wa a om mw w ~ | Number, 


en 
SoA Gar & & 


Se Sees Re ROL SS 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


SECTION IX,—GRAPES—NatTIVE. 


. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 


Bunch. Form, Berry, 
b. broad, o. open or loose. sh. shouldered. r. round. 
ec. compact. s. short. v. very. o. oblong. 
l. long. . OV. Ovate or oval. 
Descriptions. vase 
Scale 1 to 10. 
Nannies: Size. Form. | 
: : s : : a | | 4s 
I mR mS =. is) eS] a S eaei|o|s 
IMGT ONGSC cokes ces ace 1 1 |'esh| © | pb | ‘ve |b Sept) N:°¥.1//28) |Peesl eee 
Agawam, 209) )162..----. ----<-<4 1 1 @shy) 35. dr | vg |m Septih Mass} 7 |-.---| 7 
ASAIN Os OO a= senate nee aa omens I le Seene r b vg jm Sept/h Mass} 8 |----| 7 
SALTY 22 oh oo e aaa eect ede l 1 iis bic ser b g \m Sept h Mass| Ve Peeeipr i 
Brig htones sb ecarsaccenwaac este m 1 |ecsh| r Ty eve i'm Sept W.N.¥.| 10) 2222 ine 
Canada, Arnold’s 16.........---- ml/ ml}! sh r b g jm SeptijhOnt.|} 8]}.-.-| 3 
Catawba.-2252-2csee te eee m ] sho| r ne ve | Oct. Ma. 92s ee 
Champion, Talman...--.-.------ m lL, sicishi\ or b b Sept; Am. 4 Bs! 8 
INGO nso = see ee Soren ee awe m 8 csh| r b g Octs5| NS Yeu sles es 
WONCONd ae tase nase esssoe,ceeeee l The shit ees b vg |m Sept) Mass. | i eee eU 
Wotiage secs wee eee Ss scz le 1 1 1 r b g |bSept| Mass.) 6|----| 7 
(Oreveling wee seeescebseeseeecseecs mo) |) mas | ish r b vg |m Sept) Pa. 8 |-- 2 
MOLAWATOI 225 eee eee eet s 8 C@shi) = lr b. |m Sept} N.J.? | 10 |---- 8 
Winns wee coer eee ee alee ees l 1 al r rl | vg |eSept} Mass.| 6]|--..' 6 
J hp bay: eee eee Se ee ee m 8 8 r gw g |eSept | Mo. 4 S25) ae 
Empire States 2 -----<scseane == 1 m sh || r’ovi| “Iw |. sve jm ‘Sept]’ Ne W568 eee eee 
Rissex 0g 41 2 2-2 See 1 Wil iliceanes re b g im Sept h Mass) -..2| ose} sase 
Trbae(:) E91 epee ee 8 ep eae ee 1 mi |scshi|s ar pb/| vg |m Sept] N. Y.| 9]----| 2 
PHartrord joss soko eas eee 1 1 esh r b g |bSept} Conn.| 4 |--- 6 
SEVER ce: Fo SS cera nM cere teccas m m | sb r ywive | Sept. | Mass: | «8 }-s-s|esee 
Herbert, Rog. 44............---- 1} 1 {1 | r | b | ve |}m Sept}h Mass| 6 |.---|---- 
TOTS Rese eres oot a. oc sean boeenas 1 m och| ro r D» |mn Sept] ON. WO yl See 
Miss bella 22520 cecJeu cee sceeee l cis: "0 b vg |eSept|S.Car.| 6 |---- 7 
Reraclla ese cel kee ml| 1 |csh| o | pb| ve |m Sept] N.Y.| 7 |--- 4 
LV ORs Pee nen o uence aches m m | esh}| ro b 1}eSept| Ohio. | 7/].--.| 8 
Janesville. v2.10 % occ nee 8 m |sc|r b b Sept'|\ sAg:, |||) 7. |/2s23hiae 
ST (LC Re ee a SS el ms/ms | see r yg b |bSept} Ont. Oi seapesee 
eine co) 2s 05 eee 1 1 lo r r vg |}eSept | Ohio.?| 6 |--- 6 
LON hijo We cect Alen ehaee Ok MeEaDMreD m 1 le r | yg); b /m Sept] Ohio. | 10]-....| 5 
Lady Washington--.............- vl} m/}she| r | y | g& |eSept}) NY.| 7 |----/---- 
PUNCIGY HOU. 0 x5 seen s coe m m | le r | vg |m Septj/h Mass} 7 /|.---| 8 
MATL Secrogn stueee eat e ase oe oe m 1 |sho| r | yg! g |m Sept} Mo. 4) eco 6 


FRUIT CATALOGUE. 409 


SECTION IX.—GRAPES—NartrIveE. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION, 


Color. 
a. amber. l. light. r. redish. 
b. black. ll. lilac. w. whitish. 
d. dark. p. purple. y. yellowish. 


g. greenish. 


© 1 & ox m oo we eo | Number, 


—_ 
= oS. 


Locality. 
agklae 
35/58 
| 
Secu ee 
es] 2}]S loxleox 
n I 3 inaias 
Cy o o pa] ~~ 
& oO m2 
* * * * * 
* * * * * 
| 
seed | 41 * 
* * * * | x 
Pees | tee Ha [| 
«wee | ~eee * * -—-- 
S| beatin || 3 lees 
ail, Speaks) aes 
| 
Pa) ee fe 3 
*K | ok | bk | mK | RK 
ane 
a elena eee 
| 
* =| LE he te: * 
| 
ak | eK | ok | oR | RE 
* * * * * 
| 
se5|) elfilleesall)) tial (ects 
| 
| * ows 
| 
* * ae * 
* ae | * * 
~ [tse 5 ea 
| | 
wece Setar | fetven ‘an ad * 55) | 
| 
<a || 822 * * | RK 
* * * * BA 
| 
* MM eck * * | 
* * * | * * 
| 
eee * * 
=a | | 
2 ENE SE SO OG a 
ae bal ee al 
Bera een | emales Tut <= | 
* beak Be TE eaa 
Sl SUES ¢ ee RE 
Sc | rok ol line oe * * 


| Valued for hardiness, vigor, and productiveness. 
| New, hardy, and vigorous. 


| Vine hardy, productive. 


Remarks. 


Subject to mildew of the foliage. 


One of the finest very early grapes. 
Rarely successful. 
Keeps well after gathering. 


Very well esteemed by those who have fruited it. 
One of Rogers’s very numerous hybrids. 


One-fourth foreign. Highly satisfactory. 


One of ane recent Canadian hybrids. Little grown in this State. Bears 
profusely. 

It is yet one of the best in localities where the season is long enough to 
ripen it. Good two years out of three at the south. 


Very early, vigorous and productive. Valuable chiefly as an early market 


grape. Bia 

Is seldom good, or even passable till ripened by frost. Fruit best on high, 
warm, gravelly soils. . 

Here, as elsewhere, thisis “the grape for the million,” since it can take 
care of itself. 

Seedling from Concord by E. W. Bull. Prized in Lenawee county. 

Possibly from defect of the bloom, this is a bad setter and a thin bearer. 


Slow grower. Fully as productive as Concord when well established. Fruit 
sometimes fails from dropping of the leaves. : 
Rather foxy, with a thick tough skin. One of the best keapers. A thin 

bearer on strong soils. Better on dry, warm soils. 
Better in a mere southern latitude. 


Promises well for both dessert and market. 


A fair variety for dessert and market uses. Rather liable to mildew. 

A good dessert grape. May in some localities do for market. It seems to 
lack constitution. 

Still prominent as one of the hardiest and most productive for early mar- 
ket; but very liable to drop its berries. 

Vigorous, hardy. Of fine quality. : 

Another of the Massachusetts hybrids, needing more extensive trial. 

Generally esteemed as the finest of our natives. The vine seems to lack 
constitution, and is not generally successful. [ 

An old favorite. Still popular where it issure toripen. Is not generally 
successful. i 

A good early sort, with tender, breaking pulp, and fair flavor. 
warm soils. 


Requires 
A good wine grape. 
Three weeks earlier than Concord. 

Not satisfactory in some localities. 

Succeeds at Kalamazoo. Not extensively planted. 

Seedling of Concord, and as hardy and healthy; but not as vigorous and 
Valanble in locsilanee terest will xipent 

A vigorous and productive vine. But little grown in this State. 


Much sought for on account of its color. Very sweet, but too foxy. 


410 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


SECTION IX.—GRAPES—ContTINUED—NATIVE. 


Descriptions. | eae 
Seale 1 to 10. 
Nanos: Size. Form. | | 
zZ ala|/a/|s/sS|]oe| 8 § |4|/8/s8 
33 | Massasoit, Rog. -.-... -.------- m 1 ssh) Fr ns g jm Septih Mass! 6 |--- 5 
84 | Merrimac, Rog. 19......--.----- it 1 yisibse)|, or b m Septi/h Mass} 7 |--- 7 
85 | Moore’s (Harly):..-..........-.-. 1 Lats by |e ar b | vg |bSept} Mass.| 7] 6 7 
36 | Niagara.......-...- ye eee 1 m {/csh/] r |gyw| vg |m Sept) N. Y.| 8 |--..| 10 
87 | Perkins ....-.-- ei eee eM - m m |shec] ro r g j|eSept; Am. | 2/]-..-| 2 
Bai PeOCklinetOn: 522 .-as-saoenee ee keel Pay leshy |r y |v g-|e Sept) Novo) Saas 
39 REGU a ROG 26 sn acnn - cnet e eeee 1 1 80 is g |m Septjh Mass) 7 |----|_--. 
AO SalemsFt0g.00, ose. scorns son 1 Dts DG) =r dr g |eSept\h Mass ah ee 
41 | Telegraph, Christine ......--.--- Yo) a ceo) pe ebed” go '[m Sept) yPénr. 1a 
PCN OD Ey pee a ie a eae fe ee 1 1 sh T r ib: jm Sept] IN, ¥.4 40") aes eee 
BBria Ore PNiGs?-s 22 ace cess eesec noe! m 1 os T r |vg|bSept| Ver. 75) ee ee 
21 PNT YE HTC) sere ere as Sim See Sea mo} me (shies er is b |m Sept) N. Y.! 6 |--- 
Adal Wal deny Ft0g. 4.222252 s22c)=--265 1 ee Hicrshey © er vg |m Sept/h ie Vb ot 
ABMENVOOOTUfE 8.22 -2.sie sos donseses sb 1 sh r ve jm Sept! Mich. | 7 |.-- 
ST PNVOLO ON serensee nace see a ace ote ae ] 1 ei ershy > b |,.v g jm Sept] N. Y.} 8 |..--| 10 


FRUIT CATALOGUE, 41} 


SECTION IX.—GRAPES—Con TINUED—NATIVE, 


Remarks. 


Moderately vigorous and productive; like most of the hybrids, liable to 
Vigorous and prolific. Much like Wilder in quality and season. 

Vigorous grower. Excellent; especially for the north. 

A promising white, market grape. Very vigorous, healthy and productive. 


Not largely planted here, Hardy, good bearer, but lacks quality. Will 


The largest, most attractive and popular of the Rogershybrids. Vigorous, 
productive. Bunches often imperfect. Mildews. 

Hardy and vigorous. Ripening with Hartford Prolific, and similar in 

Hardy, productive. Promises superior excellence. 

Hardy. Ripens with Concord. Not of high quality. 

A cross of Delaware and Diana. Has not realized the anticipations of 

One of the finest and most popular of the Rogers hybrids. Will do for 


Hardy, vigorous. A promising market grape. 


Locality. 
o o 
BSIES 
o0/05 
“s . |\anian 
2/2] |Bsls3 
mn r=] 3 |S 
a mnasiZase 
alolal S| 4 
* * * * * 
mildew. 
* | bE * * | RK 
* * * * * 
* * * * * 
* * * * * 
do for market. 
*| *| *!| */____| Hardy, beautiful. Rather late. 
aS ee ..--| * | + | Promising here, but requires farther trial. 
eee * * | O&K 
-- * ~wece * -<- 
quality. 
Jot) (sees be a pee 
* * * * * 
* * * * * 
planters. A feeble plant. 
fa ieee eed eqaese 
market. 
* * * * * 
* | RK * x * 


A week earlier than Concord and better in quality. Very desirable. 


412 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


SECTION X.—GRAPES—FOoOREIGN. 


Foreign grapes are recommended strictly for cultivation under glass; and as, when thus situated, 
they may be considered as, for all practical purposes, independent of climate; and as they are, 
morover, thus grown mainly, if not wholly, for dessert purposes, we have merely copied the list 
recommended by the American Pomological society, with the accompanying descriptions, omitting 


any further tabulations. 


: Descriptions. 
5 + 
= Names. > a 
= Color, Flavor. Season Vinery. 
1 | Barbarossa, Prince Albert, Brizola...............--.<. Black. Sweet. |Very Late.| Hot. 
PIP BIAOKIONAMDION cAesaccccwacccsescccndecdee, eeecets udee Black. Sweet. Early. Cold. 
HPO IROK VRIMASCUR saccectenn sense ena Sar cewleonaccnnwcoceene Black. Sweet. Late. Cold. 
Ae PO IROR TON the NAM <2 a0 site oe coe aorta a se aeln anne Sates sos Black. Muscat. Late. Cold. 
DAB IaCKt Ham DULRs asec csccs cok cocc oncas on concous eed Ueeas Black. Sweet. Medium. | Cold. 
On PS ACKHETINCOnsennaccccce as nen tan nee as See aasicenesciaaeees Black. Sweet. Medium. | Cold. 
Zf {P83 Ve) [a5 fr aS So ot Se ee Se he ee ee ee Black. Sweet. Early. Cold. 
SL PO STOO: MUSCBRLG aa oat etees secon tae occa cw coat enee boa White. Muscat. | Medium. Hot. 
S| Buckland Sweetwater. ccc nccs osc Soecnw nonccncecce- case White. Sweet. Medium. Cold. 
10 | Calabrian, Calabrian Raisin .-... 5 te ees oe ed Fa White. Sweet. Late. Cold. 
is Cannon HAll MUSCR Gc. cccctccs-tacncccecacecs co eenenuee White. Muscat. Late, Hot. 
12 | Chasselas Mueque or Joslin’s St. Albans_.--.....-..-- White. Muscat. Early. Hot. 
Muscat Blanc Hative? ; 
MMP OURG OLE MACON UR a see as oc ceca wooe asc ok cco c econ ce seee Black. Sweet. Early. Hot. 
14 | Golden Hamburg, Stockwood Golden Hamburg.-.---.--- White. Sweet. Late. Hot. 
Le eGolden OURMMON Se ctena 2 tee sec a conadccus~casmecnce Amber. Sweet. Medium. Hot. 
16 | Grizzly Frontignan, Red Frontignan, Red Constantia. |Red& Yellow) Muscat. | Medium. Hot. 
SECTION XI.—NECTARINES, 
ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 
Form, Color Flowers, Glands. 
ce. compressed. Ov. oval. ec. crimson. r. red. l. large. g. globose. 
d. depressed. Yr. round, g. greenish. y. yellow. s. small. r. reniform. 
o. oblong. oOo. orange. w. white. s. serrate. 
ea Use and 
Descriptions. Value. 
Scale 1 to 10. 
Names. | 
Poy | | 
a Ae ° he a = re] ; ike ae/z 
Z ee 2 |e) ele | 2) 8) Shee 
2 mele) -S | So lem (og le atte ein 
1 | Boston eee ee ce aN 7d Da en aval ee ei] eg 8 | g f |b Sept.| Mass.! 6 |.---]---- 
PP DOWLON te cleusse~cencces 1 }rovi gr|vg 8 TY |) -£ he Augal Hur: Bi 285 | aren 
| 
3 | Early Newington........| 1 jrov] grjveg Le. ero ai Sept.; Am.) | 10))222ei2225 
SN early Wiolet-<J¢.22.2-.6 6 1 jroviygr|v 8 Py tile b Sept.| Eur. | 10 |-..-..].... 
| Violette Hative. ae | earey 
D7 RHP e ae nan oso oot m |rov| gr|vg 8 r fib Sept:| Hur. | 99 |2cccleeae 
6 | Red-Roman..........-... [Pa rd |gyr| vg 1 r ec |mSept.| Eur. | 8'/-- lS 
C WStADWiCk cc nctwakancc-ces| al  lewitl or Paso er oulicc.wos e Sept./ Eur. al ery (aes 
| 
Si MV AGLONS teecacte obec. = l rd igyc| vg] s ran ee ‘b Sept.. Eur. | 9 Boe (ens 


FRUIT CATALOGUE. 413 


SECTION X.—GRAPES—CoNTINUED—FOREIGN, 


: Descriptions. 

Z Names. 

GB Color Flayor. Season. | Vinery. 
MiMMTOS COMMA ee sone coma eek ieee ala SeLee oseds abeuteen Purple. Sweet. Late. Cold. 
1k) || Toh RD eC a See Sh ol ae ee ee Black. Sweet. |Very Late.| Hot. 
NOG MNEOSCAG Of AIOXANCTIG ~~~ ccs. csnccscicnsan ssecsesoesicosene White. Muscat. Late. Hot. 
ROR MNO SCa GAM DURE eres eaeeeniacencsicecess -s=<'e se ec52 ade Black. Muscat. | Medium. Hot. 
alae ving incels: MuUstateensss wen snactenns\—ss-as—--7---o—e—e Black. Muscat. Late. Hot. 
PMG LOC DY OLYNU CO mesa e ae tars eta rans se ane ent eslence White. n2k225 20-2 3\bseneon sess | See 
23°] Red ‘Chasselas, Rose! Chasselas_--.-.--------------4--... Red. Sweet. Medium. Hot. 
eae PREC MHOMDATCY. coecsas co sceesda-cise Sacsics svcesiieleses sacs Red. Sweet. Medium. Hot. 
onl MEIOUVAESIN = Hon o5 se asec ect wst ca scenes ceec/Sosansebescecsanilaesceti.sics|csaeoeceees [seu esaee ees ae 
ROW PROV Al VIUSCAGIN Oseac=sccccsee tenets Seb e scm seecdiaeeleess White. Sweet. Early Cold 
27 | Silver Frontignan, Harly Silver Frontignan..---------- White. Muscat. Early. Hot. 
a3} lll \WVALOM LCSW Rete ee yee ey eee ye ne a eS A ee eae White. Sweet. Late. Hot. 
PORIMUVER Ui Stank CLCL Saeco at a oar ans sasinooeaataces seceseseetes Black. Sweet. |Very Late.; Hot. 
30 | Wilmot’s Hamburg, Dutch Hamburg..---------------- Black. Sweet. Medium. Hot. 
81 | White Sweetwater, Dutch Sweetwater, etc.--.....------ White. Sweet. Early. Cold. 
32 | White Frontignan, White Constantia Muscat Blanc..| White. Muscat. | Medium. Hot. 
Sanpaimiin Gale ec Seer eens Send eases Sccececossdelcmes se Black. Sweet. Medium. Hot. 


SECTION XI.—NECTARINES. 


The Nectarine isso peculiarly subject to the depredations of the curculio, that it is little grown, 
except by amateurs, and for dessert uses. Hence experience with it is extremely limited ; and for 
these reasons we only express the comparative values of the varieties in the column for dessert. 
This fruit, in common with the almond and the peach, is liable to the killing of the fruit buds in 
severe winters, except in favorable localities. The starring is given with little regard for this fact. 


Locality. 
o|_¢ Remarks. 
. EE 
2 $ | |e2l2% 
elu|s| 2 BsE8 
zlalo|s |@3|"34 
1 |....|....|.-..| * | *| Originated at Boston. Large, showy, not of high quality. 
2 |_...|....|.-..| * | * | Intermediate between Elruge and Early Violet. 
8 |_...|....).--.| * | * | Like the serrate peaches, the foliage sometimes mildews. Excellent. 
(A OS Sa Ay oa) | bees | Hardy, productive; fruit delicious. 
FN hoeaad Pe enis _...| *! *, Anold but highly esteemed variety. 
(og es ae _...| * | *] Old, one of the richest and best of the clings. Productive. 
fe) ee _...| * | *| A comparatively recent, and very highly praised variety. 
EF ie a es _...| *| *| A crossof Stanwick upon Early Violet, by the late Thomas Rivers. One 
of the best. 


414 


_ 
EPs pron cic pace enc Seese Relat Macnee 


ll 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


SECTION XII.—PEACHES. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 


Form. ; Color, Flowers. Glands. 
c. compressed. _ ov. oval. b. bright. p. purple. 1. large. g. globose. 
d. depressed. r. round. cc. crimson. vr. red 8. small. o. obscure. 
o. oblong. d. dark. w. white. r. reniform. 
g. green. y- yellow. Ss. serrate. | 
0. orange. 
| Descriptions. elses 
Scale 1 to 10. 
Names. | | | : 

le |e} 8 | oe] |e | S28) S Taek 
PATDOLZON soe cnt e sce m ne ypr g 8 g f |e Aug| Fr 6: 2-23 ee 
Alexander .--..---<-=-2: m r gwri|vg 1 g | cf |e July} Ill. Oo) 2 
FATHIBO ENA = 02. oon e tea m Ts || ewer |pvee 1 g | cf |eJuly| Mo. Le ome 9 
YE NC eee m re |wpr b 8 r fc |eSept| N. Y. | 10 | 10 i 
Barnard. 2-2 ce eee ml r ydr g 8 ro f | bSept} Am. Cid FP 9 
IBGALTICO:—.2 cose oes ca-e 8 re war levis 1 r f |m Aug) Eng. 8) 3 7 
Bergen (Yellow).------- 1 rd }|odr b s r f | bSept| Am el hee 5 
Briggs (May).-.-------- sambily Jon eely etean aed | acatee jane 8 f |eJuly| Cal. An || oe 
Cole’s (Early).......---- m ayer allvage: 8 g f |e Aug} Am Tienes 5 
Columbia). 222. 8). ee | eid. r Vid a8 f |m Sept] Am (i ees | cer | 
Goolidye ==. ees. 1 r we |vg 8 gZ f {/m Aug| Mass.} 9 |--- ia 
Crawford’s Early.....- We te) yr veg 8 g f jeAug| N.J 9 | AO tee 
Crawford’s Late._...... vl r ydrjijveg s g f |eSept| N. J 7 AG ae 
Welavani= secs etesnsnoas 1 BOA Wat hee 8 r f | bOct | Am. 6| 7 
Downingss 22.5 sae 8 rd|gwrivg 1 s | fe |eJuly} Penn.| 8} 6 6 
IB Na vb Gelade bOI! oo See oe 1 La) wr |) ob 3 g f jeSept; Md. | 10)---.| @ 
Dumont. .2 ss 1 r dyr g 8 f |m Sept} Mich.| 8| 7] 10 
Early Admirable..-..... m r ywrivg 1 g f j}eAug| Fr. od eee) fh 
Early Newington free..| 1 rec lywr b 8 g f |e Aug | Am- (10) l2-2 
Marly VOrK Sse m ro|gwr|ve | 1 8 f jeAug|N.J. te (pera (= 
St: of Lege) dor |) vg | as g f |eAug| Mass.| 8] 8] 9 
George the Fourth--.-- m r jywdr| b | § go f Ve Amey | Ns YenlOiease 5 
Golden Drop---_.-.-.+-.2 mlj|rov|] by VS ck f eSept | Mich.?} 7} 9] 10 
Grosse Mignonne.....-- ] rdjigypr| b 1 g f |eAug/| Eur. | 10| 9) 6 
Haines (Early)-..--.---- mi) id wr g 8 g f} |e Aba) NG ee 
Hale(@arly)s.<..c--2- m r eEwriveg 1 g fic lm Aug) Ohio. | 10 |--- 9 
Heath cling. -..........- 1 |OoViywrbivg| s r e | bOct | Md. 9; Oie 7 
SEU S G1 Lt Deano m |ove|ydr/| g 1 r f |eSept|N.Y.| 6] 8] 9 
Imperial (White).._--.- ml |rcedjywriveg 8 g f |bSept| N. Y. |. 7 | 10 7 
PaCguen Fe 1 Ne dyr.| vg 8 r f |m Sept} Mass.| 7| 9 9 
Keyport (White)_-.-... 1 r we g 8 r f b Oct | Am REY 8 
Lady Palmertson ...... ml r ydr 4 8 r f |eSept| Eng 6] 9 9 
Large Early York...... ml r wrf|vg 8 g£ f |bSept}; Am 8] 8 8 


FRUIT CATALOGUE, 415 


SECTION XIf.—PEACHES. 


Since the peach is generally used in its fresh state, or for canning, which is only a mode of pre- 
serving it in a nearly fresh condition, we have generally omitted to give values in the column 
headed *‘ cooking.”? Throughout Central Michigan, except in favorable localities, occasional severe 
winters prove fatal to the fruit buds of the peach, and sometimes even to the trees. These facts 
cannot be properly expressed in the starring, and hence are disregarded. 


SS wane eel a | Nomkee, 


10 


Locality. 

ef\e8 

Oo0|/04 

RibGr penisole 5 
2/8| 8 |Sal2< 
alola}] ar 
a 3 * * * * 
* * | ok * * 
* * * * |] * 
e] x | «] & | x 
* | 4k | eK | ok | kK 
* * * * * 
* * * * se 
* * * * * 
* * * * * 
on =e = * = 
* * * * * 
ee | eK * | eK * 
* | eK |) * 
eee ee * -< 
* * ane * LBS 
¥ * * * Lg 
eaue SS -- x -<< 
* 2 Ss * -% 

\ 

* * * * * 
sere x * * * 
co ee a RE x 
* * * * * 
-resies=5 = * se 
* * * caw us 
* * * * * 
* | eK * | xk | *K 
k * * it eee 
A | x ee * 
* * * * | ox 
* | bk * | ek x 
Bea ene Akl, ok Ms 
Sahel —sl ae Lit eee 
* Bs * * * 


o—. 


Remarks. 


This is one of the earliest of yellow-fleshed peaches, and only desirable 
for that reason. 

A partial cling, much like its supposed parent, Hale, and two or three 
weeks earlier. Profitable for market. 

Almost exactly like Alexander in tree, fruit, and season of ripening. 

Of the finest quality. Nota market fruit. 

Np Bers OrpUe ly thinned, the size is large, often overbears, becoming 
small, 

As far as tried, it is too small for the market, although some esteem it 
profitable. Rich, beautiful. 

Lacks productiveness. 

An exceedingly beautiful peach, but, like all serrate varieties, liable to 
mildew of the foliage. 

This has been elbowed aside, the markets craving yellow peaches. 

Lacks productiveness, and is not attractive in appearance. 

One of the best pale-fleshed, early market peaches. 

Very popular with both market men and fruit growers. Much used for 
canning. Others often sell under this name. Bloom tender. 

Lacks productiveness on light soils, and on young trees. Many place it 
first for profit. 

Is liked by some planters, but is not generally known or valued. 

Mildews, hence less desirable. Scarcely earlier than Amsden. 

An excellent late pale-fleshed peach that should be better known. 

Tree and buds hardy. Shipping qualities best. 

Mainly valuable for the private garden. 

Sometimes clings slightly. A fine amateurpeach. Fruitlarge and beauti- 
ful. Very profitable at Lawton. 

Its liability to mildew is its most serious drawback. 

A good market peach, but almost identical in season with Early Craw- 
tord. 

One of the best for home use. Too tender and delicate for market. 

Probably an unrecognized old variety. 

The true variety is one of the most delicious of peaches. 


Hardy and productive. Well adapted to the market. 


| A fine peach and a vigorous tree. Sometimes rots before maturity. By 


many highly esteemed for market. A semi-cling. 


| One of the finest clings, but needsa long season in this latitude. Very 


profitable when it ripens fully. ; 
Hardy; a good bearer and a profitable late variety on young trees. Lacks 
quality. Losing reputation. 


| Valued for drying, canning and preserving. 


| Profitable, but not of high quality. 


Does not mature perfectly in unfavorable seasons. Surer on light soils. 


Originated by the late Thomas Rivers. Promising. 


Has not become generally popular in Michigan. 


416 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 
SECTION XII.—PEACHES—COnrTINUED, 
Descriptions. 
Names. : 
5 i Fa a 3 oe 
a i= i hes = 
Z = Aa RAN toca amen Recep as: 
34 | Large White cling...._| 1 row Dial we s g c | m Sept. 
35 | Late Admirable -.---- vljrov| yer b s g f |m Sept 
36 | Late Red Rareripe...| 1 roy| yr b Ss g t |m Sept 
Bi PuOWIBe.= 2 =e. Ae m re |jgwprl vg s r f b Aug 
38 | Lemon cling---.--.... il ro) yr veg s r c e Sept 
OO) OWI 28. secsueeee ot. 1 r wr ie | eee bee f e Aug 
ADT isicon [local] 22-2. le os-—5 | seen ae Seeee soe Soe- ol osae=| a acene 1a ee es 
ATS MOOTO. ct 2b s~ as bs 1 rov| wr |/ve 8 f |bmSept 
42 | Morris White.-------- miovj|gwp]|vg 8 f e Sept 
43 | Mountain Rose.--.... [| 9a] re wr veg s g f b Sept 
a4 Nonpareil. 22225-2505: | ] rov| yr vg s g f |m Sept 
BD © DIONE 225 essence ot 1 ro yr g 8 r f e Sept 
46 | Oldmixon cling..-.... i! rov| ywr]| b 8 g c {|mSept 
47 | Oldmixon free.__..--. 1 rov| ywr|vg s g f m Sept 
AS MP resident2-+s.4 22s-.5 | 1 rov| gr vg 8 g f m Sept 
40: WPollienies. 2222522 223 1 ov yr vg 8 g f |m Sept 
50 | Reeves’ Late..........| vl | rov| yrp! vg 8 g f (Sept. Oct. 
51 | Red Cheek~..------.-- eeLOVal y Dir s||. .& s g f | m Sept. 
52'|+ Richmond 2225. ~~2-22 mares | cy. dix il wie 8 r f b Sept. 
DOM ViVOrs= 5-52 ~2-co5. oe 1 r jypink| b 1 r f | mAug. 
54 | Ruding’s Late -_--..... 1 re wr g s r f | m Sept. 
Beal ySalwayss 2s. se 1 rd|ycr!vg s r f b Oct. 
56 | Silver Medal......._.. m ro Ww ve s g f | Sept. Oct. 
57 | Smock free ........... 1 |ovcjoydr 8 r f Oct. 
DSU SNOW aso csen-ne conn oes m r Ww 8 rn f |m Sept. 
59 | Snow’s Orange..--...-. ml r |bydr| vg s r f b Sept. 
OO! Steadleys- = --2.3.05.- 1 rov} wr |vg 8 r f b Oct. 
61 | Stump (the World)...; vl | ro | wbr| vg 8 g rf e Sept. 
62 | Susquehanna.--.- yooe eal r yr vg 8 f | m Sept. 
63 | Temple’s Late...-...... m |}oov/ yr | pee g f |me Sept. 
64 | Tippecanoe .......__-- yl.) 32e yr Vg 8 r c e Sept. 
65 | Troth’s (Early)........ m r wbr g 8 f e Aug. 
66.) Van Zandt...2..-c«vss m ov wr b 8 f e Aug. 
67 | Variegated............ l x wep 8 g ue e Sept. 
ORF Pt VWWAGOY <cencac.c<dacnce m |oov y ve l g f b Sept. 
69 | Wheeler’s Early-....-- 8 r wr Ras wokees g fr | b Sept. 
70 | Yellow Rareripe --.-. l TO lO Vr) Vez s g ft b Sept. 


Origin. 


| Use and 
Value. 
Scale 1 to 10. 


SS oo | Dessert. 


i 
oo 


© Cooking. 


FRUIT CATALOGUE, - 417 


Locality. 
3} _ @ 
=! 2 i- 
we OoOlm oOo 
.| . galse 
Pat - |(S2ison 
SPs egies 
a 2 |\neizZa 
oD Ra ~ =| 
|\_——= | —— | | —— 
Segre, | aealy ae 
-- * eet lewe 
Can * * 
* | x * | 
- * -<- 
scene * --- << 
eons als * erry 
* * * * 
* * * | ek 
——= <<< * -—-—- 
-_<e- * -—=—= 

| 
x) x * * 
| 

* * | eK | ok 
bees ao * seen 

* 
Bete pene Lee 
* | x * ie 
* * * * 

| 

P| i * 
* * aes. 
* * al pal 

aoe ven * 

* * | RK 
* * * 18 
* Se [Re fee 

* 


Eola * 
a4) Oe * 
| * 

rd ee * 

‘est * 
* * 


SECTION ‘XII.—PEACHES—ConrtTINvUED. 


Remarks. 


A large and showy cling of gdbd quality. 
One of the finest for home use as a dessert peach. 
Highly valued as a dessert peach. Comes before the preceding. 


Ripens in advance of Hale or Beatrice. Very high quality. At Lawton 
said to sell well. 
The largest and best of the’yellow fleshed clings. Does not sell well. e 


An Allegan Co. seedling. A market peach. 
Valued in northeastern Lenawee. 


ey eouulees and promising peach. May be valuable for market if pro- 
uctive. 
Valued for preserving and canning on account of its color. 


A valuable market variety. Highly prized where fully proved. 
A variety originating from Old Red Cheek, and promising to be superior. 


Promising market peach. Received from Pennsylvania under this name. 
Origin and history unknown. 
Where a cling is desired, this is one of the finest of its season. 


A very old variety, which still hold a high position as a market peach. 
One of the finest amateur varieties. 


Originated many years since by the late Isaac Pullen. Somewhat grown 
at Douglas, Allegan county. 

Muek like Early Crawford, and more desirable where it will’ripen with 
certainty. 

Anold sort. The parent of Crawford’s Early and Late. 


ee and valuable variety. A few days later than Early Crawford, and 

ess acid. 

An excellent very early sort; lacks color. Fruit large and beautiful. At 
Lawton very profitable. 

Promising amateur peach. Adaptation to market yet undetermined. 


Will only ripen at the south with certainty; fails in unfavorable seasons, 

The finest of canning peaches, without either red or brown at the pit. 
Occasionally a faint red cheek. nagt bi 

eas the latest profitable market peaches in Southern Michigan. Valu- 
able. 

poung growth yellowish green. Fruit clear yellowish white; flesh clear 
white. 

Similar to Barnard; brighter in color and slightly later. Must be thinned 
to insure good size. 

Excellent for either dessert or canning. 

A large and beautiful market peach of fair quality. Very profitable. 

A large, beautiful and fine, rather late peach. Lacks productiveness. 

Good; but very little grown. 

One of the finest late yellow clings; for Southern Michigan. 

An early and productive white fleshed peach of only medium quality. 

Skin very smooth and beautiful. A fine amateur peach. 

A beautiful and superior peach, originating with the late Isaac Pullen, of 
New Jersey. : 

Said to be the most profitable variety in Mason county. 

A market variety, now nearly out of cultivation. ; 


The genuine is a fine early peach. The one grown here is probably 
spurious. 


418 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


SECTION XIII.—PEARS. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 


r. roundish. 


t. turbinate. 


Form, 
a. acute. e. elongated. ob. obtuse. Ov. Oval Or ovate. 
d. depressed. o. oblong. obo. obovate. p. pyriform. 
Descriptions. 
Names. » | 
8 | A i) r=} d 
Zz | I x oO Sg <7] °o 
el | PARANA tO=—nscacieamenc naan a 1 p ob ybru vg Sent: Hol. 
ee 2 | Angouleme, Duchess-...-.--2---2: vl 0 obo gyru vg | Oct. Fr. 
OAT OU eGo cGn a ccetececeonn case 1 ob p grucb ve | Nov. Fr. 
Med oBartlettisce see. 2 2. cael ee 1 oobp yrur vg! Sept. | Eng. 
—5 Belle Lucrative:-..=..-.>---2----- m obo ob p ygru b Sept. Fr. 
6 “eee eaten f s Eee m t obo yru Vice | Anes ll ING 
= Up NRA 8 fo: ( ey ys ele So ae ee eS 1 p dyrur b Oct. Bel 
mS SBOURSOCK hae Ue hk tl) obo p dyru | vg pepe Bel 
; Oi PBrandywine.=2 = <-222-- =o =~ m eobp ygrur | vg |b Sept.| Penn 
10 | Brignais, Des Nonnes.--.-..--.-----. m rob gy Vie |) Septes|qocsees 
~ 11 | BUT seat Shh oo oto. os2 4546. m ob obo dyr ve | Sept. | R.I 
fe) \Clatnpoan =< 8s l p y oc ru g mee Fr. 
7) 18"|Clapp’s(Wavorite):.2--..-----..-. 1 obo ob p ley vg | Sept. | Mass. 
tenCdlum bia ete oo Ee ] 0 obo gyo g No N. Y. 
15 | Comice, Doyenne du Comice-----. 1 robp yeru b ee Fr. 
16 |’ Dana’s Hovey:.------. ----=----=-- s | oboobp | gyru How. Mass. 
17 | Wearborn... = 2. 322-5. e ose eoees ig rp ly vg | Aug. | Mass. 
71s 3) 2) Ee ae a 1 | cboobp | yorub | vg | $ePt| Bel. 
1G PD ixveee. 22-8 1 lp dyru | vg cas Mass. 
2) fuanter (Benrre)...-.°- <-.-sss-20 l roboob | ygrub | vg ne Eur 
21 | Emile (d’Heyst) --........---.---. l 0 obo p yoru b Nee Bel 
22 | Epine Dumas...........-.....---- m | oboobp | gyrub | vg ae pb ee 
mm 2s blemish. Beaty -~--.-2-.- 2 sseecs 1 obo ob p yrurb vg | Sept. Bel 
med ll Cathardes 26.20 es se m p gyr ve jeAug.| Fr. 
70) GloutMorceau. 2-2 -_-7.<..3.. 2. l obo ob p gyb g Dec. Fr. 
ota WOUDElhe. 2-2 sete coos cance sioec eee s obo gy g Sept. | Fr. 
won Gray Doyenne.../-:---..-2-.----. m 0 obo lra b Oct. | Eur. 
28 | Gris D’Hiver Nouveau.......--.. m robp | yru vg ney Eur. 
O01 pavdiye Sed ek So oe Ne 1 | obo obp | grub | vg mo Be Cte 
mOO MN WHOW GUE eacse nt etc ete. beet eee 1 rp lyru ve | Oct. | Conn 
31 | Josephine (of Malines)......----.. m robp | gyru | vg an Bel. 
me Ro Mix totfers 82. ss aed l robp | yr g Nov. | Am 
33 | Ohio. 


1G log EW Cs ees Se ee es we oe | m | ob obop ylrur vg |b Sept. 


= “ 


Use and 
Value. 
Seale 1 to 10. 


_ ne 
Be Sew cece eee NS A ata oe cite PR tea eS eps Te wh MIT se se ST ny Ray Tes calla area cs eS | Dnt 


| 
Z| 2 
s\3 
5 6 
| 9 10 
9/10 
10 | 10 


CE SE BS OE OO oer Od) “Oa et (OS: EGS /G0. | (Ce) SOO NON a OU set!) 100) (00. rey Tt Nee) eat ee 002 oe (oo 


oaoomwonenrnensdsdseaernmWocnaeunowoeededsnrnswan#8eoeeeoo ar a ob &€ FY O&O 


~ 


FRUIT CATALOGUE, 419 


SECTION XIII.— PEARS. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 


Color. 
b. brown. d. dark. l. light. r. red y. yellow. 
c. crimson. g. green. 0. orange. ru. russet. 
Locality. 
le jecteilleys Remarks. 
35/95 
2 s gul3a 
Ble|2) 2 izsiss 
7) a 3 Z 
zlai/s|ea| 4] 4 
1} *| *| *|] *| *{| A fine amateur variety. 
2] *); *)| *| *j| * | When neglected proves unproductive. Profitable under good treatment, 
and on dwarf stocks. At north loses quality. 
3 | ** | ** | #* |] * ] * | One of the best late autumn pears, whether for market or home use. 
4 | ** | ** | ** | ** | #* | The leading market sort. Too musky to suit some tastes. 
5} *| */| *| * 7] * | An excellent and profitable old variety. 
6} *| *| *| *]| * | No garden should be without this. Fruit best when house-ripened. 
7| *| *| *| *| *'!| Fruit fair and evenin size. Will bear to be planted for market. 
8/; *| *| *| *| * | Popularasa market pear. Also a good amateur fruit. 
9/ *| *| *| *!| * | But little disseminated. A good early amateur pear. 
TOD ems eceailessetooe scene Not much disseminated. Valued in Lenawee county. 
TAL] Seta nal ee ee aS es ae ts on account of the health, vigor, and productivenegs of the tree. 
Market. 
12} *| *| */| ** | * | Soon becomes dry and insipid, after ripening. A showy market pear. 
13; *| *|] *| *) *| Astrong grower. Finelargefruit. Inclined to rot at the core. <A good 
market pear if gathered early. 
TEA FA” a | eS | | aa Liable to drop or be blown from the tree prematurely. 
15 | * |.-.-|-.-.| * |....| New; gives promise of vaiue. 
16) *| *|....| * |....| One of the few winter pears of high quality. 
17; *| */| *| */| * | Well known and esteemed, but too small to become very popular. 
is | *| *| *| *| *| Fruit apt to be astringent on young trees. Should be house ripened. 
19; *| *]|] *| *|....| Too tardy bearer; hence is rarely planted. 
20; *| *| *| */| * | Ina warm exposure and favorable season, this will be found satisfactory. 
Better south. 
21) *|.-.-|----]| * |.---| Little disseminated. A fruit of high quality. 
Peg} «id|| Seal ae * |____| Tree vigorous ; fruit lacks attractiveness and quality. 
23 | ** | ** | #* | * | ** | Vigorous tree. Large, showy fruit, which decays soon at the center. 
Drops, and sometimes scabs or spots. 
24) *, *| *| *| * | Fruit requires to be gathered before maturity—decays rapidly. 
25; *| *| *|] *! * |) Onold trees, when well ripened, this is an excellent pear. 
493 |] est] PE ae Not much disseminated. Not of high quality. 
27; *| *| *| * | * | Excellent. Should be more widely planted. 
Seah) SRT Se | a | ae A promising winter pear. 
29] * | *|....| * |....| Not as well known as it should be. 
30; */} *| *| *| * | Quite freely planted and generally esteemed. 
bl} *| *|] * | * | * | Notas freely planted as it should be. 
Oona ee 2-2-1 En a climate, only valued for market and canning; and that only at the 
south. 
33} * | *| *| * |...) Very fine, but comes in the height of the fall fruit season. Only amateur, 


420 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


SECTION XIIT.—PEARS—ConrTINvUED. 


Descriptions. Veinee 

Scale 1 to 10. 
Names. | 

Z 3 = 8 = |e | alae 3 

z a s 8 G4 £ | 8./a)/oue 
Gig puangelien: /isceucess2o0 = ae o- ase m | oboobp | yeru | vg Gy Eng. | 6| 8] 7 
Me S5i| WuanvrenCe ec. + s-c. 2 <eacce access m | oboobp yru vg | Dec N. Y 6| 8 8 
SOs euecCOntes 22-252. --2-c--ac-so—5—s 1 obp y g | Aut | Am 1) 4 4 
—-87 | Louise Bonne (of Jersey)-------.- 1 op gbr vg peut Fr. 7/ 9]+ 8 
BS; |, Madeleines <.2-c-+.<2e-seccscae5- m obo p ygb vg | July Er. | (Sie if 
39 | Manning’s Elizabeth_--....-.--.-. s | oboobp lyr ve | ae Bel. | 9/°7) 8 
40 | Mount Vernon........---.-.------ ml} robp ruybr | vg | er: Mass.| 8| 8| 6 
Al ENapoleon se s-2'5. oh sdeccstesc eo nce. 1 ob p yg g | Sept. | Bel 55/16 6 
ie |gOnondacao.620- to) ore es 1 | oboobp yru vg | ee | Conn | |) Sal aaah 
43 | Osband’s (Summer) --...2-----.-- s |rovobop| yrru ve | Aug. | N.Y | sizal Sap 8 
AMIMOBWORO= 2 ces8sco 2.8 ere Soe ee m ob obo yeru | vg | ane N. ‘Y:.| °8"| 58/4 
45 | Paradise (of Autumn)...--...---- 1 | ooboap yru ve | peut Bel 8:] Oe 
AGA OUNG es ee eee beeen etl eae 1 p ygb gz | ee Eur.?}|- 1/18 19 % 
aT NSRABO Oc ace e ace maadomaceesena= ac sm robp yru b Novy. INS | 9} 8 5 
AST IPORUIOZOL eee mess neck cans s | oboo p ygrb b Aug. | Eur. | 9] & 6 
ve ¥, CRISIS) 3) lee sae 8 obo ybrru b | Oct. | Penn | 10) | 222 a 
Br HOM ASHOLGON scales see antes cos ans 8 m robobo | gyruc | vg! Oct INA ays 8] 8 9 
51 | Souvenir du Congres....-.-.----. 1 pr yg vg Sept Fr. | 8 8 9 
Bei sSterling eae: <= han oho es oe oa noses m rovp yruc vg | Sept. | N. Y. T eb 9 
53 | Stevens (Genesee).-.----- ------- 1 r y vg | Sept. | N.Y.| 9] 6 6 
Bol BteGhislain ot la nee. m p y g. | Bebe | pa. | 7) Gene 
— 65 | Summer Doyenne...-..-.--.....--- 8 robo p yr vg | July Bel 9) 5 9 
56 iad i te St skies maeee sues m rp yeru vg | Oct. Fr. 7.) 38 8 
Oh OLY SON - os: seatcaie secre aoc oeemeeeee ms ap yruc b Sent Penn 9; 6 8 
BS: |qUrbaniste: .-4-<.coscs 4 ee ml} obop | yru veg ets FL | 9| 2iee 
V5 he ee se l UD leg OGD g | Nov: | we: | 52 |e eee 
60 | Washington .......--.---.-.------ m 0 obo | yr vg] Sept. | Del. | 9} 6| 6 
61 | White Doyenne............----..- m 1] obo | yr b | Oct Fr. | 10'| 27 
OSs VVANGBON W245 cc on. a cece cee maeee if p yg g | Aug. | Eur. ay As 6 
63 | Winter Nelis........--..--------+- m | robo | FEE | ob eect thon eg Reape 


FRUIT CATALOGUE, 421 


SECTION XIII.—PEARS—CONTINUED. 


Locality. 
a%las Remarks. 
. &o|5° 
8| -|e| . |galea 
El2)e/| 3 lssiss 
5 | 8 z 
2 BRS ae ae 
2 UE Sal ee eee * |____| Like winter pears generally, this has not been largely planted. 
8 | *| */| */] *| *!| Tree healthy and vigorous. Should be grown on dry, warm soils. 
oo) || --- ..| + |..--|.---| Tree vigorous. Fruit large. Quality poor at the north. Better south. 
37 | *| * +& | #* | A good market pear. Should always be grown as a dwarf. 
38 | *| *| *| */|____| The earliest pear of good quality. Sometimes slightly astringent. 
39 | *| *| *| *{._..| One of the most desirable amateur pears of its season. 
40 |_...| * |...) *] *]| A promising late autumn and early winter pear. Bears young. 
41 | *| *| *| */|__..| An early and abundant bearer. Lacks quality. 
42 | *| ** | * | | * | A good,constant bearer of large, showy fruit of fair quality in most seasons. 
43 | *| *| *| * | */| Tree vigorous, productive. Fruit sufficiently good for the market. 
44 | *| *| *| *|____| High vinous flavor; rich. Becomes productive with high culture. 
21S Me RS HE PR et | a Fruit somewhat like Beurre Bosc, but more variable. 
46) *| *| *]| *|___.] Chiefly valued for the kitchen. Trees, strong, healthy. 
47; *| *|....| *|....| A New York seedling from Winter Nelis. 
48 | */| *| *| *| * | Tree vigorous and productive. Fruit excellent, but unattractive in appear- 
ance. : 
49 | *| *| *| *| ** | The standard of high quality among pears. Tree forms a beautiful pyra- 
mid. Profitable when buyers come to know it. 
50 | *|** | *| «| ** | A hardy, productive tree; and a good fruit for general purposes; not 
attractive in appearance. 
51 |__..| * |_...| * |....]| Very large and beautiful. Variable in size. Not of high quality. 
52} *| *| *| *| + | Both tree and fruit well adapted for the market. 
53 | *| *| */] *!| * | An excellent and fine looking pear, but soon decays at the core. 
54 | * |____|.___|____|_.-.| An old variety; now to a great extent superseded. 
55 | * | *| * | | * | The best and most satisfactory very early pear. Valued for early market. 
56) *| *| * | © |__| A fine pear. Sometimes alittle too acid. Productive. 
Gia pe |S |e | ee a eeaue tree. Fruit grown to some extent for the market. A tardy 
earer. 
58; *| *| * | * {|__| Too tardy a bearer. Is being abandoned; probably for this reason. 
59 | *| *| *| * | * | Tree very vigorous and productive; its greatest recommendation for this 
< climate. It often fails to ripen well. 
60 | * | **| *| * |__._| This pear should be planted in every garden. 
61 | */| *| *{| *| * | This old favorite is generally successful in this State; but occasionally 
scabs and cracks. 
62| *| *| *| *{| *| The vigor and beauty of the tree, and the size of the fruit, are its sole 
recommendations. 
63 | *| *| * | * |___.| The fruit if well grown and ripened, is scarcely inferior to the Seckel. The 


tree must not be allowed to overbear. 


422 


| Number. 


va 
\ 


4 
Cartan r wn + 


at 
ose S 


14 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


SECTION XIV.—PLUMS. ° 


In the grading and starring of plums no reference is had to the prevalence of the curculio in the 
district; nor yet to the tendency of the tree to the premature rotting of the fruit or loss of foliage. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION, 


Form 
ob. oblate. 


d. depressed. l. long. obo. obovate. 
n. necked. ov. oval. o. oblong. te roundish. 
Descriptions. 
Names. ; a | 
Rn & o Sg < L ° 

Bavay’s (Green Gage)--------- ] rd gy b f | Oct. Bel 
Bleeker’s Gage....-.--..------ m Tr ov y vg fe |e Aug. Nip 
Pradnlidwe funn ak 2! ] ie rp g |cf!eAug. | Am 
Canada Hee [local namo] os sill ey cee. ee a g c | mdAug.| Ont.? 
Coe’s Golden Drop..--...---.-- 1 ov y veg e | eSept. Eng 
olunibint iets A 1 r br p g f | bSept.| N.Y 
GODDCP 2 6 acon cee ee Cease eee ms/|ovn ecb g c e Sept. Eur 
Wamsonk {shies ebay tes s ov bp g letie | Sept. Am 
Duane's) Purple: 2 2s). 22-52 vl} oov rp g fC). |p A P= | pea 
General Handee= asec tees Sas vl r ov g g fi | Sept. Penn.? 
Germanverune-.-— =) ooo eee 1 lov bp g f. Sept. Eur 
Green Gages: == 22.2224. 2 25. 8 r gyr b f | e Aug. Eur. 
Muling?siSuperb----=2---. =--- vl|rov gy gic e Aug. Penn 
Imperial Blue [local]-----.--- m r bp v2 c | bSept. Mich 
Imperial Gavevese: £2. 50202232 1 ov gy b £ b Sept. Nv 
Italian Prune, Fellemberg-.-.| ™m ov b g f b Oct. Eur 
Jefferson....-. Pe ee ] hg ypr b f | b Sept. Ne ¥. 
Mirke’ sg) 322 8 | ae eee m ro p 4 g f | b Sept. Eur. 
Lawrence’s Favorite. -...-..--. 1 r ob yg b Ps amc pe ING es 
OMPRIO S25 - s aneteene m j|rovd rp g c | b Sept. ING 
Mo bauehilin’ 225s ee 1 |rob’ad| yr b |e Aug. Me. 
MinGh S625 8. ee ee m lr pr g ec | b Oct. Penn 
MONT OR eaten 86 soe asoe eee m | ov | SV |e eee ib Sept. IN 
OMieans 22.3 6s eae eee m r rp g f e Aug. Eur 
Peson Pim. 2. s2s52 cue eee wile | rd br g f | bAug. Eur 
POHG BONN 2 262 sono cacaceeee vljovn y r g c m Sept.| Eng. 
Prince Englebert.............. 1 obov | pbr | vg f {| bSept. Bel 
Prince’s Yellow (Gage)...-.---- m | OV y Vg f | b Aug. Na Y 
Quackenbvoss £5242 .....-25 2222 1 or p | g | fe | Sept. Na aie 
Red Magnum Bonum......--- \ rl ov Poise | f b Sept. Eur 
Smo se Orleans... 22.5 os. | 1 ov rp vge| c |eAug. IN Ae 
Wasninpton ol.) Secs oe vlj|rov | gyc vg f eAug. ay 
WV lid: Giese.2- a... 2225 fe tse m rov | p g£ c e July Tenn.? 
Wellow Wiee te ose a ev ov y | g Go len, el) cee \ 6") 


Use and 
Scalel i 10. 
AOA 
9| 9| & 
8| 71 8 
7| 10} 20 

7| 71 8 
8 9 

6)).-24] ie 

4;) “Shliaae 
3|10| 7 
7) 2a 

6| 71. 7% 
6| 9| @ 
10| 8| 38 
8| 7| 6 
s| 9| @ 

9.) o1\8 

6| 8| 8 
10| 9| 9 
10° jee 
6,| 10} 10 

10: |) Cale or 
| 6] 6] 4 
6| 7| 9 

| 6/10} 10 
6| 7| 9 

8| 8| 10 
| 8| s| ® 
el 7] 9 

ie 
| B)| -Beheae 
| s{10| 7 
6)| Bilas 

| ail % 


FRUIT CATALOGUE. 423 


SECTION XIV.—PLUMS. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 


Color. 
b. blue. br. brownish. p. purple. r. red. 
c. copper. y. yellow. g. green. 
Locality. ‘i 
‘ a Sg z Remarks. 
B . 5.2/5.4 
5 he - |2Om\|OMm 
Bla/2|/3 isslse ‘ 
seal ee) es ree aS e 
Rls io | a | a4 
1/ *| *| *{| */| * | Nearly or quite as fine as Green Gage. Tree a better grower. 
2/ *| *| *| *{| * | Hardy. A good regular bearer. Shoots downy. 
3 | * | | * | * | ** | Grows and bears well. A superior market variety. 
4 |__| * |....| * | ** | Probably an unrecognized old variety. Very hardy and productive in 
Mason county. 2: F : 
5 | #* | +* | ** | +k | ** | Beautiful. Excellent. Perhaps may not ripen with certainty at the ex- 
treme north. \ 
6 | * |..__|---.|---.|.---| Subject to rot. Tree vigorous and productive. 
Cf | S| eae ...| * |....| Valued for market and cooking. 
8) *}| *| *| *] * | Aslow grower. Productive. Valued for preserves. 
y| *] *| *| * | * | Too soft and uneven in size for market. 
0) cesar ees .---| *| * | Does not succeed well in Mason county. 
11} *| *| *| * | ** | Valued for drying and preserving. 
J2| *| *| *| *| * | Thestandard of quality among plums. Tree aslow grower. 
Deyo EAN) Tod |e * | * | Tree very vigorous, upright, moderate bearer. ‘ 
Tyee eee ees fat | ne ee Grieinates in Lenawee county by the late Israel Pennington, who prized 
it highly. 
15); *!' *| *) *) * | Productive, excellent; shoots dark, downy, vigorous. 
Gi ees || * |___.| Tree vigorous, spreading, branches smooth. 
17 | *| *| *{| * | ** | A slow grower, good bearer, very profitable at the north. 
Tes} [ Ae 28 eee * )__..| Branches smooth. The stone is broad and flat. 
19; *| *) *| *| *| A seedling from Green Gage. Very productive. 
20 | ** | * | ** | * | ** | Tree vigorous, hardy, and productive. The leading market variety. Tree 
not satisfactory at St. Joseph. , 
21; *| *| *| *| * | Nearly or quite equal to Green Gage. Hardy, vigorous, productive. 
22); *| *| *| *!| * | Comparatively unproductive if standing alone. Very hardy. Of the 
Americana species. 4 
3) || S| ea ee * | * | Tree very vigorous and productive. Slightly tender. 
pays ae ee (ee * | * | Vigorous. Branches gray and very downy. 
4) || Ae * | * | Tree upright, vigorous. A moderate bearer. 
C1 eae | * | ** | Productive, vigorous. Branches smooth, grayish. Dorr’s Favorite of 
Oceana county is identical with this. 
itera lee | * | ** | Tree a great bearer. Valuable for market. 
28; *| *| *| */|] *!) Anold favorite. Hardy, productive. 
238) (NW Es || Se ree Tae 3 * | A rapid, upright grower ; productive. 
30 | *| *| * | * | ** | "The genuine has slender, smooth shoots. 
elimeealenes|) 8 * | ** | One of the most vigorous; shoots glossy, reddish purple; very productive. 
32) *| *| *| * | *!| One of the largest and most beautiful, but inclined to rot on the tree. 
Free from rot at the north. : {sons 
33 | *| *| *| *!| * | An uncertain bearer at the north; probably from imperfect pollenization. 
34) *| *| *| * | ** | A fine market variety, but rots in some'‘seasons at the south, and as far 
north as Mason econntv. 


424 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 


SECTION XV.—QUINCES. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTIO 


Form. 
ob. obtuse. p. pyriform. r. roun . 
baat) Use and 
Descriptions. Value. 
Scale 1 to 10. 
Names. 
5 BS ra esi 
2 . = S be £& 

E | Sralege cee z = (2/24 

z | a = 5 S a } AlSIs 
1 IATIP OTR ec can n sat acca tes soe «eens vl | ob p y vg Oct. Nov. | Eur. Bee) fo) 7 
PulPA DDO NOLAND 6. ac aaze acc o5cocee ss l rp y vg Oct. Nov.| Eur. |-.--| 10| 10 
DLIPONATI DION s-— een asec oe nae vl] obp y vg Novy. Am. ae |[e. 3s 8 
MWSMGCC 22+ asctenac cat cnamesom acces 1 robp] y vg Oct? Nov. | UN.Jd. °|223) 5100 ae 
BHBEGEUGALE= se aos Oe vl | obp y b Oct. Kur’. , «|= )510 5 
| 50: ae oe ep ee 1 robp| y g Oct. INEaYs |-- 10 | 10 


SECTION XVI.—RASPBERRIES.—Rvpus OCCIDENTALIS AND SUPPOSED HYBRIDS; 


ROOTING FR 


OM THE TIPS OF THE BRANCHES. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 


Form. 
ce. conical. ob. obtuse. r. roundish. 
Descriptions. Wrelaes 
Scale 1 to 10. 
Names. 
Pe ws |W] os 
Z 2 Z | iE = i 4 2 2 = 
zZ , fiteed 0) © ce pal! Ws i & |al|s|s 
1 | American Black, Doolittle---.... 8 r b g m July N, ‘Yj 5| 7 7 
a PAIMOLICAN IW NItO 2 2-.--.c--c-0ene8 s r yw m July Am 5 6 4 
SP OAVOMNG sco. seeccmeass ele aeeees 1 r oy | ve m July IN: AY; 9 | 9 6 
Say over BS Ra a CO m y oy | g m July Am y fi (ae 6 
5 | Golden Thornless --....---... ---- m yal Ss July. Am, | 6 jee 
MA ORTOOO Ree ee ae es ee vl r b vg m July Ind. 6} 9} 10 
7A) PEON eos cuca cana womens at | r b ve | mJuly Ont. 9) 9 20 
SHO RINE: fie. e ene ott oem aan ces m1 | r b g m July Kan. 6] 6 
9 | McCormick, Mammoth Cluster... m1 obe b | vg July. Aug.| Am. 6| 9 9 
MO) MARR es ee ot aencrneecae ee a ee bp g July. Am. 7 | 10 7 
HILAL NOW PEROCHOULO cio cncas. 222 s9ne ware 1 re p | ve m July. Nc EY 8| 8 6 


—>——_—_——- 


FRUIT CATALOGUE. 425 


SECTION XV.—QUINCES. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 


Color. 
y. yellow. : 
Locality. 
| 
avles Remarks. 
, a 5 BS 
3 s sulan 
Ble/2|2 \gsiss 
mn =| 
e/a /8|2|"4/"8 
1} *| */|....| * |....| A longer keeper than the Apple, but not equal in quality. Very unproduc- 
tive at Traverse (Parmelee). 
2) ** | #e | eK) HK | O* | Well known and universally approved. 
3 |_.-.|.---|....| * |---| An early and prolific bearer. Very downy. Very late. 
aa ely of [eee + |....| Said to be very productive, and of superior quality. 
| 

5] * Beagle eee ..-|----| Tree a strong grower, but unproductive. Quality superior. 
Giese lee ee le) [Es Larger than the Apple, and equally good. Tree thrifty. 


SECTION XVI.—RASPBERRIES.—Rusus OCCIDENTALIS AND SUPPOSED HYBRIDS; 
ROOTING FROM THE TIPS OF THE BRANCHES. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION, 


Color. 
b. black. p. purple. r. red. y. yellow. 
Locality. 
| F g P g Remarks. 

. | o o 

S x | . |azlaa 
4 -| 2/4 lselko 
Hl#ia!s lox ox 
3 ee) 5 |2s|4a 
Z/A|O| a ll oi 


* 


Desirable when great hardiness is required. A little later than Souhegan. 
Fancied for its color, which, however, changes to a dirty brown when 
Sui poaed hybrid between Ideeus and Occidentalis. A family berry. 

One of the best of Yellow Caps. 

Canes have but few spines. Very productive. 

Larger than McCormick. Is now the leading Black Cap. 

Nearly as large as Gregg; better in flavor, and clear black in color. 

A very popular sort. 

Plant very vigorous with stout thorns. Very productive. Profitable. 

The most juicy and luscious of the Black Caps. Prized by some in Berrien 


county for market. 
Excellent; but too dull in color. 


426 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 


SECTION XVI.—RASPBERRIES—ConNTINUED—RUBUS OCCIDENTALIS AND SUPPOSED 
HYBRIDS ; ROOTING FROM THE TIPS OF THE BRANCHES. 


Names. 


Form, 


Le | 


4 


" 


4 


4 


Descriptions. 

! 2 8 £ 
iS ‘s 3 = 
S = & } 
b vg July. IN eve 
b g medJuly.|! Ohio. 
pr veg meJuly.; N.Y. 
b g bm July.}| N.H. 

| g | bm July. | N. Y. 


| Use and 
Yalue. 
‘Scale 1 to 10, 
| oy eee 
3 a 2 
2) aes 
| oa o & 
\als|s 
eam pera) 
| 6| 6] 8 
| 8 -Siheee 
| 8} 9| 8 
8| 9 9 
| 8| 9| 9 


SECTION XVII.—RASPBERRIES—Ruvsvus ID#US AND STRIGOSUS, INCREASING BY 
SUCKERS OR SPROUTS. 


Be ee ce ee. | Nowe 


— ee 
nw Re 


—" 
wo 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION, 


Form. Color. 
c. conical. ob. obtuse. r. roundish. b. bright. c. crimson. 0. orange. 
| Descriptions. We ane 
Scale 1 to 10. 
| Names. | 
| ge leay | senate : é |8l2\3 
| Sol) ge eS aee 2 Ss 12/8\8 
| Brandywine, Susqueco....-------- | m |robc| br ve | July. | Am | 8| 9] @ 
OT) es ae eg aac 1 | c¢.|ve} ve |eduly. | Conn. | 8| 8| 7 
Cuthbert, Queen of the Market-..| 1 re be b July NEY s| 8| 10 
Mranconia 2 fs. 3 256 252. - ee 1 obc | pr vg July. Eur 8 | el fl af 
|\Golden ‘Queen’.22% -iieseLeeteee Dixie? .|vio bi oiedaly,» | an a. |e) asia 
Branceliet ey see every 8 r r g | b July. ON hes | Cee 7 
PM pratinie eh duties | 1 |robe|be | vg | July. | Penn. | 10} 10 | 8 
Marlbores <<. 4- us. 5ee eee 1 r r ge ipeWaly.. | NY. | 7 ee 
| Orange (Brinckle).-..-............ jt C.F te, b July. Penn. | 10 | 10 4 
| Philadelphia.........--.-------| m | or | pr | ( July. | Penn. | 6| 8] 8 
Bader flo 3 ot a ee 1 r |br| ve | m July. | Mich.) 9| 9| 9 
HReliatiee 4c: 2h. cte ka Pips Pee! 1 Tate] tog jeduly. | N.Y. | 9/9| 8 
Rrpeeb int Mirek): ie eee vl| rob |pr| vg |bJuly. | NJ. | 9] 9! 7 
PUP OM bs tae eseece onde See ee | m r Der yee | July. | Am. ’ 9) 8 9 


~~ 
~~ 


FRUIT CATALOGUE, 427 


SECTION XVI.—RASPBERRIES—ContTINUED—RUBUS OCCIDENTALIS AND SUPPOSED 
HYBRIDS ; ROOTING FROM THE TIPS OF THE BRANCHES, 


Locality. 
| 
agla?’ Remarks. 
, 59/5 0° 
5 a aa an 
#/2|2|42|2s/5s 
a =} 
z\e|8|e| sis 
12 |_.-.]--.-|-...| * |_--.| Fruit with a thick bluish bloom. Not very acid. Very firm. 
13; *| *| *| *{| *]) A very profitable market variety; good for drying. 
144; *) **| *{| * 1 * | Enormous grower. Fruits ripen in succession. Superior for canning. 
! . 
15) 5 SA See * | * | A good, early, market blackcap. f 
7G ) eS | * | * | Very much like Souhegan. 
SECTION XVII.—RASPBERRIES—Ruvusvus ]DUs AND STRIGOSUS, INCREASING BY 
SUCKERS OR SPROUTS. 
ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 
Color. 
p. purplish. r. red. s. scarlet. 
Locality. 
aflag Remarks. 
Z mOo|ES 
5 zy | . |salan 
#/2|2/8 |Eg/es 
wa Q 3 | 
Ble\e/a alos 
1| *| *| *| *| * | Its beauty, size, color and firmness are strongly in its favor. 
2| *| *| *| *| *| Best early red, but does not set well. Not fully hardy away from lake 
protection. Unproductive on southern lake shore. 4 
3) *| | *| **| * | Very firm, productive and hardy. Has come to be the leading market 
variety of its class. . 
4| *| *| *| *| *| Like nearly all foreign sorts, away from lake influence must have winter 
protection. 
5; *| *| * | * | * | Like Cuthbert, except in the color of the fruit. 
e 
6) *| *| *| *| *]| Hardy. Lacks vigor and productiveness. 
7| *| *{| *|**| *| May not be fully hardy in the interior of the State. Lacks firmness. Val- 
uable where it will stand; especially for home use. 
8| *| *| *| *| *]| Very vigorous and productive. Is being extensively planted. 
9) Ne Ul PP a = BINsE AYE winter protection. Unequaled for amateur purposes; but very 
ender. . 
10 | ** | ** | * | #* | *| Entirely hardy; dull color; lacks quality and size. Suckers but little. 
A bad shipper. Nearly abandoned. 
ll |_...| * | *| *|__..) Highly esteemed where fully tested. Canes not always healthy. 
Tee a el ee * |___.| Berries good, even size. Profitable, but its color is too dark. 
13| *| *| *| *!| * | A goodfamily berry. Crumbles easily. 
14| *| *| */| **| * | Strong grower; hardy; productive. Suckers profusely. Lacks firmness. 
Leading market variety ip Berrien county. 


428 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


SECTION XVIII.—STRAWBERRIES. 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 


Form. Color, 
ec. conical. o. oblong. b. bright. p. pale. 
Se... ons oval opoyate: a. dark. a eased 
n. necked. r.” roundish. 
Descriptions. - eiga 
Scale Lto 10. 
Names. | 
63 . $ ‘ Fay 
2 3 a eae = el : i a | 3 Z 
Zz a ea eS ltr Weel cet cy & |a/s8]/s 
oA ew.) 0 a eee a m ove g b m | 9June.; Ont 8| 9 9 
2| Arnold's Pride......------ vl| cco | c |ve| pb | t |e “ | ont. | 8| 9] 10 
pe: Se eee 1 | le.) be] velop | m joe | ws. | sia 
A SBelmont 2osevsscssqc~~e-s-% Vili; Lrie™| bie b b f | 20,7." Mass. | 10))2--217 3% 
Dalebidwelle-sc--cccsesecesanc= vl|len|bs|vg} b shag | ia CLG Mich 9| 8 9 
6 | Black Defiance..--....---- Vier obied eo) bil b.|, feel Oe N. 3: \|) Ou) ae 
7 | Boyden, Seth Boyden-.---- 1 obc | bec | vg b L418" s Cs N. J. 9 [5-91 aS 
SO Webrightlda 22.2.2 22. seen v1 er br | ve b me ||19) ss Ont. 8°| 8-10 
9 | Bubach, No. 5........----- vl ‘obre|be|vg| p|m 2% * Ti. |; 8 eae 
40"\sCaptain' Jack. -.-..=.-<.- m re be | vg b fate Mo. Silas 
Pa POHaAmMplon = ence eer esas 1 re ae ve p if, aelOp “S* N. Y. 16 eee 
12 | Charles Downing.-......-- l re ds |vg b mol Ome cs Ken 8/ 8] 10 
OR) Sin) ee eee 1 reco| be | vg B manos oS INGaYe a 8 
a4) |Corneliats-= 22-22 2s4-c5-8 vl jobre| ds|v g p f 7July..| Ohio. 8+] 8} 10 
15 | Cowing......----.-----0-- vl |robc| be | vg] b | m |12 “ Ina. | 10] 8| 9 
167) ;Orescent, 2=----e------sen—= 1 c ds g |bobs} s_ |12June-| Conn. 6") 4: ) a0 
17 | Crimson Cluster-.-..-..--- ] oc be | vg p Wisi] Lee cs N. J 8 | stasleeee 
a5u|pOumperlan (cess eae vl |robc] bc|{ vg b pe ta ba bd Penn 9; 8 9 
19 | (Daniel) Boone.-....--..-- 1 rov | pr eet AP | LOG ee a8 Ky. | Ciel Pay 8 
20 | Downer’s (Prolific). --...- m re bs | vg b aki hee tae Ky. V fay Rees [es 
2b Duncans. 25.09). eee 1 c drjivg b f Bae Nii. || 99) | 222i e 
22 | Early Canada.....----..-- ms re) dio |v ge b me Gem <5 Ont. Oh) ae 8 
Mri) GUTORR .occesn sano onuaneed vil oc be | vg p | m by ease Ohio 8), | -355| eres 
2 IS cot a vi'| obs | bol vg} bo | m |19 . | Wo. | Ofc 
BI PRS We ee eet oe ee m rc 1 vg p fi BO Ps oad 4: |e serene 9) | Sete 9 
20 | Glendales.s52 ee s-o eee vl lie bs g b 1 al Co Ohio fe) Wen) 7 
or | Goldsmithy st 225..206—500 vl le bs | vg b Peay 8 Ohio 9; 8 8 
28 | Haverland ............---- 1 oc be | vg p » ally byt Aa Ohio. Je ee) eo) 
29 | Henderson .-.--.......-.--- 1 le e b b my bie ss N.J 10} 1 1 
30 | Jersey Queen.........-.... m ! obe c g p miedo ss New 1 fa bea Ne a: 
SL OBRIB Shee nad soe ackcun ew anan vlj obec | bec | vg b LS Wis a ies a) 
Go) MUGIBNA ha wscceseadeue nwa m re c 4 b mis Ind. 60 eS li 


FRUIT CATALOGUE, 429 


SECTION XVIII.—STRAWBERRIES, 


ABBREVIATIONS FOR THIS SECTION. 


Sex of blossom. Texture, Season, 
b. bi-sexual or perfect. fy) fs. The date (in June) of the ripening of the first perfect 
p. pistillate. m. medium. specimens is given in each case as the most con- 
8. soft. venient mode of indicating the relative season. 
Locality. 
P g : g Remarks. 
£|4|8|é @s\*8 
1; *| *| *| *| * | Hybrid of the late Chas. Arnold. One of the most productive early sorts. 
2| *| *| *{| *!| *!| Hybrid of the late Chas. Arnold. A superior market berry. 
8 |----|----|----| * |----| Productive. A market variety. 
4; t| t] t| *j| +t | Superior dessert fruit. May prove profitable for market. 
5| *| *| *| * | * | Does not always ripen wellat thetip. Valuable. 
6| *| *; *|. *| *| Very perfect in form. Moderate bearer. Holds its size well. Excellent. 
if ' *| * | * | */] * | To produce with certainty should be grown in hills, and on moist soils. 
8| *| *| *| *!| * | Hybrid of the late Chas. Arnold. A market variety. 
9; *| *| *| *] * 1] One of the best new varieties for market. 
TAY Pe a EN a) Eee productive. Even sized, but not quite large enough or good 
TOU Bay I Re | Bea eS aie hb Prouerly take a leading position as a market sort. Windsor Chief 
12) ** | ** | * | * | ** | Succeeds generally as a fruit for near marketing. Plant vigorous. 
18; *| *|] *| *| * | Needs a little more firmness for remote markets. Plant a weak grower. 
14 |____|---.|---.| * |....| A very promising late market variety ; just introduced. 
15| *| *| *| *| *]| One of the very finest large berries. Succeeds on very light soils. On 
TB) EP |) Se Fae | ae Tie ee OPES Tena but lacks quality and firmness. Foliage 
Wid Neco |e = spre ie 2 eee ere high culture; otherwise fails. 
18; *| *| *| *| *] Excellent as a berry for home use, or for near marketing. 
19; *| *| *| *| *{| Very productive. A market berry. Not generally valued. 
20; *| *| *)| *{| * | Valuable for near market. Plant vigorous. Nearly abandoned. 
21); *| *| *| *| *] A highly desirable amateur berry. Plant vigorous. The first to ripen. 
PZ) || 8S) eae (a |e et ER USOan Geen, Nat generally valued. 
28 |_...|----|---.| +t |----| Bears profusely. Promising as a market berry. 
24 |__..|.--.| * | * |...) Desirable late market berry. Good dessert fruit. 
25 |..-.|----|----| * |.-..| Not a vigorous plant; but bears heavily. 
%| *| *| *| *| *| Alatesort. Valued for market. 
27| *| *| *| *| *| Fruit uniformly large. Not profitable. 
FS ect eee aD | ae Plant vigorous. Promises to be valuable. 
ea) |e | a .---| Of high quality. Plant lacks vigor. 
30); *| *| *| *| */] Variable. Generally productive. 
81; *| *| *| *{| * | Is very highly praised, so far as tested. 
82 | *| *| *| *| * | Has valuable characteristics for market. 


430 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


SECTION XVIII.—STRA WBERRIES—ConrtTINUED. 


| Use and 


Descriptions. | Value. 
Names. | | 

Si D ¢ : ¢| Ble 
Z | na ey ) o n & R ° A O/e 
BST WELL= Sooo nn oon ee 1 robc| be g p f 26 June.| Conn. 7 | 9/ 10 
BEN MCUNGS. 222. -2-s202-5----- evele> oben |p bisy sue b Pipi lA yee Am.,? fl ee 9 
85 | Kentucky.........-.--2-.-- | a | ire l belive |b] t }1e * 4h try. 9)0es lem 
86))Lougfellow--=!2:-2.-2.----| V1''|/abie! |e eta | U ena Ky. | 9] 8| 8 
fel WI ECs 3 pies Bef ae pa | m ovr s b Be aliour a. Ont. | 8 | 7 8 
38 | Manchester .. --.--.-.----- | 1 cr c g p Py | 20) = os N.J 8 ee 8 
Boney Kiln Geos ooops acenas = | m obc | be | vg b my {10 Am. 5] (83)o8 8 
ay hiner Ae Ue ea re tee |b TES | Te 9) oN oo aa ea 
41 | Mount Vernon.....-.----- le) | er bs g b mip |i os Silszoc eset 7 | 8 9 
42 | New Dominion -------...-| 1 OBC) || Dee ne b Ee ee Ont 8| 8 8 
43 INiGanor==2.-sssctacwees es m | robc} bs b b m Ss INS, Oi --ea| aaeD 
eee at. 2.2 TERE Ate |e] Mee a Wem lag. |] Conia | Ces Beane 
MSA Ontario. 278s... | v1 | obc | be | ve| b| m|u“ | ny. | 8{..] 9 
Sorebarer ere ks (Este |trobicy! “et | abl |, abv TIm eg seb W. J. ~1/20;| feo) aes 
PU ie ian SA a Ieee bie owl a bmn tet. | oy a” pe |e 
48 Phelps, Old Ironclad.----- m obec | be | vg b p02 pan bid Er 2AN COR hal Ne Ra Se (aren 8 
Miieipen tere m |r) |bel g || "roles 7 mm |e heey 
50 | Russell’s Advance........ 1 rov | bs|vg b f 105s Now) ee 6 
51 | Seneca Queen -.---------- Petre "| be | be) sh | mM oy Ga eee 
52 | Sharpless............-.---- vl | acco] br| vg b my ples Penn. 82) 25241aS 
5s | SB 1 Reg 1 ee a a a vl le be | vg b f ees Mich. oe9 vf 
54 Sucker State.-------.-...- re)» || 28 eel Pe Ne |e | sy eae ee TY.. || kc] 2255] Beee 
B6)) Smits <.--0c dst cane tealmope) ds velo tof ers Ohio. | 6 [23 ae 
56 Triomphe (de Grand)----- il robec| br b b f 12%, %f Bel. 10) S26 

57 | WACK USE:) Coo anno ee m re e vg b f Ny ale Mo. ee - 7 
58 | WY A PHOIG Saco sn a nccmncean | m c drj|vg p 1a Cael Il. a eer ake 
60 | Warren _.....----.0+ 2-0-0 ['m |°Fo | dolvgel-b | ft |te *' |, Ky. | 0} e1em 
CON MVVIIBOD 2 o.5 5-2. ~s-Seesese 1 rc de 4 b Ee le INS We é| 9 9 
61 | Woodruff (No. 1)-......... m le de | em | b f 15: 5° Mich. V (Al bt 8 


FRUIT CATALOGUE. 431 


SECTION XVIII,—STRA WBERRIES —CONTINUED, 


Locality. 
e fle 8 
|a| . |aulaa 
\e/e| 8 lesis3 
a > 5 |nw Ae) 
|g |O]m A) oR 
eee) ess heel eee 
* * * * * 
AE = 3 * | eK * 
* * * * * 
* * * * * 
ae ¥ --- * aAtce 
PRE. 3 * * * * 
* * * * * 
Syl Se EN) AcE Ie 
=oa< all eee cl eae 
* * x * * 
eee ceealtavtd (sss 
wnne|-e--| ---- * =e 
w--|----) ---- * aa 
aac eee fa ae ees 
* * * * * 
x * * * * 
| * * * x * 
* * | * * * 
* * * * * 
| x + | * * * 
| 
16a * | * * aan 
ess * * * ees: 
* * | * * * 
* alle * * 
=e SS ee Aan a ees 
all ea ane 3 * 
a8 | ek | eR | eK | RE 
| 
* * | | Ox * 
| 


Remarks, 


| Decidedly the most productive of the introductions of 1885. Makes very 


few runners. 

Vigorous. Profitable when grown in hills and on strong soils. At the north 
this succeeds on sandy soils. 

Vigorous. A good late market berry. Nearly superseded. 


Its large size and productiveness would seem to fit it for market. 


Hybrid of the late Chas. Arnold. Very productive. Deficient in color. 


| Has become a leading market berry. 


Very popular as an early berry. 


Vigorous and productive. Excellent for near market. 


| Very highly praised asa market variety. Quite late. 


Bright colored, large, productive. 

One of the best early amateur varieties. Rather small. 
Promising for late market. 

Much like Sharpless, but preferablé to that variety. 
Very beautiful, fine flavor. Large. Productive. 

A promising fruit, of high quality. 

Generally prized as a market variety. 

Has valuable qualities as a market fruit. 

Very productive. Retains its size till last pickings. 
Continues large to the last. A fine market berry. Very desirable. 

Is attracting much attention. Lacks firmness for distant marketing. Does 
Vor in Gol and fine in quality. Desirable for home use. 

Valued in Illinois as a market variety. 

Fine large even sized fruit. Not astrong grower. 

vieyou eich, excellent. Must be grown in hills to warrant success for 
In plant and fruit much like Captain Jack. 

A vigorous plant. Said to be very productive. 

A superior variety for home use. 

Colors early. Only good when fully ripe. Later pickings failin size. The 


leading market berry with the mass of growers. 
Ripens fully at the tips. Valuable. 


432 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


REJECTED LIST. 


With the purpose to avoid the liability to the reintroduction of varieties of fruit 
which have been already tried and abandoned, we append lists of such as have hereto- 
fore appeared in the catalogue, but which, for one cause or another, have been super- 
seded, and have therefore been dropped from the lists. 


At the first revision, in 1879, the following were omitted : 


Apples. 


Autumn Pearmain. 
Bush. 
Lancaster Greening. 


The following were dropped at the second revision, in 1881 : 


Apples. 


Woolcot (Steere), the same bein 
continued under the correcte 
name—Morris’ Red. 


Pears. Plums. 
Dunmore. Admiral. 
Jalousie de Fontenay. 
Vendee. 

Blackberries. Peaches, 
|— = — 

White Seedling. Windoés. 

Plums, Strawberries, 


Dorr’s Favorite ; this proving to 
ae synonym for Pond, Font- 
ill. 


Windsor Chief, which is identi- 
cal with Champion. 


In the third revision, in 1883, the following were omitted : 


Apples. 


Better than Good. 
Hall. 


Black Caps, 


Lum’s Everbearing. 


Red Raspberries. 


Early Andrews. 
Saunders. 
Winant. 


Peaches, 


Cooper’s Mammoth. 


Strawberries. 


Afrique. 
America. 

Burr Oak. 
Caroline. 
Centennial Favorite. 
Cinderella. 
Crimson Cone. 
Damask Beauty. 
Dr. Warder. 
Early Hudson. 
Emperor. 

Essex Beauty. 


Cherries, 


Rivers’ Amber. 


Fillmore. 
Fowler’s Seedling. 
French. 


| Frontenac. 


General Sherman. 
! 


Strawberries (continued.) 


Grace. 
Hindaon No. 10. 


a. 
Iowa Prolific. 
Kissany. 

Large Early Scarlet. 
Lennig’s White. 
Longworth’s Prolific. 
Luckhurst. 

Major McMahon. 
Napoleon III. 
President Lincoln. 
President Wilder. 
Romeyn. 

Scarlet Globe. 


FRUIT CATALOGUE. 


REJECTED LIST—ContTINvUED. 


433 


The following were omitted in the fourth revision, in 1885: 


Cherries, 


Duchesse de Palluau. 
Rumsey’s Late Morello. 


Grapes. 


Taylor’s Bullitt. 


Cap Raspberries. 


Red Raspberries. 


Strawberries (continued.) 


Naomi—A probable synonym of! Marvin. 


Fastolf. 


Strawberries, 


Ganargua. 


Boston Pine. 
Burgess. 
Hyxcelsior. 

Forest Rose. 
Golden Defiance. 
Hooker. 
Kirkwood. 


Matilda. 
Metcalf. 
Michigan. 
Minnesota. 
Russell. 
Seneca Chief. 
Springdale. 


In the present revision, for 1888, being the fifth, the following are omitted : 


Apples. 


Craig’s August. 

Early Long Stem. 
Fort Miami. 

Gabriel, Ladies’ Blush. 
Green’s Choice. 
Housum’s Red. 
Lacker. 

Melt in the Mouth. 
Newark Pippin. 
Northern Sweet. 
Progress. 

Pumpkin Russet. 
River. 

Somerset (N. Y.) 
Summer Belflower (N. Y.). 
Summer Greening. 
Sweet Baldwin. 

Table (greening). 
Twin. 

Wealthy’s Favorite. 


Crabs. 


Brier’s Sweet. 


Peaches. 


Muscogee. 
Thurber. 


5d 


Cherries. 


Grapes. 


Buttner’s Yellow. 

China Bigarreau. 

Early Amber. 

Large White Bigarreau. 
Bigarreau Gros Coeuret. 

Merveille de Septembre. 

Red Heart. 

Tradescant. 

Transparent Guigne. 

White French. 

White Tartarian. 

Wilkinson. 


Cap or Tip Rooting Raspberries. 


Canada. 

Davison’s Thornless. 
Ellisdale. 

Norwood. 

Purple Cane. 
Seneca. 

Wetherbee. 


Raspberries Increasing by Suckers. 


Arnold’s Red. 
Bristol. 
Delaware. : 
Fastolf, Naomi.? 
Highland Hardy. 
Hornet. 
Kirtland. 
Montelair. 

Red Antwerp. 
Thwack. 


Allen. 

Alvey. 

Anna. 

Belvidere. 

Black Hawk. 
Cornucopia, Arnold’s 2. 
Croton. 

Mottled. 

Neff, Keuka. 
Norton’s Virginia. 
Othello, Arnold’s 1. 
Peter Wylie. 
Rebecca. 

Rogers’ 20, 
Senasqua. 

To Kalon. 

Union Village. 
York Madeira. 


Strawberries. 


Agriculturist. 

Burr’s New Pine. 
Duchess. 

Great American. 
Green Prolific. 
Hervey Davis. 

Hovey. 

Monarch of the West. 
New Jersey Scarlet. 
Photo, Martha. 
Pioneer. 

Victoria, Golden Queen. 


c 


. 
: 
4’ 
‘ 
* 
4 
‘ 
¢ - 
' 
‘ > 
y 
F 
' 
‘ 
= 
nant 
, 
fae | 
1 ‘ 
4 
‘ 
© 
o 
’ 
' 


LIFE MEMBERS OF THE STATE HORTICULT- 


ThA Ly SOC LH IY? 


NAME. P. O. ADDRESS. 
FAG ama Ele Daley. jhe sare es) Galesburowe = cena. eee 
A amineaVirs Be Alege sen ee ete Galesburg. 25). soso 
ENTITIES, LS SIN SRSA ae TR a Jao Ines Fs) a ete eds Prenat tage 35 HE 
2 NVTATE Sf NO G10 yok © ah et ee aE a ie Moh etsy Wie aes Dee OE eS BY 
ANCHE TEE NOMASH she Lares hel ab eet Sls, Josepha si a ce eee 
FAT IMMITACe yo AIMeS oe eh eS ee ee OS Monroe’ sie 210 2, eae eran 
PAT NOLEN) L)sze st Do tas tts a Mea loniapen state. ee sea 
LASS TENS AOE ME a pale RP SA a SE OldUMIssion 2350 si seas eo 
Bagley, John J. (deceased)___________. De troitp case sl) ous Rees 
JB} Piven Ae] iy, bd ee Aaa 8 tees te Bees Southaven 8.2 aee 
Le trill enyes tye bee) Igri ei aati ee es Spa bl He GIANG: ee ee ca eh ER as 
all diwinierie pe see ie a ee lens GRO. brs ae fess ae 
IStniKG yh aan a heed 6 a Sat a ae ee eee AmmRAT DORMS = 2 hae eee 
Balle John (deceasedi)yo 2 we fe a Grand ;Rapids: =. as os 
TB YEHEIS y NG Nea a oa a Ee Traverse City 2+. ste s 
PBaxter,, Waid. (deceased) 2222 8 ee Aoraietshyn Mensa ey 2 eve 
LOE SG Bie Se ae ge IP po Agricultural College------- 
BECK CAPA Dette n aap: Says see, Sa mina wees oe eA So 
SIGE UE Hise ae Pos sm ae AN Ply moubiye st: eee Lee 
12) | S072 erg Ogee Uae ie = a ae ae GranduRapids:.2-0 2" a" snes 
IBrACKC LUN Gs tbs Sees So ee Le tie ote Denmarkwae we leu ae 
Bradfield, Edward (deceased )-________- B NG Gee AGRI AES ADE pee See 
Bru o sls Gr) sen on. ve wie ce eee Kalamazooue. =s20 555 eee 
Bruchner, George Wo 2252252 ee Monroe = eee tea 5a 
LE Ch e21 a AST OPN ies etal Oa OD Sede ane ate SouthvElaven=e 2. = 247-222 
Bullock, R. Di (deceased) 2-- 222225 2. VACKSONM SE Ae esis ee he 
stENA Ms Wiebe se. 22S ee a UICo yar es 0 Se Re RK cog id 
Burrows, George I, --- 22522-24222: Saginaw City: =.= so2e2 ee 
WastellotGeorge: s.r Saeinaws Cityieseach eee a 
Chandler, Z. (deceased)__._._...-__.-- Detrolber ses ssa ee 
Chapman, H. B. (deceased)__...._...- BAG Ses. 2 SS sae 
Ghapsaaner Alvin’ 620 28 Roo Ss ee BAT OTe Sse et ee oe 
Chapman Austin By22 252-222 ees ROCKO ose) i spt eee 
Chilson*Nathaniel-- 9-2 2“. oes. Mower) Gibye =) 2 <2) ey ee 
hats. Miss Ida... ° 2-22. ae Tower City... Se Nerv 28 
lar KemVieaVWentstte ee. 5 On 2 ote ee JACKSON 2 ena Ape toate 
(COOKPAR URE tte ese hoe ee Agricultural College____-__- 
CE CIEE NE Be ei ale eg Me aeeene ine a Grands Rapidss_ 5. <2 -=-i28 
Cooley, Elisha (deceased)__-_.-_...__- JACKRON cE > Ant pee ne 
Proper GOOree S, |. 2.25.5 2.56= 2,245. OMIAEE ers ae ak eee 
TOTO DAP reee So. sl tea he Grands Rapids sco sse=c5es5- 
(CLOFIED APACHE eo a Lk yo ee ANNPATDOR: Gao Scie Ls ee 
CurntisapelsnwWae.) 2.) 6 Ce oe WeAS tl pice e QIGUMassiony: Se2 oaes ee a 
Cushman eekly. ve 228 2 ae ee ee BAC liegt Se ere: ote ee en 
IDET HIS)5 LEG, «Goren eas eee elas Bs ee INalaAMAZOO Ses ne eee ee 


COUNTY. 


Kalamazoo. 
Kalamazoo, 
Lenawee. 
Lenawee. 
Berrien. 
Monroe. 
Tonia. 
Grand Traverse. 
Wayne. 

Van Buren. 
New York, 
Wayne. 
Washtenaw, 
Kent. 2s 
Grand; Traverse. 
Hillsdale. 
Ingham. 
Saginaw. 
Wayne. 
Kent. 

Towa. 

Kent. 
Kalamazoo. 
Monroe. a 
Van Buren. 
Jackson, 
Tonia. 
Saginaw. 
Saginaw. 
Wayne. 
Hillsdale, 
Van Buren. 
Monroe. 
Dakota. 
Dakota. 

| Jackson, 

| Ingham. 
Kent. 
Jackson. 
Tonia. 

Kent, , 
Washtenaw. 
Grand Traverse. 
Ohio. 
Kalamazoo. 


* Notr.—A Life Membership is $10. The fund thus gathered is invested in good securities and 


only the interest employed for general purposes. 


436 


Mawr er paren soe 2 arise Fonts OSS TE: 
Dlerires PAR ele rece cis ee ea ee ets 
einige VV EE proce! ke Pe Ss 
Dickinson, G. W. (deceased)---------- 
Dieckman, Mrs, Josephine M.--------- 
Deitrich, C. J 


Doyle, Thomas 


Se a | 


Dye fal a AS Be ne a ee | 


Dykman, Al is SEAR Leek ay ee rn 


Ferry, Ds 
Heniyalicd ices ae a Geis ee aie te: 
Fields, Miss Jennie Rp in a | 
Flowerday, ODER GLa aw ee ae | 
Foster, W. 'D.. (deceased) ._.--------4-- 
Foster, Mrs. Mary E 
Hordern SaaWeccne ne eek cee e DEAS 
HerlTereg Sybase ee tt rs et hee eelal E | 
TOUR tS Sa ara Sg RC a Pad pe es Bas 
Garfield, Chas. W 
Geddes avi des a < teil Sy eo eee 2 Ik 
Gibson Sires cock ere tee A ee 
Gilbert, John (deceased) 


Adrian 


| (AMINO A hors {alee ee os Bete 


| Ovid 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


P. O. ADDRESS. 


Bay Citys ee et Be lok care 
Grand Rapids=:2"- 2232223 


East Saginaw-..----.------ 
Chicago’ 2: Sa ese sao e cee 


| Hast Saginaw---.- 5 eee 


Manchester. 2.5 eee 


DStrOMt tees Leu Ae ee ee 
Grand Rapids 


Manisteet#2~ ae feet ee 
Grand Rapidsee seeene es 
Raton, Rapids:.-===---225--) 
Grand Rapids----- 
Saginaw 
Jackson 


Crealisami mE WOOdH: = tees ioe be Grand Rapids. os sees eere 
KGTCeHING Wiese eee ee os \-ivionmoes" 2s eee pe ee 
Griggs, George W. (deceased)__-------- | (GrangiRapidsas see ee 
RG TE en se ee ee \ Bast \Sapineaw ees oy to te 
Hall, Frederick (deceased) ___.-.-.---- WilloOniaied: = S2s Sn 2 Sou aod 
Hanford, H. P. (deceased) -_.._-.--.--- Bristol le. A eee eee 
Hanna eeeiaye le eemee 22 Ni es ed Traverse Oty 24 eee 
Hathaway eee toe ee Little Prairie Ronde__..---_- 
Haviland, J. B. (deceased) ---.-------- Traverse’ City 42-4 see 
Hayden, Mrs Ase a ls | JRCKSOM secon te het ee 
PeOINphTOy et. WW esse eee tk | South Havens: 22222: oe: 
lefisted foOaAmMesiOy leet oe Ae ee oa Vineyard 222 Adee 
Husted, Le (oye ake 2h, Se ee ee TO Well Se Aes fete os oe pl es 
ieaniaiz, Wo lnss* op. Sane - 2 Monrpee se sais. eee 
Ripeanieriezs yA Se tee eon 2 | Monroe 2) 2648s Aes See 
LOT CPG a Sek a ed ee ee Montoe.28 {oes Ae 
Jerome, Mrs. David H: ---.-..+--.---- | Saginaw City: t= es eee 
SORNSOM VV UMANY eee eee ee BES Passat. ta Ei 9 a pet Ren 
iyo Valo ere ORS ae Se Hansinge? = 6-328 )5 6 See 
LG Teh en) Deel oe ie open bee Ona Be Neha ek ee eel ee 
1S C16 gS le 2 ee SRT oe, tee De TOnTaHS Baf eke eee 
Klein, Hades Loo Sb; Atpienave-c-e-.. | Detroith > 2S ere 
Knapp, 8. O. (deceased)-222ssete 22k 2. Jackson: seh- ee eee 
SOU pe Ore ee Lo ee Grand ‘Rapidss.. 422.0224. 
ISTISOLY. pA. te to aera os Benton Harbor... ....---.| 
Lawton, George W. (deceased)-_----.-- aiwton 2b eee eee 
MaInNecoa a epee Fe EE Greenvillez:* ses 22 4-ce 
Pn colMns Mrs) Oe eee! Gréenville=- L252 22.» ba 
Linderman, Harvey J. (deceased) ----- pouth< Haven! 25s eae 
Linderman, tA ebie bc lets ewe me ree. Whitehall 232 ee a ee 


Littlejohn, F. 
Loomis, P. By 


Mason, L. 
Mason, 


| Jackson 


| Glenn wood 


Allegan 


South Haven_......------- 


| East S: aginaw 
| East Saginaw 


County. 


Washtenaw. 
Lenawee. 
Bay. 

Kent. 
Saginaw. 
Illinois. 
Saginaw. 
Washtenaw. 


| Monroe, 


Van Buren. 
Saginaw. 
Lenawee, 
Wayne. 
Ottawa. 
Saginaw. 
Wayne. 
Kent. 
Washtenaw. 
Manistee. 
Kent. 
Eaton. 
Kent. 
Saginaw. 
Jackson, 


| Clinton. 


Kent. 
Monroe. 
Kent. 
Saginaw. 
Tonia 
Indiana. 
Grand Traverse. 
Cass. 
Grand Traverse. 
Jackson. 
Van Buren. 
Georgia. 
Kent. 
Monroe. 
Monroe, 
Monroe. 
Saginaw. 
Tuscola, 
Ingham, 
Tonia. 
Ionia. 
Wayne. 
Jackson. 


| Kent. 


Berrien. 
Van Buren. 
Montcalm. 
Montcalm. 
Van Buren. 
Muskegon, 
Allegan. 
Jackson. 
Van Buren, 
Florida, 
Grand Traverse, 
Saginaw. 
Saginaw. 


LIFE MEMBERS. 


NAME. 


McCallam, E. H 
MeClatchienGs @. ote 2. ee es onl 
McDiarmid, James D 
McNaughton, Robert T. .._----------- 
MItGHol Wi fEl Oyster et | 
DLO Ooo RCs | s Sle ES ES Se pe ae | 
Monroe, Judge (deceased) 
Montague, A. K. 
INSDOLS HW INGIIOY St at te J ee 
Nichols, AV cy Sales RR Beak eI ae ea Seis Ea NEED 
INODIOMNV ac Ate cre Sth Lie ee ee td 
Odell, Samuel W. 
Tete baa vere ON aV0)= 5 0N A isles ee ere Ce he 
Parmelee, George (deceased) 
Parmelee, Mrs. George (deceased) 
Parke, Mrs. Amos 8 
Parsons, Philo 
Bora, Bee etl ee ee aie Ue 8 | 
JECTS EUS TS aS) Des eae a Aes aS a oa ee 
Perry, George Lise ee ee Le ee | 
Petty, Thomas 
i ZT PET QOS Loe 22 i Re ie A te 
LP OVI CST STR Gi 8S gee ae | 


Oem ee ee ee ee ee ee | 


Reynolds, E. H 
Reynolds, H. G 
Rich, Hampton 
Root, Amos 


Rose, Mrs. Sophie E 
Rowe, William 
ECO enV VALE Tey INS et se eo yee eS 
Russell Dr Geonbe see etek ly orl | 
Rust, C. E 


Savidge, Hunter (deceased)______-.__-- 
SOOT SS ANT oe a 
Scott, 
Nessions:i@hrles Ay). Sou se 3k 8 eee 
Sessions, Alonzo (deceased) 
ENSLONS avi arate we oe oe 


Sigler, Artemus 
PRYOR MAR Wee ete Se Moe ee se nek 
Sleeper, F. S. (deceased) 
Smith, E. T 


P. O. ADDRESS. 


Lansing 


| Detroit 


Ludington 


Traverse City 
Lansing 


Lawrence-.. bela we 


Flint 


Bay City 


Grand Rapids 


Lansing 
Spring Lake 
Ludington 
Kalamazoo 
Traverse City 
Traverse City 
St. Joseph 


Grand Rapids 


Monroe 


Kast Saginaw 
Grand Rapids 
Grand Rapids 
Detroit 


Kast Saginaw_____..--.--.-- | 


ieee Noss ly ye Atal Segue aes oe an 


Sprinepliaikew oss) elk sw 


Ann Arbor 


Tas pin ogre ee 7 AE ek 


Grand Kapids 


Adrian 


PEUIGPOnbs= soo oe ae ee 
GrandvRapids#2eesse eee 


Kalamazoo 


I ee ee 


437 


COUNTY. 


Ingham. 

Mason. 
Manistee. 
Jackson. 

Grand ‘Traverse. 
Ingham, 

Van Buren. 
Grand Traverse, 
Genesee. =; 
Washtenaw. 
Monroe. 
Muskegon. 
Wayne. 

Grand Traverse. 
Grand. .Traverse. 


Ingham, 
Ottawa. 

| Mason. 
Kalamazoo. ' 
Grand Traverse, 
| Grand Traverse, 
Berrien. 
Kent. 
Monroe. 
Ingham. 

| Tonia. 
Jackson, 
Saginaw, 

| Saginaw. 

| Kent. 
Kent. 
Wayne. 
Tonia. 

| New York, 
Ottawa. 
Washtenaw. 
New Jersey. 
Washtenaw, 
Oceana. 
Tonia. 

Tonia. 

| Oceana. 
Barry. 
Kent. 
Lenawee. 

| Kent, 
Kalamazoo, 
Tonia. 

Tonia. 
Jackson. 
Muskegon, 
Kent. 
Kalamazoo, 
Kalamazoo, 
Lenawee. 
Monroe. 
Monroe. 
Monroe. 
Monroe. 


STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


no iti Pea 53 Us | ek Se Oe, See ees ee ie 
Sterling, Mrs. Emma M.----..--.----- 
puck brid Pe sBB, es oo ts a ee 
Suttle, John (deceased) 
Taylor, George 
TOT COLE O Gps. ok ose oe 
PRHOMIGA ELH oe sofe 5 ee 2 ot oe 
MhHompsoOns Wyse. 2. ee ee sents 
Thompson, J. P. (deceased) 
Towles, George W. (deceased) 
SETAC YMMV Wistec see neo eee he 
Vick, James (deceased)._..__..-------- 
MVACK IAMS Wotton ne 65 ees se 
Wicker rankyr ess (pea Tk eee 
packs @harles El! oe ses ee eet 
Vick, E. Colston 
Wadsworth. W. R 
Pyete Gilbert #22 ee be. eG 
BLAS OTS Eps} ee AS! eee ean SN SF Fa 
Watkins, L. D 
WVBDDEr Wn liee ys 8 AI er on Be 
Webber, George W 
Webber, Miss Frances E 
W elisshis Gi (deceased). 20 2 2 se he 
Whittlesey, John 
Wier, Antoine 
Wilde, Thomas 
“UAVS E06 (ph | Bape ie et Pa ek i ee 
Manchester pA Ore 2 ee et 
Wooding. Charlesh, 2-22...) 2.2 4) 
Woodward, David 
WV UE Zz eLPAS PEN te ee Be 
FL SYR 9 FON Os a a 


- 


P. 0. ADDRESS. 


Grand ‘Rapids 2: + $< 4. 
Kalamazoo 
Kalamazoo 
Jackson 


--4- ee ee ee ee eee 


Lapeer 


Tonia 
East Saginaw 
Kalamazoo 
St. Joseph 
Monroes22 222 Sat see 


MonroceSss.) a Fie. en et 


Towellas sige Ve el aise 


Kast Saginaw_.___.--..-- ie. 


saginawiGity ©2530 ose scene 


CounNTY. 


Monroe. 
Kalamazoo. 
Kent. 
Kalamazoo. 
Kalamazoo. 
Jackson. 
Jackson. 
Wayne. 
Berrien. 
Wayne. 
New York. 
New York, 


New York, 
Lapeer. 
Van Buren, 


| Clinton. 


} 


Washtenaw. 
Saginaw. 

| Ionia. 

| Saginaw. 

| Kalamazoo, 
Berrien, 
Monroe. 
Ottawa, 
Monroe, 
Berrien. 
Kent. 
Lenawee, 
Saginaw. 
Saginaw, 


4 A, 
. PAGE. 
FAG OUEMELZATIONIO fy bNOtE CAC cto ek aoee tae andes tae he ee coat ae oe ore eee 259° 
Px CLIS wheel) dO AG GPCRS D Viet = cae arte ee oan oho wo oeee Abe cc Abe CER ee Boe soe 126 
MulecAniGounty, Minuit product, Of, In 1883-45202 5-2-2 22-c0L ee se a 103 
AMA SS ie ess Oe. ieee ALES YL nie DAE Bee ee 216 
Romologicalvadvantages Of: con = 2 sense ee oe aes eee 363, 366 
SOciOtys TOVOlMtpOle + oan se whe cohen eee os ces ace ee See eee eee eee eee 356 
AMS sisvOmCrLOpOLbs Ds se een cee ee ce k ak oo see oe bas ee cee cee an a DOD i eee ene eee 367 
PRR IONE OLIN WEVGDOL Ole 52-2 Bar ses ones samen cools ha nese aa Se Cals oe SS as ee ee eee 21 
Aphides, Root, Effect of, as to Yellows.--2-.-.--2.-- 222:2-22.- a MN SL a be Pee ee ae 290 
PADMA eH ITeCtSlOMOl Pea horoOtseece ecco noone wens Ueno eee Rae see ees ee eee 252 
PARER ST pe VEC NE OS Ere etter ae She mek puters ape Se a) COOL RES en Le eee oe SE ee ee 44 
OE TERT UG Wins VaR AR ace ESSE PP CRN OE ee Cee oe LOE EA Cee GN re ag IN Se AP GEYER SS SPSS Rd ES te 65 
Warictics OL LOD ELOmes Ui Senee ie cael Nip enlny Cee ae Nal ee a 2 a ue ee eee 148 
IMSectwKinemiee.oLy thers ase see. ale en Oe ee Se IO 2 Iie ST SoU em ot eee ee 152 
PackingandShipmentio tees ssse0 ie case ae ne pene SR Sen Bue ye Ge Nees 153, 361 
Phin oe Tr SesOL ME bse et ee soe oes ee ed Ee yee Cee tewee isaoas Bei oa Te Be 2 108 
IMPorteqrandINativie: Ss pSCies) OLseses aie we se ae ee ee oe eae eee 315 
Rancerofrin NOrbhyAmeri@ae oe. o. ee seen ee BEE oo bk OIL EE oa ate ane eee meee 315-317 
SUCCCCOSi NEU DDSI ONINSULAS eee on es one rd ae ne a RE Soon eee e ene eens 317 
Blicht of anew estiand (North westicso- aces so eae seats cabin o Sere sae a acento esa 317, 322 
Productiono£ New Sorts from Siberian Crab st2c 2) sens. se-+ ose ee eee oan eee nese eee 318 
Russian! Varietiesiundertestiun the Northweste.-2-S+s25---24-22 220 o--2--5--—4e eceegemenee 320 
Other European Varieties under test in the Northwest----.-.---------------------------- 321 
HMrOPSAMSOrtsOL pResu lt OM Lestswe sa. = se ee eee tan wees Oe teen cee aren an (oeeeae 321 
TdealuVarictiestotitorMarkete sae sate eee ee eee OLE Oh ee eee ree ane enema 352, 363 
DISCUSSION UDONE THE se2 oe oe eee eA RN eo nat tl ed 2 ee A Ee So ee eee 361-363 - 
ROD STaAbt In eOls theese eee ae ee ee See eee eee ey) ar aan eee 362 
COPY Fat reve (Mo) cea ee eee is UR Beas Sars eee meas aa ea eae Nee ante Soe 384 
Wrabs Cataloruevo less see as eee ee a eee a oe 2) Se eee oe seen 397 
Orehard: SollandwWuocation tones sa cese see eee tee ae i ED) SEN Ee Ne aces 147 
IPruningandsGenerali Care Ob was ees eee ae oe Sere ae yet ee ete te ae 157, 352 
Anricotelhe: Nousuccesstul injthe-Northe = !fecs 2 mss seein oe oe oe emcee ae eseecaeame ene 306 
UISsian) VATIChleS NG OPEReR tae see tee tessa eet s fae. Seen eae ean seein aes 306 
Catalorue ols: see ee eee ee ee a eae Reet a ace ea eee cater ssi 398 
ATitnimmnM rosie. elation. Of tO ellOWS q-25s5 2s eeece te ence a noaa -sosceescce sera snoeacenp === eoeeme 260, 261 
B. 
Baileyaberot mre AT bIClOD Ys 2 ene eee sees see eee aan sae a eee d= Sccee epee aaecsae sana 56. 
MAG GOSS HI Ysera ee ee ee en es a eee eee tet 219 
Bane Sav irss Ne Elen AG Gress) DY ne nes esac e eel ne) eeee cae ee ee ete cas oe oe ges sees eae aa anaes 161 
Barbers Hoivyemleuter-trOM a: oo) sacsee seen nce eee cians Ge edas -coetes cece mnnselneme nase amewen met 65 
Ran atte Gane aiemarks by .--oseetcse oe ae Sone noe nak bee She yaie a eens bees eee 36 


Benlrerot Winds WmeChULe DY ss sesso ocae cect en eee aon wane ne eee ene caeioe es amebeme eam sae aaenetmesd 49- 


442 INDEX. 


“ PAGE. 

Beebe, O., Paper by ...... ------ --- 202 ------- = ence one nnn nw en ne wn nn wn nee nnn oe nen wan ee anne enn 353 

Beginners, Mistakes of..-.-....-.-----------------------------------------=-- ye te RN one See q7 

Berrien County, Fruit Product of, in’ 1883-4. 2 ono een ea an a oa nw see mene ne mene oman 104 

In 1887 soi neo ee. hes ode Japs So deends secs satenurnaeen sags eene 216 

TESTS Gig IN WU ea a sr a em a cre mt i I 101 

SS a (| Hoye ee eS See SS SS RS RE Ee a Se eee Se ee et S88 eee - 110 

referred: Varletics os. scon 22 sc Ss oc cena eae osama ince none ee Re eee ee eee 365 

BUHL VENI (Pq M1 9c pe i ee epee cee ne eee ee aes Se Sek ee Seco 824 
Blackberry, Hardy Sorts for Northwest .-.... ~---.. -------- -- 2-0-2 2 22 2~ nn wn nnn nn ens enna 303 
ONO TIONS INGE OBBALY COs. oe eae anne eee een oe ee ee ee ae aa ee 304 

IPTErOrregu WV ATIOUIOSIOL oon sce ile =) eco Sa ee eenac eecaa sen acde nena aten eee B04 
itelOPUGION UNG Sees ces esae ene een ee ee ae eee ese eee ee eee eee eee 400 

PRIN Ghemiy eNO saeee on ee ee ea eases a ence reewlcnensintaaem an daisine daw ama nem gee ea oie la aoe ee 303 

Borers shiteCiaiOr, @5/tO VY OUO WB secs<0 sce apo t nan aan me ener netns «one eee eee Sean rae eee eRe 

SHAE TO) MV U IEE fey dal 0) pees Re a Te ee meee aE oer Ben ee ne ene ryt 86 

robwanyaalg gene VEEP OS ol oh We Bee BE Se rs ee a eee a ee eee ea eee ence be. 4, 82, 147 

EG EON LEO D0 eee eee eas ele we no ee are ee ne rere sees eo ee 190 

Bryant, ©. L., Paper by_-.. -<-.-.---4- Se el a a 353 

Back wheatas a Destroyer of CutwOrms: -< 3-52 -- stew ose onan ee scene tee ancssicsases aetna eee 109 

cena vol, VEtyoy ed Pd Gi erat aor ay See ee ee ee etc oer eee sees Saeree ee ae 47 

Oni Russian Pears 222 sso os 2b 20 ca son se seme wen esac cot one eee en areaat a eee 312-314 

On Roassian) Ghermes 2-6 6-2. = fo 225. ae aee So cee gees be eee eee 326-331 

PERE DUT Gai AO see a ee ee are eee oe adele eee ne dwn ha = canoe suman senna enene aoe spot ee 324 

gala SOCIOUY Erato n enanenceee meee = connie come = hema ale ewe ae ae eae ean ae ee xi 
C. 

Chery pyarieties OL in Northern United States: ._-. 25-22. 2 a8 eas eee omen pe nna eee ae 300, 302 
RIMGSIATHOOrES Of ON LYIAl IN lOWaas ar Goucon ace seeee cot eon ce kee Boce Sac cece ee eee 301, 326-331 
Methods or Onltivanion’ Of: 222220. 2. 2225. 2.3 saan s a cccs esac ae nan l ne see toe eee eee 529-331 
GRADO UCLOLs as saa comtens cxcas wens cowsed sevens cocssuwseesnuat sea tenciscus eeecdee anes 402 

“CIN@a hie WM) eso Se ee ee ee Be hates sone eect oat oe cba ea See eee ee 825 

HimratiG CONGIMONS MAVOLUE ©. CLIOWS: 2) :-- -3.20 Sac at cesta voahs Soe aee ce asee mune aun eeaeeeeeee 2 258 

Sold. waves eresent.and’ Mormer Severity of. -s2. 2240-22 cec oe Sle oe co adi on edes cascceeeeeee 78 

Glo eyViInbers: sReLAtION OLiCO WY OLIOWS 265-5 -- = conned te sack ees ce ateaas sede see cae nes cate ee 262, 263 

OPLIGTRE GLO. ALCI Deca sree roe bees nee win enna cae son cents oo cae eae ene tens Seen eee 368 

Commission Merchants, Comparative Honesty of ...... ------.....-..2. -2------------2----- 11, 37, 128, 175 

SGNBIEOUOIMOL DDG, SUCIObYa reo ce atesece awe scces caten bon Cemccncens aoe wab cotwen ae anyone eee eee ix 

ODILOTIUR LA OLS Ole steaeseaee see meina mone wn -Sanceocns ce cteasiacscnjameuwecccemawesd Jat cade eneae eee iv 

ROG METOl Ald.) DOP TAP IVs Ol: setae ean one enon amen eae seen ee seo ee aoe Gees ne eee 338 

RINGO RNY eine EYODOL UD Vcen actos ater onte hana e's nancetcc wane Aeub ar ce naaeteceee sac ap ewe en eee ee 343 

Cranpervy, Culuure Of in Michigan ang VWisconsin:.2. 2 2252.2o 88. «cok -nbe Sone en re eee 305 

Modéial Oultiivation-cereseennon0ce<o- 355. ke ce Socen ee cecne eh rec acee Subacute ee eee 805 

PUCDIANG VaEIMOUY= cere eneetone scans ee sank wonced Sope eee h sen kdevuee eae een eee 306 

DNA WIOTOL Ws, iObter LYOMe- sn ee mete nok cane noon dantdg codctwen woman wows ose Se ae ee eee 66 

Bnrenlio OArDOlic A CIO ATIC. PdmOMOl ser. cos he. - Sau sd ckacccso cane UU nae a eee eee uae dee Cee 8, 109 

PETRORICAL SPray. TOP: res ee emeine woes oo ee ck nome aande aiua bas ombaeteu de age ee ae 

ROUT DANY INOW oe ns tas co es on fens apace eeeen = Sead candle coneescte eeeotep ere seats owaber un aaaee ee Reeee 101 

MAPRIOPUGIOL sa. ono pence carmen s win Sc lure'n a daw Me ctceltcmmscsuceds ae eee Se een ae eee 406 

NWaTIOUOS OL NCO ALION sara heap tok cat. 5 oeece ence sas nces Cees eme dace ee eee eee 302 

CO AtAlOR TO Ol sao oe hoes a eit we data oo oak ie eels Se ee ae eee ee ae 406 

OL OIA NE FOLECULON TPOUN satin cn See se eer anes eas ons ce udineucanne Lantae seesne Scene at ae 109 
Dz 

BIS VORDOM OR ONe. PA DOL Ooo ose senate on wari wo nec ee glo e sou oes in ae eet ee 210 

UB UENMOAAONERIORUC Ole nat cuca se eiestes cae ac scl eaac se kace See bee A Caian oe ebee Vote ete een 400 


INDEX. 443 


PAGE 
at crererairen soneionn Sane ROUT enn ne nee pen omen enemas eeeen == eeeene 9, 159 
Commissions Werehantes. edhe: ss sssc~s os ehennneduseeenanernensaemen~ oh pao seen ll 
INTUES OD Un LOC Rees ans oa nos oss a ae a ee ae ae eee eee oe eae dee enw 12 
MMtBHS Ke ELOLbICULtONG: sos sae noe Sisae ke co eaa oman ee eee ena tee ae arnt 81 
Mrmiiehinmenti."-5-- <2 02.56.28. 25022 ee ee! eee eee cee .. 85, 129, 174, 181, 182 
IPCI GRAS tao ROU s6 = ae sete ae ea ee er ee ee et ee tee 37 
SpravineuwuneeATSONLLCS ooo as oan ae nate a mnt Se eee ee ele ete ene ees 40 
IPedigrseimvl ants and NlOWCrs 222 .--asesasen sone sane ee eee ate te ee ete 42 
MIOTCSUL VA LOD CSicecee esas eee eta away eta eee ea ie ee a ee 46, 92, 205 
Grane QuestiOUStscssasee - oases saeco see se eee eas <anemsinee 63, 110, 140, 149, 152, 353, 363 
HopuTe Ot lniliervO wl ls sae seis oh Seanis sa seaee esse eee ein ae aan tee eterna 88, 117 
@ultivarioniot Nut-bearing Trees2=- 2. 22552222 ee eceeny eee ela eee eee eee 92 
Relations of Nurserymen and Fruit Growers.......-....-------------.-------- 94 
TINTS UV ROSIE GS eee he ee ae a re a me i a 102 
@ultivationiotOrchards!= 2.0 228s so oie ioe oe ea alete ane eee eee 107, 108, 145, 354 
GManbireybiyes Mhchltie eee Sees Oe eee Bee oer eae ees oc Son oe 108, 144, 354 
RON a GK UCLTIOS! at ns eee hoc eee eee a ee ree ae eee 110 
Perch @ultyrOss sesrssssecse an-- sa eh ee sae cae 107, 124, 130, 136, 148, 158, 173, 191, 352 
IPCATH OU GU TOM eae see eee are eal eae ere ee anc oso e eset eee en eee 120, 146, 353, 365 
Aniple Gul Ube! saeee ane eae oe ae ae a ene tae ee eee nee 108, 148, 152, 153, 157, 361 
ral Ori gi@ Ulthurerases sees oe cee hoe ace ee a eee ere 110, 353, 363, 365 
ROOTSIOLLENees ang Planbse sss. sore sence s oe = ee ee ee emerson ee 170 
Ti hahasy (OhoulehR eee Se ee ee eactsoce oc ee ee tea Some ece: 188, 353 
Dyckman, A. S., Paper by-.------------------------- -------- --- 22+ == 2222 eon ene nee eee eee e eee eee ee 87, 352 
AGO GUE ToetT O W Mey tee oe eae ee ee oe wn ole nlm ea ate ee ee 2 275 
E. 
Earth Conditions, Relation of to Yellows------.--.------------------------------------------------ 263-278 
HMdmistons D:iGs, Wether {TOM.-.-2-5-.452- 22228. ole oe oon ee ese eae a en ee eee =a neem 45 
TD Yara LG) CONST SEW aye y oa pete ae ae ee OT eee pS ae SER arate aS are eS 150 
Excessive Rainfall, Relation of to Yellows..-..-.--.-.-------- ------ ------ -----6 -------- 2-222 -=---- 264 
Dba TyT] oN opal BAYS} 010) 0] (0) ee eee eS Se Oa ae De eee 20, 64, 160, 192 
Hx periment) StatlONnse- sac lsccs oe lesa ese seenine ence a noea Sonenuis nab ane een ona as aaiw arate ann enema 25, 197 
ins 
WATMETS ASMUrUlbiGTOW OSes soos e eae cane ee ee eee ee eee fo ae een nh ae ecle ee cee a aoe see 154 
Meriilize nner tobe et eee ee 8 ne A ea See eee Sos oo sane oces teem are nendee cae mae ela 29 
MishorpAcuWat letter from :2-.c.\2—-2ocaases obec aa seen eases ao -e oe ence ne sano keae -aeene nea 276 
ilawersyGultivationlotere sconce e cess eee ee re an a. eee as sae Re ee ee ee 349 
Ibewilts¥eyaVeley (ol (ee eee ee a SS eS eer eee coroner in omses sas oe So 349 
TG OGL: CLO WithiO Lee eee ee a ei oo ht ioe od ee eee 350 
Forest Fires, Legislation Against........ ...------------ ------------0 22-92-22 nnn nnn eee 206 
EPEC Ha O fete a ee lig Rone ae oo eee Le eee a holes nie een ea 207 
Forests, Relation of to Rainfall.__.....--..-.-----------2-------- ----------------=--- + --00--=--="-- 209 
G@iimatalsHithoc tao tee see ee ee ee i oem ee ee aa ee 373 
Forestry, Disregard of Principles of-.----------..-- ---------------- --+------- gotetotccten eee eee 26 
IDISCUSBION Of8e=- asaesee eee BOR Ree Eee a 8 a Ee ee ae eet aie ete 45 
Convention at Grand Rapids......---.-----. ------ -- 2000 ---- --- oe -- = 2 22 oe 22 n= === 203 
MMi As aAnvAT tLCloof HOO: ssecanes ee ee eee eee ee eee w= sencinan aaa sa epee ene a emige rs sry ge PS 95 
Crop of in Western Michigan, 1888-.........-------- -----------------+ -- 2-22 22 eee e rene eens 164 
Mishonest Packing Ofe- sa sb esas eae ete oe gee eae n ee aeen ee sake pee aie erie 175 
Right Methods of Packing --..-.----.- ------ ------ ---- -----+ ---- so e200 22 enne conten nnn enna 1i7 
Superiority of American over European.--------.-.---------------------------- » eee 201 
Possibilities of in Northern Peninsula_-..-...---...------ ------ ------ ------ ---- 22 0-- -------- 317 


Culture, General Directions for ._..-.-.-.------ befenee E'S ANE ARCS Fe AN NCCES oe Ot 354 


444 INDEX, 


PAGE 

Hruit, Oulture:or, Mitrect On Mankind weer eee ene conan weeneW aerate ana = ance ete eae eine 357 
Kinds of to elant in Western michivan en eee eee Soe coe cee nh eau eke mene saa wae 360 

Teas [epee OTD EEG) ne ate pe a ae 2 aS 5 ee a St er Ree aie = See San ce 432 
Hruits, uack'of Appreciation of Best Sorte: - 27. isons ies seems wo nen en aweee nomen een ee ae 33 
oA prOvite! EU DHORUARLO LOD. =n. cae aces a= nee nnels teen en Bene oe cena nent eee em ee 37 

ON Gy eee RE bs ce aes cS ee ey et ee oe Bee ie ee ee ne ce eect mee eee eae e ae 98 

ETE Ga Vie I@GIOS OL 28 ees cas) aes teen cele een nese mas Jae ence nes awe aan eee eee amie aie ete 195 
Get e tO be meen dae eee et eee ale See ee a ie 198 
Shipment of from Delaware and Maryland‘... <--.<<- 2222 s2sscep esse ssa cee ne beer nh saenee 254, 255 

Hardy Sorts for Northern United States .-.--...----------- Bee ar OR Ee S200 ee 300 

SA TOR CALORIC toes aciere = scape daesieeee ce aeneienee ee eS ae oa ae ee 379 
IMNOterOhLes DIAM Ab ONIOL See secon eae beer seb aera e oe ie tee a a ee Seen 381 

12d rane) aa ne Re ee gen ae et meee oe port GLEE SS PRLS ero Oe PO De te ee 52 882 

Fruit Exchange, Delaware plan.--..-.--.-..---- Noe doctetheetie At oases eaesch sees ee tec aeeeaee 7, 34 
AG Benton! Harbor 222c.- ja <te5 so Sec chs dehenc dul cae ae cesca se eeea caer ovee ew ana eae 9 

Plans for? cote Aus oe tothe kes aoec an weet eet scaldeen setae ae aoe ke seee esau eeeeee 132, 159 

Hruit,Growers and Nurserymen, Relations of--2-525-5----- =. 32-45 see ce a ence eee 93, 197, 362 
Fruit Growing, Commercial; in Western Michigan--.................--.--.------ ---------------- 4,114 
ine Mil chip ana 52 Ae ee ae es oes sn atee etasa as ca wate ae eee cates seen BY 

Past resent.and: Putere) Oba sc ccsee sec e Se cee seca ce we Sok ae ene eee 87 

Statistics’ of in Three Counties... 2252224. oo cc25 2 ee See eee 1038, 216 

Tein GrOsmers AGeneLdl) LeQUISIbLeS tOl= asaya soc csc somo ene deew rc anen a aecen eee eee an ae 359 
HPiit Drecsand ants 4 Owito HOGG lROOUS) OL 223. a onen enn can acer eneet eo ane ee se ke pce ae ee eee 105 
enicAtioniOlesur aCe Ole scew.2- onset ep tonne ee sos noeeaee cee tee ae le oe 155 

ELE WARROOLSIOLIG TOW pee cate a ceaee ae cl sees Socane torte Se edacees seb ote eens Seen eee 167 

MAbLV Esse OLOION SOLUS caee on ona sn vone caskee ca teom see ence aan ae aoe 196 

G. 

GrArGAniNe Ol ODIGN <a see ieee sae oo cece cenn vo ont Costes ine Was oe oeueba a> «a0 ole Seeeeone te Meeeeeeee 348 
itarnola |OHaSs Was tOSOlNGION ON¢ s-c oes wns esacc ses waten sense nee Sos aenrecebaeeae eee ese eee 19 
TROSIPNALION OF secre ee cat Ses a Ce en pete dak eae nat ae eee do eae 8, 23 
PA CLOT GOSB RD Views etee es totam cake ood ee eee Seen ete ene es oe pean et eee ee 344 

(Fan ZHOTN eT ACORsTLOpOnt DY se sec ek ease oe cues vad ae oct ce oes ak sane tase cendin ecoe ac aoe ee bean a eee 872 
SO DRALE TR sche BUDD DICE ace ot ae oe en ows cea onc wae Raeot ts Coca ee Se Siac eta epee eee eee 186 
Gideen rE eter NE RODOLL DY koa meee een os mon nindencs Socces nadeoncGe lS cesse acc dee atceadesadcneseesees 318 
Gy Ce ye NY CH OP a) ail tk aoe eae CS) Cl ae ec ae ee Ae ee Oe a Oe ee ere poe Se SE 166 
GoeEsTNAnN Dress pPOrimoents DY. = S250 seek on nl cok cate hee Scan w cocks ce ccomeceees Sotasconeeeees 266, 267 
TBOSOUOCETY ANALIVO: COTA INO LIC ee saset cece c vane cn cna h ooo enone sean bene be eee eck e eee eae 303 
Wearenieds oLin Oultivationscs<t~.-o20 0 2i.e des ce anes, Roo e meso Scoet can ee eee 303 

WaEtaloguc Ofte 22-o tee sae a saan ad Sok onsen ee sae name Bae aot eh ee eee 406 
PIGGRBDOLTIOB WIN OW oe see eh econ seen ie see e ree oa ocean cbee los kobe amb ae oneee eee He aeacen ee een eee 101 
WataloguelOl: oa hse a sear ane wow nana a dasas eecues suet eae eatin Cee eee cece ees 406- 

wmrand diver: Valley Society, ReportiOrsen.6.5.- 25 occ So soencp scans baceccencanctuacensenceeeeenas 343 
eraper GunlitviOL iV Orgcennes ang WilstOroae: 2--< son 8 ooh sea cdes Seamey natenancoeennaecetwepLeeeeenn 64- 
IBCUSBION TON THES ceo o=.c aoe ee beget ms cows oe cate sachinan taawecWees amen epee cutie = meee eee B64 
Bong-keeping, Lor lark Ota ee es neni nonce teens nace ne eee nee epee ee on Bere 64 
GnhrrOr Ds On, IeeMmOd 16S TOL ssa seta oc cet os avalon ocaa cdeeracen cate ono sce SE bore a kee re ete 109° 
WALANOPUG. OF GO ss tace= Sooo aee nee ea eC Sere wien = wean endiaepnd cee neck eee arene Penne eee 408 
IPROSOLLGO kV AIIOULER LL Sand 5 faee wee eeeiea sade c Uonbs cdause cone eeeeens 110, 189, 141, 149, 189, 863, 353, 311 
Oaltivationand Management of. 36.6.522.-2-.-- sn ctee cock 189, 140, 141, 142, 149, 189, 353, 364 

UG WS OFS LrOMAS OG. fou. bene aden» abi Udine cwapencloatne cect oecen ene ee eae Ce ame 151 
ASN BTIGAN: SPEClES Ofte once a senee mete akecte sare Ue ceukupeomeesh peatheu tetas Coe ee eee 310° 
GIALpUNe Gb NH EGNOKchW sb cate eancnes auc ncccuck uk wad sett saeenes Gap eueeG oh pee ee Bee 311 
BST Yeas Cran ADOriny cach snec he cece eis ee oew se eee aonb ie abuboae GL AL ete MRR Bis Cryer ch: a ss | 353+ 


INDEX, 445 


H. 
PAGE, 

anion ALOxANG er.) PADCL) De cases icc cake tedan Whenua ce heeaaen es eeey oah odors pat seerea'ateesaeee 185, 172 

Otrer from: aes Leeb. ee tes Reno See oon ot aeee sees ce Eee cee 275 

Harting Obs Mark? Wi. PADGI) DYiaonucs25 sts ce esue ete mca ae cee deena puon ease gee euee eee ee oon eae 373 

ECHL e el URES ri A DOEND Vins eoucte son coos oe sae atu cae mee eee SER ete Eee atta ph oa alms Le Ae eee 41 

IE GHOn VEIN isp ONO => sae Shas Fete. Ou oes tee oe ks anaes anee be m irek pas a Cae ee ke Sone eee 324 

PA UT EA DOM Dr crets caotce utes Season ce teehee one Set wats toe cae ee eae ee jhe ahs eee 204 

seo Ugmet oe ET sp EA DOT: DY kee isn he ee ee eel ee amore s So aria ere a ai ee ean ok oe 2 en 7 

Horticulture, Intensive------.... boon hs a ieee ma ted oeaaewcab pacadcued eo eneemapacsatee th ae aoe eS see 26, 31, 66 

Eerhiculimme.) ben POlnts Ins oA se wes traces Smee oe cee see tReet. cee ce Soe eee ee ee 219 

OSKINE Diy, Loe. OM MOUSSIAN: POATS. so28 eter comeee edocs 2a eee sd ee Oe ee ee eee ee ee 314 

Up 

inehan County Seciety: eporbiOle vo tesesa a scenes none. eee atee kere wee ou soda seen eel eee 348 

PETRIE CRUG U1 OTL ee ee cee ate eta ae ee yO De zs bok Nn ah esa Oe ee Vv 

Prrieation OnSurracet0r Lruit) LTOOstsosc. ceo a= note nn cae See Ie Seton a oe SRE ents ae oe 155 

J. 
-Joint Meeting of State and West Michigan Societies...........-.......--------------------------- 
K. 

Ed Zi cw T oh. ©: NA CATES HD yea tees tS ET Ee ge A RI ERs DAL Oo WE ed ae 208 
Analysis of Yellows by..-.-.--.--.---..- pepe c ines cays i ORAS Bia ee Can nn 265 
BiorraphyiOfseeeseseees eee eee So oo Ne Sa a Ae ee 336 

1 Dy 
PCA LOUT) GEOs He Ne ADOL Dy scotia meee Leen Se Se ee bo oe eek ee oe ee 16, 95, 359 
FODORG AD jae ae es eee ee a Sie ee Ye ae Berl GS ee 67, 356 
Hxperimentrin’ VellOowsiDycsencs sess recs ose tees doa eae ee 281, 284 
Mrs Gooshe wea peri Dy ccm ces oe ay Run eee ee Nc eabai) he Tee ed Se ee 95, 121 
sHandenWepreciabion OLpVealuelor Dy? VelLOWAt =o sete oe ee ee ee eee 257 
Manninwd OSEPl vA GATESR) Dye ore tee Boece crac eames ee Se ee eee 2 
Paper yee eas eesti ao eee Se i Nee Se 78, 118, 353 

TaifowM embers, Wish; Obes aeek sec cas ce eae cl renee meet are as Sag gl eee, BB ee ee eae 435 

PVINGOLMAN . HTrAnk, | EA&pOr Dn otsea na ace e ae he ee ts Ce os cit os dees See ee ae oe ee 128 

Menawee County Society; Report Ofn-- 5.2 oe sane eae ann a ee ee ee 367 

ERistony70 fees oe ee See Lb ba Se ae Ce ee See 369 
Barly Enfivience! Oh e a itee aces fo scw cas seas cence ee eee ee eee 368 
NFOCAUSOCIOUIOS. REDOLLS) OL 2s2 sho se oer ae ae ete ne ere ey EE Sy ee ee 341 
Management of-_.....--....- AA aohe N re ieee ee ye Der nes SN ie 345 
VOL lus AUMGTESS DVist 2. 2c Sant cee obec eet are oe aeck wk clanie Un ceacses ce oanwet aeeten sce eee 2 
Annuals Message Ofsste ec csan ce eee oh eee oe ok ceeae Se tonne een eee Seb eer 22 
Paper? DYs csc sencce test enc coe Seer ee aee eee tesco So es ee CE ee ee 98 
TOtten LLONT See oe ee ete ere eee ate ey te a oh ae et nes 274 
FRODOLG. DY oisat ao es a eae ate eee ees baie Uo bel ot ee Na Set ae re 300 
Catalogue byes ccs eae ee ee eee eccae oe seh se So let ee a) ie Co ee ee 331 

M. 
Maplesucar, Profits of Makinge 025. sccdaccccleneee secka cc ccaecnece tenet necae seats eoae eeee eee 210 
eMe@ormick: Js. Wi, -AGOTESS DY s.2cc~ ons oo nscc ce cocbiapwacehcasee mewod ss ecssseee eae ae nee ee eee 161 
aVie@ormick: W. H:,, uetter Drom se nee. oe ene soars soe anae coat cece aecud acne ceemcconnls sacs. See eeeeee 275 


446 INDEX. 


; PAGE 
Marketing, imsuiicioncy 01. Our Methods 2 tee oe cee eect ene ape nke pe atne eeecen we eeaeane 8, 32, 35 
DIB ONCH GUO COB Rh am senjs mente eee ao gine iets ae Seba ea rt eet a te ll 
SCRE ERIN? Ita 55 98 GEIL OE ore bare tes a i ae ot eet ee 34 
GLP BRC NOS Le see ono aoe oe eaten cee eae eae a sae ee SRE aR mee eae tee aon era e eee 128 
Markets poinding and MeaAChiIng tem. 22 oer. oe doe eee cee wotieswaeeUen cade waesee 34, 36, 129, 173 
MORAN NMGIMIAS Mea DOP Vico. ane so ccne ema ne eee nee anne ele cee ilar = ae ain ee oe ete eet 198 
EGET Onset Ore 20 DUO PALO de nab anwar oer e on ana eaecen essen cpeba eeGn ik we ate Chee San vee eee eee 276 
MONTOC ORES is, LC OPOSS HOY woes ess car cntinnoccabew. oc cob temlneoesusseses scale EEE Sone e eee eens 83, 214 
SURUISUICEID Y2~. = senate esate ern Doe ce cand Secete Shoes seebe spawn ann tole aee oe 103, 216 
REVUE SSA TEES LON pe Ie SS Ae eR eS ose Sse ree Serre nce eee aa see! 175 
SE UIE EA UD ES SR SS eS Re Se ee seri a ee See Gorse eth 304 
igri kh eeler DOlin Pua DOlE DY a2 ena asses enn as emcee eee eee eee eee een eae oe ee ee ee 201 
N, 
INEGI ITCR AC HLSIOSUOLO lace nace ona e wat donc oser ed cceee erin Seb aes ce owe ta aa se sachet eceee See ene 412 
Norunermn Michipan. Horticultural Possibilities Ofs2--~--- -22 = 2 5 aos soce sec an nn aeo ae eeeee es 49 
F Experiment Stations in 22-22. 22.8 cnn cee eke eae e eee ee ees 50 
Mlora of mandy (PineiPlains Of. oo2s-csneeciecs ~on ceeeedteaues eee a eee 53 
Northwest Michigan, Horticultural Advantawes of--<----5 s.snsc conor oboe on oso ae ene cee 57 
Nurseries, Contrast between American and French...-......--.---.---------2- -o2---c-eenss-seeeee 199 
Wrrserymen, American Association, Reportof-.--1--. 2-2... 52-22 <2 aon i a ens an soon eeee 195 
NEED LG LOC ca hats OL sas nue en se ae eee ccemee Sa ateces oS see santa oe twas aa Sn ee ae ee 12 
Substitution wE vila nt ese ck ce anwsccs eee ose A asc ae he aaeane ateee eee 13 
Nutbearing and Deciduous Trees, Cultivation of_............-...-....----.--.---.---- 89, 204, 205, 210, 211 
Nts GI DlO MOrtsiOL In VAMELICA «22 .cf ose n ewe nooo os osace sleek Scena nok oe noe ee ene on sete ae One Oe 
O. 
DOtIPOrA AND MALHIOCUOIM OF 26 J0s4 onscnsno a's can ctoc coeab conan cecost cane ade ccae Sacee Wearaue base sees 63 
OPH MBTS Of UNO SOCIOL eee sehen ce oe bene cha ceensnsem ccsucouces hecccenc encase tenes anuadvascssaaue aaa vii 
CionssLHOspHAte aa Merulizer TOM=-s -..-=- 20 -n24— sos cen So cednewsasecasban shadncotaee nese te caaemee 81 
RGiGr ARHES Ole ata os tcnew sansa ccn te lala oases aeencn= as caacse oawapnczech oo-Soe awe 31 
HEH HORAN OLIN eS. Vv alMO 10 Lene meena = ae ca wleo ns an on caidn donee cee= oatew ans a eaceg we nae nel am neeeneeee 344 
TATOO GEO Sih RIBOLALUEONG CES a weeon coat non vanmsacce sbac dene eae aladas sane seem oe eee mere 359, 363 
ATAPI s Venn EAU DOL Woe teces oe eee rite obene Se cacc dace cocunaeastcuse ceases No need oe te ee 369 - 
lex 
PACKACCH AETOLOTTOO 1208 BU OUSLY ICES = sa scac op sccoccce, « Scesus easnen' nas cocnanementeCe meee eee 110, 178 
IP RTAALLORMEOLA TION IOL, (UO ly GLOWS on acitce nae cata won naw coaatwacusde ance = anwaba cinweCecasce eee cote 294 
PArEA and SCHOOL Grounds, Ornamentavion OF <... c-cd ascces cech aves weaee duawes swaceeie odeen anes 121 
Paves Fis ODO DY. omnasdec cen cosues’ <--n0 eee AUR oe Bepiey an 53 Ve od gk Pe ee eee es 352 
Reach. Hiseior Cultivation of, in Western Michigan ....=-..2.20. onc cccbenucuwcaacucun Successes 4 
: RSUIAN tne WHEL -Y CLIO WS RGOO fon nekn anncnn = coleata besos Oat beGs dude ce uwus Se eee eee nae 110 
Best horis LOM COmmercial Orcnards =. -. ~~ - ooo ee nas eade acne lees oaeee ceeeee 1380, 191, 852 
OT VAON OPOTCHATG a. a. aka teem kU nb case cCuuve seen mo odeda ot aoe tee ete Coendene ones 180, 171, 3852 
Utne ACK AG TRU SGABOM sss een neem amon nha cue aueeen sees et eee es fee een eae ee eee 131 
PMS COV ADELE LIN SOLULD Es cane tee secon won cake Sheet nen ce hau bens Sees eon eee 182, 171 
BOR UOCATLON ANG SOL TOP OY CHANG oc a= core ant wc cee coatuh wewdaee cee at canceeea Eee eee 132, 170, 171 
INS LCR SOC CLIT BS 2 Lon eer ore eve ca mine GOSS OEE Ab ee UL EE eee 135 
BRESDINe aL MOEruuliby OL WORGUINU paces dtc osc aacue « cucasmen ce cae oe ae eee ee cee eee ee 135, 171 
EEO WLU LI OBELOY) DONG. «sonnet aes pete tec Pe cle oe cede eeeet Eke Soe ee ee ae 187, 145 
IPE OL MOTOS 34, cose tac cee nk Mp awadwratne tb ania eSctumssde adic ete un eee ee aoe 144, 171 
Mroduction: of seedlings Ofs' 2. casestes ec ties o cakea at cone eee eee ee eee 150, 158 
PUILUMN OL ee nhl be poe coves one eee che ee am ona m wc eee eee ee eS 108, 144, 171 
Method of Cultivation in/MMnO6 ss-o0c- sc s-c5cccs aces seescetucee tae ee eee te eee 172 


PAGE 
Reach Handling andyPacking Of. 2c o2. 225. .nse ec cn desmcee Mf ams anseae a da waen acon Eee ots athe liz 
MAPK UIN DIOR Gee senen Pee cae eas tase Suc cb actoeals angen MR see oe ate een ae ad Dogar Ae ee 173 
Marly *History.or. intthe United’ States... o-oo eee eee es 223- 
Michigan’ tx 3 Wek 22 ee Cee Cee feels See ee ee Cm on ER RE 233, 235 
Harime altivationin Allegan: County: -22-s2:-2 cee ct ok ee eee eee eee ck cL eee ; 233, 240 
Berrien: Sountyoc 225. eee ee oe ee ee 2338, 2384, 2385 
OttawaiCountye.. 223 he ae ee ee ee ee eee 284 
Wanseuren: County 224: .2eti op ae ao ee ee 234 
Conditions/or CulturesiniMichiganoty-. 25. 5.25086 2 ate pone se ee ee ee 241, 242 
Mannenot (Growth andsRipening off 4.2 325.22 c2b ke 2 Eee ee ee ee eee 244 
ApHeALANnce On HruitunyVellowsees-:5se-0. boo a ee ee ae ey 245 
Pree impVellOws te eo. -a seu eee 3b SS POL De Ga eg 246, 247, 248, 249 
MellOwsT Digestion SymMptomsiOf-= 42.2. 8 ee Se a eee 251 
Diseases of, Mistaken for Yellows----_-.- pA 3 oe See eo ees oe Ore 8 ae Ih act 2d2 
Borer, Effect of Ravages of ...-...........-- So he ee a eee ti, Rye ee 252: 
PAID iS epint EGC LSTONMOMIENOO LAte a= sem es nce tae aan Metso ee oe eee eee a ge ep 252 
ID REA VFOLE RU OOUSIO fee ae eae anne ek he Bi8 Sin ad! ee ik ee 253 
BUAEVALIOMO LL TOG Olas pacer sees tee cane (UPN oor 5 AS) ie ee 253 
IENULCO CE 21 Te HOT aieee tere ees eaten RI Oe Be ee Ye SL ee eae SN 253 
IndusinyExtentior, melUmitedisbates s------8ss clots bons he ee ee eee 253 
shipmentson from Delawareand Maryland=2.2 0-2.) 8 28. 222250 2s Seen ee eee 254 
Product, V.alueotin Delawareand Marylandec +... 2-20-00 seo - seen cee eee sa F SEY 255 
CultreverofitsoL in Delawareand Waryland:..2c.-ss2--2----8 soe beeen ee eese ne aeeee 255- 
Michivaniesset a8 sore a2 ee Ser ta” ee ee age ee 207 
WAaLmMs sy alueoL my DelawarcandsMaryland) <2 225-2. -2s-¢-.222-5 seen eae ee eee 256 
Relation ofato Real state, Valuess eon atote le ES eee aes Pee 257 
FONGITIONS SUPPOSEG tO HaVOLeest st sctens eee oe Se Se eee RES SR Rapa So 258 
Derzree of Acclimitization of in’ United States: ......~ =. - -2--.--2- 24-52 oo ene o-oo eee 259 
C@hineseland! Other Horelene sorts. se osacene aoa ee eae wae Owes ees Soe e pe eee eee ae 259 
HMoweAttected: by. Aubammni MN rostS2.-02 342 so ee oe keels oo net oneke deen 259, 260- 
@oldGWintersetsse.ss soe e ae ee ee ea ea ae a eee cae eee 262, 263 
EIXCessive Rialmfalltses so 0 st le oe ee AoE oe Sc ane ee coee eee 264 
March Cond tion Sie eee ee eee eee lnc esate eee re aeons SIS E  E Rees 265, 278 
Pits Diseased bysVellows, Haulty Growth Of-n-2220ec5.ntns onnen seo leeseettennas sooner eee 282 
iBndssDiseased iby. Vellows,haulty, Growth Often iso -tee eos. eodenene seca secae eee te eeeeee 283- 
Borers 4Domot, CAUSCSY OllOWSze-so5 esos oat Sone caebns secs acts cee bab anet co eees a ae eeeeenees 288 
HungierelationOL to MOlOws 522.28. -c0 oes cecbio cece coed een ue ehec do uasseee eee eee 293 
An oO Tine N Ort veA TIGL Cave oe ese a coe ne eet Ata eae ae eae See ea 309 
Not uccesstultin*the Northwest: .-cc+sceaj st coat ee eens wo ctck Aeon cob ee nt ecee eee saa eee 309 
IARIRTIC SOLtS Uden est: INMTOWa. a5) 2 aoso~ oo ee een alcou- ood Se ons ae see a cee ee eee ee 309 
idealtMarketiVarioties) Obie.) 820. oe COIL IE ols She Soo eee eee eee 352 
WaTaloruerOl Ges n ee Sees tae ee See ee ee i es Sale A ee ee ee ee 414 
REST EBDeSt. SOLUS LON PLO lite - nee ee ree ee ee a | nD ee eee 118, 189, 353 
ipraparationiand: Oulture ofc: - <i 20 cee se eee ae cok cnaceiee neds Paes ea cee ee eee eee 346. 
Herhili ZatlONOL LTCCSs\c2c2clscaene ace aw Sean e seh Owen en ios bese ete cin’ cacao eae e eae oa ate eee 120 
BCG Ole ee re eae se ke race ae eee sane ee coe eet | Soe hae eee oa ee eee 145, 190 
MhosomOniental Origins-52 25st soso eee ae ee eo ah eae Re Reece a eee ee eee 312 
ChinesesVarieties: under Test In lowar-s--ce--s2--+<n< cote soca eh ecaceas oraees ate cneese ae 312-314 
Hussian Sorts under Test:ini North westecess.ceces os scent = bereeenee ene eee ee oe eee eee ee 312-314 
MISCUSSION, UPON bhels sea 220 Cltak SR ee ee es oe ee ee eee 865. 
Catalogue iof the. 2 cs ace ne a ee ee ee Sa 2 ee Sa oe eee 418 
iRadivrecrin blants and th rultserce = saeee pen tee Sooo cat ne oeae ae aa ee eee eee 41, 150, 198 
Corn; Tomatoes,;beans:and| Carrots esac so-e ce ateke seen ee See ee eae ne nee eee 43 
ESnhalows eLor. bs, UXDOrimentsuDY == seo ooo senis Saeco ee tee ee eee ee 266, 267 
BT pSV VA LOOP PA OO TOSRID Ye seas ee ee Seen era se aan ee eee 2, 85, 111, 162 
PANO AD Ye eese ise cate ek Se ree et RO Re 2 Eee, SRO ae ne 1389 


IOwWiI ne Halls forbes chy Lreesas. ease re | eee whe LS ee a Ae ee Ce Oe Be ne 107 


448 INDEX, 


PAGE. 
Slums, Our Nathvesio2 225225. cce sna can acncen wecequscconiiccecs termes atsach tends upasee to bdanar cece 47, 307 
Orchard Management 26.78 22 a) eu eee co beet oe een ee 187 
Wariecies in’ Oceans County 5... 2.0.02... osteo cee a aaae ones oo nea ende ase eee ee eee 187 
MARR OLIN G S662 oS ee tane ea a see tie ago ae ones cna weet eetadetcete esta ae Ree eee eee eee 188 
Insect. Enemiesiand 'Diseasesi0f.<-- eho gos nse ee see ec ste nwecke oat ce oee nae teen ane e eee 188, 307 
Wild: Goose, Pertilization of: Blossomslof-< -o222 consis cage fant. os oe eee 188 
PLLANORMG Ob nse ae nso nena neces heck ane aa tea oe Oe ee dete ee ee eee oes ee ee 422 
Wative Sorts, improvement Of. 2.252. kes sho. eee cca e cee se sda bek cate eees semen eee 308 
HGLOIEN VN atienien UNGOF LOBb sucks wcoent aes elok sana oa ciaeatcndesaneseenatce.s oe eae ee 808 
IBPOTErTGd VATIONGCS =o fcon a4 Sens ieee s sam cece ee eee wee rae ops coe Cae nes eadee oe ee 309, 353 
Alam SLOGES “ae ETOVENULVe OL YOllOWS oO. o cose wet a sce ere a se ee eho oo tee ee ee 295 
Profits of Peach’Culture in'Maryland and Delaware. ...--. c022..2262t 2n-54-5-20cede oes oe eee 255 
Michigan. 202228 eee hs Bee TER ee a re ee 256 
Pruning. sigh ands bow, Werits Of. 22 3s. b cs faces cn dose seus be ole cost eS ee 354 
Q. 
inves Nows Varienies/OL thOs2e- sere ot saad oa ooocks Sepsis nowews = scdea Sonsdn ccaslaes ens pen eeaeeee 101 
OT PIMiOt se Se soe See weet ee ewa eee nce fedad a vence eeacetectague sae cec tee eae ae eee 323 
SUCCENSLELNT AIMOLCR conn ctne = csecn Saccrcesee eat dee mc sdece nee Cesent Cewen ot Coe eee B24 
SPADE 8G OL os cease ten eee ace ae eo oct See ee ee ab a ook ee eens oes Cee B24 
WATAIOR UB OL NOieasce ae cane Gedo Se os acct nnea nuance acne ne cepanucioeacenaeeee one eee 424 
R. 
PRAASisin SOTT CS VRODOLGIONA nov acesan oe clot asa danensce a eoccae canes pone eewete woeen a neeeeaee eee 300 
BOS min OW PANOt DUS sagen en coon ceo ew tier ae came weir ois San ne ee oan an eee aaa 199 
Poaritebheliotiorowths f-cses sce kas ot. os Magee eet ee ee aed 166 
WOT LOMO Vesa ose sue ook or ec ok ee aoe No ttnsncdock ae se sew aowae onaeceuc. Cut eeaene eee 167 
Prlirigrysenid  SOCONGRPYV..2 2 oe oo oc cce  oo see ek oe oe ee ee he een ne eee eee ee 167 
REMTLONOL LO S©ramenes 29 205. 5. ncoc ccobe wees resco cokes odeba ee gece cent ae eee eee 169 
PARSON ee ese eetene ect cok cate w eves <n ccse cane haneadeedec Gaeusscooteweoen qowewuncn ae a aeoeeel 252 
ESccolunoOns- At wUNe Mi OebIN ea == - 6 coe oak coon oe ctw Raced oes Sem bed ooo een te cmee cast ee taeacce een 19 
InifavoroL, Harmers INStitutes —..-<-<cesc scecunte~ sonn|scesasieause cee meee Uae 63 
aLAnnralihfeetings!: 20 oc ca ce es See se ee eee 65 
Sport AnMNAal OL ptabe pocieby OMmcers........5 352.2 cob one ce cae to snwncucutaeecoe Bae Bed: 60 
ONVereslGenvisyAMN Ua MOSBAP OQ we 2. clo lL opleas deren dees eb nue ea acess eee eee 62 
PeEDraAntine ter, LAVaAreSiOl WOW OWSidc . -s5 cnn aceceeecradccesen ems onee a teen nae ee ee 272 
PEO OD Ort. Hueuler LLOM -c28= see en ng oon ee eee eee 277 
iS bOrriGas Ed WOW soot se cee b eet can cnc gen codco enone cocker etc oon caets oak tes eae eee 99 
Discussion) DPON Stee eens a wood os os o detao ceed lees bade ee ee ace an pasa} caine eee 365 
Black: Gan NOWec eas seatiie co wnds wasccdes seen aeobas peeend on ecanlo see aCe nee See 100 
IMbermediate' SOLS se. nant nas anc = 0+ ccow cl doe ce ches cwosseeuacasienouas accuscenteee Soaeee 100 
UBT ON ac eee woe eee oman we deacintlos heed eons onauan Con eee Bae eee 110 
ORTRIORTISIOL Sone ceca eee ie ob niece codes wm duos erate oben a mane lanatae Galt mans went Oe cee eae 425 
MAMRBGGL.w 7G... OF SOUL HAVEN. /PADGL DY... ses < cou cs enone en Someta beeen et ces eee eee eee 105, 352 
MISUIGIECOM: | «34. cle ce cen cocbt oe seaman a eutee eel a tte ee eee 142 
S. 
MAN OMOMDES Ts LUO oat cos cetina tore oo ae eee oe Sd nane’n co lee REO Ute ace e ee ce aber one ee ee 59 
SANGO SOMs, OULIVALION OL LOR TOMGss suse ace arcn tos nen lsccwaecsedcuSSe deste ae eaten iO eeee 72, 75 
Ered ORE CO Sf) Bie) aa RR oo 4k: 1 a re a een PS iy sae td el te a 204 
FEOUOVU DS = oon ob sane Mees eetnans cnc plowe aeuncuidat te cee nee ae oe nee eee 348 
Recto ber OURS, PA DOr IOV oc sana is ee ee dei tae Be eee eer eens Des Ree a eee eRe 75 
Seedling resehes Michigan. 2. 2!2252. 03 terse ene s sores conti de meee coe eee eee eee ceeee 135 
HEHE A. Cr AUOL DY 2s aise ots co do hote eee een cdac ck cy cedcueds abdswemeed sete Dee a eerakL eee 170 


TIGLLOE TOM oss ses Fo ors boa iieoen tee adda eeet eden ae eee ae i eee ee 275 


INDEX. 449 


PAGE. 
COCO UMP AS SURV VIED Ol Dye acti SGU, santscomasecbenlonseat wetceet cons eta = ieeecaen eh eadeccccbasea 346 
SmMavcu mpc ulpare, Lustory OL Berrien: COUNLY 252) -- use pate eneeee ace a eaee fone tae sbecnance 16 
Nobtrbighly Profitables<. 2225 seas cad ee eae ee eaten ame = a va cseese ence 15 
Obsfaclesiinws.. sachs soe ee ee ee ee een teen t Decscotar scene 16 
IBNEGTERNEG SOLUS eh snesmeasce acess seo eee a ae eee eee aa ee ane eee 16 
Smith, A. H., Paper by-.---- a ee Seca eR are SER eee ne Oey Se eta teens eh Serio so doneee 155 
IETORPEIM WDE FMC DOLGID conc os ocr 3 can eee eee ee sale Se ate ee ome foc Seen 221 
WRB AC UD ORID Vie as ano t access Se Oren ie Se err ee Sits Sela ae emacbe sao 13, 89, 114, 182, 188 
MoMemeOvertyoMsas Adrecting, Peach Trees 2225 So once snake ae ce ees eee sta me sete aces eceamees 265, 278 
ATTaAVses Ol tor Peach: VellOwWs: \2tec. aces ct ese ee ae ae ee eee eee teeta wase tee sean soe eecaee 265 
Soni eaA von ang) Casco S0Clety Report) Ole soo mseee soe oe nee seed ac owns oboe ween aeaase semanas 352 
Specialists in Arriculture, Success of.-2--2---22.5---.--2-/-=22--2----- Se hanes aoae ew etne ae wees 357 
SHEA MINE AW UC ATSONLLGS fect ol. scons Soes oe eee ees Seem oe wenn a cla elect ate ate een aioe ane PRBE Bye 
Corrosive Sublimation 2 5.221 ee ten kee eet eae ok eee A See ate SA 31 
RAE (AG OLCSS), DY = sane = ace wre conte Soe cae See tee wae seca caeil boone meecnnacabejcceccdnceues 356 
MiP MMS TORENT) PADCL DY enon ah aoe coe eee selon gee Rees ee Soe et an ee on aelas Suh te eee ooo un oe teee 93 
SHS OTHE, LSS Ts RRL SEEN OYE Ohl ei pee me sas eS le EE A ne eo ey Se Se ey eee 368 
SEMEL Des lOGall SOLUS LOL MaAbK Ob: cae. svaoste ohn cnet es sae tees sabe esneaeiniawen a niece ecicesace 353 
Catalogue: OFS Sos tae. see ee naa s See ee a a tae ee ae ee nee saan maccse oe ecaa= 428 
CultivationsOle st sees aecs one eae ee Ree eee bess Soe eh eeedesn toon sone meds 353 
Midge Adttectin passes ees Bont ae Sasa ee Se OER EE we eoeon eae ciaacc ae eee 354 
DISCUSSIONY UDO Me eres mee ae et eoe eee abe e cob ab coasts sate cosebewesasee cesemeras 365 
SHURE OLS per CSB oS re i ae LB SS ee ee ee ee ea 98 
Wilson. pDOGONCTaACy sO let an cose ese eee ooo caeoiee soon rie sae heen ee besu saueeaeeee 102 
SharplesssLreatmenty ofie-wnac 2 ost veces oe oe ee roast etacatic cases ceeseres 102 
IBVELerredy SOLES peer aeee ee eet oo eerie neue ener oe bus Sete 2s oe ae a tare em eeee 102 
StpSsollpVMeupiinectOLion bea Cheseressters sous. ts ae wens scare too sees ates anaes acon oma eee 263 
SHAD Manlos @ululvatiOn Ole eget ee = ecto ease ees. Sebel one are pg toe eke aR eee OED yas 211 
Ab 
Nschiee SEO aa Leet DCR DY ee ne oe ee ae ee ac co em Reet eee Cr easel cee, weceor lon ceenmeeee= eee 26 
Mt yLOr a aI OSbHs. fA GLOSSUDV Ere. conc ltoeee ns Soe oes Sas aae aaa see eens ceeatens obese ods Seno aeen ee 125 
ILRI 0) te Roe ea ee es Seis Wi pera Abe es a 217 
MinMMpSraAC nl GUre wero i OsOless—! saris eae. eke eee eee es Bie ee ee ee eee 208 
ROME TALI NEO mUnO TAD DIO-. se esc s see e e ok a ee Be hh Sood seen ess ease eee 362 
AT AUSPOLUA ON Vales ane Mi CbhOd Si Ole === 4-2 esses as cee anos} anes eteens 174, 175, 179, 181, 185, 190 
Damage tOplrurhimee +202 e< ce te eno eeeee ee en LU ease cece: ae ee eee ee 39 
Eman Oriws YSUCIIOLe sess essse. = saan ee oe Sees een es eee cee =a 180 
Byskixpression! Code We ie wivall Wa ya osees onan. ane aa salen anon ne eaten neater 182 
Tina, Tee ba eyes O Oey ge ee ee Ne oe eh eee ee Ree ree ecea, Sosa = 94, 197, 201 
Maisto ehe Alon Ol tO ELOntiCUlbUTe = soos aes ee eee as Berens ace Soe aoe eae te naan eas coca rea 183 
V. 
Van Buren County, Fruit Product of, in 1883-4-.-_-.. renee 6. LL) Sah eee eed ea eas seen ae 104 
rbivyl bsicy fe ee ot eS ED SO ke te ee Ae 216 
W. 
VAG delaras EM UAC ep ate) Oot LUE es Pe Be ea ee Sse eee oi aR ete menace Sas oe 274, 275 
Wits Olt Mia Maen Cress) Of VWWiG COMO s222n Senos n-ne ee Sneer oe tases on ene Me onesina Ee neat see = ee J 
NiSShiGenawa SOCIOL YAyGDOLU Ole-as. ccs sursec ees =o Seas sok eae eee an cele meen a ep eee eee ete eer 372 
MU tTORSs Cela Me ADOIIDY occ: a2 ete ncon ten pee ces coccke see lee cone Onan em berate oreo ones =o seers 195 
NMeSLOrnevisr ket bevelopment) GO fa-- cesses ce tia ge can ae a eee ee eee een ae ee ee ee eee a eee 6 
‘RY ANG POLLATIONGUO m2 9 sae Se ae ice hace oe seep ee ae re tar e ne ee eer eee 9, 174 
MCR EB VLIChiIC Anes OCLOUY. ODOR Of Sess ance nae sceeae Sec ouc asco eee semen ee cee ie en ee iT 
Wat dm rice. nand CUCLINUICRIOT eae eo aot ene cel acc on see oa a ae See re a ae ees 59 


57 


a. 


450 INDEX. 

PAGE 
MAPS PPO MON LOG Aeyegdtfoy ery SE Sie ene ee ee a es 3 sed 277 
Willard. S,.D:. Letter from... 2. ~<a a6 Sabato cane ew ha aeo en sae eae othe a ewes Hee bas aoe ee 44 
WALIStE: erotic WAN cA OGTOSS DY Scns on6 ann ows a onln si oo pe cane eee aa aene ee aeeeenet aes seam eee 218 
Biography of...-. Bee ae at Scam keno eee Bene ie open SSO ne COS is Sob are merit 335 
Mind breaks: Useial. to HP ruib GLOW Ol = o<-ccso—cenara sce soc menea mice cee ee ee tae ee oe ne es 212 
ERG eritot GO rcate oo. 2 sete ec eater ee fee ee @ Ride wot eee 212 
Wise eyENSS Ala eA DODO 6 2 ease ann semana nee Canam ete ee Seow BSS oe ss ea doe 348 
Wood Lot, Management of-...........-..--.-..-.---..---- Be Bene ROE Eeon. -Leaaee see es0q sacked: 211 

NE 

Molo manconvua cious eNAbURC Olse see ates ne ace cote on iene ona ain ann ele ee aa 137, 285 
Pile ol Ad OC LCUULNG OR seen a= = ae oer eae ne See moe nh enone Sanne ee ee 138 
Prevention Ol me DLegdG. Ol, ces soos Caseee oe caete ce sacle ets ate cero scam ae area ee ee 143, 144, 273 
rot onwil hs SMLth Ss ALeDOLG ON. 2=- 225s ce ooo eee a! ceed css ole eel dia ee 221 
IBLOLYysaNG) DIStrIDUb ON ~ 224.2) Jaco samc eceae somes Sanna ac qe a ke ae ee 222 
WirsteAD Oat ANCE Olea seat patra bara e Sane ne teak sie en aes ater Py 6 
Mieurlive Rex ton Sloni Of ease a 8 ere eee ee eet nen eo eae ee ea as ee ae 229 
HEXTENSIONY OL SINC 1LG30)- sete naseteek ac Jods Sonos scone con ncat horeens cae eae eee 231 
MIngb PA DDeaTance Ol. IMIG HIP A Nescanco- ok Sate a oceania sence eee e a ae an ee ee 235 
Hex tensionvoLo in: berrien: Connivijns 22.2420 oo sles hee ks ee Or at ee ee 236, 237 
Hirst. Appearance: of. ins Van buren County 22... es.iisas- en oe eee ee ee 237, 239 
IPFOcress/Olsill) Van UTOn COUNGY re: o- = Secon e ase ones Soca ao a ee = a te ae 238 
repression Ol, inaV aneb ure COUNtY=- 0-2. — ee pate ee eee aeeae ae ee ee ee 239 
KiTEieA DDSATANCe in Aller aAn! COUN: 22.5. --on- coe aes cerca ee cee ne pe ene eee eee 239 
PeTorcress (OL, insAlleran (COounty...= <22.55 = 22-5 scwars cee cen soa aacetee semen (eee eee eee 240 
Repression of, in Allegan County-.----...-.- .--...2..-.-------- gocrcce cece cscs ees ceec eee 240 
TORO une bee ares OL MV ic Hien sens -an eam one a= ene nee ene lee ae 241 
Presenmibistribution of, in United Statesi:.. 2-2<. 652-32 8 Se eee 242 
Gone lusions as tO Origin and Spread Of i525. hoes ees eee eee eee ae beet eae ee ees 243, 299 
GN ATACLOLISLICH Olam sant oa cen ce Sac cone otal pe osas sed sage eee ones nen eee a eee 244 
HUTBURY CAT OL- oer pete od enmetia fice = asco ncantne seca sae cen toes Seen ae nena et as Soe eee 245 
MNOOLE. A PDBAtalCe Oleres tects face ons sence ones cae a Uasete aeaae Sab eupid apes Sete caus 246, 247, 248, 249 
SGCONGSY OBL Olea. erate deem ae cant anno scasew obs seb noteph cayenne sos oe See eee ese oe 249 
THinrd Ang WiAbOLy CATA Ole sean! sa. weis cache, c scccccescuccesheenicaseen taco e lene aan 250 
SymplomssDigest Ofieegeercsat os 25 oc cscs ccece ctaese Seabee stedaecteeeas soaree ns eeeene 251 
HOWwLATreClted Dy. ADUUMMMETOSLS. .. 20s 2.ce Soc cok een sno eae bo enh aes sueacseteR: See eee 259, 260 
Ooldmywinters,.-.-.. = s2-seee oe USF 2 Se ee eee 262, 263 
Rxcessiventvaintall ....¢ 2225422! wee oe oe ee eee 264 

Mart heCongieions |.-. ==. 5oson ees e ace ee ene see bo ee 265-27 
WiStianencm Soils... 2222-6 SA oy ee as ee 278 

NeglectiotiGmitivation..22 2222223522. Se eee Se eee 27 
PUNT TD 2 ee ce eo rece ns See ee ne ae 279 
EXCOsSiOL witrogpenous MANUres po. o0 sce en cece eon eee Cee aoe 279 
Continueédshngaing ._. 2. Sane eee ee ee eee eee 280 
Propagatiommys» iseased Pits <. ao. So ee ee ee eee 281 
Diseased: Budse cece cecusceges oe ce ae eee meee 283 
BOLTS nee eine oS oka 's Sanat ated ne ne dde dave nbise See e aan Caen eee 288 
Root Aphides.----....- 2... 2-222 - on nne naan onsen ene ao eene en nego manne 290 
AO TAT ee 2 Fee een i 6s no Pek eres Fee er ee eee ee ae 293 
ACLOIO DG COUONTO =.= ant oon e eee a a = sete so oa oc oa oe ence oe one eee eee 266-269 
Replanting River AVA ER) OLsteers tcl eon nan c oes an eden hes een seeee pee dame ane enews 272, 274-277 
Spread of Checked by USCiSIAWON--~.5. =<. .o5 wccnacnecatwen neue odes nee eeen swe dae oeaeene 274 
Hxperiencewith: of MichiganiGrowers.. ..---... cucec2. oe can sece ew ap kes Geeeeeea eee 274-277 
UNOGHIAUOMAOL occ occan cuban amienels a aaan Sat Jace Le ome PET Oe eee oh LS 2 Sc,” 286 
Spread OL by .mplements: scss asses oe eerdn sono bees sec oetcdeee, Shuicn ac sp eae wean 287 


Nurseries NOD Responsible LOM soto cs Sac an cme cee ene are cnuneapee cee enawennas-aee ene eeee ne 287 


INDE. 451 


PAGE. 

Yellows, Due to Unknown Local Influences.-...--...-..----.-.----2- = 2. + --- eet a & St pee 288 
NOU UG LONE Ory DVB BOFGIrs as. 2-- aoe ee ee ee geen nae n ey a : 288 

ROkS Diva OUeLLOMPATASIlesso.5 A. fe saat ya PAHs Jew Soc Sone eos poet ect, packs a ten sikeess 294 

HO WeATreCucOlDV sr UIMIStOCRS 222) oe ee net san an en ee yce Ne tiosemate tors ss ceueseaes 295 

WW he tava yber eH Oped) C@nCOrmi ngs eis n cman in ogee a Se eal nin Seal ee eee 297 
Conclusionsasitou Cause Ofeoe- 1 essa ee ee nua ety an eae occ e eee ase cnc acee tae 299 


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