THE GREAT FRUIT STATE OF THE NORTHWEST.

[Republished from a paper prepared by Charles W. Garfield, Secretary of the State Horticultural Society.]

When Father Marquette and his Jesuit brothers paddled around our beautiful peninsula over two hundred years ago, dropping here and there a few apple and pear trees along with the "seed of the word," they little dreamed of the great future that was indicated for Michigan in the thrifty growth of seedling fruit trees that were to spring up along their pathway. A few of these old trees, and some that were planted a few years later, are still found in various places on the shores of. Erie, Detroit river, Huron, and Lake Michigan; they are healthy and strong, bearing regular crops of fruit, monuments of the adaptability of our State to the cultivation of the apple and pear. It was not until the discovery that peaches could be grown successfully, of the best quality, upon our western Michigan shore, that fruit-growing for market was given an impetus in the State. This was about 1840, and from that date until 1881 the development of fruit culture in our State is without a parallel. Facts have gradually been brought to light in the experience of orchardists that prove Michigan to be peculiarly adapted, on account of her climatic conditions, to a wide range of fruits, from the semi-tropical fig to the iron-clad Siberian crab.

This rapid development has been due to two causes: First, the influence of the great lakes curves the isothermal lines well to the northward, so that a large area is rendered serviceable in the growth of the less hardy fruits; and second, in the rapid development of the Great West to which we are readily accessible, and in which these fruits can not be grown, we have a never failing market for all the surplus.

Lake Michigan is truly a "cherishing mother" to the orchardist. A body of water 345 miles in length and nearly 100 miles in breadth, it would float the three States of New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland; and it is deep enough almost anywhere to bury Mount Holyoke beneath its surface. With its 3,400 cubic miles of water in one basin, it maintains a very even temperature throughout the year; and this, with the fact that about sixty-five per cent of our winter winds are westerly, gives the key to our peculiar success in horticulture. We grow peaches successfully along the 45th parallel which bounds Vermont on the north, and raise figs in the open air in latitude 421°, about on a line with Boston, Massachusetts. It is true that this lake influence is not felt so largely in the interior as along the shore; still, in a large measure, the whole southern peninsula is modified in extremes of weather by this great equalizer. The fact that the western shore from St. Joseph northward to Grand Traverse is especially favored with immunity from frost has given rise to the term

MICHIGAN FRUIT BELT.

This is a strip of territory with a shadowy interior boundary in which peaches are grown with a smaller percentage of failures than elsewhere in the State. Within this belt there is great choice of location for purposes of peach culture; still the purchaser is not compelled to give the same relative importance to altitude that he would farther

in the interior.

A very large percentage of the peaches grown in Michigan for shipment abroad has been, until very recently, raised within the fruit belt; but from the high grounds in Kent, Kalamazoo, Hillsdale, Washtenaw, Lenawee, and other interior counties, large quantities have been shipped in late years.

RAILROADS, WATER LINES, MARKETS.

Michigan is now threaded with lines of railroads; several trunk lines extend across the State from east to west, while others reach into the undeveloped but rapidly growing regions of the north. Thus the fruit-grower who wishes to reach the great markets can readily do so; or if he desires to supply the pioneers and the lumbermen who are, as yet, without the luxury of good fruit, ample facilities are at hand. Not only this, but a great lake on either side gives abundant means with easy carriage,

of reaching great markets independent of the railroad systems. Immense quantities of fruit are shipped daily from the ports along Lake Michigan from St. Joseph to Traverse City, furnishing the great distributing market of Chicago with fresh fruit, only twelve hours picked, each morning during the entire fruit season. It must be remembered also that as one traverses this shore for the 200 miles of the belt, he will find in all the perishable fruits there is no danger of disastrous competition in the markets, because of the variation in date of ripening; while the purchaser of these fruits in the markets reaps the benefit of an extended season for each variety.

SOILS.

In the whole of Michigan one can certainly find the exact character of soil he seeks, for every shade of variation seems to be represented. Mistaken notions have obtained, at different times, concerning the soil upon which Michigan peaches are grown; in truth the remark has often been made that "up in Michigan you grow peaches on your sandy land that will grow nothing else." We can assure people at The fruit belt is not

the outset that good peaches are only grown upon good land. uniformly sandy, and is by no means poor land. Upon the blowing sands where dunes are formed, it is common to find the most thrifty trees bearing luscious fruit in large quantity. Such land cannot be poor. It is also true that in many localities heavy soil can be found immediately upon the shore. In the interior the best fruit lands are clay and sandy loams, and, if the location pleases the purchaser, there is little doubt but he can obtain the quality of soil that will satisfy his taste.

The low lands, in many places in which vegetable matter predominates, are being utilized by the horticulturist, and often are very valuable when fitted for market gardening or cranberry culture.

CHEAP LANDS.

The almost fabulous prices at which well developed fruit farms have exchanged hands in western Michigan have led many to believe that it requires a large investment to enter the realm of successful fruit culture. It is only in cases where orchards have come into successful bearing and are returning a large income that the lands command extravagant prices. The fruit region of Michigan is extensive, and only a small part of the land available for the production of even the more tender fruits has been improved. As good locations can be secured to-day at rates varying from ten to twenty-five dollars per acre, as those which have exchanged hands at from $200 to $1,000 dollars per acre after the plantations were in full bearing.

Those who contemplate building homes in our State should give time to their selection. A few weeks spent in examination of locations and prices will, in the end, be money in the pocket.

It is impossible, in a short paper, to give much light concerning special localities, but by means of recent correspondence we have gathered some locality statements which will answer the questions that are most commonly asked.

MONROE COUNTY.

Monroe county is at the head of Lake Erie, and along its shores are the most extensive and successful vineyards in the State. In this county more grape wine is produced than in all the rest of the State. A large nursery interest centers at Monroe city, and excellent pears are grown which find a ready market, at high prices, in the large markets of Detroit and Toledo. Railroad and water communication makes this an exceptionally good point for the market horticulturist. The calcareous soil gives a higher quality to the grape than in most other places in the State. Wine makers give two or three cents more per pound for grapes grown on this lime soil than for the average grapes in the market.

BRANCH, HILLSDALE, AND LENAWEE.

This sec

The above named counties raise excellent apples and pears, and upon the high lands peaches are grown nearly every year. These counties are upon a high level, and the streams flow rapidly, giving good land and atmospheric drainage. tion is an old settled farming country in which all ordinary fruits do well. The inhabitants are cultured, and farmers' clubs, horticultural and agricultural societies flourish there; it is a region of pleasant homes.

ST. JOSEPH AND CASS.

This is the region of large farms, and horticulture is only an accompaniment of

farm life, although in Cass county are several extensive orchards which are made very profitable. Notably one farm, that of B. G. Buell, of Little Prairie Ronde, produces the finest Northern Spy and Red Canada apples that go into the Chicago market.

BERRIEN.

A correspondent who is thoroughly acquainted with Berrien county remarks that "Nature evidently intended this region for a great fruit garden to supply the luxuries of the palate to the denizens of the western prairies." In this country dwell the pioneers of our commercial fruit-growing, and here have been grown, within the last quarter century, peaches, pears, and small fruits that would rival any that have been placed in the world's markets. All that is needed is a proper label and the famous fruits of California can be obtained in Berrien county. Apricots, nectarines and figs are grown here, as well as the soft shelled almond. The growing of the tender raspberries and blackberries has long been a specialty here. Three thousand acres of strawberries are now in bearing. Chicago is the great market, but the surplus in times of a flush is readily worked up by canning and drying establishments which are at hand. An extensive cranberry interest is now building up upon the low lands about Stevensville, which promises, on account of the safety from frosts, to rival any plantation in the west.

[In 1878, 1879, and 1880, there were forwarded to Chicago, by rail, on the fruit trains of the Chicago and West Michigan railroad, from 16 stations of Berrien county, 253,662 half bushel packages of berries, 135,687 baskets or boxes of peaches and grapes, and 67,125 barrels of apples. During the same three years the clearances from the port of St. Joseph, in the same county, were 161,912 crates of berries, 168,630 baskets of peaches and grapes, and 38,324 barrels of apples.]

WAYNE AND WASHTENAW.

In Wayne county, about our metropolis, Detroit, the specialties are small fruits and market garden products. The soil is a rich dark loam, admirably suited to this work, and Detroit furnishes a good home market. Washtenaw has a "peach belt" of its own. Upon the high ground in this region peaches are almost as sure a crop as upon the western shore. Fruits of all kinds are grown for market here and at a good profit. The people are foremost in testing new varieties and take a great delight in the pleasures as well as profits of horticulture. There is scarcely anything but rich land in this county, and the situation of our great University and Normal School within its borders makes it an attractive place for people of education and good taste.

JACKSON, CALHOUN, KALAMAZOO.

These three counties in the same tier along the Michigan Central railroad are settled by people who pursue horticulture as an ornamental part of farming. As amateurs, they test new things and desire that their ventures may add to their information while furnishing pleasant surprises for the table. In the towns a good deal' of attention is given to ornamental gardening. This is notably true of Kalamazoo,, where good taste, added to a delightful location, renders this "largest village in the world" a delightful place in which to live. Kalamazoo is something of a nursery center, and small fruits, including grapes, are specialties with the horticulturists.

VAN BUREN.

This county borders on the lake; South Haven is its port. A large fruit-growing interest centers at South Haven where are located some of the finest commercial

growers in the State. At Lawton and Paw Paw, upon high lands, peaches and grapes are grown of especially fine quality. The growers here seek out markets a long way off and frequently ship the tender fruits to points in northern Minnesota and Dakota. The fruit-growers here were among the first in the State to note the special adaptability of elevated lands to fruit culture. They acted upon this knowledge and have reaped a rich reward. Cheap lands in good locations are still attainable at these points, but are being rapidly picked up. The harbor at South Haven is an excellent one and daily boats run to Chicago during the fruit-shipping season.

ALLEGAN.

Allegan is the western county in the third tier. In the shore townships peaches

are grown extensively, although it is a recent occupation with the inhabitants. They found their location to be a peculiarly good one and have been developing it rapidly. There are above 4,000 acres closely planted to fruit along the shore in this county, and although most of the orchards are young, still last year (1880) 800,000 baskets of peaches were exported and above 13,000 barrels of apples. Ten thousand packages of small fruits were sold the same season. People who have confidence in the locality, and who are thrifty and observing, have settled here and are making this region one vast orchard.

In eastern Allegan two railroads cross from north to south giving excellent shipping facilities. Peaches are grown upon the hights successfully, and at Plainwell is centered a large strawberry interest. From this point immense quantities are shipped to the great markets.

INGHAM.

In this county are situated the State Capitol and the Agricultural College, and around these gather a class of inhabitants that take delight in the pleasures of horticulture. Lansing is destined to be a beautiful city. Tree planting and the embellishment of homes as evidences of the employment of horticultural knowledge interest the dwellers here. At the Agricultural College extensive experiments are performed which are calculated to interest the people of the entire State in a knowledge of methods in horticulture and the scientific information upon which they are based.

OAKLAND AND MACOMB.

In these counties are situated some of the oldest apple orchards in the State. The people of these counties can get up a creditable apple exhibit at almost any season of any year. A large apple orchard is the accompaniment of every farm, and it is usually made a very profitable accessory.

OTTAWA AND MUSKEGON.

These counties border Lake Michigan in its widest part, and each has an excellent port. From Grand Haven, in Ottawa county, there is a daily line of beautiful steamers to both Chicago and Milwaukee, the best fruit markets in the west, and the distributing markets for a vast interior. Opening into Grand River, and forming an admirable harbor, is Spring Lake, a sheet of water of rare beauty, and along the banks of which are located scores of fruit farms, each one having its dock from which the shipments for each day can be picked up. The soil about western Ottawa is sandy, but is not devoid of fertility, and muck and marl beds are common, which are vast savings banks to the fruit-grower upon which he can draw at will. This is certainly one of the most delightful places in the State for people to locate who have an appreciation of natural beauty and desire to combine the "art which mends nature" with nature herself. Peaches and grapes are the specialties on these fruit farms.

Muskegon lies just to the northward and is rapidly developing many large fruit farms. Small fruits are grown with great success, and for a market locality the growers seem to exhibit more than common interest in new sorts. A special inducement to settle about Muskegon is the pure water everywhere near the surface and the available cheap lands that can be secured.

HURON.

The county of Huron is peculiarly situated. A glance at the map will exhibit the fact that it has the longest shore line of any county in the State. Bounded on three sides by deep water, it is admirably situated as far as lake protection is concerned. The average winter temperature is that of Bloomington, Ill. From records furnished by Wm. L. Armstrong of Sand Beach, during the winter of 1880–1, when in southern Michigan we had some exceptionally severe weather, -10° was the lowest point the thermometer indicated in Huron county. Frost is unknown there in autumn until a month after it has visited the interior of southern Michigan.

This is a new county, but is destined to be one of the finest horticultural sections in the State. Its marketing facilities are such as to attract the commercial grower, and the salubrious climate adapted to so wide a range of varieties will soon be found by the amateur growers.

THE SAGINAW VALLEY.

The country tributary to Saginaw and Bay City is not peculiarly adapted to any horticultural specialty, but is an admirable region for mixed husbandry in which the