96 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



The statistics obtained the past season from the returns of the 

 town assessors to the secretary of state are very interesting. They 

 show a greater area in orchards, a larger number of trees of bear- 

 ing age, and an increased production. In considering this last 

 point it should be borne in mind that the yield given is for the sea- 

 son of 1879, the off year in our apple crop ; yet there is quite a 

 gain over that of the previous year. Comparison with the statis- 

 tics taken last year not only indicates progress, an increased yield, 

 and area of fruit, but goes to confirm the reliability of what seemed 

 then to some an exaggeration, and too good to be true. The sec- 

 retary of state, in his report, says that " these statistics are much 

 more satisfactory than they have ever been before, but are not 

 yet complete," and he. recommends that measures be taken to make 

 them fuller and more accurate, and also, to increase the number 

 of the items to be reported on. It would be especially gratifying 

 if a few of our most important small fruits could be added to the 

 list. 



The number of bushels of apples reported as raised the season 

 of 1879, is 718,687 ; the number reported the preceding year is 

 650,463, an increase of 68,221 bushels, even in the off year. The 

 number of trees of bearing age is given as 2,1-40,629, against 

 1.901,424 in 1879. The number of acres in orchards is given as 

 67,192, while the previous year was 58,431. Returns of fruit were 

 made by all the counties but four, Ashland, Bayfield, Price and 

 Taylor. Trees of bearing age are reported in all the counties but 

 Price, and that returns one acre in orchard. The following table 

 gives the yield in all the counties reporting over 10,000 bushels, 

 arranged in the order of their amount, and also gives their gain 

 or loss and their respective standing in productiveness for the 

 years 1879 and 1878. The statistics in full will be giveu at the 

 close of this volume. 



The greatest gains will be seen to have been in Waukesha, 

 Kenosha, Dane, Iowa, Milwaukee and Sauk counties. The great- 

 est losses in Winnebago, Green Lake and Fond du Lac. 



I had hoped to have obtained a large number of statistics in 

 regard to the horticultural products of the state from the United 

 States census returns, but it has been impossible to get them from 



