MICHIGAN FRUIT AT THE CENTENNIAL. 13S< 



many exclamations of delight from the visitors. "Oh, why," exclaimed one 

 of the fair daughters of Eve, "why is such beautiful fruit spread out to tempt 

 us, and yet wo must not touch it." 



The display of Grand Traverse fruit deserves high commendation. It was 

 all so rich in color and so aromatic, that its very presence had a charm that 

 was wholly indescribable. The most attractive specimens of apples were from 

 Mr. George Parmelee's orchard near Old Mission. These were Maiden's Blush, 

 Sweet Bough, Detroit Black, and Alexander. There were also some choice 

 specimens of the Duchess of Oldenburgh, Spice Sweet, Tompkins Co. King, 

 Twenty Ounce, Bailey Sweet, Northern Spy, Baldwin, and numerous other 

 varieties, including some choice Golden Russets, from Marshall's orchard. Mr. 

 Brinkman and Prof. W. W\ Tracy also sent some choice fruit. 



Judge Ramsdell exhibited a choice selection of grapes from his vineyard. As- 

 this is located in latitude 45, it is a matter of interest to mention the varieties 

 that have ripened there in 187G, specimens of which were unexceptionally good, 

 viz. : Wilder, Merrimac, Agawam, Israella, Delaware, Concord, Iona. Judge 

 Ramsdell has undoubtedly an excellent location for his vineyard with a fine 

 eleva£/on, aspect and water protection. There are, however, many locations as 

 good, on the west side of Grand Traverse Bay. 



Michigan grapes were well represented by Mr. E. Bradfield, of Ada, Kent 

 county. He had 25 varieties of his own raising, besides a good collection from 

 other growers. He has been particularly successful with the Iona, of which he 

 displayed some very good specimens. His seedlings from the Concord were 

 very large grapes, and produced quite a sensation among visitors. Mr. Brad- 

 field deserves great credit not only for this very fine display of his own grapes, 

 but for his energy and perseverance in making so large a collection. The 

 grapes produced more surprise than the apples. People knew that Michigan 

 could produce fine winter apples, but were not prepared to see this excellent ex- 

 hibition of large and beautiful grapes. A gentleman and his daughter from 

 Connecticut examined these grapes very carefully, and expressed great surprise 

 at the size of Michigan grapes, as they said they grew the same varieties in 

 Connecticut, but could not produce as large grapes. The Delawares and Isa- 

 bellas greatly surprised them by the size they attained in Michigan. 



Mr. I. E. Ilgenfritz, of Monroe, exhibited a collection of about 50 varieties 

 of pears. He is himself an extensive grower, and many fine pears in the col- 

 lection were from his own orchard, and besides these were some grown by 

 Mr. E. W. Reynolds of the Dix, Doyenne du Cornice, Beurre d'Anjou and other 

 choice varieties, also specimens from the orchards of Mr. Caleb Ives, Mr. 

 Compton, the South Haven Pomological Society, Mr. J. M. McNaughton, and 

 Mr. H. D. Adams, Galesburg. 



Michigan apples as displayed by H. Dale Adams, consisted of many varieties, 

 but the best apples were the same as already named. Among them, however, 

 was a very fine seedling apple contributed by Major Hopkins, Governor's- 

 Secretary. The apple was raised in his father's orchard, and is not only 

 beautiful, but of rich and delicate flavor. Among the other contributors of 

 very choice apples were Walter Sinclair, of Spring Lake ; S. S. Bailey, Grand 

 Rapids; Mr. Downs, Ada; Emmons Buel, and Bragg & Stearns, of Kalama- 

 zoo; Wm. Bair and Willis Judson, of Schoolcraft; Edward Flanders, of 

 Galesburg; Dr. Southard, Kalamazoo; Abraham Olds, a fine collection from 

 Van Buren county ; Mr. B. W. Steere and others, Adrian ; Eli Bidleman and. 



