MICHIGAN FRUIT AT THE CENTENNIAL. 141 



nish u subject to which no artist could fully do justice oil canvas. But great as is the 

 admiration expressed at Michigan apples, it is even exceeded by the wonder and sur- 

 prise at the display of Mr. Bradficld's collection of grapes. 



"Mr. Bradfield, of Ada, it is well known, is an enthusiastic amateur grape-grower. 

 He does not cultivate grapes as a business with which to make money. His business 

 is converting Michigan wheat into 'Right Bower' Hour, but he loves the grape and 

 he has demonstrated that even the Iona, one of the most delicate of grapes in fiavor 

 and strength, can be grown successfully in Michigan, even forty miles inland. Of 

 course he covers up his vines in winter, but he grows the grapes, and they have all 

 the richness of flavor which has made the Delaware so popular, and are as large as 

 the Catawba. Mr. Bradfield has here a magnificent display of lonas, and some twen- 

 ty-four other varieties besides; and also Iona wine of the vintage of 1871. But what 

 has caused the most astonishment and brought out the greatest number of questions. 

 which Mr. Bradfield has become hoarse in answering, is his display of large Concord 

 seedlings [or ' Bradfleld's Perfected Prolific.'] These are grapes raised from the 

 seed of the Concord by Mr. Bradfield. They are fully three inches in circumference, 

 and create a great sensation by their immense size. There are no hot-house grapes 

 in the hall that are so large as these seedlings grown in the open air in Michigan. 

 Mr. Bradfield claims nothing for these grapes, except their astonishing size, which 

 claim is fully sustained. The fact that such large grapes can be raised in the open air 

 in a Michigan climate is a subject of very earnest inquiry and comment. Some of 

 these grapes are exhibited on plates, and some are suspended on wires over the table, 

 and in both positions they are continually being pointed at by delicate kid gloves, and 

 noted down in the note-books of visitors as the largest grapes yet seen. 'Have 

 they been named?' 'No.' 'Were they grown in the open air?' 'Yes.' 'Do you 

 sell the vines?' 'No.' 'Do you propagate them?' 'No.' And hundreds of other 

 questions are constantly being put to Mr. Bradfield, until he is fairly bewildered, and 

 he goes to his lodgings at night exhausted. But the next day the same array of 

 questions are put, with variations, and the crowd of people still move along and 

 admire. 



"Judge Ramsdell is also here with a display of Grand Traverse pears, apples, and 

 grapes, that fully sustains the high reputation of the beautiful Traverse Bay region 

 for producing that rich coloring and delicate fragrance in fruit which cannot be 

 excelled. Notwithstanding its high northern position, the Grand Traverse region 

 has supplied fruit by every shipment from the commencement of the season, — Sept. 

 1st, — until now, when Michigan has at last attained her meridian splendor in this 

 fruit display. 



" The keeping qualities of Michigan apples have attracted the attention of buyers 

 from Europe, and arrangements have been commenced for the direct shipment of car- 

 goes of our winter apples to Iceland and England. The fact that Michigan Baldwins, 

 Northern Spies, Red Canadas, Wageners, Russets, and Greenings can be shipped to 

 Europe and sold at a good profit will open a wide market for Michigan fruit, and the 

 extensive shipment of that fruit must result in increasing the wealth of the State."' 



VARIETIES EXHIBITED. 



The following is a list of the varieties of apples and pears exhibited and the 

 number of plates of each, including what were exhibited at the Pomological 

 Annex : 



APPLES. 



Alexander, Plates 15; Alfriston Pippin, 3; American Beauty, 12; Ameri- 

 can (summer) Pearmain, 3 ; American Pippin, 3 ; Anglo American, 2 ; Aunt 

 Hannah, 2; Autumn Strawberry, 10; Autumn Swaar, 15; Autumn Sweet 

 Bough, I ; Bailey Spice, 2 ; Bailey Sweet, 7 ; Baker, 2 ; Baldwin, 15 ; Balti- 

 more Belle, 4; Bars, 2; Beauty of Kent, 11; Bellnower, 15; Belmont, 25; 

 Ben Davis, 5 ; Benoni, 5 ; Benton, 4 ; Better than Good, 1 ; Black, 2 ; Black 

 Detroit, 8; Black Gilliflower, 1; Black Jack, 3; Black Mendon, 5; Black 

 Pippin, 3; Blenheim Pippin, 15; Blue Pearmain, 6; Butter Sweet, 1; 

 Broadwell, 2; Brown's Ptusset, 2; Banker's Hill, 3; Canada Keinette, 7: 

 Carthouse, 7; Champlain, 3 ; Cheeseborough Kusset, 7; Chenango Strawberry, 

 17; Chester Pearmain, 2 ; Chilson's Seedling, 3 ; Clarkstone, 4 : Clyde Beauty, 



