40 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



orchard fruits, she was third in production and third in value; 7th in 

 bearing apple trees but second in production and second in value; 

 eleventh in bearing peach trees, but tifth in production and fourth in 

 value; third in all three particulars in pears; fifteenth in bearing plum 

 trees, but niutli in production and eighth iu value; sixth in bearing 

 cherry trees but fourth in production and value; third in all three 

 particulars in grapes; third in acreage of small fruits, fourth in pro- 

 duction but second in value. 



These facts just quoted should do .something more than simply appeal 

 to our pride; they should impress us as highly significant of how firmly 

 horticulture is established as an industry of this State, and how Michi- 

 gan products stand in the nation at large. 



With nine States ahead of us in number of bearing trees of all 

 orchard fruits, ouly two had larger production iu bushels and greater 

 value. That shows a high production rate per tree, and high income 

 ratio per tree. 



With six states having more bearing apple trees, only one could 

 surpass us in production and value. With ten having more bearing 

 peach trees, only four produced more peaches, and we passed one of 

 these in value, climbing to fourth place in that regard. 



So we could continue through the list, but I pause only to point out 

 that with a standing of third in acreage of smallfruits, we stood fourth 

 in production, but second in value, testifying to higher prices because 

 of superior quality and more advantageous market facilities. This 

 latter is particularly vital in successful small fruit raising. 



We have heard so much about "The Michigan Fruit Belt," and meet- 

 ing, as we are, in its heart, and in a city that has been prominently 

 connected with the fruit industry since it was established in Michigan, 

 we may fall into the error of assuming that the fruit industry of Michi- 

 gan is largely confined to our "Fruit Belt." 



Here, again, the bulletin of Dean Shaw offers thought-compelling 

 facts. 



Every one of the eighty-three counties of Michigan reported apple, 

 plum and cherry trees. All but nine counties had peach trees, all 

 but three had pears, all but ten had grapes, and all but three had small 

 fruits. 



Of the products that I am including with the more strictly horti- 

 cultural products, potatoes and poultry are reported from all counties, 

 peas from all but two, and bees from all but eight. 



In not all the counties reporting them, were these products then be- 

 ing raised on a commercial scale, but their presence indicated com- 

 mercial possibilities. 



From personal observation the writer is quite sure there are many 

 favorable places in each of the counties that will produce all the crops 

 mentioned in the table of Dean Shaw's Bulletin, No. 70, and that the 

 next census will show it. 



The Michigan State Horticultural Society, organized at Grand 

 Kapids, July 5, 1871, declared in Article 1 "The object of the Society 

 is to develop facts, and promulgate information as to the best varieties 



