HISTORY OF MICHIGAN HORTICULTURE. 217 



7. When and what was first fruit exported from your county? 



8. Give any facts you can about old trees in your county. 



9. Have you ever had a destructive visitation of insects— if so, when, how and 

 what? 



10. Can you mention any exceptionally large yields of fruit in your county? 



11. Give short histories of any horticultural societies you have ever had in your 

 county. 



12. Have you any fruit-preserving factory — if so, describe its work? 



13. Can you give any facts and statistics of shipments? 



14. Can you name any other peculiarities of the horticultural history of j'our 

 county? 



The above questions are sent you that we may gather the facts in connection with 

 the horticultural growth of Michigan before they are lost. Will you help us all you 

 can in our endeavors? Please address all replies to Secretary Chas. W. Garfield, 

 Grand Rapids, Michigan. 



In response to the letter and circular there were a great many replies, but the 

 last of July came, and with it a number of requests for more time, and the 

 time was extended to September 15th, when the majority wished to be allowed 

 until 1881 to complete the work in anything like a satisfactory manner. 



The few reports that have been received are given substantially as sent into 

 the office, and will seem to start off a work that may require several years to 

 complete. It seems worth the while, however, to get the statements as accurate 

 as possible, and save them where they may be referred to by any who may be 

 interested in the progress of our horticulture. 



Even in the counties represented in this volume new facts may come to light 

 which will be added another year. 



The counties reporting are given in alphabetical order. 



ALCONA COUNTY. 



REPORTED BY C. P. REYNOLDS, OF HARRISVILLE. 



This county is situated on the west shore of Lake Huron, about half way 

 between Saginaw Bay and the Straits of Mackinaw. Its early settlers were 

 fishermen and lumbermen, who paid little attention to what the soil might pro- 

 duce. In 184G S. M. Holdeu planted a garden on the bluffs of the lake with 

 so much success that he was encouraged to plant a small orchard in 1848, of 

 which a few apple trees still remain and bear fruit of three varieties : K. I. 

 Greening, Snow, and Harvest apples. These are the oldest fruit trees of the 

 county. 



Charles Briggs, another pioneer, planted an orchard in 18G0, bringing his 

 trees from Kochester, New York. This is the largest bearing orchard in the 

 county. In 1861 George H. Blush and William Beaver also planted orchards 

 that have successfully fruited apples, pears, cherries, and plums with varying 

 success. The experiences of these early tree-planters have taught their suc- 

 cessors that some varieties are better adapted to their soil and climate, and that 

 where the Eed Astrachan, Wagener, and Northern Spy flourish many other 

 kinds prove failures. Acting upon such valuable information, several larger 

 orchards have been planted by farmers who are located back from the shore, on 

 soils and in locations better adapted for fruit-growing, where the Eed Astrachan, 

 Wagener, Northern Spy, and Duchess of Oldenburg are giving early promise 

 of better success. 



The plum has not been visited by the curculio pest, and is being planted 

 quite liberally. As yet very little has been done in small fruits because of the 



