HISTORY OF MICHIGAN HORTICULTURE. 223 



But little care was given to fruit trees by the masses; their time was given, 

 more to the clearing of the land. Trees were left to be browsed by cattle — 

 unprotected for want of proper fences. I know of parties who planted trees 

 several times on the same grounds on that account. There were many who 

 lived on farms for several years before they planted trees, saying it was too 

 much of an experiment for them to undertake. Ornamental trees and 

 shrubbery were hardly thought of. Where you will see to-day the beautiful orna- 

 mented grounds laid out with artistic skill, with walks and drives, dotted with 

 imported and native, deciduous, and every new shrubbery and trees, fruits and 

 flowers, with fine houses and barns, and broad acres in the rear waving with 

 golden grain, 32 years ago might have been seen on same grounds a log cabin, 

 with stumps and logs covering the ground close to the door, with pigs and 

 chickens around the door, no fences to be seen, the jingle of the cow-bells to 

 be heard in the distance. This was not so desirable a picture to behold to a 

 person whose eyes were accustomed to look out upon the matured old home at 

 the east, where fruit, flowers, and all the luxuries of life abounded. Thus we 

 see the mission of the pioneer, an honorable, self-sacrificing mission it is, for 

 he prepares the way for the next generation, which enjoys the fruits of his 

 labor. 



ISABELLA COUNTY. 

 BY HORACE A. BIGELOW. 



Our beautiful county of Isabella, located in the geographical center of the 

 Lower Peninsula of the State of Michigan, was, prior to 1854, an uninhabited 

 forest. After the passage of the graduation bill by Congress, August 4, 1854, 

 there was a great rush of laud-seekers for Gratiot and Isabella counties. 

 Among that irrepressible throng of the hardy sons of toil was the writer of 

 this letter. October 20, 1854, I entered at the U. S. land office, then located 

 at Ionia, 320 acres of land, being the south half of section three, in Coe town- 

 ship, Isabella county. 



In the fall of 1856 I bought 900 apple trees of Mr. Hagerman, a nursery- 

 man living in the town of Blissfield, Lenawee county. These he delivered 

 to me at Maple Eapids, Clinton county. One team could take them no farther 

 north at that time. I sent two ox teams to Maple Rapids for them. From 

 this number of trees five or more different orchards were set, being to-day the 

 oldest and some of them the best producing orchards in this county. 



I was fortunate in the selection of these trees, as most of them have proved 

 hardy and well adapted to this locality. The winter fruit was largely com- 

 posed of the Northern Spy, Bellflower, Tallman Sweet, and Golden Russet. 

 These have proved hardy and well adapted to this climate. Among these 900 

 trees were a few labeled Virginia Red Streak, an apple quite common in Bliss- 

 field, Lenawee county. It is a late fall apple, and, all things considered, is 

 hard to beat. The tree is hardy, producing nearly every year immense crops, 

 and keeps well into January. The first thing to seek for in the selection of 

 fruit is such as has proved itself adapted to the locality in which it is to be 

 placed. Some choice varieties of apples have shown themselves unfit for this 

 section, such as the Red Canada, Baldwin, and Rhode Island Greening. I will 

 mention a few other varieties that I think are well suited to this section. Tiie 

 Wagener, Twenty-ounce, Ben Davis, Rambo. Snow Apple, Bailey Sweet, Early 

 Harvest, Early Joe, Early Strawberry, Fall Pippin, Late Strawberry, Maiden's 

 Blush, Grimes' Golden Pippin, White Pippin, Red Astrachan. We have no 



