PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 109 



bushel, $39,750 paid to farmers and fruitgrowers. Amount of evaporated 

 fruit, 6^ pounds to the bushel, 1,033,500 pounds sold at 6c per pound, 

 $62,010; chops sold, 5,000; total, $67,010. 11,000 barrels of apples sold, 

 $1.25 per barrel, $13,750. To this add $39,750, paid for evaporating, and 

 we have, paid to the growers for their apple product for 1894, $53,500. 



Total received by the growers for apples and peaches for 1894: peaches, 

 $79,500; apples, $53,500; total, $133,000. 



This could largely be increased by addition for sales of pears, plums, , 

 quinces, raspberries, cider apples, etc., but, having no means of ascerthin- 

 ing the amounts sold, we do not include them in the report. Yet only 15 

 per cent, of available fruit lands are occupied. 



In conclusion we will say to all interested in horticulture, your harvest 

 has been abundant and your profits great. Onward should be your watch- 

 word. Go forward in the work; properly cultivate, fertilize, and care for 

 your orchards, and great shall be your reward. 



Mr. Rice: In New Jersey, it is said, two or three good crops of peaches 

 are all that can be expected of a tree. I am glad to know we are so far 

 ahead of them in Michigan. 



Mr. HusTED : Time was when our trees would live and bear longer than 

 they do now — when the country was new. But now the soil is much 

 exhausted, and we do not think of trying to grow orchards without com- 

 mercial fertilizers. 



Mr. Lyon of Lowell knew of a seedling peach tree in the vicinity, which 

 had borne for forty years, and bore the past season. 



Mr. HusTED: In some places in this vicinity, growers have lost a crop 

 only once or twice in twelve years. Others have never missed one. The 

 best locations are loam soils 150 to 200 feet above Grand river. I prefer 

 a soil as heavy as I can get and yet be well drained. 



Mr. Wesley Johnson of Lowell: Mr. J. E. Lee's orchard has not 

 wholly failed in fourteen years. It is on oak openings soil, clay loam, well 

 drained naturally. 



Mr. Earl Johnson: I have a small orchard, four years old. At one 

 time last winter the mercury went to 14 degrees below zero, and in the 

 morning it grew warmer, and thawed a little during the day, and yet I had 

 a good crop last fall. 



Mr. A. Hamilton: I do not think it would be well for Lowell people 

 to encourage mercury to go much lower than 14 degrees below zero. 

 (Laughter.) 



