PROCEEDINGS OF THE WINTER MEETING. 17 



of those to be set in the near future, some conception can be formed of the 

 coming extent of the trade. That Ludington is destined soon to be one of 

 the great fruit-exporting cities is an assured fact, and that it is so regarded 

 by outsiders is jDroven by the large number of buyers who came here last 

 year after fruit. 



And now as to markets. Our proximity to the best harbor on the shore 

 gives us the best of facilities for shipping fruit by water, and the same old 

 lake that has saved our fruit from winter's chilly blasts, from hail storms, 

 blizzards, and tornadoes (from these we are exempt) carries it on her bosom 

 to all the western and northern markets, keeping it cool on its j)assage 

 and carrying it without jar or jolt, thus placing the best markets of the 

 country at our very doors; for fruit can be, and is, picked in the afternoon, 

 shipped the same night and placed on the markets of Chicago, Milwaukee 

 and Manitowoc the next morning, less than twenty-four hours after 

 picking, thus putting our fruit on the market as fresh as it left the 

 orchards, insuring quick sales and good prices. We have also the best of 

 railroad facilities for shipping east and north, and reaching all parts of the 

 state. There is, in fact, no fruit-raising section in this state that has 

 access so quickly to so many and such good markets as we have here at 

 command. 



It will thus be seen that we have here soil adapted to the raising of 

 fruit, a climate that insures a good crop, and the choice of the best 

 markets of the country, a happy combination of conditions rarely enjoyed 

 by one community. 



The greatest need of the fruitgrowers here is a better knowledge of our 

 business, and to attain this knowledge no stone should be left unturned. 



A question was asked as to the relative value of light and heavy soil. 

 Mr. Sessions believed a medium between the two to be preferable for 

 peaches, but the heavier soils were best for all other kinds of fruit. On 

 light soil a fruitgrower can make more money from peaches than from 

 anything else. 



Which is of the more importance, soil or air drainage, was asked? 



Mr. C. A. Sessions of Mears: We can improve the soil but we can not 

 hold the warm air. Mr. Lyon answered to the same effect; degree of 

 elevation is not so important as chances for the cold air to flow off to 

 lower levels. 



Mr. MoClatchie: It is relative height rather than excessive height. 



President Lyon then read the following paper upon the general 

 subject of 



THE APPLE. 



This fruit will succeed on almost any soil suitable for the production of 

 grain crops, although on very light soil, under ordinary treatment, 

 the trees will be likely to sooner exhaust its fertility, and for that reason 

 to prove shorter lived. 



This tree proves more patient under adverse conditions than most others ; 

 still, as is equally true of others, it will repay starvation by starving the 

 owner, and will repay sodden soils and "wet feet," with light crops, indif- 

 ferent fruit, and disease. It is not a native of our climate, but is believed 

 to have developed, under thousands of years of artificial treatment and 

 reproduction from seed, from the indigenous wild crab of Europe. 



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