PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. 105 



precludes going into details, so we will confine it to general statements 

 which can be proven correct. That nearly all of southern Michigan is 

 remarkably well adapted to the profitable pursuits of commercial horticul- 

 ture, having nearly perfect soil, climate, locations, and transportation 

 facilities, with the best of markets near by, has long been known to those 

 who have given the matter any thought. Why these advantages have not 

 been more generally recognized and acted upon, is a mystery. Many a 

 farmer in this state works hard the year round for his board and clothes 

 and taxes, yet he sleeps every night on a gold mine, but has not the cour- 

 age to develop it. Still, he shows remarkable "nerve" when he sows 40 

 to 160 acres of wheat, or tenderly cares for a large flock of sheep, growing 

 " free trade wool," knowing that he is working for less wages than his hired 

 man gets. Most of our farmer friends know what it costs them to grow a 

 bushel of wheat or a pound of wool, and none will claim any profit at 

 present prices. 



COST OF PRODUCTION PEE BUSHEL. 



How many men, even among those engaged in the business, know the 

 cost of a bushel of fruit? Let me tell you something about that. Where 

 fruit is properly planted and well cared for, the following figures are the 

 extreme limit of cost in southern Michigan, and a large portion of the very 

 finest fruit sent to the market costs less: Apples, 15 to 25 cents per 

 bushel; pears, 25 to 10 cents; peaches, 30 to 40 cents; plums, 40 to 60 

 cents; strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, 25 to 40 cents per bushel; 

 grapes, ^ to | cents per pound; cherries, 25 cents per bushel. These fig- 

 ures mean fruit ready for market, but not picked. The cost of marketing 

 is variable, so each can determine that for himself. Fruit is grown more 

 cheaply by the highest culture and fertilization than by slovenly methods. 

 The above figures take into account all the cost of trees or plants, all the 

 labor and fertilizers necessary to first-class work, while the estimate for 

 production is not more than fifty per cent, of what is frequently produced 

 under such culture. 



It is not necessary to own the earth in order to successfully engage in 

 horticulture. I have in my mind a locality where the average farm is ten 

 to twenty acres, naturally poor soil, but worth now $200 to $1,000 per 

 acre, the owners making more money, and living easier and better, than 

 farmers on 80 to 640 acres of prime land. These people give their chil- 

 dren good educations, have plenty of music and good reading, work hard 

 all summer, loaf or amuse themselves as they see fit all winter, and enjoy 

 life. 



LOCATION — PROFITS — SWINDLERS. 



I presume some will ask what are the conditions necessary to successful 

 fruitgrowing. In a general way I would say that our high, rolling lands 

 of moderate fertility are well adapted to the growth of peaches, grapes, 

 cherries, and small fruits; and, if the soil is a clay loam, add the apple, pear^ 

 and plum. On good level lands, all the above fruits succeed except 

 peaches and grapes, which are not quite so safe in such locations. Still, 

 they are generally satisfactory if proper varieties are planted. On the 

 lower levels the small fruits do well, as do dwarf pears and quinces, while 

 our swamps are proving to be bonanza farms in the growing of celery, 

 onions, cabbage, potatoes, mint, etc. 

 14 



