FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 233 



keen grip of kingly frost. The great mystery of tlie last few years to me, in 

 nursery and orchard, was all in a nut-shell. Nature had unfolded to all 

 the great truth, and taken upon herself the blame, if any, but all did not re- 

 ceive the trutli. 



The result of these facts have led to much wild speculation with some, and 

 the casting of blame where it did not belong : but of this 1 will say nothing, 

 leaving the facts in tlie case to rectify and correct all mistakes. 



I feel that these facts are of vital importance to the fruit growers of Michi- 

 gan, and I am not alone in the discovery of them. Our late works on 

 Pomology are full of these corroborating facts, and lie that would be benefited 

 by tl)cMn must follow the light therein contained. Chas, W. Garfield, Secre- 

 tary of the Pomological Society of Michigan, informs me that tiiey are about 

 to issue a catalogue of Michigan fruits, which is intended to convey the follow- 

 ing facts : 



1st. A description of each tested variety, with its name. 



2d. Comparative merit of each kind for cooking, dessert, and market. 



3d. Adaptability of each to various sections of the State. 



4th. Peculiarities that determine the value of each sort. 



I am glad tliat this announcement has been made, and is about to be exe- 

 cuted. I believe it is the duty of that Society to keep these facts, and all 

 others of importance, before the people, and to repeat them from time to time, 

 as we would the principles of mathematics, for the benefit of the horticulturist 

 and his posterity. I think these facts cannot be pressed too strongly, when I 

 realize how many thousands of dollars are paid out annually for fruit trees in 

 this State, and how very small the compensation realized many times, simply 

 because of an unwise selection of varieties. Allow me to cite one or two 

 examples : 



I had an agent canvassing in tlie vicinity of St. Louis, Mich., who came 

 across a man that wanted a few trees to fill out his orchard, if he could get the 

 varieties he wanted. He told him he could. Said "he had filled out twice 

 before, but would try it once more.'' lie wrote on the back of the order, 

 "Fill to the letter or not at all." I did so, and stated on the back of the 

 order, likewise, that in my judgment, his choice was an unwise one, and that 

 in all probability he would soon want to fill out his orchard again. 



His choice was Esopus Spitzenburgh, Swaar, and Peck's Pleasant. These 

 varieties are naturally feeble growers, and what is still worse, decidedly tender. 

 I find some have placed the Peck's Pleasant among the hardy varieties, but it 

 has not proved itself as such with me. 



In August, 1876, I met a gentleman in Alpena, Mich., who had two years 

 previous set out an orchard of 100 apple trees, 75 of which were Esopus Spitz- 

 enburgh. He said the Spitzenburghs were nearly all dead, and that he was 

 discouraged. 



In addition to those varieties named as tender, I would add Gravenstein, 

 Porter, Fall Pippin, Golden Sweet, and King of Tompkins County. The 

 Baldwin, and R. I. Greening have not been a success with me ; still, I think 

 if these two varieties were top grafted upon some hardy stock, we should find 

 it an improvement. They are too popular and valuable to be thrown aside 

 without further experiment. 



I admit there are some exceptions to the general law, for occasionally we 

 find a sound tree among the tender varieties. Whether this is owing to the 

 stock grafted, the soil, or favored location of the tree, I am not yet able to 

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