PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF MICHIGAN POMOLOGY. 11 



The exceedingly valuable wines of some vineyards of Europe aflford a good 

 illustration of the enlianced value of a priduct when a slighr. modification of 

 climate is sec nded by fav >raljle condition of soil. Among the soils of the 

 most celebrated viney:irds in various parts of Eur-^pe there is no identity of 

 mineral C)mposition ; but, in that, respect, a striking dissimilarity ; their iden- 

 tity is in I heir uniform poverty. Their climatic advantage is due to airiness 

 of their elcva'ed situations. While these poverty-stricken hills grow a wine 

 worth ten dollars per gallon, the rich valleys in sight grow a wine which sells 

 for ten to twenty cents the gallon. 



These are only a few ot the [)roduc(s of which minor climatic differences- 

 greatly affect the value. Small variations of winter extremes determine the 

 success or lailure of many tree fruits; and, on the other hand, excessive sum- 

 mer heats stand in the way of the production of some fruits in regions where 

 the character of the winters is not adverse. In none of the great continents 

 are the central parts productive of the valnalile fruits. The fruit regions of 

 the world have their climates favorably modified t)y the influence of bodies of 

 water. The exceptions to this rule are quite insignificant, and are generally 

 owing to altitude. 



specialtit:s. 



Is there any reasonable objection to specialties in countries where favorable 

 peculiarities fit them for the most profitable production? Is there any reison- 

 able olijection to the State of Michigan making the most out of what nature 

 lias done I'or her? If there is, it will he hard tor her farmers to see it while 

 the money profit stands prominently belore their eyes. There is no such ob- 

 jection. With our uneqnaled water influences, with our location in the midst 

 ot the popuh'us and wealthy Northern States, and with profitable tnarkets 

 open to us on all sides, we shall drift m re and mure into fruit production. 



OUR FRUIT INTEREST 



has already advanced to considerable proportion?. Starling from the old Dous- 

 man apple orchard on Mackinaw Island, and the old F'rench apple and pear 

 trees on D^^troit river, all seedling-i, we have gone to net results of many 

 millions. Within the memory of some of us here our present great tuteresfc. 

 has grown from nothing. We have passed the day of wild speculation in fruit 

 lands, the '• Belt" proving to be too wide a matter for monopoly, as. from cen- 

 ter to circumference, various valuable fruits can be grown profitably. Our 

 constantly increasing and cheapening transportation facilities are opening to 

 us a great numlier of good markets. 



Our Itest keeping apples can g ) to Europe in good condition, and to Louisi- 

 ana or Texas, while the nearer Eastern and Western markets are ever ready to 

 take the Imlk of the crop. 



Our peaches, pears, sweet cherries, and grapes do not have to go far for good 

 markets, and the increasing demand will admit of a very great increase of pro- 

 duction. 



OUR E>rEMIES. 



We have gone far enough in fruit production to find an insect war upon our 

 hands. This must be f )ught out. Fruit men and fanners generally are com- 

 ing to the conclusion th.it injurious insects have had things to » much their 

 own way. To fight our enemies we must know them tlioroughly. Here is our 

 weak point. Every cultivator who has paid much attention to this great draw- 



