194 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



not prove so profitable, because people were afraid to purchase tlieiu ou ac- 

 count of a supposed tendency to rot. They, however, bore well, and some 

 years they show no symptoms of rotting. Oue hundred and twenty-five stand- 

 ard pear trees, planted in 1870 and 1871, not yet in bearing. Fifty sweet 

 cherries, planted in 1869 and 1870, are making excellent growth. Six hun- 

 dred apple trees, planted at various times, are making good growth. One- 

 quarter acre of raspberries and blackberries. Strawberries raised between the 

 rows of peach trees. Eows three and one-half feet apart. Cultivated two or 

 three years, and then plowed in. Produce about 130 bushels of strawberries to 

 the acre. The Wilson's Albany is the variety used. This fruit farm is one of 

 the best in the State. It is located so as to receive the full benefit of the lake 

 breezes, the west, southwest, and northwest, while Lake Kalamazoo tempers 

 the northeast wind fall and spring. The residence is well located on an emi- 

 nence, commanding a good view of the lake, and of the villages on each side, 

 and itself forming a prominent feature of the landscape. 



THE LARGEST ORCHAED. 



Messrs. Williams & Wiley own the largest peach orchard in the region. The 

 farm consists of 110 acres, in Douglas. Forty acres peach trees. Commenced 

 planting in 1867. Shipped in 1874 15,200 baskets of peaches. Two acres of 

 grapes, consisting of Concords, Delawares, Ives, Hartfords, Dianas and lonas, 

 all of which ripen well. The Diana grape was in excellent condition Decem- 

 ber 13th, and the lona only slightly shrivelled. Mr. Wiley thinks the Diana a 

 profitable grape on account of the keeping quality. Its flavor improves by 

 keeping, as the muskiness is diminished, and almost entirely lost by keeping a 

 few weeks. This firm is preparing to plant another forty acres to peaches in 

 1875 ; theirs will then be one of the largest orchards on the lake shore. It is 

 located about a mile east of Lake Michigan, on a fair elevation and slightly 

 rolling land. The soil of the farm is diversified both in quality and altitude, 

 the highest and most sandy land being selected for peaches. Mr. Wiley has a 

 simple contrivance for drying fruit, and dries a large quantity of peaches with- 

 out peeling. 



UTILIZING SWAMP LAND. 



Mr. Van Eenselier Wadsworth has demonstrated the value of swamp land on 

 bis farm. He has 80 acres on Town line road : 900 apple trees. Also 80 acres 

 on the Hooter road, two miles south of Douglas. This last named farm was 

 principally black ash swamp, the soil being an average of five feet in depth, of 

 black muck. It was chopped over about twelve years ago. Mr. Wadsworth 

 first completed a drain, which had been commenced by commissioners, and 

 having succeeded in carrying off the water, he cleared up and burnt over his 

 land, and from one acre he raised 400 bushels of onions in 1874. He is so well 

 pleased with this success that he has prepared ten acres for onions in 1875. He 

 raises the Early Dan vers variety. He uses Comstock's onion weeder, cultivator 

 and drill, which facilitates the labor, and makes onion raising on a large scale 

 practicable and profitable. 



GOOSEBERRY AHD CURRAKT CULTURE. 



Mr. Joseph Hattersley, an intelligent English gardener, has eight acres at Pier 

 Cove. About 500 peach trees; 2,000 grape vines; numerous currant and 

 gooseberry bushes; grows red, white and black currants for market quite suc- 

 cessfully. Two dollars and a half a crate, or 15.50 a bushel, is the price real- 



