THE SOUTH HAVEN POMOLOGIUAL SOCIETY. 511 



one-third for farming, timber, and grass lands. Of the 133,333 acres of hind, 

 but T,C29 acres were set in 1872. Allowing one-fifth for bearing, there were 

 1,52G that yielded 209,484 baskets of apples, netting at a low average price 

 $83,793.60, or S54.91 per acre. lu 1873 they bore 102,705 bushels, bringing 

 $89,488, or $58.04 per acre. In 1874 there were 1,830 acres in bearing, yield- 

 ing 251,380 bushels, netting $125,090, or $08.04 per acre, which was a steady 

 net increase per acre in the face of the cold winter of 1872-3. 



In 1872 but 945 acres were set to peaches. Allowing one-third for bearing, 

 the 315 acres produced 02,929 bushels, yielding $94,393, or over $300 per acre. 

 In 1873 one-fifth, or 03 acres, in South Haven township bore 9,072 bushels, 

 bringing net $27,290, or four hundred and thirty-one dollars and sixty-eight 

 cents per acre. In 1874 there were 420 acres in bearing, yielding 84,100 

 bushels, netting $120,150, or $300.28 per acre. 



The pear orchards in 1872 yielded net $328 per acre ; in 1873, $560 ; in 

 1874, $450. 



The plum orchards in 1872 made a net yield of $333 per acre; in 1873, 

 $288; in 1874, $420. 



The cherry orchards in 1872 made returns of $407.40 per acre; in 1873, 

 1401.00; in 1874, $450. 



The grape vineyards in 1872 produced $276 per acre; in 1873, $440.50; in 

 1874, $440. 



The strawberry plantations in 1872 yielded $239.10 per acre; in 1873, 

 $319.50 ; in 1874, $237.50. 



The currants in 1872 net $408.60 per acre ; in 1873, $493.20; in 1874, $450. 



The average net per acre for the last three years for apples in bearing was 

 $00.73; for peaches, $343.99; for pears, $440; for plums, $347; for cherries, 

 $419.67; for grapes, $386.83 ; for strawberries, $265.36; for currants, $470.00. 

 The average per acre for all fruits was $342.52. Allowing all the apple land in 

 Van Buren county to be set and in bearing it would produce, at the low price 

 of fifty cents per bushel, $9,199,977. Allowing the peach land to be set and in 

 bearing, at one dollar per bushel, it would amount to $16,000,000. Added to the 

 product of the apple land the orcharding in Van Buren county would yield 

 annually over twenty-five million dollars. 



In reply to your further inquiry as to whether " good cultivation would 

 double the value of the present orchards and net returns," if you include 

 pruning, thinning, and grafting to improved varieties, we say emphatically, 

 yes. Our orchardists are striving to obtain these results, and I cannot close 

 this letter without thanking them for their full and prompt reply to your in- 

 quiries. Yours respectfully, H. E. Bidwell. 



PRUNING. 



South Haven, February 20, 1875. 



The pomological society met Monday evening to discuss the subject of 

 pruning. 



George L. Seaver inquired if the late severe weather would alter our method 



of pruning. 



