THE DISEASES OF THE PEACH TREE. 35 



with earth in the spring to protect them from injury by the peach tree borer, 

 {aegeria exitiosa), and towards autumn to level the mound to permit the bark 

 at the surface of the earth to harden for the better protection of the trees 

 during winter, then, just before winter sets in to cover the roots and the lower 

 part of the trunk. Last fall he leveled the mounds and uncovered a portion 

 of the roots as usual, but before he had time to cover them the cold weather 

 came on, froze the earth, and upon exposed situations killed several trees. The 

 trees not killed are in a flourishing condition. 



AT FRUITPORT, SPRING LAKE, AND GRAND HAVEN. 



On Saturday afternoon we took cars for Fruitport. From there we went 

 by steamer down Spring Lake to Grand Haven. 



At Grand Haven we called at the fiirm of Mr. T. E. Gidley, well-known for 

 many years as a successfnl farmer and fruit grower in Jackson county. Not 

 finding Mr. Gidley at home we took a stroll through a part of his orchard and 

 vineyard, particularly that part lying between his house and the lake; here he 

 has an orchard of handsome, healthy, vigorous peach trees, not in bearing this 

 year, but promise well for the next season. 



We went through an old apple and peach orchard that was planted many 

 years since, we were informed, by Mr. Ferry, father of Col. and Senator Ferry, 

 but now owned by Mr. Mansfield. The peach trees are very large, and prob- 

 ably very large crops of peaches have been taken from them in former years, 

 but they seem to be dying of old age. They have evidently seen their best 

 days. We could not detect any evidence of the Yellows ever having been in 

 this old orchard. 



We made a short call at the home of Mr. Clubb. He was absent on business 

 connected with the State Pomological Society. He is making a beginning at 

 a peach and apple orchard and a vineyard. 



On the afternoon of August 5th we proceeded to the pleasant little village of 

 Spring Lake. Here we met Mr. Savidge, of the firm of Cutler & Savidge, who 

 introduced us to his partner, Mr. Cutler, and other gentlemen. He then fur- 

 nished us with means to cross Spring Lake to the farm of Mr. Hezekiah G. 

 Smith, a colored man and namesake of a member of our committee. We were 

 informed that Mr. Smith Avas the first successful peach grower on the borders 

 of this Lake. Some of his peach trees are very old, and show signs of decay. 

 At this place some of the large limbs of these old trees split down the previous 

 summer, and they were permitted to remain still attached to the trees but 

 reclining upon the ground; these limbs were loaded with good-sized, healthy 

 fruit, while the upright portions of the trees had no fruit. His younger peach 

 trees were in good growing condition, but not showing much fruit. His apple 

 orchcird was in good condition. After spending an hour or two with Mr. 

 Smith we returned to the village. 



After tea Mr. Savidge took us in his carriage to the farm of Mr. E. D. Waters. 

 This is a new place, pleasantly situated on the south bank of Spring Lake, 

 and about midway between Spring Lake village and Fruitport. Mr. Waters 

 has a young peach orchard situated on high, rolling ground; it seems to be 

 healthy and doing well. 



On our return towards the village, we stopped at the home of Mr. Thomas 

 Petty. To look upon this beautiful orchard and vineyard was a rich treat. 

 His sixteen hundred peach trees are of uniform shape and size, and uniformly 

 healthy and vigorous, but not in bearing. From the vicinity of his house the 

 land rises gradually to the east line of his premises. Standing near the dwell- 



