124 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



parts of the country, stated that they had never seen .finer specimens of this 

 frnit than are produced in the Grand Traverse region. 



More time is required for apple trees to reach a bearing condition ; but there 

 are examples enough to prove that the trees will grow well and produce well. 

 The oldest trees are those planted at the French missionary stations. The 

 Indians obtained seed or young trees from the missionaries, and in some 

 instances they have attained a large size, and have borne frnit for many years. 

 IsTone of these French or Indian trees appear to have been budded or grafted, 

 though some of them produce good fruit. The oldest trees are still healthy 

 and productive. Those planted by Indians have grown altogether in a natural 

 way, and were never pruned. 



On the farm belonging to the late New Mission Seminar}', — the Institution 

 is DOW abandoned, — there is a large orchard which has been planted fourteen 

 years, and has for several years, previously to the last, produced good crops. 

 The trees are very large of their age, although they have never been manured. 

 All persons who have seen apples grown here unite in saying that they have 

 never known them surpassed in size or flavor. The crop failed last year; but 

 this year there is a prospect of a good yield. 



Young apple orchards, from those of this spring's planting to those of four 

 or five years old, are numerous, and many of them of very fine appearance. 

 Mr. Perry Hannah, of Traverse City, has one of several years' growth, com- 

 prising forty acres, which is very promising. It is on the first slope of the 

 highland that rises from the sand-plain on which the town stands. 



Pear trees have not as yet been planted to much extent. On the grounds of 

 Rev. George N". Smith, at Northport, there are several very fine trees of differ- 

 ent varieties, in a bearing state, the young fruit being handsomely set on the 

 18th of June. These trees have produced fruit for several years, the quality 

 said to be very fine. There are also several fine trees, in bearing condition, on 

 the grounds of Rev. Mr. Dougherty, at New Mission, and on the Seminary 

 grounds before mentioned. In the garden of Rev. Dr. Walker, of Benzonia, 

 are some as fine pear trees as can be found of their age in any part of the 

 country. They comprise several choice varieties; have borne for several years, 

 and the fruit has been pronounced of the finest quality by persons competent 

 to judge. On the grounds of John Canfield, Esq., of Manistee, there are 

 numerous pear trees, both dwarfs and standards, of from two to six years' 

 growth from planting, many of which are models of beauty. 



On the whole there is good reason to believe that apples, peaches and grapes 

 will generally do well here, and that their cultivation may be made remuner- 

 ative. Pears will probably succ'^'ed in some localities, which will be more par- 

 ticularly designated as we proceed. 



In regard to apples, no reason can be seen why the trees should not as pro- 

 ductive and as long lived in this section as in any part of the country, or in the 

 world. That the fruit will ripen perfectly there seems to be no doubt. From 

 causes already stated, they will ripen later in the season ; but this will give 

 them advantages in reference to late keeping, and will enhance their value for 

 the spring market. It is well known that winter varieties of apples at the 

 north are in some cases autumn varieties at the south, and will keep there but 

 a short time. For this reason apples produced in Maine will sell higher in 

 New Orleans, in spring, than those grown in Ohio. The further north apples 

 can be grown, or the later they are in ripening, provided they do fully ripen, 

 the later they will keep in the spring, and the better will be their quality. We 



