THE STATE FAIR— 1873. 203: 



his thermometer. It only reached 18*^ below zero, while others in the valley,, 

 less than a mile away, went down to '67° below. We repeated the advice often 

 given by his friends that his whole farm on the hill should, by all means, be 

 set to fruit. 



We went to Traverse City, October 6th. Here we were placed in an embar- 

 rassing position, by not being able to decide which 'Delaware vineyard was bestj. 

 that of J. Gr. Ramsdell or N. E. Smith, of Ionia. They were both too good for 

 a second premium, so we gave them both diplomas. The one at Traverse is 

 five years old, and bearing a full crop. The vines were remarkably stout for 

 Delawares. 



The village and vicinity is not prepossessing to a man accustomed to farm- 

 ing. There is sand about the town and rolling hills in the distance. Much of 

 the way along the new railroad is very rough, but every traveller must know 

 that it is not safe to judge of a country by what he sees from the car window.. 



The first thing on a bright morning was to go up about 350 or 400 feet above 

 the bay and take a general survey of the country. We could easily see North-^ 

 port, 32 miles away, and beyond the open water. The autumn foliage of 

 maples, beeches, poplars, ashes, elms, pines, and spruces, spread all over the 

 valleys and rolling hills, presented a picture grand and beautiful. Such a 

 picture we never expected to see in Michigan. 



In travelling by team nearly fifty miles, we saw much first-rate soil, capable 

 of producing fine crops of wheat, dent corn, apples, berries, or almost any crop 

 of farm, orchard, or garden, usually raised in the State. They had just had 

 the first frost of the season, unusually early, nipping some of the tender vege- 

 tation in exposed places. Frequently there is no frost before the end of Octo- 

 ber. We saw peaches in many places, and some quinces, but both had suffered 

 more or less last winter. Unquestionably this is the place to raise fine winter 

 apples, remarkable for their high color and long keeping. They look as 

 though they were painted ; Greenings have a red cheek. Mr. Parmelee, one of 

 the leading fruit men there, tells of a barrel of Northern Spy opened the 4th of 

 Jnly, which were every one sound and crisp. Grapes keep long and well. 



There are quite a number of large old apple-trees raised by the Indians.. 

 These are nearly all sound and healthy, but insects and weeds are there, and 

 beginning to show their capacity for increasing. 



Snow falls early, but the open water has allowed frost to freeze the soil. The 

 snow comes to stay till spring, or till warm weather. There are two seasons, 

 summer and winter. Beets and celery and potatoes may be dug at any time 

 by taking off the snow. As potatoes are not winter-killed they become a weed, 

 and remain for years in a meadow or cultivated field. 



On the peninsula we saw a large number of pear trees, set four years, which 

 were the nearest perfect in growth and health of any we have ever found. 

 Many apple orchards have been recently set. 



Grand Traverse must soon become a popular summer resort. We must give- 

 up our old notions about cold at the north, and a barren land in the northern 

 counties. At their Union Fair was the finest display of winter fruit we ever 

 saw or ever expect to see. We wonder why there was only one orchard entered 

 in that county. Friends, do not be so modest again. 



At Grand Rapids we examined the commercial plant-houses of Ren wick and 

 of Suttle. Both do a growing business in cut flowers, as well as in the sale of 

 plants. In this thrifty, Chicago-like town, it is the fashion to trim churches 

 with vines and flowers. Mr. Renwick has a contract to decorate three by the- 



