THE STATE FAIR— 1873. 205 



all winter, as directly in front of the location is the coutinuance of the chan- 

 nel of the Detroit river, whose rapid current clears the shore of ice. The soil 

 does not differ materially from that adjacent to Monroe City, lying as it does 

 just above the limestone formation found invaluable to the pro^^er growth of 

 the grape. The individual members of the committee having each noted his 

 opinion, it was announced by Professor Beal, the chairman, that in all the par- 

 ticulars of grading the Pointe Aux Peaux vineyard came fully up to the stand- 

 ard, and cousequeutly the first prize would be awarded to it. That is as much 

 as to say that the Pointe Aux Peaux vineyard was absolutely perfect. Certainly 

 no one could pass through it and come to any other conclusion." 



But this is not half of what we saw in Monroe. There are two very exten- 

 sive nurseries, entered by Ilgenfritz & Co., and Peynolds, Lewis & Co., each 

 claiming to cover two or three hundred acres. We saw here block after block 

 of trees in straight rows, so we conld trace them with slight interruption over 

 a mile. 



S. Q. Lent in Michigan Farmer says : " Here are found long rows of Eed 

 Canadas worked into the tops of rapid growing trees, looking healthy and 

 vigorous. L E. Ilgenfritz & Co. have a portion of their nursery grounds lying 

 alongside of the Reynolds nursery, and the whole to a passer-by looks like one 

 immense nursery farm. We were glad to see tliis pleasant feeling existing 

 between the two firms, indicated more especially by having no division fence 

 to separate their domains. Both of the firms have fine specimen orchards, but 

 neither have as fine specimen trees of the more popular ornamentals as I 

 W'ould enjoy seeing. 



" Every acre is thoronghiy tile-drained at a cost of over $60 per acre. It is 

 heavy, some of it lumpy, but strong and rich and sure to produce well. They 

 have a good market, good tools, and a good variety of good stock. There are 

 a few slugs, caterpillars, and white grubs, but no cut-worms." 



S. Q. Lent again says : '-'In Mr. Ilgenfritz's nursery one of the most inter- 

 esting features was this season's planting of apple stock. Long rows stretch- 

 ing for nearly half a mile, as straight as a compass could line them, of even, 

 thrifty growth, promising a magnificent block of salable trees in two years. 

 We cannot speak too highly of the thorough cultivation practiced by these 

 two firms. It would be a grand thing for some of our farmers to visit these 

 establishments, if for no other purpose than to learn how to pursue a thorough 

 system of drainage and cultivation. 



" It was a rich treat to converse with these Monroe men. They are men 

 who have learned what they know of fruit and fruit trees in the school of per- 

 sonal experience, and know whereof they affirm, and withal they are far from 

 being arrogant, but exhibit modesty and culture, and readiness to impart infor- 

 mation without the least bit of ostentatious display. 



"I feel such confidence in our Michigan nurserymen that I think I am war- 

 ranted in saying they are too jealous of their reputation to place poor or 

 injured stock upon the market. They all have some of as fine stock as can be 

 grown anywhere, and by selling this, and only this, they can establish a name 

 that will bring them abundant success, and make us all proud to advertise 

 them as our own. As a committee we feel that just as good nursery stock can 

 be grown in Michigan as any other State, and we feel proud of the men who 

 have, through economy and study, acquired the positions they now occupy. 

 We feel justified in saying to the farmers of Michigan, 'Do not patronize 

 nnreliable fruit-tree agents from abroad as long as you can, by a very little- 



