ORCHARDS AND VINEYARDS OF MICHIGAN".. 215 



blocks of staudard pears. Here we found long rows of Eed C'a,nadas worked 

 into the tops of rapid growing trees, looking healthy and vigorous. I. E. Ilgen- « 

 fritE & Co. have a portion of their narsery 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 this 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 speci- 

 men trees of the more popular ornamentals as I would enjoy seeing. Every 

 establishment of this character should for its own good have ideal specimen 

 trees of each variety of hardy evergreen and deciduous ornamental. Yes, more 

 than this. No nurseryman should deal largely in ornamental stock until he 

 has first shown the efiect of its employment in beautifying and adorning his 

 home premises. I apprehend now that these Michigan nurserymen have passed 

 entirely through the "poor period," they will pay more attention to this adorn- 

 ment of specimen grounds. In Mr. Ilgenfritz's nursery one of the most 

 interesting features was this season's planting of apple stock. Long rows 

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

 even, thrifty growth, promising a magnificent block of saleable 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 personal 

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

 arrogant, but exhibit modesty and culture, and readiness to impart informa- 

 tion without the least bit of ostentatious display. 



BATTLE CHEEK. 



A little nursery at Battle Creek belonging to Chilson Brothers was not 

 entered for premium is worthy of mention from the fact of the plan pursued 

 in its establishment. These men first dealt in grape vines, — they began by 

 planting a good vineyard ; they next went into evergreens, and started a num- 

 ber of specimen trees. They are doing something in greenhouse plants, but 

 use some of the best for their own flower beds. Chilson Bros, found the winter 

 had materially injured their two, three, and four-year apple stock, and adopted 

 the only true way — to wit : cut them oflT to the ground, and are growing them 

 over again, thus making the best]of trees out of a stock which, if they had used 

 it in filling orders, would have given them a reputation not iu the least 

 desirable. 



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, industry, and thorough study, acquired the positions 

 they now occupy. We feel justified in saying to the farmers of Michigan, 

 " Do not patronize unreliable fruit tree agents from abroad as long as you can, 

 by a very little expense, procure trees just such as you desire by going to your • 

 own State nurserymen." 



