278 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



those very trees are now dead. Some trees are dead by girdled dead bark. I 

 do not know the cause. It has been suggested it was caused by cold. But 

 the part exposed to the cold is alive, while that portion which is dead was cov- 

 ered with snow. Some trees on elevations are dead, while those on the low 

 lands are alive ; while on other places those on the elevations are alive, and 

 those on the flats are dead. I cannot account for these differences in the effect 

 of cold on elevations. The best orchard in Spring Lake, known as the "Petty 

 orchard," is well cultivated, and the trees are all right. It has a southeastern 

 aspect. In answer to a question, Mr. W. said : "A young orchard I would not 

 cultivate so thoroughly, but an old-bearing orchard I would thoroughly culti- 

 Tate." 



GRAND HAVEN — CHERRIES. 



This locality being next in order, Mr. Clubb's essay on Cherries was called 

 for and read. 



ST. JOSEPH. 



Mr. Chamberlain. — We have done looking at the thermometer in Berrien 

 Co. We had ihe thermometer 20'' below zero, and yet had a good crop. The 

 coldest time is generally between half past two o'clock and half past four in 

 the morning. We used to watch all night for fear the thermometer would go 

 below S° or 10"^ below zero. Last year the drouth was so severe that the meat 

 was shrivelled on the pit of the peach like the skin of an old squaw. One 

 single shower, however, swelled up the peaches, and they had over 200,000 

 baskets. Then we had this cold winter. We can now report that strawberries 

 were under the snow and we expected to get 25.000 to 30,000 bushels. This 

 drouth, however, has reduced the amount terribl}'. The curculio has com- 

 menced on the cherry, plum, and peach trees. The early Purple Guigne 

 Cherry has been marketed. In regard to peaches, I estimated if the buds 

 matured we should have 600,000 baskets ; but since then large numbers of 

 trees have died, and since I have seen how the curculio is at work I cannot 

 estimate the loss. Plum trees have ample crop, but whether we get a crop 

 depends on the curculio. Apple crop is immense. No appearance of codling 

 moth. I anticipate for our fruit region the largest crop we have. Easpberries 

 and blackberries are suffering from drouth. There has been rain in the country, 

 but not in the fruit region. Mr. Ransom took care of the curculio for' three 

 years and kept them bottled up. He had therefore arrived at the. conclusion 

 that the curculio would live at least three years. 



Prof. Cook. — I doubt the conclusion being correct. Insects will keep alive a 

 long time in a bottle, whereas in a natural state they would only live a season. 



Mr. Chamberlain. — All I can say is the curculio did live three years in a 

 bottle. 



WAYKE COUNTY. 



Mr. T. T. Lyon. — Peach trees in Wayne county are either killed or badly 

 injured. Some have blossomed freely, still the pear trees have died, no doubt 

 injured by the winter. A couple of Clapp's Favorite and the Madelaine wholly 

 uninjured, and the Winter Nellis and some other varieties are uninjured. 

 Strawberries a very full crop. Come out of the winter perfectly healthy and 

 sound. My main crop is the Michigan seedling. The Wilson is grown exten- 

 sively and comes into our viPcige about the 7th of June. The Michigan has 

 not more than one third ripened as yet. I counted 850 blossoms and fruit on 

 one plant. Presume the average would have been 300 to a plant. We 



