340 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



In the autumn of 1834 we erected a small greenhouse, and filled it with 

 plants; I think this was the first greenhouse built in Michigan. 



In the autumn of 1836 we erected a large greenhouse and filled it with a 

 choice collection of tropical plants. I do not know that there was any nursery 

 of fruit trees in Michigan at the time we started ours on the plains near 

 Ypsilanti. 



The leading yarieties of apples cultivated at that time were the Baldwin, 

 Belleflower, Tart Bough, Canada Red, Snow, Rhode Island Greening, Fall Pip- 

 pin, Summer Pippin, Green Newtown Pippin, Roxbury Russet, Talman's Sweet, 

 Green Sweet, Esopus Spitzenburg, Swaar, and Twenty-Ounce apple. 



The leading varieties of pears were the Bartlett, Buffum, White Doyenne, 

 Flemish Beauty, Seckel, and Stevens' Genesee. 



Of peaches, the Early Anne, Sweetwater, Royal Kensington, Prince's Red, 

 Rareripe, Orange, Pound, Barnard, Early York, Malta, and Red Cheek Meloco- 

 ton. Apricots and Nectarines, we found were too tender for cultivation in this 

 climate. 



The principal varieties of cherries cultivated at that time were the Amber 

 Heart, American Heart, Black Heart, Black Tartarian, May Duke, Ox Heart, 

 Carnation and White Tartarian. 



The plums were Coe's Golden Drop, Duane's Purple, Green Gage, Bleeker's 

 Gage, Hnling's Superb, Smith's Orleans, Washington, and Yellow Gage. 



The persons making the first and largest purchases of trees from the nur- 

 sery, except in our immediate vicinity, were John Bertram, J. Henry, J. D. 

 Pierce, Sidney Ketchum, George Ketchum, C. D. Smith, Isaac E. Crary, and 

 others of Marshall and vicinity. 



In the course of the first five years of our nursery we sold trees that went to 

 Lenawee, Hillsdale, Branch, St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, Jackson, Kent, Shiawas- 

 see, Genesee, Oakland, Livingston, Wayne, and other counties in this State. 



There has been a decided improvement in the varieties of fruit since we 

 started the Ypsilanti nursery, particularly in pears. A large number of the 

 varieties we brought to Michigan proved to be worthless ; so also with our col- 

 lection of apples; a large number of the varieties proved to be unworthy of 

 cultivation in this State. 



Of the persons who started nurseries in Michigan between 1837 and 1840, 

 I remember the names of Willis, of Battle Creek, Dunham, near Kalamazoo, 

 and White, near Monroe. Most of them closed their nurseries within a few 

 years. 



THE DETEOIT KUESERIES. 



In 1841, George Foster started a small nursery in Detroit, on Michigan ave- 

 nue, near Cass street, and in connection therewith a seed store on Jefferson 

 aveoue, between Woodward avenue and Bates street. The nursery was called 

 the Detroit nursery. This arrangement continued but a year or two. 



In the autumn of 1844 William Adair and George Foster entered into co- 

 partnership, and the firm held forth at what was known as the Michigan Gar- 

 den ; located on Randolph street, between Lafayette and Croghan streets, on 

 the Brush farm, Detroit. They dealt in fruit and ornamental trees and green- 

 house plants. Mr. Foster soon retired from the concern, and Mr. Adair has 

 continued the business alone from that time to the present, not having a part- 

 ner either in business or household affairs. His garden is now located where 

 it has been for many years, on Jefferson avenue, corner of Adair street, near 

 Bloody Run. 



