64 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. '' 



The accounts of the prices received at this early date read Hke a fairy- 

 tale ; thus, it is easy for us to see why the people were so anxious to embark 

 in their new industry. Those living north of St. Joseph along the lake 

 were not slow in discovering the especial adaptability of that whole region 

 for the culture of this fruit. The settlers in Van Buren county were soon 

 in the wake of those in Berrien, planting orchards, from 1852, onward. 

 The enterprise advanced up the lake shore during the succeeding years, 

 until now the peach belt has reached a'* northern limit, such as the fathers' 

 of the industry little dreamed of. Land at one time considered worthless, 

 rapidly increased in value. The acreage increased, and although there was 

 a corresponding decrease in the price, still there was a very wide margin 

 between it and the cost of production. Those were boom days in Michigan 

 peach culture. 



THE YELLOWS. 



As we glance back at this early time, we are struck by the simplicity 

 of the task of peach growing in those days. The combination of virgin 

 land, protecting influences, and comparative freedom from insects and dis- 

 eases, produced excellent fruit with little effort, and the fruit sold for a 

 higher price than is dreamed of now. Thus the peach existed in a natural 

 state, with a balance of power between itself and the force surrounding it. 

 But man in his anxiety for increased profit, cleared the way for those enemies 

 which many growers today look upon as types of discouragements. 



Of the discouragements, I shall mention four: The yellows, little peach, 

 San Jose scale, and winter injury. 



The year 1866 marks the date of the first notice of a disease in Michigan, 

 that was destined to play a very important part in the future developments 

 of peach interests. It first made its appearance upon the farm of D. M. 

 Brown, just south of St. Joseph' among the trees that had been obtained 

 from a New Jersey nurseryman. Since it was known to have been brought 

 westward from the seat of the disease in the east, it was quickly identified 

 as the "yellows." In spite of the fact that the seriousness of its develop- 

 ments in the east was known, it attracted but little interest here and practically 

 no attention was given to it. But it was not always to remain unnoticed. 

 During the next five years, it laid a foundation that threatened the destruc- 

 tion of the peach industry of the State. In 1870, the residents of Berrien 

 county suddenly became alarmed when they found that the disease had 

 become widely disseminated thoughout the region. But it was too late; 

 the damage had been wrought. In 1874, Berrien county had 6,000 acres of 

 peach orchards, the best in the world. In 1864, it possessed only 503 acres. 

 From being the foremost peach county in the State with an acreage larger 

 than that of all the others combined, it became ninth in order. This whole- 

 sale slaughter of trees was cause enough for discouragement, and affected 

 to a greater or less extent, the judgment oi the most conservative. 



The disaster in the southern part of the fruit belt, was a warning to the 

 growers in the north. By legislation and personal vigilance the dreaded dis- 

 ease was never allowed to gain the mastery in the vicinity of South Haven. 

 Although this disease has appeared in every part of the fruit belt, and in 

 many places has completely annihilated the industry, the growers have proved 

 the fact that cooperation and vigilance are the only requirements necessary 

 to hold it in check. The proof of this statement is being strengthened every 

 year by the reports from those sections where the "yellows" suddenly 

 obtained mastery; as a search into the causes, always reveals the fact that 

 the growers have become negligent. 



