^ LENAWEE COUNTY. 225 



At this fair the executive committee of the society also highly commend 

 the good taste displayed by the committee of ladies, ia their beautiful orna- 

 mentation and arrangement of Floral liall, 



^v In 1854 a committee of the Adrian Horticultural Society, in their report, 

 made by B. T, Strong, remark that the season has been one of severe drought, 

 unfavorable to some of the finer fruits. Among the cherries claiming most 

 attention were Early Purple, Baumann's May, Black Tartarian, Black Eagle, 

 Yellow Spanish, Downer's Late, Governor Wood, Elton and Large Heart- 

 shaped Bigarreau. The best currants exhibited were Red and White Dutch 

 and Black Naples. The finest gooseberries were Crown Bob, Roaring Lion, 

 Whitesmith, Red Warrington and Houghton. Plums and apricots should 

 only be grown by those who can command time for their proper cultivation. 

 Most of the plum trees in this vicinity have become a public nuisance. No 

 peaches worthy of notice have been exhibited. The Catawba and Isabella 

 grapes have been the only worthy ones exhibited. Most of the standard 

 varieties of apples are grown in this vicinity. William's Favorite, Red 

 Astrachau, Waxen, Northern Spy and Newtown Pippin should be extensively 

 grown. Standard pears have succeeded well. Dwarfs are to be recommended 

 only for those who will give them intelligeni care. Many persons plant too 

 many varieties. Buyers are cautioned against tree peddlers and hawkers, 

 and are advised to prefer home grown trees. The committee believe that 

 commercial fruit culture may prove second to no other pursuit. 



In 1872 a stock company was organized at Palmyra, and embarked in the 

 business of evaporating fruits and vegetables, on a commercial basis, under 

 the secretaryship of S. B. Mann, The establishment was subsequently 

 burned. The association was reorganized, and the establishment was rebuilt. 

 It was operated several years with fair success, but was finally a second time 

 destroyed by fire. The establishment not being insured, the loss was a severe 

 •one to the owners. It has not been again rebuilt. 



Adrian, although much the largest city in the county, has no public parks 

 ■of considerable extent. There are two, of about one acre each. One called 

 Monument square, situated in the eastern part of the city, contains the 

 soldiers' monument, and is quite well cared for, containing many fine decidu- 

 ous trees. The other, located in the western part of the city, called Berry's 

 park, contains some beautiful evergreen and deciduous trees. 



Adrian College has fine grounds, about twenty acres in extent, containing 

 several acres of fine native forest, in the rear of the buidings, lying on a 

 gentle slope to the east. This is much frequented by the students for purposes 

 of recreation. The campus is planted with evergreen and deciduous trees, 

 flowering shrubs, and vines. Some attention is given to the cultivation of 

 flowers in beds. 



By act of the Legislature, approved May 31st, 1879, a Reform School for 

 Girls was provided for. The control of the institution is placed mainly in 

 the hands of ladies, with Mrs. Samuel L. Fuller, of Grand Rapids, as presi- 

 dent; and it has been located about one and one-half miles north of the city 

 of Adrian, upon forty acres of land, the gift of that city, beautifully situated, 

 and tastefully laid out and planted. The establishment was not opened until 

 August 1st, 1881, hence the intended landscape effects of the arrangement 

 and planting are as yet but imperfectly realized. Ultimately these may be 

 ■expected to exert a favorable influence in aid of the reformatory purposes for 

 which the institution was established. 



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