250 GENERAL HISTORY. 



errors, some knowledge of the then crude subject of pomology seemed indis- 

 pensable. Hearing of a stray copy of the then recent and rare original 

 edition of A. J. Dowuing's Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, this was bor- 

 rowed, and finally purchased, and carefully studied. From this, combined 

 with careful observation, it was discovered that the public were quite as 

 deficient in acquaintance with the subject as himself. These convictions, 

 together with an inherent love of the pursuit, gradually grew into the pur- 

 pose which finally developed into the extensive planting, fruiting and identi- 

 fying of varieties — a work undertaken certainly with the hope that it might 

 win a living ; but, aside from that, with little expectation beyond the realiza- 

 tion of a purpose to become familiar with varieties, and to aid in bringing 

 order out of confusion. The pursuit of this purpose, sooner or later, brought 

 him in contact and correspondence with such men as Downing, Warder, 

 Elliott, Bateham, and numerous others, with whom varieties and information 

 were freely interchanged ; and drafts at will were freely authorized, and as 

 freely made, for cions of rare varieties, from the trial grounds of Mr. Down- 

 ing, from whom a very large proportion of these rarer trial fruits were ob- 

 tained. Since about 1870 these orchards have passed into the hands of 

 persons caring little or nothing for the purpose for which they were planted; 

 and they are said to have sadly deteriorated, and to be already unfitted for 

 the original purpose, as well as for profitable results in any direction. 



In 1850 the farm committee of the State Agricultural Society awarded the 

 premium to the farm of the late Jonathan Shearer, of Plymouth, who sub- 

 mitted, in substance, the following statement respecting its horticultural 

 department: "There is an orchard of two acres on the farm, in full bear- 

 ing, containing one hundred grafted trees. There is an apple nursery of 

 some ten thousand trees, one thousand of which are grafted. There are also 

 several varieties of pears and eighty peach trees. The most of these trees are 

 in full bearing. There are twenty quince trees now bearing. There is a 

 nursery of pears, peaches, plums and quinces, including many varieties." 



In 1854, in entering his farm to compete for the premium offered by the 

 State Agricultural Society, John S. Tibbitts, of Plymouth, specifies that he 

 has one hundred apple trees, nearly all grafted with choice varieties ; also 

 thirty-six peach trees, twenty-five cherry, eight plum, six quince and one 

 nectarine. The borer, wood-louse (aphis?) and codling moth are mentioned 

 as the principal insect enemies. He is experimenting with salt and a wash 

 of strong lye and soda for their distraction. His apples are almost free from 

 worms this year. He cultivates his orchard, keeping down weeds and grass, 

 raising little or no crops upon the ground, manures it bountifully, mulches 

 with coarse manure and leached ashes, keeps the trees well trimmed, and 

 washes them yearly with strong lye and soda. 



The orchard committee of the State Pomological Society for the year 1871 

 awarded premiums to residents of this county as follows: 



To J. W. Humphrey, Plymouth, first premium for pear orchard. 



In 1833 William L. Woodbridge (son of Governor Woodbridge), while yet 

 a school boy, commenced a small nursery, mostly of pears, upon his father's 

 farm at Detroit which was in existence as late as 1836, soon after which it 

 must have been closed to make room for the growth of the city. 



A small nursery was commenced at Detroit by George Foster in 1841 

 which continued but a year or two. 



In 1844 a nursery and greenhouse were commenced by William Adair and 



