284 GENERAL HISTORY. 



In the fall of 1837, or the spring of 1838, A. Standish and Mr. Law^ 

 before mentioned, also planted an orchard in Stockbridge; and, during the 

 same period, Henry Clements planted the first orchard in the town of White 

 Oak. 



These orchards were all intended for home use. Apple trees have been 

 generally successful, but other classes of fruit less so. Local markets con- 

 sume nearly the entire excess of fruit tree products. 



A. F. Cooley planted the first apple orchard in the town of Lansing, in 

 the spring of 1873, from trees which were found growing upon the banks of 

 Grand river, near the present location of the city of Lansing. Mrs. D. L. 

 Case, of that city, in stating this fact adds: It is not known who planted 

 the trees (or seeds) upon the river bank. Perhaps Johnny Appleseed came 

 to Michigan as well as to other States. 



The early orchards were generally planted with seedlings, and since 1860 

 these have been very generally grafted with improved varieties. Since the 

 commencement of the grafting process the amount of surplus marketable 

 fruit has steadily increased. 



There is a retarding house at Lansing, but its capacity and the means em- 

 ployed to delay maturity have not been learned. 



In the month of January, 1838, the ground being free from frost, J. F. 

 Cooley planted what he claimed to have been the first nursery in the county. 



George W. Lathrop commenced a small nursery in 1848. He is reputed to 

 have been the introducer here of the process known as root grafting. At his 

 death the business passed into the hands of his son, by whom it was continued 

 until his death. 



In 1850 James Bignal planted a nursery in the town of Stockbridge. 



In 1856 J. C. Harris brought a general assortment of fruit trees and grape- 

 vines from Genesee county. New York, which he planted in nursery nearly 

 one mile south of Lansing. 



In 18G9 G. W. Parks planted a general assortment of fruit and ornamental 

 trees, which establishment is still continued, and is known as the Lansing 

 nursery 



Mr. Claflin commenced a small nursery in the town of Vevay some years 

 since, which, not proving profitable, was soon discontinued. 



In 1838 and '9 the ''multicaulis " fever occurred and the "agents " seem 

 to have reached this then out-of-the-way region. Mrs. Case remarks: The 

 trees died, the fever subsided, and the agents were the only persons who made 

 any money. 



The State capital was, by Legislative enactment, located at Lansing, in the 

 northwest corner township of this county in 1847, at which date there were a 

 few acres qleared and a saw mill and a log house built Also on the west side 

 of the river there were five acres "slashed " (Mrs. D. L. Case). The exec- 

 utive committee of the State Agricultural Society located the Agricultural 

 College farm three miles farther eastward, and just within the town of Meri- 

 dian in 1865. The college tvas opened to students in May, 1857. 



The only awards made by the orchard committee of the State Pomological 

 Society within this county were in 1875, when the first premium was awarded 

 to the Agricultural College for ornamental grounds attached to the institu- 

 tion, and another first premium for the plant house connected with the col- 

 lege. 



The contributors from this county to the Michigan display of fruits at the 



