30:^ GENERAL HISTORY. 



ones. It was organized by act of the Legislative Council, approved January 

 20th, 1835, and which was given effect from and after the first Monday of 

 February ensuing. 



The lands upon which Lapeer, the county seat, was located were taken up 

 and platted in 1831, by the late A. N. Hart. It has been, for several years, 

 an incorporated city. 



The foregoing was the first settlement in the county. In the spring of 

 1832 settlements were made by J. R. White, 0. B. Hart, Ahin McMaster and 

 John Peters ; in September by Phineas White, and in 1833 by E. J. White. 

 These settlements were primarily for agricultural purposes, although inci- 

 dentally a large amount of pine has been manufactured into lumber. 



In 1834 orchards were planted for family use by Phineas, E. J. and J. R. 

 White, also by Daniel Turrill. 



Almost every farm orchard has been planted with reference to a surplus of 

 fruit for market. 



A plum orchard has been planted by W. R. Wadsworth, also a peach orchard 

 at Metamora, by VV^adsworth & Traverse. 



Raspberries and strawberries have been planted to some extent for com- 

 mercial purposes. 



As the rule, small fruits, and, with the exception of peaches, all the larger 

 fruits, can be and are successfully and profitably grown. 



As many as twenty-five or thirty thousand barrels of apples are sent south 

 and west in some years, over the Michigan Central and the Chicago and Grand 

 Trunk railroads. 



All other fruits are absorbed by local markets. 



A nursery was established at Lapeer, in 1855, by Mr. Young, but the owner 

 went into the army during the rebellion and the enterprise was discontinued. 



Several other small establishments have been commenced within the county, 

 all of" which have been abandoned. 



In 1851 the State Agricultural Society's farm committee report the follow- 

 ing statement of George Clark, Jr., of Lapeer, respecting his orchards and 

 their management: " I have one hundred apple trees, chiefly grafted fruit, 

 also pears, plums, and cherries. To subdue bark lice and catapillars, I wash 

 the trees with lye." 



In 1858 the Lapeer County Agricultural Society was organized. 



In 1868 it reports apples as a fair crop and peaches good. 



In 1869 its exhibit of fruits and vegetables was superb, the building de- 

 voted to them being filled to overflowing. 



Apples were then an average and peaches a full crop. Fruit, the cultiva- 

 tion of which has been neglected in this county, is receiving more attention. 

 Thousands of apple trees have been planted within the last two years, all of 

 improved varieties. A great many grapes are grown in the southern part of 

 the county, also large quantities of peaches. 



In 1880 it reports apples a bountiful crop, but winter fruit not keeping 

 well. 



In 1871 an agricultural society was organized for the northeastern portion 

 of the county, with headquarters at Nortli Branch. 



The Lapeer County Horticultural Society was organized on February 10th, 

 1882. 



In 1884 the winter meeting of the State Horticultural Society was held at 

 Lapeer on February 26th and 27th, upon the invitation of the county horti- 



