CLINTON COUNTY. 309 



The date of the organization of the Clinton County Agricultural Society is 

 not known, but reports of its transactions as early as 1853 show that its 

 organization antedates that period. 



•- John Gilbert, late of Ovid, a life member of the State Pomological Society, 

 died durino; the year 187G. lie was one of the most active and progressive 

 horticulturists of the county. In speaking of him the late J. P. Thompson, a 

 former secretary and president of the State Pomological Society, says: — 



" I first met him at Grand Rapids in 1873, and again, in 1874, at East 

 Saginaw, where his fruit was wonderfully fair, solid and showy. He was 

 always pleasant, had a good kind word for us all, and his greeting was that 

 of a father blessing his children. In 1874 I said to him, *Mr. Gilbert, we 

 hope to mcBt you again next year.' 'Ah, my friend,' said he, 'I doubt it. I 

 am an old man. My days for fairs and shows are over. I think this is my 

 last State fair,' and the tears started from the old man's eyes ; *but,' said he, 

 'friend Thompson, don't forget to send me the life membership certificate to 

 which I am entitled, for I always want to help the society a little every year, 

 living or dead,' In 1875 I looked for the large display usually made by our 

 old and loved friend Gilbert, but it was not there. He brought a few plates, 

 and said: 'My friend, I could not keep away, I wanted to see you all; but it 

 is my last State fair.' He spoke solemnly but truly. We looked to see his 

 white locks at Jackson in 18 "6, but he did not come. And the veteran and 

 pioneer fruit grower is dead, but his memory liveth and should live in our 

 society. The fragrance of the orchard, when in bloom, surrounds the life 

 and death of John Gilbert." 



In 1884, in "A. Brief of Horticulture," Secretary Garfield credits S. S. 

 Walker, of St. Johns, with the following: 



Clinton county is quite a model farming county. Horticulture here is not 

 a specialty, but an accompaniment of the farm, and the society located at 

 St. Johns combines the two in its name and work. Lands are mostly im- 

 proved and under good cultivation. The apple orchards are the most profit- 

 able attributes of the farm, paying as high as $100 and $150 per acre. The 

 surplus is readily taken at fair rates by steam evaporators and cider mills. 

 Peaches are rarely grown. Pears and plums are raised by an occasional 

 orchardist, but none as yet for exportation. Concord grapes are getting to 

 be quite plentiful and find a ready market. Small fruits and vegetables are 

 grown to supply the home demand, but recently capital is investing in the 

 small fruit business more largely, and there is no question that the outcome 

 will be satisfactory. 



August 5, 1886. 



On receipt of your letter, I immediately sent a copy of the questions asked, to some 

 twenty of our old residents, in different parts of the county, asking them for answers 

 to the questions as to their locahties, and any general information they might have. I 

 received a few replies and herewith combiue the substance of them, which I trust may 

 prove to be of service to you. 



DeWitt Township: The first fruit trees were planted by W. W. Webb, m 1837. The 

 trees are yet standing and are thrifty, and are still good bearers. Mr. Webb had fine 

 crops and large prices in the early times of Clinton county. 



Riley Township: A. Simons sold, in the fall of 1858, apples from seventy trees for 

 $600. 



Duplain Township : This township was one of^the earhest settled m the county, being 



