IONIA COUNTY. 31 ^ 



The county is a fine fruit producing region — of apples especially. Pears 

 and plums do well, but the sweet or Mazzard varieties of cherries are not 

 fully hardy. 



Surplus fruit is largely shipped west, mainly to Wisconsin; also to Minne- 

 sota and some to Europe. 



Eri Le Valley and also a Mr. Kellogg maintain nurseries; also one or two 

 other persons. 



Charles Cornell planted a nursery, four miles south of Ionia, fifteen years 

 ago, but having sold his farm he has abandoned the business. 



There are preserved groves of native trees in our cemeteries, and many of 

 our citizens have fine groves of planted trees, of almost every variety, for 

 ornamental purposes; yet I have noticed a strange want of what I call good 

 judgment in planting trees, viz., almost universally choosing trees for merely 

 ornamental use, as many of the coniferas, lindens, birches, maples, elms, 

 etc., with very few of the good nut-bearing species. I deem this a lack of 

 good judgment in not making the ground a source of gain to the planter. 



I find that the chestnut, which is not a native here, can be successfully 

 grown from the nut by planting it where the tree is to remain, but trans- 

 planted chestnuts do not succeed as well. 



The foregi>ing items are transcribed, almost literally, from notes supplied 

 by A. J. Webber, of Ionia. 



The Ionia County Agricultural Society seems not to have been organized 

 until 1853, although a movement for such purpose was in progress during 

 1853, and a report was made for the latter year under date of January 14th, 

 1853. ' • 



A record also exists of the organization of a county agricultural society 

 during the year 1856, which, however, may have been a re-organization of 

 the earlier society. 



The agricultural society reports a good show of fruits and vegetables at 

 the county fair of 1870. 



In 1871 an organization was effected at Hubbardston, under the name of 

 the Central Fair Association. 



Seeds of amber cane, sent to this county for trial in 1884, were planted in 

 a rich loamy soil, and are reported to have been very successful. 



The State Pomological Society's orchard committee for 1875, in visiting 

 the vineyards of George Hosford, at Ionia, learned that he commenced grow- 

 ing grapes by planting a vine of Concord in 1854, which he purchased of 

 Hovey & Co., of Boston, for the sum of $5. From this he propagated plants, 

 which for a couple of years he sold at 13 each. Still later he sold them at 

 $2.50, and finally at $1. Twelve years since (1866) he commenced selling 

 grapes at twenty cents per pound. 



In 1871 the orchard committee of the State Pomological Society awarded a 

 premium to George Hosford, of Ionia, for a bearing vineyard. 



In 1872 similar awards were made as follows: — 



To N. E, Smith, Ionia, a third premium for a Concord vineyard. 



To N. E. Smith, Ionia, a second premium for a Delaware vineyard. 



In 1873: — 



To IST. E. Smith, Ionia, a second premium for a Concord vineyard. 



To JSf. E. Smith, Ionia, a first premium for a one-year Delaware vineyard. 



In 1874: — 



To N. E. Smith, Ionia, a first premium for an apple orchard in bearing. 



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