352 GENERAL HISTORY. 



large orchards have as yet been planted, and our home market consumes all 

 that are raised. Trees commence to bear the third year from setting, and 

 the fifth year give good returns. Clay soils are best. 



All kinds of small fruits are successful, although strawberries, only, are 

 much grown. The Indians supply raspberries and blackberries cheaper than 

 we can grow them. 



This county, according to the census of 1884, had, of 



Apple orchards, 2,087 acres, 33,690 bearing trees, yielding in 1883, 10,256 

 bushels of fruit. 



Peach orchards, 4 acres, 35 bearing trees, yielding in 1883, one bushel of 

 fruit. 



The value of orchard products of all kinds, sold or consumed in 1883, was 

 $8,362. 



Vineyards, 4 acres : grapes sold in 1883, 260 pounds. 



wine made in 1883, none. 



Nurseries, none; products sold in 1883, 810.00. 



Market garden products sold in 1883, $1,864.00. 



MECOSTA COUNTY. 



This county was laid off by act of the State Legislature, approved April 1st, 

 1840. It was organized under the provisions of an act approved February 

 11th, 1859, which provided for the completion of its organization on the first 

 Monday in May, 1859. 



The name of the county seat was originally Leonard, which was changed 

 to Big Kapids by the Legislature, February 22d, 1865. 



No information is at hand respecting the early settlement and orchard 

 planting of this county. 



In 1884 in "A Brief of Horticulture," F. A. Howig of the Pioneer com- 

 municates a few items which are herein condensed as follows: — 



An orchard about four miles west of Big Rapids, partially in the edge of a 

 pinery, is probably eighteen years old, and produces large crops annually. 

 Most of the orchards are young and only partially in bearing. Our market is 

 perhaps one-fourth supplied from local orchards. 



Strawberries succeed admirably, as do all the berries, for which the soil 

 and climate seem well adapted. 



Potatoes are at home in our soil and climate, and vegetables in general do 

 exceptionally well. 



A Mecosta County Agricultural Society was organized in 1874. 



According to the census of 1884 this county had of apple orchards 1,821 

 acres, 24,788 bearing trees, yielding in 1883, 6,420 bushels of fruit. 



Peach orchards, 19 acres; 45 bearing trees, yielding in 1883, 7 bushels of 

 fruit. 



The value of orchard products of all kinds, sold or consumed in 1883, was 

 $6,631.00. 



Vineyards, none: grapes sold in 1883, none, 

 wine made in 1883, none. 



Nurseries, 3 acres; products sold in 1883, $225.00. 



Market garden products sold in 1883, $4,682.00. 



