IOSCO COUNTY. 361 



if diligently prosecuted. Its cost need not exceed ten cents per tree. For 

 the rotting of the fruit, he had no certain remedy. 



At the meeting in July, 1883, strawberries were discussed, and some fine 

 fruit was shown. The Wilson was considered the best market berry. 



Cherries were discussed at the next meeting. The Mayduke seemed to be 

 the preferred variety. 



At the State fair, in September of this year, the society, through Gr. C. 

 McClatchie, made an exhibit of fruits. The entry was for the best and 

 largest collection ; but the fruit, having been unnecessarily detained at the 

 Ludington depot, arrived too late to compete for a premium. It was, how- 

 ever, placed on exhibition, and was awarded a diploma for superior excel- 

 lence. 



The report adds further: "Fruit raising has been thoroughly tested, and 

 peaches, pears, plums and apples grow to great perfection." 



IOSCO COUNTY. 



This was originally set oS. as Kanotin county. The name was changed to 

 Iosco by the act of organization. 



Iosco county was organized in pursuance of an act of the Legislature, ap- 

 proved February 16th, 1857, and which provided for the completion of such 

 organization on the Monday after the first Tuesday in July, 1857. 



The Legislature fixed the seat of justice at Ottawas Bay, but it was subse- 

 quently removed to Tawas City, where it now is. 



Iosco is said to be an illegitimate Indian word, which Schoolcraft interpret- 

 ed to mean '^water of light." 



This county has been, so far, mainly occupied for the purpose of lumbering, 

 a business to which on account of its numerous streams it is well adapted. 

 Its agricultural and horticultural capacities are even yet but slightly develop- 

 ed. Its climate, modified as it is by its proximity to Lake Huron, is believed 

 to be well adapted to fruit culture, wherever suitable soils occur. 



The county is watered by the Au Gres, Tawas and Au Sable rivers, and its 

 elevation rises from the level of Lake Huron, which bounds it at the east and 

 southeast, to two hundred feet, and at the northwest to probably five hun- 

 dred or even six hundred feet. 



Extensive deposits of plaster exist near Lake Huron, in the southern part of 

 the county, which have been utilized for many years. 



Little is known respecting the extent or success or attempts at horticult- 

 ural operations, save that they have been confined to the supplying of the 

 local demand. 



Iosco county, according to the census of 1884, had of apple orchards, 143 

 acres, 1,833 bearing trees, yielding in 1883, 239 bushels of fruit. 



Peach orchards, 13 acres, no bearing trees. 



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

 $255.00. 



Vineyards, none. 



Nurseries, none. 



Market garden products sold in 1883, $2,074.00, 



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