o 



66 GENERAL HISTORY. 



something else, and the result is, a largely increased and rapidly increasing number of 

 farms and farmers, gardens and gardeners. Closer attention also and more anxious 

 inquiries are given to horticultural matters. Increased attention is being given to the 

 growing of small fruits to which our warm, sandy soil and moist atmosphere are well 

 adapted. In the near future I expect to see this one of our leading enterprises, and 

 Manistee a great exporting point for these products. Our springs are late, which brings 

 our fruit into market when all other points are nearly through shipping, and invariably 

 insui'es good prices to the producer. Now, a few words in regard to plum culture. 

 One of the oldest orchards of any extent was planted by Robert M. Risdon some twenty 

 years ago. Under good cultivation the trees grow rapidly, commenced bearing very 

 young, and produced immense crops of the finest fruit I ever saw for several years. 

 Mr. Risdon, who took great pride in his orchard, having died, it passed into other hands, 

 was neglected, uncultivated and uncared for. Then came the curculio, hitherto un- 

 known in tliis region, and took exclusive possession. The orchard was left to its fate. 

 Year by year the trees became more diseased and weaker, and the few now left are en- 

 tirely worthless. This is not a cheerful picture ; but what neglect and abandonment 

 did for this orchard, it \vill do for everyone. At the time when these trees were given 

 up to the curculio it was generally supposed that nothing could save a crop when 

 attacked by it. Our subsequent experience has taught us that it is a comparatively 

 easy matter to master this little pest. Our plum growers now save their fruit every 

 year ; and, in the light of this knowledge, old orchards are growing and new ones be- 

 ing planted every season. The remedy we use is this : Dissolve an oval teaspoonful of 

 London purple in a pail of water : spray the trees thoroughly with this mixture, just as 

 the ti'ees are out of bloom. If a rain follows very soon, a second application is needed. 

 Do not make the mixture stronger, or the foliage may be injured. Some use Paris 

 green, but it it not as safe, being much more likely to injure tlie foliage. Mr. Hurlbut, 

 who grows plums quite extensively in the northern part of the county, tells me this 

 treatment has never failed him. Others near by have used it under my own observa- 

 tion, and the result is invariably a good crop of fruit. For a time we were ready to 

 give up to the curcuho, but we now think we have mastered him, and expect to grow 

 an abundance of plums in the future. I trust this letter may not weary you. I did not 



intend to write at such length. 



Very truly, 



EDWIN RUSSELL. 



The Manistee Horticultural Society was organized January 25th, 1875, and 

 permanent officers elected on the 32d of the following March. 



In 1878 S. W. Fowler, of Manistee, says, in effect : The Kisden plum 

 orchard, in this city, covering about two acres, yields annually from 

 $400 to $500 worth of plums. A man a few miles north of the 

 city sold the plums from a single tree that season for S36. This 

 may be exceptional, but the yield of ordinary trees, in ordinary sea- 

 sons, is worth from $5 to 815. Pears and other fruits also do well. 

 Home grown peaches, this season, have sold from wagons in our streets 

 at $1.35 per bushel, till the demand was more than supplied, although this 

 year is regarded as an off year for peaches and apples. Small fruits are 

 abundantly successful and the quality unsurpassed. At Bear Lake, S. Rice 

 realized $320 from less than an acre of strawberries, Charles Hurd, from two 

 acres of strawberries, realized 8640. 



