370 GENERAL HISTORY. 



Co.,- N. Y., in 1856, by L. O. Harris, and sold to Win. Beever. Robert Beever. Chas. 

 Briggs, Geo. H. Blush, Isaac Wilson, Joseph Fisher, Anial Fox and Robert Foster, who 

 planted orchards. From these orchards much fine fruit has been gathered, which has 

 taken prizes at State, district and county fairs, of which Matthew O'Neal has probably 

 taken the most, from that wonderful apple tree, the 20 oz. Pippin, the fruit from which 

 was the wonder at State fair in Detroit 1878. That tree, with others, was taken from 

 the orchard of Anial Fox, another of the pioneers of our county, who sold his orchard 

 to Mr. O'Neal and Gilbert VanBuren, who transplanted them to their own places. Our 

 farmers could learn a lesson on fruits adapted to the climate of Alcona county by notic- 

 ing thos" old pioneer apple trees. They might learn a lesson, also, from some of the 

 pioneers. 



Isaac Wilson was the son of Peter Wilson and Phebe Dibble, his widow, who died 

 June 1, 1886, at Plainfield, Kent Co., at the advanced age of 107 years. Her father, 

 Peter Dibble, died at Colchester, Delaware Co., N. Y., at the age of 108 years. Mr. 

 Wilson is 78 years old and one of the last of Alcona county's pioneers, and is still hale 

 and hearty. 



There have been no nurseries planted in Alcona county. The irrepressible tree agent 

 still roams at large. 



There are no fruits marketed excepting wild berries, such as the whortleberry, red 

 raspberry, and blackberry. It is estimated (grossly) that there are enough blackberries, 

 if picked and marketed, in Alcona county to-day to pay the National debt and the pen- 

 sion claims in full. 



The berries are transported by lake and marketed at Detroit, Cleveland, Toledo, and 

 Cincinnati, and constitute the main supply for home use. 



There are no other old trees planted in our county besides those mentioned in the 

 preceding account. 



For ornamental trees we use the sugar and soft maple, the mountain ash, and for 

 evergreens the abor vitae, hemlock, and fir balsam, which are abundant in the county 

 and have no superiors. 



Our cemeteries and parks are planted with sugar maples. Our farmers ai'e also 

 planting along the roads, under the statute in such cases made and provided. 



The Wagener apple fiourishes on our sand ridges, and is especially productive this 

 season, the specimens being the largest I have ever yet seen, much larger and finer 

 than when it was orignated, at Penn Yan, Yates county, N. Y., where I have seen the 

 original tree. 



The plum is evidently at home in Alcona county, for there is no curculio nor appear- 

 ance of black rot. 



The sour cherries are successful. The Concord grape matures, and strawberries never 

 fail. The plains are thatched with them. 



C. P. REYNOLDS. 



The census of 1884 shows that this county had of 



Apple orchards, 171 acres, 1,282 bearing trees, yielding in 1883, 91 bushels 

 of fruit. 



Peach orchards, none. 



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

 $52.00. 



Vineyards, none. 



Nurseries, none. 



