374 GENERAL HISTORY. 



Soon after the departure of Schoolcraft Mi-. Dougherty was induced to 

 recross the arm of the bay, and to finally establish himself at Old Mission 

 harbor, where he had first landed. The next autumn John Johnston arrived 

 there as Indian farmer, bringing with him a yoke of oxen. Other persons 

 were from time to time added to the little party. 



In 1847 the present site of Traverse City was purchased of the govern- 

 ment by Captain Boardman, of Illinois, who supplied his son with means to 

 locate and build a saw-mill thereon, and a few days after his arrival, on the 

 20th of June, a vessel arrived with supplies, and on July 5th she made her 

 second appearance with additional settlers, both men and women. 



In 1850 a number of men, among them John Swaney, Martin Wait, J. M. 

 Pratt, E. P. Ladd and Wm. R. Stone, settled at Old Mission as farmers, some 

 of them being still residents there. 



The first planting of fruit trees was done by J. M. Pratt, at Old Mission, 

 in 1851. 



In the spring of 1851 the Traverse City mill and lands passed into the 

 hands of the present proprietors, Hannah, Lay & Co. 



The peculiar adaptation of the region for agricultural pursuits, and for 

 fruit culture especially, soon came to be understood, or at least dimly per- 

 ceived. One of the earliest experimenters in this direction was Perry Han- 

 nah, whose extensive orchard of forty acres, planted at an early day, doubt- 

 less aided greatly in directing attention to the subject. 



Judge Ramsdell, also, who became a resident at Traverse City about 1858, 

 planted, and is still planting, fruits extensively, and with eminent success. 

 His plantations embrace the entire circle of northern fruits, and his experi- 

 ments have been of great value as a guide to subsequent planters. 



At Old Mission, W. Golden, H. R. Haight and E. P. Ladd planted apple 

 orchards in 1861, for commercial purposes, consisting chiefly of Golden Rus- 

 sett, Rhode Island Greening, Baldwin and Northern Spy. 



The largest orchard in this county, if not, in fact, the largest in the State, 

 was planted by George Parmelee in 1869, covering one hundred and twenty 

 acres. It consists mostly of apples, but includes also a few pears and cher- 

 ries. It is now owned by 0. H. Ellis. The trees are not yet generally in 

 good condition, except those standing on low land. 



Another notable plantation is that of Hon. H. G. Reynolds, now in charge 

 of I. B. Tompkins. It is a young orchard, just beginning to bear, and is 

 proving to be very profitable. 



The town of Peninsula, especially, seems to be admirably adapted to the 

 growing of apples, pears, plums and cherries. The black knot on plum trees 

 and the blight in pear trees have been so far. almost unknown. 



Peaches have proved less profitable. The trees have been healthy and the 

 yellows is unknown, but they have suffered seriously from cold winters, pos- 

 sibly from too late cultivation. Some fruit growers are planting peach trees, 

 Avith the purpose of so arranging and directing the growth of the roots that 

 they may be laid down and covered in winter. The experiment, however, is 

 not yet solved. 



The curculio, the premature loss of foliage, and the rotting of the fruit of 

 the plum tree have been hitherto unknown in this region. The trees have 

 been healthy and exceedingly productive, and the fruit superior in size and 

 quality, and for these reasons it has been extensively planted and highly 

 profitable. 



