GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY. 377 



the level of the bay and take a survey of the country. We could easily see 

 Northport, thirty-two miles away, and beyond, the open water. The autumn 

 foliage of maples, beeches, poplars, ashes, elms, pines and spruces spread all 

 over the valleys and rolling hills, presented a picture grand and beautiful. 

 Such a picture we never expected to see in Michigan." 



The examinations of the committee resulted in the award of a first pre- 

 mium to Judge Eamsdell, for a Delaware vineyard. 



The committee speak as follows of a group of old apple trees upon the 

 premises of George Parmelee, at Old Mission: " There are quite a number of 

 old apple trees raised by the Indians. These are nearly all sound and healthy, 

 but insects and weeds are there, and are beginning to show their capacity for 

 increasing." 



The Grand Traverse Union Agricultural Society held its annual fair at 

 Traverse City on the 8th to 10th days of October, 1873, at which the officers 

 and several members of the State Pomological Society were present, by invi- 

 tation, as guests. The exhibit of fruits and flowers was excellent, particularly 

 the displays of fruits from Grand Traverse, Benzie and Leelanaw counties. 

 The first premium was awarded to the Grand Traverse exhibit. 



Sessions of the State Pomological Society were held at evening, in a hall 

 provided for the purpose, and were largely attended, and the occasion through- 

 out was one of both pleasure and profit. During one of the days a free 

 excursion was tendered to the Pomological Society, by steamer, to Old 

 Mission. 



The discussions of the Old Mission Farmers' Club in 1874, indicate a set- 

 tled and unanimous conclusion that apples are the most satisfactory and pro- 

 fitable crop grown on the peninsula. 



At the session of the Peninsular Farmers' Club on March 16th, 1874, there 

 were twenty varieties of apples exhibited. 



After testing these, a vote was taken to determine the best flavored variety; 

 Golden Russet receiving 15 votes; Esopus Spitzenburg, 7; Grimes' Golden, 

 4; Ehode Island Greening, 3; Wagener, 3; Belmont, 1 ; Lady apple, 1. 



Thomas Lyman, for fifteen years a fruit dealer at Chicago, named Ehode 

 Island Greening, Esopus Spitzenburg, Baldwin, J^orthern Spy and Eox- 

 bury Eusset as the five varieties most popular in that market. 



Each member being requested to name the three varieties he esteemed best 

 for dessert purposes : 



Golden Eusset was the first choice of 11, second 5, third 6. 



Grimes' Golden " 



Esopus Spitzenburg " 



Belmont " 



Swaar " 



Lady apple " 



Eoxbury Eusset " 



Wagener " 



Ehode Island Greening '' 



Northern Spy " 



The orchard committee of the State Pomological Society in 1874, awarded 

 premiums to residen's of Grand Traverse county as follows: 

 To Wm. Marshall, Old Mission, bearing apple orchard, 2d premium. 

 To Geo. Parmelee, Old Mission, apple orchard for profit, 1st premium. 



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