MANITOU COUNTY. 397 



John H. Forster, who was connected with such survey, says (in Pioneer 

 Collections, vol. 9, page lOG) : '' We found good roads on the island, laid out 

 with skill; also many improved farms uader different degrees of cultivation, 

 with some good crops growing, also good fences and outhouses. There was a 

 decided appearance of thrift and industry. 



" At St. James there was a little cluster of log buildings, a temple of square 

 hewn pine logs of large size, but incomplete, a dry goods and grocery store, 

 several dwelling houses and a good dock, with warehouse and wood piles. 

 The sale of cordwood to passing steamers was quite a profitable business. 

 The island furnished fine maple timber." 



The colony seems to have steadily increased in numbers till its dissolution^ 

 in 1856, upon the assassination of Strang, when the population was replaced 

 by another and a different class of people. 



Although there can be little doubt that these islands have quite as favor- 

 able soils and climate, for any given purpose, as the adjacent mainland, little 

 seems to have been done for their development horticulturally, beyond the 

 providing for home and local needs. 



According to the census of 1884, Manitou county has of 



Apple orchards, 9 acres, 170 bearing trees, yielding in 1883, 10 bushels of 

 fruit. 



Peach orchards, none ; and no nineyards, nurseries or market gardens. 



