GENERAL HISTORY. 17 



In answer to inquiries, old people will tell that their ancestors obtained the 

 trees from Montreal, to which place they were brought at a still earlier day, 

 from Normandy or Provence, but they have no knowledge when or from 

 whence. The prevailing opinion is that the seeds were brought from France, 

 and planted as soon as the first permanent settlements were made on the 

 straits, about a century and a half ago. The present generation remem- 

 ber well the days of their boyhood, passed beneath the shade and in the 

 enjoyment of the fruit of these trees, which, in their recollection, were 

 even then of great size. 



" Before further considering the mystery of their origin, the character of 

 these orchards claims our attention. When we recognize that from the 

 orchards on this river have emanated many noted kinds of apples, still 

 extensively appreciated throughout the northern States, it will be apparent 

 that they contained no wild or common fruit. From here were disseminated 

 the famous Calvilles, both red and white, the Detroit Red (Roseau of the 

 French), the Pomme de Niege, or Fameuse (the celebrated Snow apple of 

 America), all fruits of a wide reputation. Besides these are several not so 

 well known — the Gray apple, Russets, noted for long keeping, Pearmains 

 and others. Almost every orchard has one or more of these noted kinds. 



"As cider fruit these apples maintained a reputation long after the influx 

 of settlers from the eastern States. In this respetit they were considered to 

 surpass the apples of New England, and to be second only to the celebrated 

 New Jersey product. 



"Forty years ago a few cider mills of French construction were in exist- 

 ence. They were quite unique. The crusher was a large stone or wood 

 cylinder, six or eight feet in diameter, and from six to ten inches in thick- 

 ness. It turned on a wooden axis, fastened to a center-post, and was carried 

 around by horse power. It ran in a trough dug out of a large tree, and put 

 together by sections. The press consisted of a long wooden lever, acting 

 upon a platform, and held down by tackling. 



*'But the crowning glory of the French orchard was the pear tree. Nearly 

 every homestead possessed one, some two or three, few exceeded a half dozen. 

 Such was its wonderful size and productiveness that one specimen usually 

 amply satisfied the wants of a family." 



Mr. Pratt, of the Peninsula Farmers' Club, at a meeting of that society in 

 1869, remarked that " Apple trees are often found growing wild, bearing 

 every year, of course without caie. Among the Indians, as far north as 

 Mackinac, you find apple trees doing well. Notwithstanding neglect, the 

 quality of these apples is fair, texture fine, and never affected by disease. 

 The Indians bury them, much as you would potatoes, and they keep till Feb- 

 ruary. These apples are taken from the trees in an unripe condition, for if 

 allowed to remain longer they may be appropriated by others. These trees, 

 if cultivated, produce much better fruit. This he had seen tested. Indian 

 apple trees are found as far north as Cheboygan, and from two to five miles 

 from the lake Those near Lake Michigan are usually larger than those 

 further back, or near the smaller lakes. He has seen some thirty feet high. 

 They attained that height, probably, because they grew in the midst of for- 

 ests. On the island of Mackinac, even, he had seen fine bearing trees. 

 During the war of 1812 there was a fortificati4)n on Snow island. Currants 

 were planted there then, which are still growing and produce fine fruit." 



3 



