28 GENERAL HISTORY. 



extended by the society at that place. The discussions here were somewhat 

 discursive, though mainly confined to apples and peaches. 



Two tugs, chartered for the occasion, took the societies to Fruitport at the 

 head of the lake, and just within the border of Muskegon countj, making 

 calls at several vineyards on the way, and returning to Spring Lake in season 

 for an evening session, after which the "visiting members took the train for 

 their homes. 



October, 1871, will be long remembered by the people of Michigan as the 

 month of drought and forest fires ; and also by the calamitous fire at Chicago, 

 which swept so large a portion of that city out of existence. 



The average rainfall, since 18G4, had been 10.63 inches ; while that of the 

 summer of 1871 was barely 7.45 inches; leaving the summer 2.68 inches and 

 the fall 3.55 inches below an average. Aside from this deficient rainfall the 

 temperature of October was more than 6^° above the average of the eight 

 preceding years, while the moisture of the atmosphere was very much below 

 the average. As the result of this unfortunate concurrence of circumstances 

 everything combustible was " dry as tinder," and the consequence was a fiery 

 devastation without parallel in the history of our State. The dread of fire 

 almost equalled that of workmen in a powder factory. Throughout the pine 

 woods, the dead and dry tree tops, left by lumbermen, were everywhere ready 

 to burst into flame, if by accident or intent a spark should fall into their 

 midst. The losses consequent upon the destruction of timber, buildings, 

 fences, crops, etc., the failure to prepare the grounds and to properly put in 

 seed for the next season's crops, and various other particulars, cannot be 

 estimated or even imagined; while years were consumed in the effort to re- 

 cover from their effects. 



Previous to this fiery visitation, Mr. Charles Downing had accepted the in- 

 vitation of T. T. Lyon to visit Michigan, and see something of its horticulture. 

 In doing so he was accompanied by Thomas Hogg, long noted as a collector 

 of plants in Japan, where he spent several years for that purpose. 



Keaching Windsor late in the evening they were met at the train by T. T. 

 Lyon, John Allen, and some citizens of Detroit, by whom they were con- 

 ducted across the river and to quarters for the night. A portion of the next 

 day was devoted to looking about the city and examining some of the notable 

 old French pear trees of the vicinity; and on the approach of evening, cars 

 were taken to Plymouth, where, the next day, the trial orchards of T. T. 

 Lyon were looked over ; and also that of John Allen, who had, at the time, a 

 large number of Red Canada apple trees in full bearing, and who had pur- 

 posely left the year's crop upon the trees in anticipation of this visit — this 

 variety being a special favorite of Mr. Downing, although one that cannot be 

 successfully grown in his vicinity. The crop upon Mr. Allen's trees was a 

 very heavy one, and the fruits almost universally perfect. This show of fruit 

 was an evident surprise to Mr. Downing. 



This being Saturday, the Sabbath was passed at Plymouth. 



On Monday morning, October 9, the party of four — Downing, Uogg, Allen 

 and Lyon, started for the west shore of the State, intending to visit the fruit 

 region at South Haven and other points; for which purpose they had been 

 supplied with passes over the F. & P. M., D. & M., D. L. & N., and M. C. 

 Eailroads and branches. On reaching Jackson a stop was made to call on Mr. 

 S. 0. Knapp, of that place, who proved to be absent from home, and after a 

 cursory look over his premises, on returning to the town, news was received 



