i)p:cE3rBi:ii meeting. 301 



times where thimiing- will be uttcmpted once. Either from my thorough 

 pruning or other cause not a})parent, I have always been what is called 

 "•'fortunate'' in having a fair crop of ai)ples in seasons of com})arative failure. 

 This year I had as many aiii)les as last year, and as usual the majority were 

 Northern 8pys. 



CRANBERRY CULTURE IX MICIIIGAX. 



FROM 8. H. COMINGS, OF ST. JOSEPH. 



It not being convenient to attend your meeting, I send a can of cranberries 

 picked from a natural cranberry marsh I am improving near this jilace. 1 

 would also call the attention of the society to the importance of the cultivation 

 of this fruit in our State, where I suppose there is a largo amount of land 

 exactly adapted to this branch of horticulture. In Wisconsin it is becoming a 

 very largo interest, one grower having this year gathered a crop of over G,000 

 barrels on about 200 acres of land, which has not cost ovei' 825 per acre to 

 improve, and they are worth 88 per barrel at his place. Several others have 

 crops of 3,000 to 4,000 barrels. The only serious obstacle in AV'isconsin is the 

 danger from frost, which I suppose would be less likely to trouble in this State, 

 and the "fruit belt'' on the west shore is certainly free from this danger. 



I have spent the past four 3'ears superintending the improvement of a large 

 cranberry farm in Jackson county, Wisconsin, which yielded its first croj) of 

 about 200 barrels this year, and would have had three or four times as many 

 but for frost. The samples I send you are of the "Bell or Bugle " variety, and 

 are very superior berries as to size, flavor, and keeping qualities. Tliey are the 

 natural variety growing on the largo natural marsh of 200 acres which I se- 

 lected in this vicinity from its possessing in a very perfect degree all the condi- 

 tions for cranberry culture. It is within one-half mile of. the lake, which 

 renders it absolutely free from danger of frost, and the water supply and depth 

 of soil are all that could bo asked. I shall be pleased to answer any questions 

 or give any information I can on this matter for the benefit of any members 

 of your society, as I wish to see this interest developed in the State. I have 

 been acquainted with many of tlie most successful growers of this fruit both 

 east and west, and have been familiar with the modus Oj^erandi of the business, 

 reasons of success and failure in many places, and can say that I believe the 

 west can excel the east in this as far as in growing wheat or corn, from its bettor 

 soil and climate. 



The keeping and shipping (pialities of the western berries are far superior to 

 those grown east, and I have known 40 acres in a body to yield 200 bushels per 

 acre; and on my own land here I this year picked at the rate of 450 bushels 

 per acre. From the limited amount of land well adapted to the cranberry I 

 believe there is no damrcr of over-stockinsr the market. 



CASS COUNTY FRUIT GROWING. 



FROM 15. (i. nUEL, LITTLE PRAIRIE ROXDE. 



It would afford me much pleasure to be able to be with you at the meeting 

 next month, but my business is such that I sec no possible show for leaving home 

 .at that time. 



