DECEMBER MEKTIXG. 255 



THE PLUM ORCHARD OP L. CHUBB, 



Blackberry Uidge, Occaiiu county, contains 1,000 trees, mostly set one. and two 

 years ago.' Forty trees are six years old, of which twenty bore an ininiense crop 

 two vears ago. They were propped up, or l)rokon, in sonic parts. They over- 

 borc"so this year, and last the crop was liglit. On that year he shipped twenty- 

 live baskets from twenty trees. I'^or tlie fruit on each of some trees he received 

 ten dollars. Experience so far has shown Mr. Chubb and iiis neighbors, in a 

 most forcible manner, the great need of properly tliinning the fruit. No wise 

 fruit-grower will ever prop his trees, or allow them to break down with too 

 much fruit. His varieties arc quite numerous, but as few have yet borne avc 

 need not name the list. Enougii has been seen in Oceana county to thoroughly 

 convince the committee that there may be grown plums to perfection. 



THE TLUM ORCHARD 01' CHARLES \V. JAY, 



Blackberry Kidge, contains 150 trees of Jefferson, Washington, Lombard, 

 Coe's Golden Drop, Wild Goose, of about equal quantities. This is their sixth 

 year of growth in the orchard. They have not borne much until this year. 

 The trees have made a moderate growth, but they are model trees for sound- 

 ness of trunk and limb. A few trees had died. 



THE PLUM ORCHARD OF \VM. 60URS, 



Blackberry llidge, contains 100 trees, all sprouts of Lombard, asid set one 

 year ago. Some have been grafted over. All look well. There are a few 

 vacancies. 



On the farm of Mr. IL E. Kassell of Hart, was a fine sound bearing plum 

 tree, set nineteen years ago. 



As before said, we saw enough to convince us that Oceana county has a clim- 

 ate w'cU suited to the growth of fine plums. The fruit as shown at our State 

 fairs for a few' years past has attracted much attention. The country is new, 

 and the fruit business, like all departments of farming, is yet in its infancy. 

 We expect to see this county rapidly advance, and shall be disappointed if it 

 does not gain and hold a high rank for the excellence of its fruit. 



THE PLUM ORCHARD OF C. T. BRYANT, 



South Haven, contains 100 trees, set 12x16 feet, nearly all in bearing. Most 

 of them have been set seven years. The varieties are six Lombard, thirteen 

 Yellow Egg, three Bradshaw, seventy-five Duane's Purple, and throe of other 

 sorts. The Yellow Egg rots badly, though the trees do well in all respects. 

 Large plums sell best. His trees are not permitted to overbear. They are well 

 cared for, aud Mr. Bryant may be said to live in his orchard. If setting now, 

 he would prefer, 1st, Duane's Purple ; 2d, Bradshaw; od, Lombard. Last year 

 he shipped to Chicago, and realized 1140.37 for 117 baskets after deducting 

 freight and commission. The trees occupy but little space. The soil is a clay 

 loam with some sand on top in places. Tiles two and a half feet deep run 

 between alternate rows. The place is on high land, a mile from the lake. All 

 the artificial protection he wants is something to catch the snow. The cultiva- 

 tion is with the harrow and cultivator, beginning early in spring and continuing 

 until the first of August. The trees have been fertilized with some manure 

 and ashes. He catches the curculio with a hopper-shaped canvas on wheels. 

 The trees for five years have been jarred with a mallet padded with old rubber 

 shoes and boots. The mallet is well padded and carefully handled. He jars 



