400 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



improved, there will be an increased annual ebb and flow to the woods, the 

 crystal lakes and the cold sprini^s of the north. The Methodists luive a sum- 

 mer resort at Petoskey ; tlie Presbyterians and Episcopalians, and perhaps 

 other denominations, are already looking for suitable permanent headquarters 

 for a summer resort in tliat wild and beautiful country. AV'e have heard of 

 Lake George, Niagara Falls, Saratoga, and the Adirondacks, as summer 

 resorts, but only a few know that we have just as good places of resort in our 

 own State, Here still are fine grounds for fishing and hunting and boating; a 

 delightful climate with no miasma, and tliere never will be a better time thau 

 now to SCO the primitive forests in all tiieir bcautv, wildness, and grandeur. 

 We can but hope that large tracts will in some way be retained in their present 

 attractive condition. 



We took a steamboat, "Queen of the Lakes," and went through Elk Lake, 

 Eound Lake, and Torch Lake, — a ride of 30 or 40 miles. Li some respects it 

 excels a ride up or down Seneca or Cayuga Lakes of New York. The banks 

 are in many places high and clothed with beautiful heavy timber, rising in high 

 terraces back from the lakes. Many other lakes and chains of lakes are sup- 

 plied with small conveyances, which olfer easy passage to a great variety of fine 

 scenery. The visitor cannot help being delighted with the water, which is 

 almost invariably cold and clear. It is not uncommon to see objects 40 to 70 

 feet, at the bottom of these lakes and bays. Here, at the stations, is a chance 

 to study the "noble red man," loafing about or slowly working for a few hours 

 at some temporary job. 



At Elk Papids one can learn about making pig-iron in all its details. Of 

 almost any one he can learn of the fishing grounds ; of the habits of whitefish 

 and trout; of spearing whitefish in 17 feet of water; of the plucky pioneers 

 who have been through and are going through all kinds of hardships. I can- 

 not help mentioning one case, — Daniel P)lakely, of Eastport, Antrim count}', 

 who went into the woods 13 years ago, fifteen miles from any road. Mr. 

 Blakcly had only$;30 in money and no house ; he cut his foot while building a 

 shanty, and was laid up six weeks or more. Money and food were gone. His 

 wife was ready for any emergency. My notes run as follows: She cut 14 cords 

 of wood and drew it with steers, for which she received $28. He got $45 per 

 month with team in winter ; cleared land ; gave some farms to boys ; keeps tav- 

 ern, sells no licpior ; lots of friends. 



At Old ^Mission we found two graduates of the Agricultural College on large 

 farms. At Little Traverse are two more, and a fiftli, who came near graduat- 

 ing, keeping bachelor's hall and clearing up farms. 



OCEANA COUNTY— FRUIT AND TREE AGENTS. 



At Grand Rapids, S. ]5. Smith entered for premium an apple orchard which 

 received a diploma five years ago. From here the committee went to Shelby, 

 Oceana county, wliere they were met by E. J. Shirts, who took them thirty-two 

 miles with liis Lidia:; ponies. Tliis country none of us had ever seen before. 

 We went nearly stniight to the lake shore, ten miles, and took dinner with Mr. 

 and Mrs. Chubb, and then viewed their orchards and gardens. Here we saw 

 1,000 peach trees and 1,000 iilum trees. We were shown trees some of which 



