SECRETART'S POKTEOLIO. 403 



the highest elevations are most sought after, afTording the greatest immuaity 

 from frosts as well as the best atmospheric drainage. 



4. Tlie testimony in regard to strawberry culture is all one way, and shows 

 beyond question that we have added to tlie fruit catalogues one more great 

 cause of pleasure, profit and liealtli. The growth of this fruit in tlie public 

 estimation is rapid, and its amateur cultivation in both city and country is a 

 feature of tlie times. The Wilson is the great market berry, yet we notice on 

 the part of all a desire to gain ;i variety that has all the good qualities of the 

 Wilson and all the good qualities which the Wilson does not possess. The 

 American strawberry genius is not and cannot be repressed, and it is certainly 

 safe to expect the coming of a more perfect berry. All the cities and villages 

 have their local growers, and the year 1879 may be put down as the most suc- 

 cessful strawberry year of the century. Two new varities have appeared upon 

 the markets, the Marvin and the Shirts, both Michigan plants of acknowl- 

 cdsfed merits. 



5. It would refresh the soul of Horace Greeley to hear the testimony in 

 regard to the gra})e. It is of universal growth, in the interior of finer flavor 

 even than on the lake shore or islands, common and cheap, giving health and 

 delight to all classes and professions. The Concord is without a dissanting 

 Yoice the grape for the use of the farm and city millions, ^vhile v,'Q find the 

 finer sorts competing with it. It is gratifying to see such grapes as the lona 

 and the Salem in nearly every list, and the Martha mentioned quite often. 

 Michigan must soon be known as the Vineyard State. 



6. There are a number of specialties brought out in these letters which we 

 do not recollect ever seeing mentioned before. Thus the Snyder blackberry 

 is approved as profitable by that pioneer and veteran fruit-grower, Jeremiah 

 Black of Battle Creek. Mr. Tate says that the blackberry is the most profit- 

 able fruit in his section along the lake shore south of St. Joseph, where the 

 peach is killed out. In Oceana county we find the ]:)lum the most profitable 

 fruit, as well as in Mason countv. Mr. Ilathawav brin2:s to the front the 

 Hubbardston Nonesuch as an apple of great value for evaporating purposes 

 — a very important consideration. Mr. Reynolds mentions the Golden Russet 

 as an apple well adapted to foreign markets — another point of great value 

 when it is considered that this fruit can be grown in almost every township in 

 the state. 



7. No testimony could be more conclusive in regard to the value of the 

 apple — it is the universal best paying crop — covering the year, approaching 

 the cereals in its marketable character. Like our wheat and meats it will 

 soon go abroad, or just as soon as it is grown for the foreign market. The 

 general appreciation for the Baldwin will be a surprise to many. It is the 

 leading fruit, standing distinct above all others, seeking high elevations for 

 its greatest perfection. Here is a useful hint to all concerned. There never 

 ■was a more conclusive and emphatic expression. Then comes the Red Can- 

 ada, it is in every list, so is the Northern Spy. The Golden Russet, the Rhode 

 Island Greening, the Wagener, the Jonathan, the Peck's Pleasant and the 

 Tallman Sweet about fill the list, some selecting one of these and then anoth- 

 er to make out the six best sorts, thus establishing the fact bevond contro- 

 versy that the profit of apple culture in Michigan is in these great winter 

 varieties that appear to flourish so well in this peninsula, a latitude in which 

 it will be found there is the hisfhest attainment in all the arts of civilization. 

 There also is the most complete vindication of the practice of the cultivation 

 of orchards. There is not a dissenting voice. It is as necessary, says one, 



