SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 407 



But with the introdution of the patent evaporator this sort is hound to come 

 to the front, not only for its quality, certainty of production and large size, but 

 no less for its universal fairness and fine shape for working up Avith the least 

 waste. 



I will name the Wacrener as the fifth on the list, thou2:h not without some 

 reservations. 



From its early fruitfulness and great productiveness it has been among the 

 paying sorts. It does not, however, keep quite as well as it should for an apple 

 to hold through whiter, and the tree from its early and continued bearing never 

 attains a large size, and the indications are that it will fail sooner than other 

 popular sorts. 



The sixth sort I will not pretend to name. 



AVhile a good orchard of 100 trees, together with a general assortment of 

 other fruits, as pears, cherries, grapes, etc., will very materially enhance the 

 salable value of the farm, a very largo orchard of apples does not now add a 

 proportionate appreciation. 



There is a very general feeling prevalent that the fruit business, as a cer- 

 tainly profltable investment, is not so safe as it wnis thought to be some years 

 ago ; in fact, that it is already overdone. 



As for grapeSj we can grow them in greater perfection, no doubt, in the 

 interior of the state than they can be grown in the peach belt, or on the bor- 

 ders of Lake Erie and the islands, our greater summer heat being favorable 

 to the ]>etter ripening of this fruit. We need, however, especially with the 

 finer sorts, to resort to protection in Avinter, which must of necessity limit 

 the production. Even with this drawback there is so much invested in grape 

 growing that it is far from being more than moderately remunerative. 



As to the best varieties, the Concord is more generally grown than any 

 other, and is more productive and certain than any other sort except the Del- 

 aware. With me the latter is not only as productive — producing as many 

 pounds to the vine — as the Concord, but is more certain. This is not, how- 

 ever, the most common experience. My land is too strong for Concord, but 

 seems to just suit the Delaware and the lona. This latter does generally well 

 with me, but has to have protection in winter. 



Ionia County. — Mr. C. E. Eust, of Ionia, reports : Strawberry culture is on 

 the increase in Ionia county, and has been for the past ten years profitable. 

 There were about 750 bushels raised about this place this season, aiid about 

 the same amount consumed in the place. I raised 370 bushels on my 

 grounds, and have 17 varieties, and the W^ilson, all things considered, is the 

 best thing with me. The grape crop has been the most profitable here for the 

 past few years. AVhy? Because there is the most money made from the 

 least amount of labor, and the Concord has never failed here. The best six 

 varieties of winter apples are the Northern Spy, Baldwin, Ehode Island 

 Greening, Wagener, Golden Russet, and Grimes's Golden Pippin. Canada 

 Red withers badly and is a shy bearer. Baldwin, Northern Spy and Rliode 

 Island Greening succeed well here except during those two cold winters. The 

 Baldwin and Greening winter-killed some. The Fameuse (Snow) does 

 remarkably well here for early winter. Fruit culture is on the gain in this 

 section and adds materially to the value of home and farm property for sell- 

 ing purposes. The best variety of grape is the Concord, witiiout a doubt, for 

 Michigan, and its cultivation is profitable. The best varieties of peach for 

 Michigan are the Crawfords, Hill's Chili, Early York, Richmond, Early 



