REPORTS OF COUNTY SOCIETIES. 25? 



cally cleiiionstrLited, tlie problem of suppression is no longer ii difficult one of 

 solution. 



THE FRUIT OF OUR LABORS. 



BY JOSEPH LANKIN. 

 [Head before the "South Haven Pomological Society" January 13, 1879.] 



The subject of fruit culture has been so often written upon by gentlemen of 

 greater ability and larger experience than myself, that it seems almost 

 supertluons for me to say anything on the subject. That our magnificent lake 

 exercises a soothing influence npon the cold blasts of the west, and northwest, 

 as they blow this way in their fury, is a fact admitted by all observers. To 

 Lake Michigan we are indebted for the genial climate we are so highly favored 

 with, thereby enabling iis to cultivate successfully so many varieties of rich, 

 beautiful fruit. 



The cold snap of the 3d inst., which spread itself nearly all over this 

 continent, causing all of the papers of this country and of the Canadas to note 

 its intensity, was scarcely felt in the vicinity of South Haven. According to 

 several thermometers, the lowest point reached was zero, and in one or two cases 

 one and two degrees below, while in Pittsburg, two degrees south of this place, 

 the temperature fell to 21 below zero. In Detroit, the mercury fell to 10 

 below; Cairo, 9 below; Springfield, 24 below ; Geneva Lake, Wisconsin, 27 

 below; Ann Arbor, Mich., 18 below; Des Moines, Iowa, 29 below; St. Joseph, 

 Missouri, 20 below; St. Louis, 18 below; Richmond, Va., 8 below; Indian- 

 apolis, 20 below, and at Janes ville. Wis., 30 below. 



A stranger seeing these figures might well be startled, and ask the question, 

 Why is South Haven so highly favored? We answer. Lake Michigan stretches 

 its protecting wing over this place. Again, how does Lake Michigan protect 

 you? We answer, Lake Michigan is a great furnace heated by the summer 

 sun, and lies directly between us and the winter's blasts ; and as these fierce 

 blasts blow this Avay, they are ''melted into compassion," as Mr. Dyckman 

 on a certain occasion beautifully said " and they spare our fruit trees." 



Let me draw your attention to a geographical fact, that all countries lying 

 east from large bodies of water are more adapted to fruit culture than countries 

 adversely situated. I might mention Palestine, Portugal, Italy, Greece and 

 the Ionian Islands, California, Michigan, and several other countries as proof 

 of this position. 



With our genial climate, rich soil, good markets, and splendid facilities for 

 transporting fruit to market in a perfect state, it behooves us as fruit-growers 

 to take advantage of our many opportunities by raising only a first-class article 

 of fruit, and by so doing secure a high price for our labor. 



With a view to the accomplishment of this purpose, I suggest to my brother 

 fruit growers that you select and plant only the best stock of the best varieties. 

 I would not plant any inferior tree of even the best variety, if it was given me 

 for nothing. We should not in my opinion plant too many varieties. The 

 utility of many orchards is destroyed from want of concentration. Don't 

 plant too deeply, as from the nature of cultivation, you will plow and cultivate 

 more towards the tree than from it. Cultivate your orchard thoroughly — 

 indeed, you cannot do too much in the way of cultivation. The future welfare 



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