REPORTS OF LOCAL SOCIETIES. 267 



March Meet in f/. 



At the Miircli nieetiMg, J. P. Leland read an essay from which we extract 

 as follows : 



Look at the map of tlicso United States and sec how many spots you can 

 put your linger upon that are reliable for a peach crop; the localities are but 

 a speck in f>ur vast territory, and I would suggest to future geographery that 

 the Micliigan })each belt should have a long golden line. Tlie unavoidable in- 

 ference is, that witli such a limited territory for the raising of this choice fruit 

 the business must continue highly remunerative on this shore. The discrim- 

 ination in favor of i)eacii culture compared with agriculture is too palpable for 

 an extended notice. 



The net returns from the best farming in this town does not exceed twenty 

 dollars per acre, but it is a meager business if an acre of peach trees fails to 

 roll in from one to two hundred dollars. With this incomparable advantage 

 in favor of the peach, we shall be sadly remiss in our duties if there is any 

 failure on our part to combat any and all enemies to our success. 



The scourge which has crept along down from St. Joe and Benton Harbor has 

 fastened its deadly infection upon our orchards. Like the devastating plague 

 which is knocking at the doors of European cities for human victims, this 

 blight is rapping at our doors for our most flattering pecuniary interests. 



AVe cannot tamper with this unwelcome visitor by applying remedial agents 

 to our sick orchards, neither will sanitary cordons or blockades stay its onward 

 marcii. There is but one alternative and that is death. We must kill it, or it 

 will kill us, or at least our business. It will not do for but a few to go into 

 this destructive work, there must be concert of action; all must be alive and 

 interested; not a diseased tree should escape annihilation; with such work 

 faithfully inaugurated then it would be advisable to plant peach trees. 



Mr. President, allow me to incidentally observe at this time, for this socie- 

 ty's consideration, the imperative importance of the peach growers of Sauga- 

 tuck and Gsincfes unitinor for the destruction of all trees afflicted with the 

 yellows. Let the State law do its work, which is a long stride toward success, 

 but the work must be positive and elective; not an occasion for any doubt. 

 There should be no absence of thoroughness in enforcing any wholesome law. 

 The pj'oposed organization might materially assist any law for the destruction 

 of diseased trees. 



Wheje to get our peach trees is an easy matter to decide if we are to consult 

 these sweet and affable tree peddlers. These itinerants who travel up and down 

 this shore have the most unbounded suavity, and brass. I do not refer to local 

 nurserymen in our midst, but those soft, smooth lascals who drop down upon 

 us and asseverate with iioly hands raised to high heaven that their trees are 

 exempt from all disorders. The pits came from away up towards the north 

 pole where vegetable infection is unknown, the buds are selected with the most 

 punctillious care. It is difficult for any legitimate or illegitimate business to 

 get out of its old ruts. It is like chronic theology, which sticks to the good 

 old way. 



Mej"chants will bans: on to their time-honored forms and modes even if their 

 way of doing business is a great wrong to a community, but wiien then" custom- 

 ers detnand a change, reformation commences. It will not do to let nursery- 

 men out of tiiis caregory. If wc purchase stock of these sometimes crooked 

 fellows, it is done at a great risk. There is no knowledge that in our bargains 

 it does not include that almost omnipresent enemy, the yellows. 



