90 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE 



is proportionate to the time since it was discovered to be prac- 

 ticable to grow peaches at Manistee and Grand Traverse. 



Planting peaches and grapes for market commenced in the 

 vicinity of Grand Haven and Spring Lake in 1859-60. At 

 that time only four or five orchards were commenced. They 

 were planted on land which had been stripped of the pine, 

 and was regarded as of very little value, commanding not 

 more than ten or fifteen dollars per acre, notwithstanding the 

 favorable locality. In 1867 one of these orchards, then con- 

 taining sixteen acres planted to fruit, together with twenty-five 

 acres of scrubby oak land, full of "grubs," sold for $10,000 

 cash. A portion of another orchard, at Ferrysburg, sold in 

 1869 at $500 per acre. The wild land in the vicinity of these 

 orchards now varies in price from $50 to $200 per acre, as 

 shown by actual sales. There is an abundance of land, how- 

 ever, equally good for the production of peaches, situated two 

 and three miles from navigation, which can be bought at $5 

 to $10 per acre. This laud could not be sold at any price two 

 or three years ago, and on account of taxes was considered a 

 burden to owners. 



