64 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



so prevalent near the lake shore did not extend inland far enough to affect 

 these orchards. 



The apple crop in this part of our county has been almost a total failure, 

 not enough for home use. A great amount of injury has been done to the 

 apple crop by rust or blight of the leaf, and as a result the prospect is not 

 at all encouraging for a large crop the coming season. 



Small fruits were injured very much by the extreme wet weather that 

 prevailed early in the season. Strawberries were greatly damaged and did 

 not produce to exceed one half a full crop. Yellows has prevailed to an 

 alarming extent in our peach orchards, where the parties in charge have 

 been negligent and have not complied with the requirements of the law. 



In localities and orchards where the yellows law has been enforced, and 

 all diseased trees have been promptly removed and destroyed, root and top, 

 there is a perceptible decrease each year in the number of affected trees. 

 Very many of our peach-growers have fallen into what has proven to be a 

 very costly and objectionable practice, that of cutting down their diseased 

 trees and then permitting the stumps and tops to remain in the orchard 

 for an indefinite time. Experience has, I think, fully demonstrated the 

 folly of this practice, as whole orchards have been lost where this custom 

 has been followed for any considerable length of time. 



After a number of years' experience as commissioner under the yellows 

 law, I am fully convinced that the disease can be eradicated from an 

 orchard or locality by prompt and thorough work in destroying all affected 

 trees. 



There will be about the usual number of peach trees planted the com- 

 ing season. Small fruits of all kinds are receiving more attention from 

 growers than in former years. Currants and gooseberries are being exten- 

 sively planted. 



Pear culture is commanding attention here on the lake shore, and exten- 

 sive orchards are planting for commercial purposes. 



Peach trees have made a good growth the past season and the wood and 

 buds seem to be well matured and in condition to withstand a pretty low 

 temperature if necessary; and, should the winter from this on prove at all 

 favorable, western Allegan county can be relied upon for a supply of 

 peaches the coming season. 



Small fruits, as a general rule, have gone into the winter in fine con- 

 dition, and the prospect at present is favorable for a crop of berries next 

 summer. 



D. W. WILEY. 

 ABOUT LAWTON AND PAW PAW. 



In considering the condition of fruitgrowing near Lawton and Paw Paw, 

 at the present time, it is plainly apparent to an observer that considerable 

 change has taken place in the last fifteen years, in methods of cultivation 

 and varieties of fruit grown. The acreage of berries of all kinds is very 

 much less than it was a few years ago, and is plainly on the decline, 

 these fruits giving away to grapes. 



That the high lands near Lawton and Paw Paw were especially well 

 adapted to the growing of choice grapes, became evident as soon as vines 

 in these localities came into bearing, and in consequence grape culture 

 has been extended and enlarged until it has become the leading branch of 

 the fruit industry in this vicinity. The variety most largely grown is the 



