RECOKD OF A JOINT MEETING. 5 



more peach trees until the remains of the old stock was entirely destroyed. 

 The theory that upon the removal of all diseased trees, peaches could again 

 be successfully grown, has been verified, our young orchards having produced 

 fine fruit during the past two years, and very large plantings have been made 

 with full confidence in the successful culture of peaches in the future. 



The temporary decadence of peach growing has not detracted materially 

 from the commercial interests of fruit growing in Berrien county. In 1872 

 the shipments of small fruits had assumed large proportions, which have 

 been greatly increased and diversified by the production of a great variety of 

 horticultural products, until, in 1887, the aggregate value of fruit and vege- 

 table products shipped from St. Joseph and Benton Harbor was estimated at 

 ^900,000. 



The climatic conditions in VanBuren and Allegan counties, for successful 

 fruitgrowing, are not excelled in the fruit belt of western Michigan. Peach-- 

 growing having commenced at South Haven at a later period than in the St. 

 Joseph region, and yellows having destroyed a large part of the orchards in 

 Berrien county before serious damage was inflicted at points further north, 

 our northern neighbors were enabled to ward off the threatened invasion, 

 and wherever the provisions of the yellows laws have been strictly enforced, 

 peaches have continued to be successfully grown. 



Within the last decade Allegan has assumed the place of the banner peach- 

 growing county in Michigan. A canvass made by Senator C. J. Monroe of South 

 Haven, last year, shows the total acreage of fruit in the three counties of 

 Berrien, VanBuren, and Allegan, as being: Apples, 38,000 acres in bearing; 

 and peaches, 12,000 acres; in commercial gardening 7,000 acres. The acre- 

 age in grapes and small fruits could not be correctly estimated. Mr. Monroe 

 estimated the total home cash value, including packages, at $1,901,9(50. Six 

 townships in Allegan county produced about the same quantity of peaches as 

 was grown in an equal number of townships [in Berrien county] in 1872. 



CONDITIONS FUETHER DOWN THE LAKE SHORE. 



Ottawa and Muskegon counties, not having the high, fertile table lands 

 along the lake and river, have generally proved unfavorable for peach cul- 

 ture, extensive orchards having been repeatedly killed by severe winters. 

 Orapes and small fruits are successfully grown, however, at many places, 

 Grand Haven and Muskegon now growing extensively for export. 



Oceana county, being on a promontory extending toward the central part 

 of Lake Michigan, with good soil and the necessary elevation, is proving one 

 of the best fruit counties in the belt. A recent summary of the fruit crop in 

 1887 gives shipments of 63,015 barrels of ajsples, 21,275 bushels of peaches, 

 and 5,884 bushels of plums. The counties north of Oceana, and bordering 

 on Grand Traverse bay, are growing a variety of fruits, which are celebrated 

 for color, texture, and long keeping qualities. 



The highest lands in Kent and other counties in western Michigan are 

 proving to be well adapted to peach growing, and while supplying the local 

 demaud, Grand Rapids and other inland towns are shipping large quantities 

 of peaches. 



