88 STATE -HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



PROBABILITIES OF THE FUTURE. 



Suppose, in the next decade, this production should be multiplied by ten, 

 making a supply of 10,000,000 baskets, or 2,500,000 bushels, and the increase 

 of inhabitants in the upper Mississippi valley to be 5,000,000, makinii; the 

 population 25,000,000, Michigan would still produce only one bushel of peaches 

 to every ten inhabitajits of the region which is its natural peach market. 

 Making allowance for all sources of supply, I do not think this could be re- 

 garded as over-production. 



In the light of these figures and the difficulties and disasters we shall have 

 to contend with there seems little reason to doubt that the skilled culturist, 

 having a favorable situation, will be able to make the culture of the peach 

 profitable in Michigan for long years to come. 



In the selection of land for a peach orchard there are two very important 

 things to be considered, namely : Elevation and proximity to Lake Michigan, 

 on the most sheltered portions of the east shore. 



The peach grower of the future must have the eyes of Argus and the merci- 

 less execution of Robespierre. He must be persistent as the hero of Appo- 

 mattox and honest as the Great Emancipator. lie will thus become the ben- 

 efactor of small boys and girls who discover in peaches an indescribable relish. 

 He will enjoy good health and graduate mto the floral and pomological depart- 

 ment of Paradise. 



AGREEMENT AND DISSENT TO THIS. 



A. C. Merritt, of Casco, said his experience had been similar to that of Mr. 

 Dyckman, he had enjoyed much in the growing of fruit. The business calls 

 out all of a man's best thought and was continually educating the mind. 

 There is something stimulating and inspiring in watching the trees, the 

 leaves, blossoms, and fruit, constantly lifting men up to a higher plane of 

 life. The men and women engaged in growing fruit and flowers are as a class 

 of the most social and intelligent, as their calling brings them frequently 

 together. 



Harrison Hutchins, of Ganges, said that his neighborhood included Doug- 

 las, Fennville, and Saugatuck, and in it were not less than 250,000 peach trees. 



Mr. J. F. Barron, of Fennville, said that from 35,000 bearing trees in that 

 vicinity 234,000 baskets were shipped four years ago, since when there has 

 not been a full crop. 



Mr. Hamilton thought Mr. Dyckman had placed the estimate nearly right 

 at one basket per tree, counting trees of all ages, bearing and otherwise. 



J. G. Ramsdell thought the estimate too low. If it is not, we must be more 

 careful in our investments. 



G. W. Griffin said there were in Casco township five or six hundred acres 

 of trees three years old or more, containing 70,000 trees ; and there are 35,000 

 unbearing trees. 



Mr. Hutchins would quit the business if he thought the product only one 

 basket ])er tree. 



Mr. Dyckman reminded that the estimate included all trees, young and old, 

 in thrifty condition. He expects to see a ten-fold increase in the product in 

 ten years. In 1873 and '74 when it was estimated there were 900,000 trees, 

 the shipments were but 600,000 baskets. Many were young trees. 



James Gardiner, of Ganges, believed Mr. Dyckman'a estimate correct. 



