216 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



these three counties. Of the 4,092,806 bushels of apples raised in the State, 

 462,495 were in these three counties, or about one-ninth of the whole out of 

 seventy-four counties reporting. I refer thus to the census as it was the last 

 official report. 



That I miglit obtain a reasonably accurate report of the crop of 1887, I sent 

 out the following circular: 



WANTED. 



The statistics showing shipments and value of product for 1887, of the three great 

 fruit counties, Allegan, Van Buren and Berrien. 



Believing it important to growers, package manufacturers, transportation companies, 

 commission men and consumers, also of public interest, I earnestly solicit answers to 

 the following questions: 



The amount dried, canned, preserved, etc. The amount shipped from your station. 

 The average price. Value of total product. Number of trees or acres. Whether an 

 increase or decrease in your vicinity. The fruits named are apples, pears, peaches, 

 plums, cherries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, currants and gooseberries. 



Several prominent papers have asked for this information, and with the local papers 

 will give it wide circulation. 



The greatest possible accuracy is desired. Those receiving this circular are requested 

 to answer so much of it as they can from their personal knowledge, observation or 

 special inquiry. Will be pleased to have you add any suggestion you may think of 

 interest to fruit growers. 



If possible, please return the statistics to me by December 34. 



C. J. Monroe. 



South Haven, December 15, 1887. 



As to apples and peaches the reports were quite full, but in the main had 

 been shipped by weight and so reported, and then were reduced to barrels, 

 bushels or baskets. Where the number of barrels of cider are given, ten 

 bushels is the estimate per barrel. When evaporated, six pounds to the 

 bushel. Bushel of apples, green, fifty pounds. Pears, plums, quinces and 

 cherries were given separate in many reports. No separate account could be 

 obtained of the small fruits, which were mainly reported as so many cases of 

 berries, without discriminating. In most cases the figures appear to be taken 

 from the books of the transportation companies; in others given in round 

 amounts. 



Blanks were sent to sixty-five railroad stations and lake ports; about twenty 

 were sent a second time with personal letters. I have received fifty-three 

 reports by mail and some eighteen or twenty personal reports while passing 

 about these counties. The prices I give are the average of those reported, 

 taken, in the case of apple and peaches, from about twenty quotations. I 

 present the circular and explanation so each person can judge of the prob- 

 able accuracy of amounts and prices. This is the result : 



Apples, 415,588 barrels, at .$1.65 |685,720 20 



Evaporated, 112,600 bushels (average cost, green, twenty cents) ready for 



market, including package, valued at - 58,024 00 



Cider, jelly, apple butter, pickled, preserved and canned, 313,200 bushels 



(average cost, green, ten cents), manufactured, ready for market, with 



package 109,620 00 



Peachen, total. 1,897,338 baskets; 632,446 peck baskets at 37 cents 234,005 02 



1 ,264,892 one-fifth bushel, at 30 cents 879,467 60 



Pears. 44,730 baskets, at 45 cents 20,128 50 



Grapes, 208,174 baskets, at 25 cents 52,043 50 



Plums, quinces, cherries, 3,831 baskets, at 75 cents 2,648 25 



Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries and currants, 222,408 



half-bushel cases at $1 232,408 00 



