88 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



muck and marl beds are common, which are vast savings banks to the fruit- 

 grower upon which he can draw at will. This is certainly one of the most de- 

 lightful places in the State for people to locate who have an appreciation of 

 natural beauty and desire to combine the '"'art which mends nature" with 

 nature hersell'. Peaches and grapes are the specialties on these fruit farms. 



Muskegon lies just to the northward and is rapidly developing many large 

 fruit farms. Small fruits are grown with great success, and for a market local- 

 ity the growers seem to exhibit more than common interest in new sorts. A 

 special inducement to settle about Muskegon is the pure water everywhere near 

 the surface and the available chean lands that can be secured. 



J. 



HUEON. 



The county of Huron is peculiarly situated. A glance at the map will 

 exhibit the fact that it has the longest shore line of any county in the State. 

 Bounded on three sides by deep water, it is admirably situated as far as lake 

 protection is concerned. The average winter temperature is that of Blooming- 

 ton, III. From records furnished by Wm. L. Armstrong of Sand Beach, dur- 

 ing the winter of ISSO-I, when in southern Michigan we had some exception- 

 ally severe weather, -10° was the lowest point the thermometer indicated in 

 Huron county. Frost is unknown there in autumn until a month after it has 

 visited the interior of southern Michigan. 



This is a new county, but is destined to be one of the finest horticultural 

 sections in the State. Its marketing facilities are s'ach as to attract the com- 

 mercial grower, and the salubrious climate adapted to so wide a range of varie- 

 ties, will soon be found by the amateur growers. 



THE SAGINAW VALLET. 



The country tributary to Saginaw and Bay City is not peculiarly adapted to 

 any horticultural specialty, but is an admirable region for mixed husbandry in 

 which the growth of all the hardy fruits, and all sorts of market garden prod- 

 ucts, should take a prominent place. With a rich soil, thrifty people, and a 

 grand market which extends to the northern peninsula, there is no doubt but 

 this is destined to be a wonderful country. 



KENT. 



It has been said by people accustomed to judge of such matters that Grand 

 Eapids, the capital of Kent county, is better supplied with a variety of fresh 

 vegetables and fruits than any city east or west. The display of horticultural 

 products all along through the season is certainly a credit to the skill of the 

 people engaged in horticulture in that region. Large peach orchards within 

 twelve miles of the city are in full bearing this year (1881), even although the 

 entire crop of the country is very meager. The State Horticultural Society 

 had its beginning here, and its successful record is largely due to the people of 

 this locality, who have contributed freely of their time and means to its up- 

 building. 



IONIA AND MONTCALM. 



Lying east of Kent are the counties of Ionia and Montcalm. In the former 

 are scattered some of the most enthusiastic fruit growers in this State. Situ- 

 ated too far from the lake to be immediately influenced by it, still upon the 

 bights of ground even peach culture is successfully prosecuted. It is true of 



