284 ANNUAL REPORT. 



some other varieties, many of which have done well. Last year's 

 crop was a good one. The crop this year was small and the quality 

 not as good as usual. 



Mr. Samuel Bates, of this town, was quite successful this year as 

 well as last. He numbers twenty-five varieties, having some prom- 

 ising seedlings of his own. His largest yield this year was of the 

 Duchess. While the old seedling trees were prosperous, Rolling- 

 stone valle}' could show several fine appearing orchards, but now, 

 taking out those of Mr. Bates, Mr. Bryan, and Mr. Whetstone, 

 there are few left deserving of special mention. 



In the town of Winona, the old orchards of Mr. George Clark 

 and Mr. Hardwick are still in fair condition, Mr. Clark having 

 secured several premiums at the late State Fair for character and 

 variety of fruit. Mr. Knopp, of the same town, has the most acres 

 (about twenty), set with apple trees and also the most ground in 

 small frnit of any one in the county. He is regarded as a very 

 careful and successful cultivator, having grown much the largest 

 amount of fruit of any one in the vicinity. 



The orchards of Mr. Buck and Mr. Rowell continue to produce 

 fine fruit. All the last named being located in the valley contigu- 

 ous to the river. 



The town of Homer produces a larger amount of fruit than any 

 other of the county, a large proportion of which is grown upon 

 the ridges or high lands. Their fruit does not come into market 

 so early as that from the valleys, hut there is no doubt as to its su- 

 l^erior keeping qualities. 



But with all there is raised here, the market has at no time been 

 overstocked, and probably an equal or greater amount of fruit 

 from other states has been brought in for sale. 



This fact of itself should be an inducement to plant more trees. 

 I am aware of the discouragement one mee'ts, when a single winter 

 will destroy the hopes and labor of years, but we have been suc- 

 cessful, and we may be again if we try. If we were to judge of the 

 capacity of this county for producing corn by this j'ear's experi- 

 ence, we might hesitate to plant. 



The tendency has been for a few years back to increase the area 

 of small fruits, rather than apples, but there is a growing feeling 

 of greater security, as home nurseries are more generally patron- 

 ized, and more care taken in the selection of hardy kinds. The su- 

 perior advantages of home grown trees have become so well known 

 that it is doubtful if glib tongued Dayton, Ohio, or iron clad 

 northern Canada, can again take eight thousand dollars out of this 

 county for nursery stock of no value. 



