232 SPARKS FROM A GEOLOGIST'S HAMMER. 



crystal lakelets to furnish a " lake view " for every home- 

 stead along the border of the " beautiful peninsula." 



The climatic peculiarities of the eastern shore of Lake 

 Michigan, in the neighborhood of Saint Joseph, began to 

 be understood many years ago. At least, it had been em- 

 pirically discovered that the region is favorable for the 

 growth of the peach. But it is certain that no one 

 would have believed, before 1866, that an almost identi- 

 cal winter climate stretches as far north as Grand Trav- 

 erse. In 1866 the present writer set forth the statistical 

 evidence of the fruit-producing capacity of the whole lake 

 shore; and in 1867 the incredulity of the Secretary of the 

 State Board of Agriculture for Michigan prompted him 

 to an official investigation, which ended in a complete 

 vindication of all the claims set up for " The Fruit Belt 

 of Michigan." At the pi*esent time it is demonstrated 

 from experience that all the way from New Buffalo to 

 Northport, a distance of 225 miles in a right line, fruit- 

 trees and shrubs which escape destruction through the 

 winters of central Illinois and Missouri enjoy complete 

 immunity. During the period of verdui-e, the ' genial 

 influence of the lake secures them from the early and 

 late frosts, which are not unfrequently felt as far south 

 as Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee. The growing sea- 

 son is consequently as long, and very nearly as warm, as 

 that of central Illinois. The equability of the climate is 

 considerably greater ; while the persistent and chilling 

 and destructive winds which frequently visit the south- 

 west are comparatively unknown. At the same time, 

 the soil of the entire belt, from Indiana to Grand Trav- 

 erse Bay, is worthy of the climate. Though decidedly 

 sandy, and at fii-st view uninviting, it is proved, both 



