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Douglas, Mich.
Jan. 25th, 1888.

Mr. Erwin F. Smith
Ann Arbor, Mich.

Dear Sir:- Your favor of the 18th inst. came duly.  It is quite
impossible for me to give you such statistics as you ask for in
your letter.  I was Commissioner of yellows for this township
(Saugatuck) for six years.  When entering upon that work I attempted
to make a list of diseased trees in every orchard and the
varieties affected, but in a little time found that I could not
carry out my plan.  I could not go through all the orchards in
our township, and examine every tree in the limited time in which
such work must be done.  As the larger part of our fruit men are
anxious to learn how to detect the existence of yellows in their
orchards it soon became evident that a little instruction would
enable very many to take care of their own orchards.  Then the
Commissioner would only find it necessary to look after the careless
ones.  In this way we have succeeded in doing a great deal
of work at a small expense of time and money.  All peach growers
who became thoroughly aroused to the destructive nature of the
yellows have cut diseased trees without delay as soon as discovered.
For several years after the disease made its appearance
in this town, some men refused to cut their trees, but of late
nearly every one cuts diseased trees, as soon as they are found.
        