
          322

In a letter of March 16, 1888. Rev. J. R. Taylor says:

&quot;The Perrotet orchard - once as owed by B. F. Powers-
I am not acquainted with.  Think it is now
owned by Wm. Dorman, P.O. Gauges, Allegan Co.

"I think L. H. Howard - Gauges P.O., could give
you the condition of the Perrotet trees at the
present time."

I wrote to Mr. Howard & received the following:
[see p. 212]

copy

Gauges [Mich.], April 1, 1888.

Dear Sir:-

Yours of the 24th of March duly received.
In reply will try & give you the desired information
as I have lived near the orchard and known its history
since 1871.

First the soil is a gravelly loam and was heavily
fertilized with refuse from the tannery.  The trees grew
very large and the quality of the fruit was superior to
anything I ever tasted.  The trees grew very tall and
what fruit and foliage there was [was] on the tops of the
trees, and I think the life of the orchard was shortened
by being set too close [the trees were 16 ft apart].

The trees were grubbed out by Mr. Downing two years
ago; and the year previous I think [1888] the commissioners
marked 5 or 6 as having the yellows. Previous
to that time I think there had been no appearance
of the disease.  I think the orchard gave out as much
for want of [illegible] grow as anything, for the trees on the sides
of the orchard seemed to hold out best.

The ground has been reset to peach trees- the same year the old
old trees were removed [1886].  It was filled in again last <s>year</s>
Season, yet many are missing.  I think unfavorable seasons the
cause for what trees lived grew well.

I cut down peach trees on my place over 30 years old,-
joining this orchard. They were set aroung my apple orchard
and were crowded out by them.

I have had no yellows in my orchards for the last 6
years.  I think I have not lost in all to exceed ten trees
of the yellows.

Truly yours,
L. H. Howard.

        