Fruit In Michigan

Secretary Garfield of the state horticultural society gives the following report of fruit prospects in this state: About the flrst of August I sent 1(H postal cards in envelopes to the most prominent fruit growers in Michigan, asking them to return the percentage of an average erop that the orchards and vineyards promised for the erop 01 1882, with such remarks as would naturally be suggested by the questions enclosed. Nearly all of the returns have been made at this writing, August 14, and t am quite surprised at the resulta. Only one correspondent puts the apple erop at a f uil average, while 34 place t at less than one-fourth of a erop, 50 reports make it less than one-half a erop, and 75 less than three-fourths of an average yield. The following localities have the most promising show of ipples: ]ngham, Bay, western Muskegon, Manistee, Genesee, Allegan, Macomb and Lapeer . countles; western üass, western Kent, central Barry and eastern Ottawa all unite in the statement that the fruit will be imperfect, scabby and badly injured by insects. The erop of pears promises better .han apples, and unless some new difflculty arises there will be 75 per centof a f uil yield. There is less blight hia season than for several years, udging from reports to date. Peaches in unfavorable localities for Ms fruit are a complete failure. TJpon ïigh ground in the interior there will )e above half a erop, and upon the reiefs of Washtenaw county even better ,han this; while upon the lake shore to the nortli there will be a light yield, of say 40 per cent. In Allegan, Kent, Otawa and Muskegon there will be two,hirds of a erop and the fruit very fine. '.n Van Buren and Kalamazoo about half a erop. The most proliflc fruit in Michigan .bis year is the grape. There are prpmses of a very f uil yield if the seaon s prolonged so the clusters will ripen. Hany of the first setting were killed by 'rost. There is some mildew appearng in several localities, and the recent wet weather has developed some tendency to rot in places where this disease has appeared years ber'ore. The plum erop will be a good average where persistent efforta have been made to flght the curculio. The peach yellows are gradually working northward. A few "sporadic case3" have been announced as far uorth as northern Ottawa and Kent; jut there is a united feeling among peaeh growera that every case must be stamped out of sight. There are great many theories concerning the cause of failure in apples. It is laid to east winds, frosts, moist weather at time of blossoming, etc. The most common explanation seems .o be that the continuous frosts through May weakened the vitality of the young 'ruit so that it dropped through June. The varieties of apples that have as yet hung on the trees best, are Baldwin and Golden Büsset. TTall apples seem to be almost a dead failure. The Northern Spy, which is a great favorite in our state, will be represented by very small quantities in the fruit cellars next winter. Cider, apple jell.and evapurated apples will be reduced to a minimum. To the lovers of apple sauce I would counsel the selection of the best substitute in the way of canned fruit that is possible, and begin early.