Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-09-30
on THE LAKE SHORE.
ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN, !
Sept. %, 1874. !
To the Editor OF The journal:

To the Editor Of The journal:
BY this time, we suppose, you jewellers
in the Kennebec Valley have been re-
minded again of the approach Of one Of
your mild winters. We have a vivid
recollection of how the pumpkin leaves
wilted out, and how the frost mum, ed our
fingers about the first of September.
With us, at the foot of Lake Michigan,
the days are still very warm and the
nights only comfortably cool. No sign of
frost, and probably will not be for two or
three weeks yet. A narrow belt along
the Lake shore, is exempt from frost long
after it has cut off vegetation a few miles
in the interior. Like you, we have had
copious rains since the drought of mid
summer, and the late fruits, apples, pears
peaches and grapes are an excellent crop
The peach crop alone has busted every
body for a month and will for two or
three weeks longer. The evening steamer
now transports to Chicago two or three
thousand bushels per day, besides hun
dreds of baskets of grapes. Both peaches
and grapes are packed in baskets, vary
ing little in appearance, and holding about
peck. covered with what they call in
Chicago, ''the aluring but deceptive
tarletan." This is put in to secure the
fruit and give it a good color, as with
the ladies, good looks go further than
good quality.
The factories have done an immense
business in making these baskets, and
turn them out very chcaply. They cost
by the quantity three cents apiece, and
the covering two cents. Peaches and
grapes are selling now at from fifty to
seventy-fye cents per basket in Chicago.
The yellows, disease which showed it
self but few years ago. and is said to
have migrated from the East, has made
great havoc with the peach trees. and the
crop is no longer sure one. The peach
growing region is moving North. South
Haven, thirty or forty miles above us is
now the favored locality. Should the
peach tree fail here, fruit farming will
not be materially injured Grapes are Il
sure and profitable crop. The Hartford
and Concord are the standard and best
paying varieties, and many Delawares
are also raised SO of the Catawba,
though our season is hardly long enough
to bring this delicious grape to perfection.
| have seen luXuriant vines ut home, and
strawberry, raspberry and blackberry
bushes, as thrifty as any here, but never
so heavily fruited. Both soil and climate
conspire to produce an abundant yield.
At this season we live on fruit. 1t
makes no difference that non-producers
have to pay Chicago prices. Day labor
ers indulge in grapes and peaches as n &C.
essaries of life, and small children excel
in protuberance of abdomen the little In
dams of Panama.
At this season the Lake begins to show
its treacherous nature. You would prob
ably laugh at the sea kicked up by gale,
but it is even more dangerous than a
storm on the ocean. The lake commerce
is carried on chiefly in schooncrs and pro-
pelers. But three ships have ever been
on these lakes, and they have all been
wrecked. Propellers are gradually SUI
perseding sailing craft in carrying many
kinds of freight, and now steam bi.rges of
great capacity are becoming common
Lately they have been conveying lumber
to Chicago in immense RATS. A good tug
will handle u million feet or more, and
transportation in this way costs little or
nothing. 1t is going to reyolutionize the
lumber business.
At present treights on the lakes are
will long be remembered as hard one
for the vessel owners. Wheat and corn
are carried to Buffalo for three cents a
bushel. Even the Western Granger ought
to be satisfied with this. 1t is partly ow-
ing to sharp railroad competition and
partly to the vast increase of the lake
shipping.
As soon as the Weland Canal is en-
larged, for which provision has already
been made by the Canadian Government
there will be an important grain trade di-
rect with Liverpool by way OF Montreal.
Two or three schooners have been loaded
at Chicago for liverpool this summer,
and we believe the return has proved a
success. Before many years, Chicago in
her trade with Europe will pass by New
York entirely. She will eventually rival
her in size, as she now does in business
activity and push. Yours &c.