The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-10-10

rounds the lake and small clearlngs have
been made by old residents, who seem
satisfied with bare subsistence. Indus
try and enterprise are needed to develop
the country. Taking the small steamer
Clara Belle, and touching at various
points We stopped at Ola Mission, not
ed fruit region, at the north extremity of
a tongue of land, JuttinS 30 miles up In
to Grand Traverse Bay. Met Mr.. Geo.
Parmelee, anu vas shown the premium
Fruit farm of Michigan" Dir. 2. locat-
ed the point of this peninsula twelve
years ago, with the one idea of growing
fruit. He has 600 acres. His orchards COW
er 116 acres, and so assured is he of sue
cess, that he is adding continually. He
has 4150 apple trees, yielding splendid
crops of fruit which he claims are more
highly colored, and better keepers than
these grown farther south. He last
spring sold his Inter apples at six dol
lars per barre, and says she sold them too
soon to get good price" The trees now
bearing heavy crop of perfect fruit, are
strong and vigorous, and certainly enjoy
the healthy lake breeze, that circulates
on every side. His pear orchard con-
tains 100 trees of the choicest varieties.
The Bartletts just being made ready for
market were fine specimens, some weigh
ing s ounces each; these were graded,
carefully wrapped in paper, and packed
in crates for the Chicago market. They
were sold last year from eight to twelve
dollars per barrel. No pains are spared IN
presenting the fruit in market in the
most attractive shape; herein is one So
cret of the high prices Mr.. p. receives.
The crop from 200 trees of sweet cherries
sold at an average price of 16 cents per
quart. In preparing for market, pOr
ton of the stems were clipped off.
Peaches are not largely grown. The
soil is a sandy loan, mellow and clean.
Successive crops Of corn are grown be-
tween the trees which Mr.. P. thinks no
drain upon the soil. The use of the ell
tire orchards of over 100 acres is given
gratis to his neighbors, the only return
made for the heavy crops Of corn and
fodder carried off being the clean culture
given, a desirable result, but, at too great
a cost. "Good tillage is manure" but
few Will agree with Mr.. P. that success
sive crops of corn with its rank feeding
rootlets viii not in time impoverish
the soil, and the trees as they grow be
robbed of their food. This is the most
extensive orchard, but others will be
equally successful with the same care.
Six miles from the point of this penin
sula and averaging 3 miles wide, there
are $4,000 apple trees which are expected
to average bushel each, when in full
bearing. The peninsula is remarkably
healthy, and is quite summer resort.
Cottages are sprinkled along the beach,
and secluded retreat is found here from
hustle and care during the summer sea-
son, but to spend life time in such is
dated solitude requires courage. The
people are intelligent and enjoy their
seclusion from the s'outside," Ga signifi-
cant expression with them.) The south
Nianitou Island where we with a small
feet sought shelter during the equinoc-
tial storm, is a rugged unproductive spot,
covering an area of 5000 acres, inhabited
by about thirty families who combine
fishing and rude farming for a subsis-
tence. A substantial government struc-
ture 1O4 feet above the water level, gives
out welcome light, and fog whistles a
friendly warning from the south east
point of the island. The North Manitou
covers twice the ground, or more prop
erly water For 13 days, with our faces
turned homeward, were we held captives
cut off from all communication. Gains
and adverse winds, heavy seas and storm,
weighing anchor, advancing hopefully
but retreating again, to the first friendly
shelter, we realized that man may pro-
pose, but the elements are controlled by
a higher power. The run from the Mani
tou Islands across to the North Bay by
our course 60 miles, was accomplished in
81 hours. The sea was angry and troub-
led, experienced sailors pronounced "Old
Michigan" in her most restless mood.
We were tossed to and fro as of little
The grandeur and sublim-
ity Of the scene were, we fear not fully APP
preciated by us. Our appetite lost its
keenness and our sea record we had been
somewhat proud of, was clouded. Our love
for mother earth increased many fold,
and terra ,frnsa had great charms, view
ed from our standpoint. From North
Bay the wind reluctantly bore us home
ward. The night of the oath will long be
remembered. at midnight the storm burst
upon us and ragged until daylight. The
sea was fearful and threatening, the
darkness could be felt, relieved only By
the ightning's fash. The binding rain
obscured all lights and land marks. The
roar of thunder, the terrific bursts OF
wind, the rafting confusion on deck, the
efforts to be heard above the storm, with
the twill of the wisp," that unwelcome
visitor fitting at our masthead, were all
fearfully impressive. Before noon we
secured anchorage and relief in Rowleys
Bay. Our anticipated week of recreation
covered three weeks and we have a salts
factory knowledge of the pleasant and
unpleasant part of life on the water.
JOHN LANDRETH.
WOMAN