Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-01-22
Tenn psrature.

The climate of this region varies as
greatly from the climate further south
as does Its topography and soil. The
deep waters of the lakes and bays alb
sorb the summers heat and store it up
for winter use IN eoftenlng the rigors
of this latitude. The westerly and
southwesterly winds which prevail dur
ing the fall and winter season, passing
over the surface of the open waters Of
Lake Michigan absorb its warmth and
moisture. and striking the high lands,
temper the climate, while at the same
time the moisture is precipated in falls
of snow. 1t is not uncommon for n
all of snow to take place sometimes
during every twenty-four hours for
from fifty to one hundred days in sue.
ceseion from November TO February,
and during this time the thermometer
seldom falls below zero or rises above
the freezing point. The body of snow
accommodating during this time by the
month of March usually reaches from
three to SIX feet IN depth, protecting
the soil from frost, so that potatoes and
other garden vegetables growing IN the
ground may be safely left through the
winter without damage.
The advantage which the hill sides
and rolling lands bordering round the
bays and lakes give for the culture OF
fruit consists in the facility with which
the cold air, caused by radiation IN
clear nights, settles and flows down the
hillsides and falls 10 the open waters
of the bays and lakes, allowing the
warmer air to come down and take is
place, thus avoiding damage either
from extreme winter killing or vernal
or autumnal frosts. This advantage 10
SO great that peaches are successfully
grown upon the side hills sloping
towards Grand Traverse bay. lake
Michigan, Elk Round and Torch lakes.
The rain fall of this section, while
perhaps no greater IN the year than
that In the southern part of the state.
comes at tImo when IT il most benefl-
cial. especially for the growing OF po-
tatoes and the successful development
of fruits. After the winter SHOWS have
melted away the spring rams are US
uailv light. aud . drought IN the fore
part of June 10 not uncommon. Toll
lowed by rain falls In the latter part OF
that month, increasing through July
and eliminating IN the month OF
August aud the fore part OF September.
thus ahording moisture at the very
time when most needed for successful
potato growth and making this entire
! region one of the best for the cultiva-
/ ton Of this escuieBt. The crop - rs
| ually planted from the 18th to tue 25th
! Of June, arriving at the right condition
! of growth 10 meet the rain falls of
I August and September, w3lch nearly
always insure good crop.
Varieties OF Fruits.
The kinds IF fruits most profitable
| for general culture are tAe spple. pear,
/ mum, cherry, and on the hill sides
near Grand Traverse hay aud Lake
Michigan. the peach. All varieties OF
apples do we'll on the rolling land
sioping towards the borders OF these
waters. But upon the tsble land.
| nothing but tho hardest of apples vii
mrvlvs the clear. cold weather WHICH
generally prevail during tie lsttes
F, part OF February and the fore part oi
/ March.
The past season has been a most pro
life one IN ali farm crops. ana ~
/ neSriY 81 cissses Of fruits u II eslt
( msted taai nearly one hundred thou
sand barrels OF spplos we're shipped
. from thls feglon last fail
Apples grown Ira THIS reelon are 20
AZ lsfse - The ssBle varieties grown ir
tne southern part Il The state, or a th'
/ tentorrn states. but they are firIuer Il
! texture, at greater specific gravity
! liner grained, better keepers and nsUcf
mote hlgny coiorea. TIE pears sls,
sfs better keepers, Of finer texture sns
f.stcs, ard hughes ooiored tnsn thss'
grown farther south. but not "a lsrg'
"a SIZE The plum and the cherf,
feaeh thelF greatest Perfection N ths
ffsioAs as do al varieties 81 oeffies.
Agricultural seseafees
he soii ~ the Traverse reg on. espe
e.~liJ that part vhsSh ~ cosersa 3!