Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-01-11
FAMED FOR QUALITY.
MICHIGAN PEACHES CARRY OFF
THE PALM FOR FLAVOR.
Have Been Cheap and Very Plentiful
This Season Millions of Baskets
Shipped to Chicago for Packing and
Distribution.
A Luscious Fruit.

Every time CnlcaSO SltS down TO
breakfast in the peach season, says
the Chronicle, the yield of half hun
dred acres of Michigan peaches is con-
sumed, and the country west, rolling
up a proportionate average, helps to
| pay off that vast army of pickers, pack
ers, carriers, vesselmen, teamsters,
| commission merchants and basket
makers who, since early in July have
been part and parcel of the millions of
the famous peach belt of the WOlver-
Inc State. From Berrien County north,
a broad band ten miles in width along
the shores of Lake Michigan is the IA
vored fruit center, and all this terri
tory, with its millions of acres, is de-
voted to supplying the Western markets
with fruits and vegetables of various
kinds, with peaches far in the lead as
nm edible, out of which many hand
| some fortunes have been made hy in
telligent growers. The present year
has been a banner one for this inter-
est. More peaches have been shipped
than in any previous season, for several
days of one week some 10000 bushels
arriving in Chicago regularly, notwith-
| standing the fact that the best yario-
ties dropped from So to $1.75 per bush
| ell, and that thousands of Is bushel
baskets brought less than 0 cents
| apiece.
Michigan peaches begin coming rs
early as the first week in July, and
| shipments continue until snow flies.
Nearly all of them are sent by boat,
and a morning scene in the Chicago
| peach docks is often enlivened by the
arrival of steamer carrying as high
as 10000 bushels of the fruit. The mo.
ment these rive a hundred stout
armed men march in single file down
n gangplank, and, threading the bas-
kets in half-dozens, convey them to as
many waiting cars. They are hur-
| ried to the great commission marts of
the city, and the big steamer puffs its
| way back to st. Joseph for another
load, to keep busy the odd 5000 men
who are engaged daily during the sea-
son about the various loading and un.
loading docks.
There is a profit in raising peaches,
Notwithstanding the price fluctuations
of the season, and fruit growers in such
| favored localities as Benton Harbor,
| where transportation facilities are SUI
perior, are exceedingly prosperous and
satisfied. Here is located the largest
peach farm in Michigan, and that
means in the world. 1t is owned by
ROLAND Morrill,, president of the Mich
igan State Horticultural Society, and
| he has made a fortune out of It, 1t is
| about five miles from Benton Harbor,
and contains 800 acres, 100 acres OF
which are devoted exclusively to
peaches, meaning a yearly yield of
10000 bushels. Ten acres is devoted
to late variety, known as the Golden
Drop, which has yielded $4,000 clear
profit within five years, being, there
fore, most appropriately named. Other
great farms are being yearly opened,
one of which, owned by the West
Michigan Nursery Company, will con-
tain 800 acres, and eclipse even the
Morrill, farm as soon as the trees be-
gin to bear.
Thirty years about cover the history
of the peach industry in Berrien Coun-
ty, for it was not until 1860 that Or
chards of any size were set out in the
vicinity of Benton Harbor and st. Jo-
seph. The pioneers soon had fruit
bearing land up to 81 900 an acre. The
year 1868 marked the appearance of
such diseases as "blotches' and "yel-
lows" among the peaches, spreading
until five years later not a peach or
chard of any size was left in Berrien
County. Orchards which had been
worth fortunes were set back on a gen.
eral produce-bearing basis of value.
The peach industry was dead, and not
until ten years ago did revival come.
The disease gradually lost its hold,
and Berrien County is now the banner
peach district of Michigan.
Naturally, the peach tree is a sloven.
1t will grow out of shape in one sea-
son if left to itself. To correct this the
grower goes over his orchard every
spring, cutting off just half of every
twig which grew the season before.
In another respect the peach tree is
very troublesome. 1t undertakes more
than 1t can accomplish in fruit bear
ing. 1t overloads itself, and the first
work of the grower Is to thin his
peaches. On an average 1t costs SIT
an acre to do this work. No skill is
needed for it, and the Michigan tramp
has the reputation of doing the work.
Provided with a step-ladder, he goes
over every limb, dipping off the fruit,
as nearly as possible leaving the peach
es four inches apart on the twigs. This
is done just before the pits begin to
harden in the green fruit.
First of Berrien County peaches
comes the Lewis seedling," one of
the most popular varieties. 1t is of
medium size, relocated and having
white meat. The Crawford peach Is
another favorite, and Is of a golden
yellow; the "Stumps" peach, beauti-
fully marked, with a white meat, is
profitable, but of them all the "Elber
ia" peach is king. Just now it is on
the market, large as an ordinary tea
cup, blotched with brilliant red and on
the under side yellow as gold. 1t
} brings the top price of the market, the
I o..