The Johnston papers document the experiments, developments, and accomplishments of South Haven Experiment Station under the direction of Stanley Johnston. The collection includes correspondence, records of experiments, reports, photographs, slides, postcards, research papers (published and unpublished), and maps. These papers document the development of the Haven peach and the world-wide importance of that development; and the importance of his research with other fruits, especially apricots and blue- berries.

As for his contribution to Michigan Agriculture, Johnston's work considerably increased the scope of the Michigan fruit market. Before the development of the Haven variety, the Elberta was essentially the only marketable peach in the state. Because the Haven matured earlier in the peach season than the Elberta, it increased the length of the Michigan peach season. This, in turn, improved the profits of the Michigan peach market substantially.

Johnston's research also produced the Goldcot apricot, the first apricot variety hardy enough to withstand Michigan weather. Thus, Johnston's work with apricots made it economically feasible for Michigan fruit growers to produce apricots, an important development since apricots are the most widely used fruit in the processing of baby foods, a significant industry in Michigan.

Johnston's work with blueberries has made it possible for the increased utilization of Michigan land for the production of blueberries. Johnston and a colleague, James Moulton, crossed the highbush blueberry (which could only be grown in Southern Michigan) with the lowbush blueberry (which was native to Northern Michigan), to develop hybrids that could be grown all across the state.