The collection consists of the letterbooks of T. T. Lyon of Plymouth, Michigan, president and superintendent of the Michigan Lake Shore Nurseries, South Haven, Michigan.

Volume I (1874-1876) and volume II (1875-1880) contain copies of business letters written exclusively by Lyon. Included are letters concerning loans for land improvements, ordering nursery stock, securing agents to solicit orders and advertise their nursery products, mass orders to various Granges in Michigan, lists of varieties of fruits, and horticultural experiments.