Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-03-22
For the Phoenix.
LETTERS FROM THE WEST.
Howell, LIvIses'roN CO. MICHIGAN, !

Howell, LIvlNesroN Co. MICHIGAN,
Feb. s, 1899.
Mr.. Ryther,-I propose to devole the present
and succeeding number TO sketch OF the ge-
ography, resources, population, &c. of my
adopted state. Ofthis rising star of the Re
public, very little, comparatively, is known at
the east. Until quite lately, it has generally
been supposed TO be a cold, wet unproduciive
region. In Geography published believe al
Boston, in 1895, il is thus described /" The
country is so level that the streams How very
sluggishly. The water Of rains stacnates up
on the surface, and the civilizations render the
air moist and unhealthy. But small portions
Of il are fit for cultivation" This is altogeth-
er erroneous. Il is generally healthy is an
undulating couHtry the soil is dry, and II Is
naturally one Of the FIRST fasming states in the
Union.
MICHIGAN derives its name from two words
in the Chippewa language, viz: IHifckaw-
great or mighty--snd Sagiegdn, lake; and
according TO its present application mesns--ihe
country of great Lakes. Its area is greater
than that of any other state in the Union, if
we include both its lake and land surface, be-
ing 96,s4i square miles, of which about one
third is water so that there are but one or two
states that have greater land surface than
this. Il is divided into two grand Peninsu-
las the Peninsula proper, which has general
" been known as Michigan Territory-and the
upper Peninsula, which borders on British
America and Lake Superior ON the north and
east, and ON Wisconsin Territory on the west.
This is about one-,hird of the state. The Al
crigiues claim nearly the whole OF il, and but
little is known Of il. The surface OF the soil is
said 10 be diversified by mountains, plains and
hills, Il abounds in immense lots OF pine,.
which, In a few years, such IS the scarcity oil
that timber in many parts of this and other
states, without doubt, will become valuable
Rich mines of iron, copper, g. lead ore, are also
said to exist in this region but with regard to
this, the state Geologisl will soon satisfy HIM
selrby examination. Ofthe Peninsula proper,
about 26, 900 square miles has been surveyed
and erected into 81. counties. The face OF the
souutry is generally uudulating, in some parts
level and again broken or billy. The eastern
portion in width varying from 10 20 miles
is low, level, and in places wet; is OF very
rich soil. and covered with dense forest =
From this to about so miles west from the
eastern border Of the state the land gradually
rises and then again slopes off to the west
Hillsdale. Washtenaw, Jackson, Livingston
and Ingham counties, PROBABLY contain the
highest ands--as il is from these counties that
rivers dscharging themselves into Lake Erie,
ST. Clair,and Huron on the east,and Michigan
on the west, take thei rise. The hills oil Mich
igan are irregular, but generally conical eleva-
uOnS.OCCdSiOudIy
5 10 400 feet, but usually not more than 80 10
40. The interior is web waiered, not only by
rivers, bui BY an almost innumerablc number
of small and beautiful lakes. The soil is OF
various kinds, generally of a rich sandy loan,
mixed with various proportions OF clay, gravel,
gypsum and lime enough Of the two latter TO
render il first rate wheat country. BY the
people of the state the lands are divided into
distinct classes, such as, pine lands, numbered
lands, openings, plains, land prairies. The pine
lands situated mostly in the N. e., N. and N.
w, part Of them are of sandy nature but are
strongly impregnated with lime and will be
much more valuable for cultivation than has
generally been supposed The tmbered lands
are mostly Of moist, clayey, and very rich
soil. The soil of the openings and plains is Of
arich sandy nature--yery easy TO cultivate and
productive. The timber upon these lands Is
almost exclusively of the various kinds OF oak,
ell others having disappeared before the des-
ruciive.semi- annual fires of the red man. The
usual method Of cullivating them is 10 brake
the turf, girdle The trees, and plant the seed
aud then clear off the timber as the farmers. gel
time Yhe praries are Of two kinds, wet and
dfy ; but are small, especially, the latter. The
dry praires are excellent land, and the wet are
valuable as afiording abundance of hay OF q
Aolerable good quality. have said that the
iaads of Michigan are well calculated for Tbs
growth of wheat; | doubt not il will soon riva
the empire state in the prediction Of This com
modify; il aIsomoduces other grains in abund
ahce, such as Indian corn, rye, oats, potatoes
&c. &C. The plains and openings are OF th'
right kind of soil for the Mulberry, and also
for the Sugar Beet they are both already cul
givafed to some extent sa ep 93
To the traveller, the country presents an an
pearance emineptly picturesque and delightful
The towering forest and grove, the luxurlan
prairie, the crystal lake and lnpid rivulet, arr
so frequently and happily blended together
especially, in theinterior and southern. sections
of the state, as to confer additional charms q
the high finishing Of landscape, whose beau'!
is scarcely rivalIed by any section OF country
Every body knows that there is scarcely an IN
land country inshe world so admirsbly sltuat
ed for commerce as is Michigan; in ths,res
pect il is FAR before any Of the new western
states, and, Therefore, whilst the farmers Of in
diana and Illinois arc obliged TO dispose
their produce al avery low price, those o. Mich
igan at triding expense can transport theirs Z
he most favorable. eastern market