Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-02-02
NORTHERN MICHIGAN.

NORTHERN MICHIGAN.
The Lansing State Sentinel, the Wing paper
recently started at the capital Of the State, by
Messrs Childs & Mead and the transfer of which
to A. M. Woodn, ESQ.,, its present Editor, we
have carelessly neglected to notices has an inter-
esting article on the present condition, prospects,
and resources of Northern Michigan, the many
inducements it holds ont to settlers, and its
great agricultural advantages, which contains
facts and speculatons of interest beyond the lin
its of that part of the State for whose benefit it
is particularly designed. The article in question
is intended to apply more particularly TO that
part of the State, the Sentinel informs us, which
is watered by the Grand the Cedar, the Look
ing-gass the Maple, and the Shawassee rivers,
and their numerous tributaries.
The rich quality of the soil, the saubrity of
the climate the extent and variety of the natural
resources of this part of the State, is not sur
passed, it is contended by the Sentinel, by any
portion of the North West. While it is admit
ted that other portions of the State may raise as
good wheat as this, it is denied that IL can be ex
ceeded either in quantity or quality in the West.
1t is also commended that the timber land OF
North Michigan is better adapted to the growth
of corn and oats than the dry sunny soil OF the
South, while the whole of that vast territory,
being natural for the growth of grass, is second
to no other portion of the great West as graz
ing country. The farmers of that portion of the
State, according to the Sentinel, are not compel
led to depend upon raising wheat alone, nor is
it their most profitable business This they are
beginning to understand, and are now turning
their attention to the subject of beef pork, but
ter, and cheese, to the raising of cattle and the
growing of wool, large quantities of which have
found their way to an Eastern market during the
past season. The number of cattle estimated,
from what data the Editor had at hand, to have
been sent from that part of Michigan during the
past summer and autumn is set down at 10000
head, at an average value of $l5 each making a
gross amount of $l50,OOO for cattle alone.
In addition to this lucrative branch ofagrcul-
tural pursuits, the single county of Shiawassee
is said to have sold 90 tons of butter during the
same period; and taking it for granted that the
other counties of Northern Michigan did as well
in proportion to their population, it is estimated
that $50 tons Of butter were solo, averaging ID
cents per pound, and amounting to the gross
sum of $4,000, and $225O0O for cattle and but
ter for single year.
This portion of the State, continues the Sen
tineLcontains at the present time about one-sixth
of our entire population. Suppose the surplus
wheat crop of the State for the present year to
be 100000 bushels, that would give to this
portion of the State surplus of 100000 BUSH
els, which at as. Sd. per bushel, would amount
to $562,500, making the whole amount of sur
plus cattle, WOOL pork, butter and wheat 1862
500. This added to other articles ofeXport, such
as pearls, &C.. would make a sum total of ST.
100000, to say nothing of the immense quanti-
ties of pine lumber sold out of the Muskegon
and Grand River country
1t will be seen at once that if Railroad were
built through this section of the State it would
receive the carrying of most of this surplus pro-
duce, which, of itself, ought to warrant the con-
struction of such thoroughfare. Added to
these facts it should be borne in mind that this
portion of the State is more rapidly increasing
in wealth and population than it ever has before.
We venture to predict that there is not one of
the counties in the North West that is not in
creasing in both wealth and population at the
rate of 25 per cent. per annum, and that in 1857
the population will exceed 100000.
Besides, we have many articles of expectation
not to be found in the southern part of the State.
Look at our plaster beds, our inexhaustible
mines Of coal, our salt works, and our extensive
pneries, with the hundreds of saw mills, stave,
heading, and lath machines erected in their
midst Are not all these so many guarantees
that Railroad stock in this country must soon
be the most profitable investment that can be
made. Detroit Weekly Tribune.