Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-05-14
Correspondence of the Michigan Farmer.
GRAND RIVER VALLEY.

and rich larQ LlmDeTed lanus, anu tho poo"
tiful pineries adjacent, wish through the
Farmer to bid our many friends, with whom
have spent the winter pleasantly indeed,
cordial goodbye for the present. Also,
for the information Of the readers OF the
Farmer generally, and to induce those IN
the older settled portions of Michigan and
other States, who have few acres of mother
earth, or none at all, in particular, will en-
deavour to condense few remarks on the
general features of this valley and contiguous
counties, and their advantages, present and
prospective. The general features OF this
portion of country, commencing with Grand
River where it leaves Jackson county, keep
inc in the general course of the line betwlxt
Ingham and Eaton counties, crossing and
re-crossing, sometimes in one and again IN
the other, is rather level, no bluffs or banks
to the river of any consequence and very
few abrupt hillocks, but gently rising swells
or ridges, with beautiful valleys OF the richest
soil between. Timber variable. Oak Inter
mixed with beech prevails, especially on the
ridges; sometimes terminating in openings
of oak, and that not plenty. But the valleys
and large areas of level ground abound with
variety; sometimes sugar maple prevailing,
and again Eastwood, red and rock elm, white
and blue ash, and an occasional black walnut,
intermixed with many other kinds. AS the
river approaches the corner of Clinton coun-
ty, the face of the country grows more rough
and abrupt, and the water obtains swltter
current. Thus it continues until below Grand
Rapids. Much of the way the bluffs are
timbered with oak and some other tlmbers;
but in some places the hills are nearly naked.
Occasionally there is a strip of intervale OF
the richest mould, black sand and muck,
from one half to three quarters OF mile
wide; and sometimes extending along the
margin of the river for miles. Instance the
south side opposite Ionia. A few miles be-
low Grand Rapids the bluffs pretty much dis
appear, and the face of the country on either
side is level enough to please the eye; gently
undulating into swells and valleys, tlmbered
with the most admirable variety that eye
need wish to behold; now an extensive swell
thickly set with sugar maple, rock elm, DC,
with here and there scattered over the whole
surface, an occasional pine, and again clump
of the most beautiful pines. Anon, we find
ourselves travelling over most delightful
plateau, on which pine prevails, intermixed
with oak, and sometimes beech and other
timbers; and, again, one is in valley where
there is no pine, but sugar maple, rock elm
and basswood prevail, mixed with other trees
This captivating scenery must be seen to be
correctly appreciated. But, not to be tedious
remark that the description given of the
country below the Rapids is applicable to a
large majority of the region lying between
Grand and Muskegon Rivers, south line o
town 9 north, line of Ionia county running
west to Ottawa county line, thence south tc
Allegan County. And the same genera
features and timbers prevail after getting
few miles north of the Muskegon and Mewag'
county, thence extending north to Maniste'
county, as some one testifes in the Crane
j. River Times. Of the general features
these Grand River counties, will add tha
Eaton is generally level and heavily timber
i, ed. Clay and loan prevailing in the sol
it is good county for raising both whea
and stock. / found plenty of most excellen
timothy hay, and it is now April 9th) to b
I bought at six to eight dollars the ton, and n
complaint of scarcity. The south half, Q
, more, of Barry county is quite uneven; muc
n of it abrupt and broken. Oak is the pre-
: vailng timber, but hickory is present; an
y the soil produces abundant crops OF whea
: and clover. The north portion of Barry
:, more uneven; and, for alluvial soil, the va
ley of the Thorn Apple is not probably su
passed in Michigan. That portion OF keI
!, county south of Grand River embraces pro'
ably every variety of soil found in the Stat
N from the most lig ght sand to the most heav
f timbered muck, and black sand, and loan
generally even faced enough; but the tow
d. of Cascade and Lowell are mostly uneve
rs and portions very abrupt. The north
e. e. Kent is embraced in that plateau OF ear
ill betwixt the Grand and Muskegon Rivers
- Iona county, south Of the River is most
e; heavy timbered, and sufficiently level.
III noticed here, and in the north OF Barry al
: northwest of Eaton, that yellow popul'
O. o. commonly called white wood, was presel .,
~ and occasionally in great abundance. L
: north tier of towns in Ionia county, CONNER
~ inc at the east line, is mostly continue
nd plateau of burr oak plains and small pralrl
to nearly to the west line Of the county, whe
= this grade of land is interrupted by the brok
nd lands of Flat River Clinton county, as
es whole, in point of evenness, OF unsurpass