Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-08-03
Michigan Cc-reSpopience.

Lansing. 1t is surrounded by one of
the most beautiful and productive
farming regions i'm the State. NV
friend, III. a. Hawley, Esq, a nephew
of A. Hawley. of Plymouth, lives
three miles south east of this city.
He came into Michigan forty years
ago, ito beat the BUSH. and now has
an excellent farm of 800 acres. His
dwelling, somewhat imposing in it's
day, is built in imitation of stone. and
the barns and out buildings are large.
well built and original in design. The
youngest daughter, student at Ann
Arbor, started this morning on Wis
it TO the Centennial exposition. and
other members of the family will go
later. SO much for a we'll TO do farm
er in Michigan. There are many such
hereabouts.
On Friday of last week we drove to
Lansing, 16 miles, thence mp the
Grand river valley to Eaton Rapids.
IL miles, and the next day home, Is
miles. We thus had a good oppor-
tunity Of viewing the country; in q
dozen States have not seen better.
1t seems, moreover, to be but rep
resentative tract of the lower half of
this peninsula. The country along
onr routa into tho Ctota mo. ao,t;c,,
ally exciting admiration and remark.
especially that between Hillsdale and
Jonesville, and extending northward
through Jackson. The surface is
generally level, but it has an excel
lent drainage. The soil is sandy
loan, showing in many places con-
siderable gravel. 1t is all very pro-
ductive, with slight difference be-
tween the hills and the plains in ia
vor of the latter. The hills do not
wash, though cultivated over consid-
cradle points.
Wheat is much better here than at
home. This season the yield will fall
below the average. For ten years
past it has been % bushels to the
acre. 1t is no uncommon thing to
get 40 bushels to the acre. The har-
vest is about one week later.
Corn will be but little If any better
here than in the eastern part of Mar
shall county. / have seen but one
exception. On the plains east from
Eaton Rapids corn is exceedingly
good. l am told that the crop is al
ways heavy in that locality. $500
Farmers here believe in the rota-
ton Of crops. Sod is put into corn.
followed by barley or oats, then
sowed to wheat, and finally seeded
with clover and timothy. Ihave seen
a great many fields sowed with corn
to be plowed under. About three
bushels are used to the acre.
Root feeding is largely practiced.
A first-class barn is not considered
complete without its root cellar, built
with heavy stone walls.
Stone is very abundant, but does
not seem to be much In the way. 1t
is gathered into convenient heaps for
future use or 70 get it out of the way.
In looking over the country am con-
stantly reminded OF the Scripture
Gather out the stones" aiaHt.
The spirit OF the Grange seems to
be indigenous to the soil A majority
OF the counties have each Mutual
Fire Insurance Company, managed
wholly by farmers. Some of these
have been in operation for years and
have given entire satisfaction. A
very active interest in Legislation is
manifested. Laws, favorable TO the
farming community, is the result.
The statutes prohibit the running at
large of any stock whatever. A GER
tain proportion OF the road tax may
be paid by the farmer in trees plant
ed along the highway running
through his farm. The effect OF such
Legislation is very evident. And this
law provides for the establishment OF
farmers clubs. Many counties have
organized under that act. Some sus-
tain two societies. Every subject
touching agriculture and farm life, is
brought before the club in essay or
general discussion. The meetings are
held from to o'clock, p. M, every
Saturday, save In the busy season.
The more important proceedings are
published. PA
On our way TO Lansing we passed
the poor farm OF Ingham county. Tt
contains 40 acres, is well cultivated,
but might be greatly improved in the
character of its buildings.
The next object OF interest was the
State Agricultural College, three
miles east from Lansing. 1t was es-
tablished twenty years ago, and is
now in successful operation In con-
nection with farm OF GO acres, 300
of which are under cultivation in a
systematic rotation of crops, The
grounds have been laid out by pro-
fessional landscape gardener. There
are walks, drives. rustic bridges,
lawns, flower borders. and groves In
pleasing variety. We were shown
over a portion of the farm by the |
gentlemanly foreman, Mr. c. l.. Inger-
soil, resident graduate. The ladies
preferred the greenhouse to fine
stock.
At Lansing we looked in upon the
Reform School for boys. There were !.
two hundred and twenty-four in
mates, ten per cent OF whom were /
The grounds are neat and
well kept. The farm, of over 200
acres, seems to be in a good state OF
The institution costs
The State about $4,000 annually. The
general appearance of the place indi-
Gates an efficient management.
The new State house is situated In
he heart Of the city. The first date
IN the corner stone is A. d., 1872. 1t
5 to be completed by tire 1st of De-