Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-09-05
Burnt Lands.

A few days since we made lin
tied trip to the Long Rapids set
Element, and we must say that the
improvements in that section of
the country are by far ahead of
anything we had ever anticipated.
We had heard much but seen moth
ing of this really paradise of Al
pena county," and it can only be
seen to be appreciated. No man
can form the slightest idea of the
growth of that truly great region
until he has first seen the broad
expanse of fertile lands now under
a state of cultivation, nor can he
imagine the amount of labor re-
quired to clear up "burnt lands
until he has traversed over such a
section of the country.
1t would require considerable
more time than we were able to
spare to go over the entire settle
ment of Long Rapids and then
give a just account of the affairs
in that section; and, therefore, we
are unable at present to enter into
detail concerning the whole district
and, in fact, we consider the pen
inadequate to picture a just repre-
sentation of the settlement, the
rapid growth, and the prosperity
of so valuable a locality as the
burnt lands in the Louden settle
ment. at must be seen to be APP
preaiated."
1t is probably well-known to
most of orr readers that the first
farming attempted at the "burnt
lands was only six years ago, and
even then under the most dis
couraging prospects, as it was
really believed by nearly every one
that there could be no successful
farming done in this country. But,
to those of our readers who have
not had the good fortune to visit
the Long Rapids settlement, we
would most heartily recommend
that at the very first opportunity
that offers itself they should by
all means take advantage of it and
see the "burning." 1t is well worth
the time and expense to go there
and see those broad fields and
handsome farms, which are in much
better shape than the farming COM
in older settled countries,
and the farms, many of them, pre-
sent an appearance of having been
under a state of cultivation for
twenty or more years. The wheat
crop in this locality this season has
turned out handsomely large
Corn is not much raised, but we
opine that after few years the
farmers will become fully satisfied
that they can be as successful in
raising corn as other grain. Pota-
toes look well, and will, If the wet
weather does not continue, turn
out large yield.
We may perhaps be showing a
little partially, but we consider
that the nature of the case and the
existing facts demands that we
should say that in the matter of
gardens, we were agreably sur
prised to see and look over those
of David McNeal and VIM. e.
Jones. The former had a very nice
little piece of corn, some beautiful
cabbage, beets, onions, etc., and all
were doing well. Mr.. Jones, who
undoubtedly has the best farm on
the burning, appears to have turn
ed considerable Of his attention to
raising good garden, and success
is his" We venture to say that he
has the best garden in Alpena
county, witt cabbage that viii
weigh from Is to 25 pounds, beets
that cannot be heat--one measur-
ing over 80 inches In circumfer-
ance, squasbes, cucumbers, etc, all
In q state that show the best Of
care and attention. Mr.. Jones