Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-10-17

bog. This bog, however, IS well
ditched. and we can see by looking
at the ditch, that the black muck
is at least four or five feet deep.
A ditch has been dug through the
center of the bog and extends at
right angles with the road. and APP
pears as if it would effectively
drain it. The next clearing is that
of Edward Brown. and presents a
fine appearance. Mr.. Browns barn
like all other barns we have seen,
is full of farm produce. In fact
we'll filled barns is common thing
with the Burnt Land" farmers,
and sometimes the barn is filled,
threshed out, and then filled again.
A little beyond Mr.. Browns res
idence, we turn to the right, and
following the road about half
mile, we come to the farm of Mr..
Leroy. The country here has the
same rich appearance so common
to the Burnt Lands" There are
fields of second growth clover, and
Of wheat stubble; there are barns
well filed, and in the road the
clover is knee deep, affording choice
picking to our ponies, a chance
they make good use of during our
short stay.
Bnt what is that which is shock
ed up in the field in front of us9
1t has familiar appearance. Sure
~ we have seen something like it,
but it is so long ago that it seems
like a dream. Corn, yes it must
he corn Is if, farmer? Yes. sir,
that's corn. You're sure? Sure,
why of course / am, and there is
not a field of corn raised any.
where that will beat it, although
there are several farmers in the
settlement who have patches equal
ly as good. Why, we thought corn
couldn't he raised in this county?
Too cold. Too far north. Can't
help it. Have grown this corn
here, and I'd like to see a better crop
than this. Just look at those ears
Amt they plump and well filled9
Why, sir, we can grow as good
corn in Alpena county, as can be
grown in any place in the United
States, and the same can be said of
other grains. OF course we don't
try to raise the horse-tooth or any
other Of the coarse southern va
rieties of corn. This corn is far
superior in quality to any horse
tooth corn for family purposes
Well, well, another old notion ex-
ploded, and what would the dismal
croakers say if they saw this field.
They would have to change their
tune a good deal.
We have, however, travelled far
enough for one day, and it viii be
dinner time by the time we get to
Louden's, so we must retrace our
steps, sorry that we are unable to
visit the farms that are further up
the road, but then we are satiated
with what we have seen. We have
satisfied our longing to see farm
ing country which long residence
on the shore among the mills and
sawdust has created. We are bet
ter satisfied than ever with Alpena
and her prospects. No Kansas or
Texas for us. This county is good |
enough for anybody, and it only |
needs settling and cultivating to
make it one Of the most flourish
ing counties in the State. Good |
soil, plenty of it, close to one Of
the best harbors on the chain of
lakes, and, consequently close to a
market that is sure to he establish
ed when there are settlers enough
to raise sufficient produce to at
tract buyers; what more can be de-
sired.
Well, we must quit moralizing
md retrace our steps, for there are
good twenty or twenty-five miles
Of road laying before us, so we
pass rapidly until we come to the
school house. Our course is straight
lown the main road for about three
niles. The land is mostly all clear
ID and under cultivation. Field
after field is passed in rapid sue
session. Houses, barns, gardens,
ETC., greet the eye continually
There on our right is the prosper
rus looking farm Of Mr.. Twaits,
'urther on is Mr.. Merrill's, where
s situated the Long Rapids post
,ffice, and then there are a number