Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-07-02
Stnmn lands.

Under the above heading, the
Pressure Isle County Advance OF
the 10Th, published the following ar
ticle on stump lands, which can be
applied with equal justice to Al
.pena county or in fact the whole
of Northern Michigan, and which
we consider well worthy of being
copied:
These lands are scattered all over
Northern Michigan, and though
receiving comparatively little at
tention at present, are ultimately
destined to occupy an important
position in the future agricultural
development of our State. stump
land is the term applied to such as
has been stripped of valuable
timber, after which it is con-
sidered of hut little value to
the owners, who pay little or no at
tention TO il, in most cases not even
paving the taxes-fre spreads, de-
stroying the standing timber, briars,
weeds and underhruSh spring mp,
and in a few wears a hard looking
scene is presented. Such are the
general features of what are known
as stump lands.
Thousands Of acres Of these lands
are rejected by the owners and sold
for taxes hv the State each year.
Some are purchased by individuals,
hut the greater portion so TO the
State and the final disposition of
these lands is becoming a problem
which time will undoubtedly solve
in n iudicious manner.
Each year thousands Of acres OF
forests are stripped of their vaIua-
BILE timber. and left prey to the
ravages above mentioned. Now
this forest vandalism can not go on
forever. Before many years shall
have passed Michigan will cease to
he noted for her pine forests and
lumber products. There is a time
cominC-and il is not far distant
when pine trees will be rather
scarce. hut the land on which they
grow will I've left. The question
"What shall be done with our
stump landsl" will I've solved as it
has been before in some Of the old
err settled States.
1t has been acknowledged since
the earliest ages that agriculture
constitutes the chief wealth of ma
tions. This maxim is as true when
applied to Northern Michigan rs
any other portion Of the country.
The lumber business here is hut
transient. 1t will soon be a thing
of the FAST, but the soil is ours TO
own and cultivate forever.
Now, with regard to these stump
lands, some are unsurpassed for
agricultural products. All, or near
" all. NAV be cultivated with profit,
and in time will he. Old settlers
from New York and Pennsylvania
tuii ue that thV, ,an remember the
time when such lands were consid-
cred of as little value in those
States as they are considered here
to-day: and the same lands now
constitute some of the finest agri-
cultural portions of the Union.
A far seeing and leaned man OF
high standing-not many years a
resident of the United States-re-
marked to us not long ago: 1.-The
Germans, according to present in
dications, are becoming extensive
land owners. and as class are in
creasing in wealth faster than any
other" We saw the point and the
position is we'll taken. Look back
il you will, to records in the Older
States. Mark those who took TO
farming. purchased lands and cul-
tivated them and then mark the
other class-shop keepers, tavern
keepers, clerks, and those who took
20 trades and professionalism see
which as a whole are the best of
financially; you will find a balance
of about ten to one in favor Of The
farmer. The fact is simply this
while the occupations mentioned
are over-stocked, the opposite j:
true of the farmer, upon whose
products all others must depend
The trouble is, the country con
tains too many non-producers, al
competing for an existence, Will
there is room and profit for man.
millions more of farmers.
A word for the present. Now i
the time in Michigan to procur
cheap homes and future fortunes
land may be had for almost moth
ing which in time to come will b
valuable property. Such has bee
the experience in other States, an
such it will be in this. How ofteI
do we hear men regretting tina
they had not done so-and-so, whicI
in years TO come would have mad
them independent. Many do no
realize the golden moment until
has passed. This is the golde
moment. Now is the time to in
prove the opportunity presented
There are fortunes here in Nortl
ern Michigan awaiting the enter
prising and Industrious to com
and claim them.
ilnena and the Shore.