The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-02-04
WHOLE NO. 1860.

the center OF the county, in the midst Of beau
tiful hardwood forest which surrounds il and
fringes its borders, and its crystal depths
abound in speckled trout and other scarcely
less esteemed members OF the fnny tribe
Altogether, 1t presents to the amature idler as
many advantages for the successful indulgence
OF piscatoral and primitive habits az can any
where be found.
The soil is generally o strong clay loan,
whose productive capacity is fully evinced IN
the annual crops which are produced by the
limited and somewhat crude farming that has
been practicedIin the vicinity OF the Mines
The climate and soil are exceedingly favorable
to the production OF pasturage, hay, oats,
wheat, buckwheat, barley, potatoes, cabbage,
turnips and other roots.
The testimony OF number OF farmers who
were visited for the purpose OF obtaining facts
pertaining to this important industry, as ap-
piled to this section OF the country, was OF the
same uniformly encouraging character. A few
OF the results that were thus obtained NAV be
here given 10 illustrate how, with marRe! facl-
tiles, improved appliances, avenues OF commu-
nication population devoted TO farming
u
chant at Roekand, has about so acres Of land
under cultivation, on which be raised 55 scres
OF oats which yielded him 1892 bushels; SIX
acres of spring wheat, which yielded 80 bushels
to the acre; one acre of potatoes which Weld
cd 200 bushels: and he cut 46 tons Of hay; he
finds that one acre OF pasturage is sufficient
for COW, and he had single potatoes (early
rose) that weighed 315 lbs.
Mr.. James E. Hoyt, agent OF the Rockand
Mine, raised 100 bushels Of sound corn on two
acres, and exhibited at the County Far, two
squashes, grown upon the came vine, one OF
which weighed 100 lbs. and the other 80 lbs.-
He also exhibited yellow pumpkins, weighing
40 lbs. each, and heads Of cabbage weighing
40 lbs.
Capt. Parnell, agent OF the National Nine at
Rockland, tells me that he had three pals full
or seed potatoes planted which produced so
bushels; he raised ruta baga turnips Of an al
most incredible size and OF an excellent quality.
Wild red and yellow plums are abundant, and
some at least, OF the cultivated sorts flourish
equally well. Mr.. Hoyt raised in bis garden
last season, about bushels Of this fruit, some
excellent pears, and quantity OF choice sp-
pies; one long keeping, and apparently IN all
other particulars, valuable variety, is a seed
ling OF his own raising. Curran.s, raspberries,
strawberries. etc., are readily produced in any
degree Of abundance, and il is found that ap-
pies can be raised with but little trouble and
much certainty. Duchess of Oldenburgb, Red
Astrachan, Fameuse, and Ben Davis trees grow
we'll and produce well. There are already, west
of the Ontonagon River, orchards which Weld
more than the propretors require for their
home consumption, and thus give TO them
surplus to sell.
The little farming which is done in the corn-
ty is mainly in the vicinity OF Rockland and
Ontonagon villages, and along the highways
leading from Rockland and from Greenland to
Ontonagon, and has grown up out OF the ne
cessties OF the situation, and has seldom been
taken up here from choice no one ever went
to this country with the intention of mainpg
farming vocation. The early mining COM
panies were compelled TO improve and cultivate
aportion OF their lands, 10 aid IN providing
themselves with supplies. Men have gone 10
the Lake Superior country for the purpose Of
speculation-to engage in mining or in trade
" SApAOAS AOi Dut 10 MAKE "A
home, or with the expectation Of remaining
longer than suited some immediate purpose
1t is difficult to induce people nowadays, ex-
cept for temporary object, to settle very far
beyond the sound Of a locomotive whistle, and
revival OF the siaguant industries OF Onton-
agon county can scarcely be looked for until
rail road communications is secured which
/ shall extend from the harbor TO the mines, and
thence connect with some thoroughfare beyond.
This want, which has so long been felt is likely
to be soon supplied. A company hae been
recently organized to construct such road and
it is nearly certain that the work will he ae-
complished.
But fear that have already exceeded the
limits OF your space and must bring this com
municatiou thus abruptly to close.
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