Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1883-07-12
MICHIGAN.


of our country in which is located any
considerable portion Of public lands,
perhaps no State presents greater zen
eral advantages than Michigan. In
special branches of agriculture, such
as extensive grazing grounds, and mann
moth wheat fields. other sections, es-
pccially the plains and prniries of the
Great West. excel. But in diversified
products of the soil, in fruits, wool
and dairy products; in stock breeding.
cattle, horses, and sheep, on an indi-
vidual scale, which enables each owner
to personally superintend and direct
his own business, and which after all,
measures the true development of the
State and individual prosperity, Mich
iEan ranks among the first.
The average size Of the cultivated
farms Of the State is trile less than
100 acres, so the large land owner il
not, in Michigan, shadow Which
overhangS and darkens, and too fire.
quently blights the labor and prospects
of the smaller farmer. Small farms
give greater scope To- personal indus
try, and lead to more thorough cult
vntiop, Los wastc NJ fro.l.s>ts better
markets better society and schools.
more churches, better homes, ard
more general enterprise than Is posi-
bie under IL system of great landed
proprietors.
Michigan is practically divided int"
three distinct sections. First, the
southern part Of tho Lower Peninsula,
comprising the portion south of the
latitude of Grand Rapids and Port
ana and Ohio State lines, Ga miles, with
breadth east and west, on its north
ern line of 1873 miles This rart is the
oldest settled and constitutes at pres
ent, the leading farming section. OF
course the public lands of this divis-
ion have long since passed into the
hands of private owners.
Second, the northern division Of the
Lower Peninsula, extends from about
the latitude of Grand Rapids and Port
| Huron, north TO the Straits OF Macki
nav, II distance of 1913 miles. Thi,
portion of the State is newer, an6
contains 220, 600 acres of government
land, subject to preemption, home
stead, or cash entry.
There are also lands belonging to tht
State which are for sale by the State
and are of three classes-swamp lands
school lands, and college lands.
The swamp lands were ceded by tho
general government TO the State 70
the purpose Of drainage and reclama
ton. These lands, though designated
az swamp, are found when drained tC
be among the very best farming lands
i'm the State. They are offered will
few exceptions at $1.25 per acre. The.
are also subject to homestead entry il
lots of so acres or less. There ar
about 200, 900 acres of swamp land un
disposed of.
The State has yet in it's possession
about $50, 600 acres of school lands -
These are held at 81 per acre and ar
sold on time il the purchaser desires
The college lands are grant froi
the United States for the benefit G
the Agricultural College. They wer
carefully selected and are held at s
. per acre. The grant consisted of 2iO
/ 600 acres, of which about one-fourt
1 is still unsold.
There are in addition to the abov
Government aud State land, Railroa
and Canal lands held as fellows:
The Flint & Marquette railroad Ina
Inbout 100. 600 acres which are held q
y from - to $40 per acre.
i The Grand Rapids & Indiana raj
y road has about 500, COO acres, and al
8 sold at from 80. 50 to $50 pr acre.
h The .Jnckson 4 Lansing railroad h'
/" % about $40. coo acres. which are held |
4 from = per acre upwards. This divi
2 io. Il thc Stq.e contains more tba