The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1912-04-27
Geisnlar Sends
Open Letter.
Circular OF Interest to Those Who Hope
for Michigan.


Having taken charge of the Agricul.
tural College extension work in the up.
per peninsula, am anxious tc
secure the cooperation of all farm
ers, oranges, business mems organiza-
tions, teachers and school commission
ers in order that the results may
promptly contribute to the advance
ment and development of agriculture in
all of our upper peninsula counties.
The object of extension work is to
stimulate an interest in diversified
farming by introducing crops which are
comparatively new in this northern
part Of the state. and to demonstrate
by various methods that the crops
which are now raised can be made to
yield greater profit. BY cooperative
efforts the efficiency of every farm
will be increased, and there will be a
greater incentive to bring urder culti-
walton it's large area of unimproved
lands. The value of this work will be
more fully appreciated when it is
known that the number of acres of i'm
proved land on upper peninsula farms
is only about one-half as large as the
average for the state, and in most of
our counties more than one-half of
this improved land is still covered with
stumps. There is greater need there
fore to increase the productiveness Of
our much smaller area of improved
lands, for increasing the efficiency of
individual farms will materially assist
in bringing much more rapidly under
cultivation our millions of acres of ag-
ricutural lands which are yet to be de-
veloped. One acre of alfalfa will pro-
duce as much feed as three acres OF
common hay, and one acre of corn will
produce as much as four or five acres.
The cash returns from an acre of sugar
beets are equal to those from three
acres Of oats. Everywhere are small
orchards which, if properly cared for,
will give better returns. Over one
half of the Strawberries and other
fruit, of eggs. poultry, and dairy pro-
ducts which are consumed in our local
markets are shipped in from other
states. From many localities COM
plants are received that peas are not
yielding as much as they did few
years ago, and as yet HouQhton is the
only county In which the interest in
corn has been stimulated by corn grow
ing contests, All this may be i'm
proved lii comparatively short time If
all will seek, to cooperate In an effort
which is bound to promote agricultural
development.
During the past twelve years which
have devoted to experimental work
it has seldom been possible for me to
go out as much as l desired for the
purpose of extending this work, and
anticipate excellent results now that ]
have the opportunity of devoting my
whole time to it and with the assist
ance from the work which will be car
ried on at the Experiment Station. A
residence of over twenty-five years ha.
enabled me to become thoroughly &C
Quainted with the prevailing conditions
in the upper peninsula and with mos
of the people and their needs both oil
the farm and in the towns and / hop
to cooperate with him in such wa.
as will give him an excellent start.
shall render him such assistance as h
may need until his work is well unde
way, and l hope thereafter to establis
headquarters at Marquette, expectin
however, to keep in touch with hi
work and he with my own TO the en-
that the work of both will be of tn
greatest usefulness to the Upper Per
insula and her people. While l sha
have to be away much OF the time
rendering assistance wherever needed
i hope to answer calls as rapidly 9
possible ano / wish again to urge th
co operation of all who are intereste
in better Upper Peninsula and
greater Michigan.
Very truly yours,
Leo M. Geismar.