the wealth of Michigan in leading agricultural products are for the years 1866, 1867, and 1868, as follows:

The several incorporated bodies to whose care the farming interests have been assigned are the State Board of Agriculture, the Michigan Agricultural Society, and the Agricultural College, already noticed in these pages. According to R. F. Johnstone, who holds the position of secretary of the society just named, "the general system of agriculture in Michigan has been largely governed by the necessity which has compelled each farmer to apply all his abilities to the clearing and amelioration of the surface of the land. But the time has come when this system must be changed, the necessity for which is indicated by the decreased production of fields longest under cultivation. Farms that formerly produced thirty to forty bushels of the choicest wheat to the acre now seldom yield over twenty-five, and in many cases the quality is inferior; and where this yield is exceeded it is upon the new and recently cleared lands, where the soil is yet rich in the elements of fertility with which nature has supplied the surface."

Of government lands undisposed of, lately lying in the State of Michigan, there were more than four and a half millions of acres; and, in view of that fact, the following particulars are worth reproducing: That part of the southern peninsula known as the "Grand Traverse Country" has recently been attracting the attention of actual settlers and parties speculating in lands. In this district the State Agricultural College has located over one hundred thousand acres. The climate and soil are favorable to the growth of peaches, pears, grapes, and other fruits. Wheat of the best quality, comparing favor

ably with any raised in other parts of the State, is successfully cultivated. Its sheep-walks are highly commended. Concerning the timber there, the secretary of the State Board of Agriculture remarks as follows: "The prevailing growth over a large portion of the country, embracing the best soil for cultivation, is the sugar-maple. Having considerable acquaintance with this species of tree, from the Penobscot to the Potomac and Ohio, the writer can safely say that he never saw such grand specimens as are to be met with in countless numbers in the Grand Traverse Country. They are frequently found of a height of sixty to seventy feet, without a limb, of a diameter of three feet or more at the ground, and very straight. Of course, such large trees cannot stand as closely together as smaller ones; they hold possession of the ground, however, which in many cases is free from undergrowth, so that the forest presents the appearance of an artificial plantation or park through which the people on horseback may readily pass in any direction."

With regard to the condition of the public lands of Michigan, we gather from the records in the office of the Secretary of State the subjoined information. Of the primary school land, during the year 1869, there were sold 25,940 acres for $103,936, against 28,848 for $115,393 in the year preceding. Swamp lands sold, 7,369 acres, for $11,253; University land, 88 acres, for $1,053; Agricultural School land, 13,480 acres, for $43,000; Asylum land, 80 acres, for $640; State Building land for $260; Salt Spring land, 196 acres, for $945; Internal Improvement land, 559 acres, for $699; and Normal School land for $160, making a grand total of 45,475 acres for $161,948. According to the State census of 1865 the public lands amounted to 35,995,520 acres; of which 3,647,645 were improved, and 12,086,660 were liable to pay

taxes.

The grant to the State, under the act of Congress known as the Swamp Land Act, was about six millions of acres. The lands were located in all parts of the State. Though known as swamp lands, a large proportion of them were well adapted to agricultural purposes, and many of them were covered with valuable forests. The appropriations made by the State Legislatures prior to 1868 amounted to more than 4,000,000 of acres.

With the above figures before him, taken in connection with the general descriptions in the first part of this volume, the reader will obtain a fair idea of the condition of agriculture in the State of Michigan in 1868.

Another statement which may be added in this connection is that of the aggregate cash value per acre of the farm products of the State for the year 1869; which is as follows: Corn, $25.08; wheat, $20.50; rye, $19.72; oats, $15.05; barley, $36.34; buckwheat, $15.90; potatoes, $52.64; tobacco, $231; hay, $18.75; and aggregate of all crops per acre, $21.

With regard to the fruit culture, we submit the following returns for 1869: From 12,000 to 15,000 acres of land 'are devoted to fruit culture in Western Michigan, the greater portion of which is planted in trees not yet bearing. The average prices of fruit during the season were about as follows: Strawberries per quart, 10 cents; raspberries, 12 cents; blackberries, 8 cents; apples ber bushel, 80 cents; pears, $3; cherries, $4; plums, $3; quinces, $4; peaches, per box or basket, 75 cents; grapes per pound, 10 cents. The value of the fruit crop of the season is estimated as follows: Apples, $113,392; peaches, $563,722; pears, $11,262; cherries, $2,520; grapes, $7,110; blackberries, $107,705; raspberries, $50,617; strawberries, $12,737; and plums, $1,100; total, $870,165. The total shipments from twelve ports in the region named are stated as follows: Apples, bushels, 141,740; peaches, baskets, 751,630; quinces, baskets, 446; pears, baskets, 3,754; plums, baskets, 490; cherries, baskets, 630; grapes, pounds, 71,100;

G*

blackberries, quarts, 1,346,324; raspberries, quarts, 421,812; strawberries, quarts, 127,372; cranberries, bushels, 370; cider, barrels, 660; tomatoes, baskets, 145.

The appropriations made by the State for the support of the Agricultural College in 1869 amounted to $45,000.

Having elsewhere spoken of the total area of the State of Michigan, we insert in this place a summary of the counties in which it is divided. Of course, in the extent of their population, there is great difference, and while some of them are not fully organized, we find the number to be seventyfive, and their names as follows, with the population according to the census of 1870, excepting those marked with a star, which are from the census of 1864, there being no later returns at this date:

Alcona, population, 693; Allegan, 18,831; Alpena, includes "Thunder Bay," of Lake Huron, 2,756; Antrim, Grand Traverse Region, 1,985; Barry, 22,070; Bay, on Saginaw Bay, 15,900; *Berrien, 25,856; Benzie, 2,184; Branch, 26,244; Calhoun, 36,172; *Cass, 17,776; Cheboygan, includes island of Mackinaw, 2,197; Chippeway, includes Saute St. Marie, 1,690; Clare, —; Clinton, 22,886; Crawford, ·; Delta, 2,421; Eaton, 25,196; *Emmet, extreme northern part of Lower Peninsula, and includes Mackinaw City, 1,211; Genessee, 33,910; Gladwin, 14; Grand Traverse, Grand Traverse Region, 4,332; Gratiot, 17,869; Hillsdale, 31,705; Houghton, includes Copper Region and Porcupine Mountains, 13,905; Huron, on Saginaw Bay, 9,053; Ingham, includes Lansing, State capital, 25,281; Ionia, 27,682; Iosco, on Saginaw Bay, 3,155; Isabella, 4,479; Jackson, 36,082; Kalamazoo, 32,068; Kalcasca, Grand Traverse Region, 424; Kent, 50,330; Kewenaw, includes Copper Region, Porcupine Mountains, and Isle Royal, 4,206; Lake, 548; Lapeer, 21,355; Leelenaw, Grand Traverse Region, 4,569; Lenawee, 45,635; Livingston, 19,339; Macomb, on Lake St. Clair, 27,617; Manistee, 6,084; Manitou, 1,043; Marquette, Iron Region, 14,982; *Mason, 844; Mecosta, 5,645; Menominee, on Green Bay, 1,892; Macinac, head of Lake Michigan, 1,716; Midland, 3,021; Missaukee, 130; Monroe, on west end of Lake Erie, 27,486; Montcalm, 13,351; Montmorency, ; Muskegon, 14,899; *Newaygo, 3,481; Oakland, 40,898; *Oceana, 2,379; Ogemaw, 12; Ontonagon, includes Copper Region and Porcupine Mountains, 2,895; Osceola, 2,105; Oscoda, 70; Otsego,; Ottawa, 26,558; Presque Isle, 355; Roscommon,; Saginaw, includes Salt Region, 38,902; Sanilac, 14,564; Schoolcraft, includes "Pictured Rocks" of Lake Superior, 52; Shiawassee, 20,856; St. Clair, on Lake St. Clair, 36,837; St. Joseph, 26,669; Tuscola, on Saginaw Bay, 13,715; *Van Buren, 17,830; Washte naw, includes "University of Michigan," at Ann Arbor, 41,449; Wayne, includes City of Detroit, and partly on Lake St. Clair, 119,685; Wexford, 950.

As the general census for 1870 is not likely to be published for one or two years, our only way to study the recent progress of Michigan is by mentioning such statements as may happen to come, in an isolated form, to our knowledge. For example, here is a significant paragraph bearing upon the city of Detroit. In 1860 the total population was about 46,000, and the number of families in the city was 8,963. In 1870 it contained about 80,000 inhabitants and 14,698 families; and to these figures may be added of mercantile shops 718, groceries 381, offices 446, hotels 63, boarding-houses 196, churches 54, public halls 13, public schools 108, machine shops 893, and restaurants 669. Barring one or two items, these results are certainly creditable to the people, whose progress in material prosperity is remarkable. Every intelligent and thoughtful man occasionally looks forward to the

future, and wonders what his State and country are to be in years to come. Of course we cannot lift the veil and view the State as it will be a generation or a century hence. But we can look back and see what it was a half century since. We can trace its progress from that time to the present, and from its growth in the past we may form a tolerably correct idea of what it may be in the future.

Total, 4,762.
Total, 8,765.
Total, 31,639.

The first census of Michigan was taken in 1810, and showed a population of 4,618 whites, 120 free colored, and 24 slaves. In 1820 there were 8,591 whites, 174 colored. In 1830, 31,346 whites, 261 colored, 32 slaves. In 1840, 211,560 whites, 707 colored. In 1850, 395,071 whites, 2,583 colored.

Total, 212,267.
Total, 397,654.

In 1860, 742,314 whites, 6,798 colored. Total, 749,213.

In 1864, according to the State census, the population was 805,379. The vote of the State at the election of 1869 was over 220,000. This, allowing one voter to every five persons, would indicate a population in 1870 of over 1,100,000. There is scarcely a doubt that the census of 1870 will show a population in the two peninsulas of more than 1,200,000.

The ratio of increase from 1840 to 1850 was 87 per cent. From 1850 to 1860, 881. A fraction over 60 per cent. increase from 1860 to 1870 would make the population of the State at the latter date 1,200,000, as above estimated. And the same ratio of increase from 1870 to 1880 would swell the population to about two millions.

We confidently expect that the above figures will be found none too high ten years hence. We see no reason why we may not expect an increase of sixty per cent. during that time. No part of the State can yet be said to be densely populated, while large portions of it are yet covered with primeval forests, in which the sound of the settler's axe has never been heard.

Only at one time since the first settlement of the State, and then but for a brief period, has the advance been as rapid as at present. Everywhere, in city, village, and country, there is a substantial and healthful progress. With judicious legislation, both State and National, this progress should continue. Such legislation it is proper to expect; and hence, if made the recipient of such, the continued prosperity and rapid development of Michigan, is undoubtedly assured.

MINERAL WEALTH.

The copper interest of Michigan was first brought into public notice by the speculation excitement of 1845. The large spur of country which projects into Lake Superior, called Keweenaw Point, became the El Dorado of that day. In that year the first active operations were commenced near Eagle Harbor, and the Cliff mine was developed; in 1848 the mines on the Ontonagon were first opened; and in 1855 operations were commenced in what is known as the Pewabic mine. For several years after these mines were discovered the Falls of St. Mary were a great stumbling-block in the way of success, but the opening of the canal between the waters of Lakes Huron and Superior gave a wonderful impetus to the whole business, which steadily increased from a yield of about twenty-five hundred tons of pure copper in 1853 to eighty-five hundred tons in 1861. During the twenty years succeeding 1845 there were not less than one hundred and twenty copper-mining companies organized under the laws of Michigan. The amount of capital invested was not less than twelve millions of dollars. What is known as the copper region, extending about one hundred and thirty-five miles in length and from one to six in width, is divided into three

districts, each one of which has some peculiarities of product; the Ontonagon or western district developing more masses; while the other two, the Keweenaw Point and Portage Lake districts, are more prolific in the vein rocks, the copper being generally scattered. The copper product of Michigan from 1845 to 1868 amounted to 128,275 tons, the total value of which has been put down at more than seventy-three millions of dollars.

Another mineral interest of Michigan, which promises to become an important source of revenue, is that of iron. The first shipment of pig-iron of any consequence was made in 1858, although the mines were opened in 1857 by the "Pioneer Iron Company." The centre of this business is Marquette, on Lake Superior, and from that county is obtained one-fifth of all the iron ore used in the United States. In the village and vicinity are several shafts more than a hundred feet deep, a number of blast furnaces, and several machine-shops where various kinds of castings and iron manufactures are turned out. It has been demonstrated that there is no better iron to be found anywhere than among the hills of Lake Superior, and shipments of ore are now regularly made to the States of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. The ore is found in a slate formation, and is granular, specular, and hermatite, yielding 75 per cent. of pure iron. For car-wheels, gearing, shafting, for cranks and flanges nothing has been found to surpass or even equal the iron of Michigan. The whole region lying back of Marquette is said to contain an inexhaustible supply of iron ore, and there are people who believe that Lake Superior is surrounded with a belt of the same ore.

These facts, as it has been truly said by another, exhibit the untold wealth of Michigan in iron ore alone, and point with certainty to an extent of business that will add millions to the invested capital of the State, dot it with iron manufactories of all kinds, and furnish regular employment to thousands of citizens, while the wares of the State and the raw material will be found in all the markets of the country. The product of Michigan iron for 1869 was in advance of all previous years, was sold at the rate of two dollars per ton, and gave employment to about two hundred vessels, the demand having been greater than the supply. For purposes of reference we subjoin the value of the product annually for a term of years: 1858, $249,202; 1859, $575,529; 1860, $736,496; 1861, $419,401; 1862, $984,977; 1863, $1,416,935; 1864, $1,867,215; 1865, $1,590,430; 1866, $2,405,960; 1867, $3,475,720; 1868, $3,676,705; 1869, $5,296,315.

We now come to the salt interest of the State. It was demonstrated by the late Douglass Houghton that the Salt Springs of Michigan would prove to be valuable, but it was not until 1859 that salt became a staple article of merchandise for home consumption. It was in that year that certain enterprising citizens of East Saginaw petitioned to the Legislature for the passage of laws to protect the salt interest; and an act was at once passed allowing a bounty of ten cents per bushel and an exemption from taxation on real and personal property used in the manufacture, the bounty to be paid when five thousand bushels had been made by the manufacturers. This gave an impulse to the business, and operations were commenced at Grand Rapids and East Saginaw. The law allowing a bounty was amended in 1860 greatly reducing the amount, and providing that all companies which commenced manufacturing previous to the first of August, 1861, should be allowed five cents per barrel, until they received one thousand dollars, after which all bounties ceased. The property was exempt from taxation for five years, and none of the companies formed since 1861 received any bounty.

In 1869 the Saginaw Valley turned out not less than 596,873 barrels of