27G STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUKE. 



bring ^vithin easy rcacli of each man's farm a market for his surplus j)roducts. 

 They divert and change the natural channels of trade, and what without them 

 might 1)0 tributary to some particular location is swept off in a different direc- 

 tion. 



Another fact applicable in this direction. The surplus products of the farm 

 in this part of the State will ever seek an eastern outlet. You may to-day 

 build a railroad, from any point on the shores of Lake Huron, between the 

 mouth of the Saginaw river and the straits, westward to Chicago; and while 

 during the period of our extensive lumbering operations, it might by bringing 

 in supplies and taking lumber westward, pay operating expenses. Lumbering, 

 however, on an extensive scale at an end, and our country cleared up, such a 

 road could not be operated. Such a road could have no continuous and relia- 

 ble eastern connection at this end ; it could not, therefore, carry through 

 freight and passengers either eastward or westward ; its business would be local 

 with no inducements whatever to ship produce westward over it designed for 

 the eastern market. In summer the lakes will afford an eastern outlet, but 

 the season is short and much will remain to be done by the railroads in winter. 

 This surplus agricultural products of northwestern Michigan, not carried by 

 water, must go east to market by rail, and the railroads that carry it must 

 cross the Saginaw river at some point between where we now stand and the 

 mouth thereof. Some freight undoubtedly will go south of us for an eastern 

 connection, but this will not be any more than will be brought in this direc- 

 tion from points far west of us. The counties, therefore, to the south and 

 east of us, while properly apart of this valley, and while they have, and I trust 

 will ever find it to their interest to continue their business relations, or a large 

 portion thereof, with us, yet will not bring their agricultural products in this 

 direction, while those west and north of us are and ever must be more and 

 more closely identified with us. 



I prefer, therefore, not to consider the Saginaw valley as that portion drained 

 by the Saginaw and its tributaries, but rather that portion of the State drained 

 by the present and future railroad system. My Saginaw valley, then, i& 

 bounded on the south by the southern boundary line of Saginaw and Gratiot 

 counties; on the west by extending the western boundary of Gratiot county 

 north to the Straits, and on the east by the waters of Lake Huron, Saginaw 

 Bay, and the eastern boundary of Bay and Saginaw counties. 



Here there is a territory of about 170 miles north and south by 70 east and 

 west, containing over seven millions acres of agricultural lands. 



Let me very briefly indeed, speak of the past, give a passing word to the 

 present, and then looking forward, bring before you a picture of coming events^ 

 which many of those living to-day, if we are wise, will yet see in great part 

 fulfilled. In doing this I may not confine myself strictly to the title of this 

 article, believing it to be difficult, if indeed possible, to discuss agricultural de- 

 velopment disconnected from manufacturing and other enterprises so essential 

 to its success. 



THE LAST 



half a century has not passed since the white man first began to enter this ter- 

 ritory. Then it was not to clear up and cultivate the soil, but to trade with 

 the natives for the product of the trap and the gun. I need not remind you 

 that for agricultural purposes the land was considered wet and unsuitable. 

 Forty years ago the counties north of where we stand existed in name only. 



