46 THE MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



the whole. And of these counties, 64 per cent, is unsettled and 84 per 

 cent, unimproved. 



Totaling the statistics of these thirty-eight counties, we have this re- 

 sult. Total acreage 18,950,000 (about 52 per cent, of the area of the 

 entire state) : Area in farms, 2,460,000 acres, which is lo per cent, of 

 the thirty-eight counties. The acreage of improved land is 953,000, or 

 5 1-10 per cent., and the percentage of unsettled land is 87 per cent., 

 and the percentage of land unimproved is 95 per cent. 



Of these thirty-eight counties, with 18,950,000 acres, 16,486,500 acres 

 are unsettled, and 18,002,500 acres are unimproved.' 



Why are these lands unsettled and unimproved? Simply because they 

 are, in the main, unsuited to the uses of settlement and improvement for 

 agricultural purposes. But they have the finest soil in the world, with 

 climatic and other conditions the most favorable, for growing, not for 

 once, but for all time, the one crop that is most needed, as it is the most 

 valuable that these lands can grow — The White Pine, 



What should the State of Michigan do about it? 



I. Repeal all existing land laws. 



II. Acquire all pine stump lands, by making absolute all titles 

 through sales for delinquent taxes, or by purchase at their actual present 

 v^alue; and by condemnation under the power of eminent domain, all lands 

 necessary for the protection or improvement of the State's holdings. 



III. The enactment of a new Land Law : — 



Permitting no sale of public land except for actual homesteads, at a 

 fair valuation. The sale of no land, until a thorough examination showed 

 it was not needed for the State Forest Land. The survey and setting 

 apart for State Forest Land all lands suitable by character and location. 

 And the reclamation of the State Lands by replanting and thoroughly 

 protecting the growing forest. 



IV. A policy of taxation to encourage private owners in the im- 

 provement of their forest holdings, and one perfectly fair to the inhabi- 

 tants of tlie counties where the State Forest Lands are located. 



In other words : The adoption by the State of a comprehensive, en- 

 lightened and business-like public policy respecting forestry, and its en- 

 actment into law. 

 John H. Bissell, Esq.;, 

 Detroit, Mich. 



