510 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



SUMMARY 



The Detroit Area is situated in the extreme southeast part of the State of 

 Michigan covering approximately 1,543 square miles. It consists of a small 

 part of the bed of the ancient lake Maumee. 



The first settlements were made by the French along the shore of Lake 

 Erie and the Detroit river. Dense growths of timber had to be removed 

 before agricultural operations could be started. Real agriculture dates back 

 to approximately 1818. Development was gradual until in 1875 the greater 

 part of the entire area was cleared. Transportation and good markets 

 accounted for the rapid development. 



Detroit and Monroe are the two principal cities with smaller cities scattered 

 over the area. Excellent transportation facilities are offered to the larger 

 cities both by railroad and highway. Water transportation to Cleveland, 

 Buffalo and other eastern markets is easily obtained. 



Drainage throughout most of the area is poor. Outlets for the most part 

 are well established but a lack of field drains is the greatest limiting factor 

 to agriculture. 



The Climate is quite desirable. The winters are of medium length and not 

 severe and the summers of sufficient length to furnish a good growing season. 

 The normal rainfall is approximately 30 inches and the mean annual tem- 

 perature 48° F. The average growing season is about 157 days. 



The 'principal crops grown are corn, oats, wheat, barley, hay and potatoes. 

 Diversified farming is carried on to a large extent, while grain and livestock 

 farming and dairying are the two leading interests. Near the cities truck 

 farming is very important. 



Livestock. The raising and fattening of hogs and the fattening of cattle 

 and lambs along with dairying are the greatest livestock interests. 



The average sized farm is approximately 80 acres. On the heavy lands 

 75 per cent of the owners operate their farms while on the light soils approxi- 

 mately 90 per cent operate their own farms. 



The soil types mapped are clay loam, silt loam, fine sandy loam, brown 

 sand, sandy loam and sandy loam on gravelly subsoil. 



The clay loam which comprises about 10 per cent of the area, lies chiefly 

 in the southern part. Although its natural drainage is poor this soil is very 

 productive when drained and carefully managed. The vegetable matter 

 and nitrogen contents are unusually high, the phosphorus runs above 1,600 

 pounds and the potassium supply ranges from 47,290 to 49,660 pounds per 

 acre of surface soil. Lime is present in suitable amounts. The chief con- 

 siderations in the successful management of the clay loam soil are drainage, 

 attention to the water content when tilled or plowed or trampled by live stock 

 in order to avoid puddling, a systematic rotation of crops and the use of 

 phosphates. If acid phosphate is applied to each of the ^rain crops ii; the 

 rotation the amounts should run from 100 to 200 pounds per acre. If it is 

 added to one of the small grain crops and the tilled crop in a four year rotation 

 200 to 400 pounds should be distributed. Where raw rock is utilized as a 

 carrier of phosphorus it should be scattered just previous to or following the 

 distribution of manure and turned under. 



