PLAN OF THE WORK. 



An epitome is first given of the geological and climatic peculiarities of the 

 State, with the more notable particulars of its discovery and occupation for 

 missionary, military and fur-trading purposes; following wliich occurs a gen- 

 eral history of its horticulture since the survey of its lands and their sale and 

 settlement. 



The sixty-eight counties of the Lower Peninsula are then separately con- 

 sidered, and a local history of each given, with some account of its organ- 

 ization and original settlement, commencing at the southeast, taking those 

 of the south tier in cousecutive order, and the second and each consecutive 

 tier in the same order, commencing at the east county in each tier, only re- 

 serving the islands in Lake Michigan, constituting Manitou county, till the 

 last. 1 



Then follows a general consideration of the history and peculiarities of the 

 Upper Peninsula, after which the local history of each of its fifteen counties 

 is given, commencing at the east and taking each in the order of its occur- 

 rence when approached from that direction, excepting only Isle Royale 

 county, in Lake Superior, which is given last. 



So little is known and accessible respecting the horticultural capacities of 

 this peninsula that its agricultural development is freely considered, since, in 

 a good degree, this may be taken as the measure of its horticultural possi- 

 bilities. 



Great care has been taken to insure the correct statement of facts, but the 

 circumstances have sometimes been such that absolute certainty has been 

 found impossible, with the limited time and the imperfect material available 

 for the purpose. 



