CHAPTER II 



THE INFLUENCE OF SOILS ON THE SETTLEMENT 



OF MICHIGAN 



In the discussion of the soils of Michigan, it 

 should be understood at the outset that there is 

 little definite knowledge concerning them. The so- 

 called "soil survey" is as yet only in its incipieney. 

 Certain areas, a decade or more ago, were investigated 

 by the United States Bureau of Soils. These lie 

 in the counties of Allegan, Cass, Genesee, and 

 Wexford ; whilst others are adjacent to Owosso, 

 Alma, Saginaw, Oxford and Munising. More re- 

 cently, through a cooperative arrangement between 

 the Bureau of Soils and the Michigan Agricultural 

 College, detailed surveys have been carried on in the 

 counties of Calhoun and Berrien; while reconnais- 

 sance work has proceeded in the area adjacent to 

 Saginaw Bay, the "Thumb" district east of it, and 

 the southeastern portion of the State. At present 

 (August, 1921), work is in progress in St. Joseph 

 and Ottawa counties in the Lower Peninsula, and 

 in Ontonagon County in the Upper Peninsula. The 

 earlier surveys are not now regarded, either by the 

 United States Bureau of Soils or the Department 



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