180 RURAL MICHIGAN 



qiiently spin their own yarn and work it up into 

 mittens and socks is understood to be derived from 

 a custom of old Finland. Those who have partaken 

 of a meal at the table of a Finnish or a German- 

 American farmer are at once confronted with dishes 

 and flavors to which the Yankee palate is unaccus- 

 tomed. Equally odd appeared the wooden shoes of 

 the Hollanders of west IMichigan and the two-wheeled 

 cart that sometimes still moves upon our country 

 road. In settlements of newcomers from Europe, 

 these roads are frequently private ways with bars up 

 at intervals, although in appearance they are public 

 thoroughfares of inferior construction. There are 

 undoubtedly many strange customs of this order in 

 rural Michigan awaiting study and description as 

 opportunity presents itself. 



For statistics of population, see Appendices C, D 

 and E, and also Figs. 3-6. 



