422 I.' I If A L MK'HKIAN 



been accomplished on the better lands, but there still 

 remain large areas of excellent land awaiting 

 clearing. ^^ 



"In briefly stating the situation, the following facts 

 stand out : 



"1. Michigan possesses a vast area of undeveloped 

 land. 



"•2. For the mopt part this land is stump land or 

 poorly drained land, which will require considerable 

 time and expense to prepare for cropping. 



"3. Long-time loans at a low rate of interest would 

 be of great help to individual farmers. 



"4. The soils are extremely variable. A compara- 

 tively large acreage is well adapted to farming, and 

 an even larger acreage can be termed unsuited for 

 farming under present conditions. 



"5. The agricultural possibilities of this area are 

 frequently misrepresented to the detriment of its 

 development. 



"G. With proper crops, under the right conditions, 

 a great development of successful farm communi- 

 ties can be made, much to the benefit of the 

 state. 



"•7. Forest fires cause great damage to incoming 

 settlers, a great loss to standing timber and the young 

 growth, and injury to soils through burning out of 

 organic matter. More adequate forest-fire regula- 

 tions to remove this menace is necessary. 



"8. A state agricultural and soil survey to prop- 

 erly designate the value of land for farming, graz- 



