THE GLEANERS 91 



states, as we have already seen. The thirteen 

 original states did not profit under this grant, 

 because at the formation of the Union they 

 took possession of all public lands excepting 

 only Indian reservations within their boun- 

 daries. The states that came within the mean- 

 ing of the act of 1850 were permitted either 

 to abide by the surveys of government en- 

 gineers or to make their own survey and file 

 claims with proof. Up to June 30, 1906, the 

 swamp lands had been distributed as follows: 



SWAMP LANDS CLAIMED BY THE STATES UP TO JUNE SO, 1906 



State Acret 



Alabama 534,190.04 



Arkansas ... . . 8,656,372 . 



California 2,066,253 . 22 



Florida 22,273,207. 



Illinois 3,981,784.10 



Indiana 1,377,727.70 



Iowa 4,572,816.27 



Louisiana all,216,831.33 



Louisiana 6785,270.00 



a Act of 1849. 6 Act of 1850. 



Slate Acret 



Michigan 7,293,278.93 



Minnesota 5,472,375 . i 



Mississippi 3,604,795 . 93 



Missouri 4,843,676 . 09 



Ohio 117,992.00 



Oregon 526,903.63 



Wisconsin 4,802,872.12 



Total 82,126,347.59 



Thus the three States of Florida, Arkansas 

 and Louisiana have patented one-half of the 

 total area, while the remaining area has been 

 distributed among twelve states, although 

 Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, 

 Wisconsin and Missouri received the bulk. 

 The amount of swamp land still held by the 

 Federal Government is small. 



